Listen closely to two comments and what he forgot to mention. He forgot to mention that he added himself to the committees and with the excuse that now two committee members could meet and talk without violating the OMA.
This is the section of the Municipal Code he refers to:
In the 2014 Illinois Municipal Handbook in Chapter 7, Article II Section D (1) states: (found on page 203)
Special Rules for Five Member Boards- Prior to 2008, Section 2.01 of the OMA defined meeting to include a majority of a quorum of a five-member board (2 people), instead of a quorum (3 people). This limitation had long frustrated municipal officials who were unable to discuss even the simplest items related to public business without technically conducting a meeting under the OMA. Now, two municipal officials in a five member board may meet to discuss public business without it being considered a meeting under the OMA. Although this law has liberated municipal officials from the majority of a quorum requirement for five-member bodies, it contains an additional limitation. The amendment to the OMA also requires an affirmative vote of at least three members of a five-member body, such as a municipal body in the commission form, to adopt any motion, resolution or ordinance, unless a greater number is otherwise required, regardless of whether all members are in attendance. This rule also applies to committees and all other public bodies with five members.
Committee meetings were designed for the aldermen to work on specific areas of governing and not for the mayor to attach himself to them for self interest control of what transpires. He also states that he had numerous aldermen ask for the more members and if you believe that pie in the sky comment, you have not lived in this city. POWER TENDS TO CORRUPT is my thought and taking place right now in Peru.
39 comments:
Um um um um How many times can we say um? Good points but take a public speaking class for heavens sake or you are useless against a loser mayor
Sounds like you are an expert. Where can we assume you are having a class?
Youre not?
Be respectful please. Nobody is perfect!
Really 9:59? Have you done public speaking? It isn't as easy as you think.
When the mayor commented that several aldermen approached him wanting more aldermen on each committee did any of them verify this at the meeting? Also, even if they did wouldn't the right way to handle this be to discuss it with the "ENTIRE" council and not just the special few? It is becoming quite apparent that the mayor, along with his chosen few aldermen, are running this city on their own.
Is the Mayor Harl controlling both of those committees? Have you been in attendance to confirm that litmus test? If the answer is yes, why have a committee?
I just read an opinion piece in the News Tribune. The editor is blaming the bicycle death on North Peoria Street on the "vocal group that wants a pool". He said they blocked the bike trail initiative and is blaming the death on poor bike riding conditions in Peru.
There is a serious problem in society today. There is absolutely no personal responsibility, blame is always placed on somebody or something other than the individual. In my opinion, if you purposely put yourself in a dangerous situation, you bear the majority of the fault. Riding a bicycle on North Peoria Street is dangerous.
9:22 AM
I don't think the lady was totally familiar with the area and we do have a problem with not ever establishing a bicycle walking path to the businesses to the north.
The bike path planned development had little to do with that problem. One of the plans was the path along Water Street and west and the most recent had no pathways directly north, I don't believe. Time to revisit that map.
The NT editor absolutely did NOT blame anyone. He made a fair point and just said that something should be done. What is worse than a society that blames everyone is a society that doesn't know how to read and infer things that are not there. There was no blaming in the editorial the man was just trying to prompt some action by the city. PLEASE!
The committee discussion and the coke plant discussion was Perez seeking publicity and not worthy of coverage by the local news? Nobody cares about what committee those alderman are on. And what's wrong with somebody called a mayor asking about a building?
Funny how the reporter didn't mention the lady driver wasn't familiar with the area and was probably trying to make her way back to 251 from the Adventure Drive mess.
Harl only wanted that bike path to give his buddies in the 150 a job to do.
The pool people were not trying to stop the bike path. They were making a point that there was NO money for any extras. NONE.
Now suddenly we have close to $3 million in reserves. Who's a liar and who's telling the truth?
10:2 AM
You are wrong on all counts. People do care now because they have become informed as to the discrepancies in how we receive good information. They should know that the government in this city is changing and how it is being manipulated by our mayor for his own advantage. He was not elected to be the sole proprietor of this city and to run it how he wanted. Mayor Harl did not find that loophole in the Municipal Code but someone did find it for him.
9:58 AM, I don't think you read the same editorial that I did. The editor used a common tactic of assigning blame and adding a disclaimer. Sort of like the old phrase... "I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying." So, if you read the editorial, he goes out of his way to say that we had an opportunity to start building a bike path last year that - if it was completed, which it could not be - would have given the bicyclist an alternative safe route. He also states that the vocal advocates for a new pool prevented us from seeking grants to build a bike path - thus assigning blame for the accident without actually saying that.
It is clear that the editor wants to use this incident to get Peru to seek a grant and obligate funds for a bike path. Furthermore, the editor views the advocates for a pool to be in the way of this goal.
I for one do not see a reason for building bike paths or pools until all of the necessary infrastructure has been updated. That includes all the water and sewer pipes and all streets.
As a society, we need to get off this kick in which we expect the Government to subsidize our recreation.
