Since the people of #Peru have little going on in this city except for the usual #Concerts for a Cause at the airport which interests only a certain segment of our city, you are probably taking a vacation or traveling to one of our neighboring cities for entertainment. If you are interested in the concerts, look elsewhere because I will not promote something that is so specialized in their nature that probably at least 85% of the people living here have no interest in them and many find them offensive.
What is disturbing about this is the letter posted by Kristy in which Ald. Dave Waldorf calls her attempts to get the truth a #"Witch Hunt". The public has a right to search and find any governmental information that takes place and for this information we all can foia this info and expect to receive it in a respectful manner. But Ald. Waldorf has never been respectful of anyone who questions him about his decisions or any decisions that reflect back upon his voting record. As far as I know he has never stood up for his ideas but simply followed the leader on the council but that simply tells me and many others he has no ideas and does not really research and look for the truth and apply that information to his votes.
Kristy you are not the first one to be attacked verbally by this alderman as I have for simply giving my opinion and a suggestion. Next April is election time once again and if you want to make a difference in the third ward and the current aldermen are offensive to you, you will have an opportunity to replace one of them. whoisadamil16.blogspot.com
71 comments:
OMG! I just read the email exchange between Waldorf and Kristy. He is not very smart to put something like that in writing. It shows his complete lack of accountability to the taxpayer. I've witnessed his rudeness in person, and now it's in writing for everybody else to see.
I just read the comment. To be fair how is what Waldorf said attacking anyone? He said nothing personal or offensive whatsoever. His reference to the "witch hunt" is referring to the crying some people do about the concert each year. Not everyone may like him, but the guy is a straight shooter and I found nothing offensive about it. He didn't even say "your" witch hunt.
If you are going to use offending Kristy as a platform for replacing an alderman, I'm pretty sure that won't get many votes. That and this concert thing is way overdone and that blog about the airports makes absolutely no sense whatsoever which is why no one reads it or cares. No one cares about this blog anymore because all you talk about is the concert and pickleball. Move on to real topics and you might actually engage people again.
Or you could just not post things that you don't like as you usually do. What a joke.
Who is running in this ward any names yet?
Keep in mind that the Illinois Socialist Party... I mean Illinois Democrat Party... just passed a bill that will allow municipalities to charge unreasonably high fees to individuals that they consider "problem FOIA requestors."
When the Premier of Illinois... I mean Governor of Illinois.... signs this bill, Kristy and everyone else will no longer be able to afford to file an FOIA Request.
This bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of Socialists... I mean Democrats... in Springfield.
I heard LaSalle will probably get the new pot factory because Peru electric and rates are to high. There is also talk of it going into Oglesby for much the same reason.
2:50 I am sorry, but you are wrong on this one. Remove his sentence completely, and that could have been the response. To say there was nothing offensive about it or to say that is the sign of a straight shooter? People do care about many things, and the concert is a big one and one that is really unusual. The standard practice around here is to do things illegally and with great impropriety for long periods of time, so they become normal from generation to generation.
Kristy is responsible almost single handedly moving the concerts to return something to the city, even if it is minimal. She works alone, tends to rile feathers, and has trouble getting along even with allies, because she tends to distrust everyone especially politicians.
But just because she is irritating/sarcastic does not mean she is either wrong nor a constituent who deserves such a mocking response.
Believe it or not, Politicians are supposed to do the kind of crap SHE is doing. But I dont see any opposition letters to these folks so...the fake charity concerts go on. Seems normal. Seems right. Aint right.
Problem FOIA requestors are no where near what Kristy requests.
You people REALLY should read the bills before you comment on them.
There truly are problem FOIA requesters, but even they, if their interest is sincere can partner with either a paper or a lobbiest group and frame the request so that the "exorbitant" fees are manageable.
OK 5:31 - you can believe that. But if the bill is signed by Quinncome Tax - say good by to getting anything from municipal governments. I did read the bill ant that is why I posted about it. And which "newspaper" will Kristy "partner" with - The News Tribune? Ha ha ha ha ha... they have been bought and paid for long ago.
OK 10;30 I dont know why I waste my time bantying words with idiots who just like to hear themselves call democrats funny names, but I doubt you read the bill, because municipalities could always charge for copyng, and it was just meant to do the same for huge electronic data requests, at rates massively lower than copying. And also, if the info was publically available on a city website, they could charge for morons too lazy to go there and download it.
And I will bet you lots of money I have done more FOIA than you, and I generally check to see if the Governor vetoed something before calling him names. He did veto the bill btw. Go ahead and spew libertarian or republican venom now, and be sure to add how more people are killed by butter knifes and can openers each year than AK 47 s so every teacher should have one.
To 3:50 PM, Try to be more informed about what you blog. The proposed bill to which you refer was "Vetoed" by the governor nearly two weeks ago. Also, for the record it had support from both sides of the isle. Democrats and Republicans in office are both annoyed by FOIA requests. "Push-Back" against activist groups is not unique to any party or governemnt agency.
