If you’re not sure exactly what the Peru at-large referendum is all about then you are probably not alone. As a supporter of this initiative I am of the opinion that this referendum is worthy of a “Yes” vote for a number of reasons. The way I see it, this effort is actually a referendum on the entire city council as a whole. That’s because if approved, each and every alderman currently in office will be required to defend their seat in April 2015. Normally in Peru, four aldermen are elected every four years.
However, if voters approve the at-large referendum on March 18 there will be six aldermen elected in 2015 and that is unprecedented in Peru. What makes it even more appealing is the potential for significant “turnover” in aldermen. If you feel as I do, that the majority of Peru aldermen have been making poor decisions based not on what is best for the majority of citizens in Peru, but what is best for certain connected business interests and individuals in Peru, then this referendum provides the perfect opportunity to show some or all of the current Peru aldermen the door. Reducing the number of aldermen from eight to six and creating two “at-large” aldermen to be elected city wide will actually increase representation. Each citizen will now have one Ward alderman and two at-large aldermen to contact with a question or concern.
If we really need eight aldermen in Peru, why is it that only four aldermen actually participate regularly in committee meetings? Why is it that only four of the eight aldermen control over 90 percent of all city business under the jurisdiction only two powerful committees, finance and public works? Half of our aldermen are not even allowed to contribute or participate in the process of governing. Those of us who attend council meetings know that feeling all too well. The referendum is a rare opportunity for Peru voters to let your aldermen know that you do not approve of awarding $3,000,000 no-bid contracts.
If you are not satisfied with the serious lack of leadership and direction of your city, now is your chance to take charge. Vote “Yes” for two at-large aldermen in Peru.
Mike Hart,
Peru
14 comments:
This is letter was when Baker stole the sign it was the tipping point of the election. The old guard is scared with several meetings at the deli trying to figure a plan to confuse voters enough not to get involved now. Low primary turnout favors people who actually care to vote and are interested in government. Expect higher turnout for Republicans with contested race for governor and as a democrat they believe in less government. I am predicting a 10 pt margin here, if people that supported Hart and Harl for Mayor break in favor of it, it will pass with bigger margin.
Is it possible to elect a ballot with only the 2 referendums and no party affiliation. If not, whynot ?
Let's not forget the concerts, and what it cost us.
Anon 10:58 Yes it is possible to obtain a ballot with only the 2 referendums and no party affiliation.
The City and those living in Peru will gain with a Yes vote. Presently those that would gain the most with a No vote are the 7 incumbent aldermen who signed the advertisement, who have reduced their council meetings by 1/2 at the same pay, in Saturdays paper along with the balance of the signers who because of certain historical knowledge are more comfortable without change.
Non partisan ballots will be available at all polling places
Upon reading the ad in Saturday's paper and looking at the names and large time span of dates served I felt sickened. Peru has not made much progress in this long a time frame.
We must look at the future starting now and vote Yes March 18th. I am tired of feeding a spawn of minnows who think they are big fish only because they are in a little pond and strive to keep it that way for their own selfish benefit.
10:48 please explain how voting yes does anything to change what you see as the problem. If you think the problem is these people are "little fish in a big pond" then please explain how running an election to represent 10,000 instead of 2,500 improves the situation.
Our town is far from perfect but please tell me which town you would prefer to be in if you are even from here. Everyone complains about taxes but our taxes are lower. I'm all for change, but how does this election change anything.
Funny thing is much of the council has changed over the last several years. It's not a bunch of cronies who have served forever. We have some fresh faces.
You better ask yourself who is behind this referendum and why. Where did the money come from for the signs? Aren't you even curious?
I don't follow what anonymous bloggers tell me anymore than I follow what politicians tell me. Think for yourself very carefully before voting on this issue.
I am a business leader completely unaffiliated with city leaders and I will be voting no on this issue along with many of my business associates who live here.
'I don't follow what anonymous bloggers tell me anymore than I follow what politicians tell me. Think for yourself very carefully before voting on this issue.'
You don't believe what anonymous bloggers tell you on this blog but you must have forgotten to sign your name because I received as an ANONYMOUS comment.
My name is Lois Carroll and I say yes to the referendum, what is yours?
My comment was directed to 1:44 PM
ANON 1:44
Part of your comment makes one very doubtful of your loyalty to Peru:
"I am a business leader completely unaffiliated with city leaders and I will be voting no on this issue along with many of my business associates who live here."
Well La De Da aren't you a self proclaimed big shot (a business leader). I am a business leader also, a monkey business executive in charge of a growing tomato plant. Business leader how much did the city have to buy from you last year without any competitive bids. Have you bought from the same vendor for the last 25 years without doing any outside pricing.
Are you foolish enough to believe that your business associates are going to truthfully tell you how they will vote and that without political connections they know 100% what their vote will be before they enter the booth. Self Proclaimed Business Leader how long have you been in business- 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month, 1 year? Oh! Go ahead and make the fish story real big claim 75, 80, 100 years in business.
The truth is you wouldn't know a leader if he was at your front staring you in the face.
To 1:44 pm, You are disqualified from claiming to be "unaffiliated" with any city officials if you or you company do any business with the city of Peru. If you do you are not unbiased and i understand why you would be a No vote. You would not favor "upsetting the apple cart" and I get that. The sad thing is that you and others seem to see anything different as radical or automatically bad for the city. If your impression of Peru's current leadership is good then good for you. I just don't understand how anybody who pays attention to our city council could have such an opinion. That's my opinion.
As a local business woman, I will be voting yes. Stagnant Peru is NOT good for business and only a few of the favorites get any benefit from what goes on with this council.
10:51 am makes a great point. Peru has forever been a city where the elected officials wield control of which companies / businesses get to feed at the taxpayer trough. The decisions are based on a number of factors including, campaign contributions, friendships, fraternal organization affiliations, or just good old fashioned political corruption. In any event, there are likely to be more businesses that should be pissed off about the cronyism that is pervasive in Peru. If those business leaders would unite to stop the corruption of favoritism they could help the referendum movement tremendously.
If they ever want fairness, no, if anybody ever wants fairness in how Peru does business, they should vote YES to the At-Large Referendum.
Post a Comment