Bike Paths and Pools = recreation
Water = basic survival
No, 10:52, that was not Perez seeking publicity. That was alderman Perez doing the job he was elected to do. It's also not about somebody being curious about a building and calling the mayor. It's about the mayor giving someone permission to make an offer on a building while only including several aldermen in on his decision. I challenge anyone to find the minutes of the meeting where this decision was made. According to the mayor it exists. Wonder where!!!
That editor also said he bets Harl says I told you so. Again that lays blame on the pool people. what would give Harl the right to say I told you so to anybody. A woman was killed, and the reporter wants somebody to say "I told you so".
Peru is not, nor will it ever be, Naperville. We need to stick to the basics, spend tax dollars wisely, and be a nice boring community of thrifty working class people. Frankly, most of the people that ride bikes in our town do so because they are not allowed to drive a car.
If people want free entertainment, they can go to Peoria or Chicago. Otherwise, they should be in charge of and pay for their own fun - this includes the annual burning of the $100 bills on Water Street.
1:36 I have a hundred dollar bet backed by the bike stores in town that says you are not even close to the actual bike demographics.
Frankly, we are never going to be Naperville means nothing. Many smaller towns with a helluva lot less revenue have parks, pools, fireworks, and bike paths. Its called the BASICS as well. A whole pool could have been purchased simply by paying a reasonable contract for water treatment services.
I can give you a map to the Amish communities, where you can stick to your basics and be thrifty working class people. You might have to ride a bike though, or a horse. Hope they have paths.
3:23, the government should not be involved in entertainment. Period. Put it to a vote and I guarantee that, just like the pool, the bike path will be shot down when the people are asked to pay for it.
Or better yet - maybe we should charge a license fee and annual tax to owners of bikes. Let the bike riders pay a fee to support a bike path.
I'll vote for Harl and my Alderman if they build a free bowling alley. I like bowling and I think I should have a free place to practice my sport.
Hey 8:27
I heard the suicide girls are building a bowling alley right where the pool was. And the ghost of mayor harl will be seen dragging chains looking for the dead spots BUT all that will be built will be a pickle ball court sponsored by the FBI.
:)
Have a nice night peru
Okay, I've driven many places that I was not familiar with but I have never driven over something in front of me, let alone a bike rider. Apparently we don't know the whole story and maybe the driver was distracted by others in the car or maybe a cell phone.
10:52 a.m. the mayor called about a building and authorized the economic development director to make a verbal bid on the property without informing all members on the council, only his select favorites.
10:10 p.m. great post! You are so funny! Love your sarcasm!!
Is there any truth to the rumor that the FBI has designated Peru as a role model for forensic accounting investigative processes and is considering Peru as a on site training grounds with a branch office?
Peru has a history of illegal addictions and political corruptions for so many years that most outsiders remark to the extent of which many of its citizens have set their own ideas of what is legal and is illegal.
1:48 am that is true. It was the driver's fault. Was the bike rider on the road or on the narrow shoulder? You take a risk every day when you walk out your door. If you ride a bike on a narrow road, you make that choice. There are many other roads in Peru that could have been taken. The shoulder of 251 is much wider and would be a better choice. Going up North Marquette to Wenzel Road and up the back way would be safer. You can't put the blame for that accident on the city for not having a bike path, and certainly can't blame the pool committee. That reporter was way off his rocker.
9:18 Without establishing formal bike lanes (usually as part of a route), a bicycle has every legal right to be anywhere in the lanes, just like a motorcycle.
Riding as far to the right as possible is a common sense convention and courtesy that a vast majority of bikers do, simply because it avoids long delays and traffic back ups. Makes passing them easier. But it is no right of a motorist to unsafely pass or follow to closely.
Most who bike on busy roads, whether motorcycles or bicycles should wear helmets and use flags. Without flags, the profile of of a motorcycle or bike is almost twenty time LESS visible to all drivers, even worse when in peripheral areas of vision. People don't go out out trying to hit motorcycles or bicycles. They are just more vulnerable and harder to see period.
It is a sad state of affairs when massive START SEEING MOTORCYCLE banners and campaigns are all over the place , yet you see them riding without helmets or high flags. There is law, and then their is common sense. You cannot legislate common sense.
This accident apparently had many factors that led up to it, some in control of the city, some in control of the victim, and some in control of the driver of the car. The editorial was , in my opinion, poorly worded and somewhat pointless, but really.. it is the News Tribune. what did you really expect.
If the city is going to leave adventure drive the way it is, there should be another sign at the Eureka Bank four way stop that would lead drivers back to 251, in case they missed the first. Just a suggestion in case the city reads this blog.
The council should decide to record all committee meetings and put them on the city website. Then even though the public may not be able to attend a 10:00 a.m. meeting, at least we'd be able to see what went on.
2:21 Some call these minutes of the meetings. You can view all on the web site. Maybe we all should pay a cable company to have all the meetings live? Nobody cares about small talk at meetings.