Get a clue 3:50 pm.
your all republicans you hate anyone otherwise
It is good that Quinncome Tax vetoed the bill. I do have a clue. In fact I have several. The Illinois Plutocrat Party... I mean Republican Party is just as bad, if not worse, than the People's Socialist Party... I mean Illinois Democrat Party. There is not much that can be done to save Illinois. A 100% turnover of EVERY elected official in Illinois might help. Better yet, we could give up our statehood and divide the territory between bordering states - leaving Chicago to itself - because nobody wants that cesspool of crime and corruption.
Why should Kristy trust anyone? I applaud her "journey" to hold officials and agencies accountable for establishing a documented and quantifiable revenue stream to the airport fund by tax dollars. But her allies must be far and few because unfortunately her attempts have only proven semi-successful. Certainly Kristy deserves to be acknowledged for the increase in ticket and parking fees but if her allies were political in nature her success would have been greater.
The "machine" is more powerful than an individual working "singlehandedly" and her "journey" will prove to be nothing more than wasted energy and time.
3:50-how well informed are you?
11:09, I am well informed enough to know that Illinois is a lost cause. There is nothing the people can do to rescue this state. The most reasonable thing anyone can do is sell their property to some sucker before the mass exodus starts. It might be to late though. Get out folks while the getting is good! Illinois is sinking fast!
12:23 I have to agree that this state is in pretty bad shape. Time will tell whether or not it is a lost cause or not.
The fault, however, doesn't rest with the politicians, it rests with the electorate who continue to put them there. Talk to your neighbor, friends, relatives, etc. if you want to invoke REAL change.
Let's say the concert gets cancelled due to weather, does the concert promotor pay the city for services rendered by using city employees up to the time of cancellation? What's in the contract regarding this?
8:06 PM
Very interesting question. Does she have a contract with the city stating what she is responsible for if adverse weather or unknown event should occur to prevent the concert from taking place? Or does it become an "act of God?"
could you print Kristis blog address? I would like to read what the Ignorant barber said.
9:32 AM
The link is on the right side of this blog under Airport Funding (Kristy) all under links.
8:06 + 8:11, doesn't concert promotor have on their insurance policy money they receive in case of a cancellation? Therefore a person would think there is a clause regarding payment to the city in case of a cancellation. I tend to believe the city has too many employees (summer help) to be able to have the time in their days work(paid by taxpayers) to set up for these concerts. What is missing with this picture. I would think the cities attorney would understand billable hours due to the fact law firms go by billable hours with the way they conduct business. My opinion. Here is some food for thought. A farmer can take out an insurance policy regarding their crop. I believe up to 85% of the value it would be if it came to fruitruition. Say their is a drought. Bad crop. Farmer gets the money. Not a bad deal. An honest farmer will complain about their lovely crop not being harvested, but realistically they didn't lose much.
I think Kristy forgot one other point. If I am not mistaken, Kid Rock used a Helicopter to arrive. So I think he could have landed about anywhere :)
Weather Insurance for major events is generally purchased and priced out close to the event. Usually, the only covered expenses are non refundables such as facility rent and guaranteed reservation of stage equipment and the minimum fees required/guaranteed to the entertainer.
I believe Concerts for a cause offers zero refunds, so it is conceivable that they would do very well should there be a sellout coupled with a rainout, at least from the entertainment fees. A majority of the revenues are projected to come from the monopoly concessions, so that would be a washout.
The danger of angry crowds is increased when they pay non refundable fees for entertainment, as is the pressure to have them go on even in dangerous weather.
You need a very high security and police force presence to handle evacuation from paid events.
They are questionable from a business standpoint as far as liability, and ridiculous for a city to get so deeply involved with. There are many suitable venues in the area, but they would charge market rates for facility and demand a much higher level of insurance and security forces.
I still do not believe the Airport and City insurance agreed to cover these events. It is amazing to me, given the layout and nature of the events.
I read Kristys blog and keep waiting for one simple answer, cause she usually has facts. This blog has talked a bunch about Harl and the gang having forgiven over 20k in agreed concert debt after a concert. Did that happen? Or is it just blog myth?
4:31 PM
I remember hearing the mayor say "we could consider it a donation". It is not a myth.
I want to say one thing and I want to make it perfectly clear. The vast silent majority of Peru citizens support Mayor Harl and everything the current council is doing.
7:31 PM
That's funny because last week I was with a large group of people and they told me without even asking how disappointed they were in Harl etc. Looking forward to next April to start the cleanup at city hall because city is looking really bad.
7:31. He got less than 40% of the vote last election. I'd say 60% don't support him.
Kid Rock arrived by private jet, not helicopter.
7:31, you must be joking!!!!!!