4:02 obviously you've never been to a committee meeting. That's where all the business takes place. Speak for yourself because I do care why my city representatives are doing.
Observed that the video of the Suicide Girls has been removed from the blog as stated under the terms if those involved in the next concert would remove the Suicide Girls from the performance.
Thank you and Congratulations to all involved in stopping the promoter and city officials from taking a nice town and creating it into a reputation as a giant striptease club.
Remember when stepping into the voting booth the past record your city officials stand for and if this is the way you want your town to be imaged. I don't!
Stoppage of this show was not done willingly and it had to be confronted by the blog. It must be remembered that a effort was made to bring this show to a city government facility and be allowed to perform breaking the same ordinances which have been passed by a past city council. Extensive opinions historically have been expressed against allowing the airport and Peru city officials being involved in these concerts. Sadly if everything said is true of the religious representation and their attitude towards the Suicide Girls Act being performed and a parochial school financially benefiting I question their ability to hear confession, preach and follow their own commandments. Possibly someone who represents the faith should clarify their position. This is not a plea for confrontation but a prayer for guidance and understanding.
9:55 PM
I believe this is a public grade school, Centennial Elementary, of Streator which will be the recipient of the cause.
The Mayor has a right to name anyone elected to any committee. If you were Harl what committee would you put Alderman Perez on?
9:56 If you wonder about the power of the blog, you really should check out Kristy latest blog, if you havent already.
I have trouble exactly following her detailed blogs often, but it does seem pretty clear that one of the conditions of grant compliance is not serving alcohol at any events on that property? And even Alderman Perez openly stated that there were likely a few doobies being smoked at the Kid Rock concert. ( many other poeple commented on it on the Facebook page.) The city has never taken the reasonable step of drug screening, something regularly done by many concert venues.
The question is, how can the FAA allow any concert that serves alcohol? There is no special exemption.
I am not 100% positive, but I believe the City cannot prohibit any videotaping of this public event, other than the actual performance. The promoter can prohibit special video equipment I think, but recent changes in interpreting the Illinois laws on video of individuals in public areas where there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy, as well as the ability of citizens to record illegal acts to turn over to the authorities for investigation- well it just seems like there is a high probability that may be a terrible place to throw an Uproar Concert.
What took place at the Peru City Council Meeting, July 28, 2014 that it hasn't been placed on the city web site yet or will it ever be made a open public disclosure?
Also there was a council approval of former city engineer, Sean Mikos, to purchase programming to update city computer programming. What is the present status of this acquisition and what was the total expense?
Who will have the final legal say as to where the MM Plant will be located? What steps are to be fulfilled in this decision? Seems to be a tremendous amount of local financial interest. Is the investors return going to be so financially lucrative that this is the reason that so many people have motives that don't have a clue to what dark tunnel they are exploring? What are the educational and experience background to be qualified to own a M M production facility? Illinois the 20th state entering MM.
@9:33 AM Qualifications to own a MM facility will not depend upon education or experience but local name recognition, family ties, ability to channel money to proper individuals and being a member of the proper political party.
Now that the "Suicide Girls" have been dropped as a part of the next concert will the promoter have to refund the cost of the ticket if someone wants their money back?
If it is a rain out would the promoter have to refund the entire cost of a rain out because it is not the advertised act when someone demands all their money back?
1;21 If the Suicide Girls were advertised as part of the line up, someone who purchased the ticket could ask for their money back. If they used credit card or paypal they might have a shot at getting it back, but I doubt the promoter would willingly refund the entire ticket price, claiming that individual band cancellations do not materially effect a music festival, and the festival was presented.
A weather rainout is SOL, totally at the promoters discretion. They are clear when they state no refunds. That is why there are some of the most dangerous types of mass gatherings. There is tremendous pressure to have them in spite of any dangerous weather or any other unplanned calamity.
If you have 10,000 drunk, some drugged, crazed rock fans out there, they generally do NOT leave happily without incident.
"If you have 10,000 drunk, some drugged, crazed rock fans out there, they generally do NOT leave happily without incident."
The blog has made evident that there is the possible potential of 10,000 people to be assembled at a government facility in partnership with cities government representatives and a private promoters concert without acknowledgment of a complete and published security program nor disclosure of the promoters insurance responsibilities.
I add that this government facility has been built for and with the safety features of a airport not for a concert and all the entities included in a hard rock heavy metal concert. Also one act has had to be eliminated and both the promoter and the city government have had previous documented experiences in concert business relationships previously.
I ask who is legally and financially responsible for this concert and all possible?occurrences?
Is the involvement of city officials in any private business such as this concert have anything to do with the responsibilities that they are elected for? If it does why are we not electing promoters instead of what we have?
It appears that this administration and council are completely unaware of the legal responsibilities they have created for the City of Peru. For no other reason than the risk is not worth the rewards to the city ALL good businessmen would never have entered this agreement with the promoter.
The last city council meeting took place Monday, July 28, 2014. Today Monday August 4, 2014 this meeting is still not available on the city website. WHY?
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