That is what the opposition want's you to think. Mayor Harl is hugely popular with the "silent majority".
It will be funny to see how small the check back to the city will be. Not many up there tonight!
How come we saw city paid employees on the clock w their children w them....I'd like a foia of all paid city employees
The only thing that can save Illinois is to immediately change the labor laws by enacting Right-to-Work legislation. It has been proven that industry uses Right-to-Work status as a litmus test. They will not expand in a state that has archaic labor laws.
Save Illinois! Right-to-Work in 2015! Send the socialists packing!
Lois
What council meeting was it that the council returned funds to the private business and said we can call it a donation.
Thanks.
Anon 8:05, in a 4 way race that is huge, every candidate that puts their name in the hat expects at least 25 percent in a 4 way, 33 percent in a 3 way etc.. 1 candidate took a huge loss, while the other 2 held on to what they should have started with, but Harl actually won big, so don't get your hope up for a sweep next April
Mayor Harl might be hugely popular with the "silent minority", but most assuredly he is not hugely popular with the "silent majority". Even the city employees who once supported him want him gone.
9:23 Then foia that information to the city clerks office.
6:33 AM
It was a committee meeting and I think maybe Public Property or else Finance but believe it was the first. I will check with others who might have been there also.
Do you think people who have been given a job or have been appointed to positions in this city would want Harl gone in the 2017 election 8:31? I bet not, because they might be gone eventually also. My common sense tells me "no" in my opinion. Anybody or anyone who owns a business who has a tight affiliation with a person who gives them there job security is going to go with the program.
If anyone had a scanner on last nite you would of heard what goes on at a concert for a cause ! 5 car pile up with two 10-55s . Also call for ambulance for intoxicated male ! City of Peru electric employ lieinh to police too get to concert to pick someone up by saying he was called out to work ! Sounds like noonan made lots of money on boose anyway !
What 'a 10-55's? A person who would tell the truth would say over 50% of concert attendees were intoxicated. Suggestion to the concert promotor, have a gospel singing concert, where no alcohol is served. Donate the money to lighted way for example. Do you think the concert promotor would have this type of a venue. There is a big market for this type of concert. Heck, maybe Amy Grant/Vince Gill could perform. However, I don't believe any concert should be at the airport, nor should the city be involved what so ever.
Anon 9:50, oh please, I hope my retirement years don't revolve around a police scanner, I hope there is more to life than that!
I talked to a mom whose son went to the concert with a few friends. One boy got very intoxicated and got lost from them and ended up somewhere else in Peru. She said he is 21, however, do the volunteers know when to stop serving a person who obviously was drunk enough?
11:25 PM
It sounds like you are one of those residents who like to keep their head in the sand and we have way to many residents who don't want to know what is going on around them and the result = the problems we have in the city today.
Ever see those signs in some cities called a "#Neighborhood Watch" and those mean the city is encouraging residents to be aware of problems. In some ways, a scanner is also the same thing, by keeping people aware of their community. If you heard on the scanner that cars and homes were being defaced in your neighborhood, wouldn't you be more watchful and maybe help the police locate the people.
At events like this, they don't stop serving until the customer passes out or is arrested.
Lois, there is much more to life in my mind than to spend it listening to a scanner, we have police departments, fire dept. Emts etc to take care of us, which they have been doing long before there were scanners. If I wanted to be such a watch dog for the city I would consider running for an office.
If you can here anything of significance on a scanner, then somebody needs to question the chief about his choice in technology.
12:37 PM
I know there are people like you all over the country, you don't want to question authority and they are exactly who needs to be watched the closest.
Read the quote at the bottom of each blog page, please. Why do you think there are neighborhood watches, it is because people of authority can not be everywhere at all times. Being aware makes people better citizens of their town.
As a matter of fact the police are asking for assistance now on the vandalism that is occurring at the north end of Marquette subdivision. They can't be everywhere all the time. If we can help we should.
Everyone knows that the intoxication and any injuries were pre existing conditions.
Anyone who donates blood to any concert victims is just doing it for the kids! What a great cause!
The most common comment on the LaGrottos facebook page is always Thank you, what a great cause!
I do not see any donations since Kid Rock, and that was no real donation.
This one should be awesome. They can donate 50 thousand dollars worth of Apple II computers and floppy disks, then the city can reimburse over thirty thousand in services and fees, then bill it, the refund it, then switch accounts, then put it in the pool fund, then load it on the little planes that land and take off during and after the concerts, then send cash to Florida, then use it to buy the excess Brazil World Cup Champ T shirts to give to homeless kids.
Thank you Merry! And such a goooooood cause!
10:26
Noonan "can't afford" these charity concerts without the booze. Remember, she says she doesn't make any money on the concerts. For the life of me, I can't figure out why she keeps doing them other than the assumption that she is segregating the cost of food/booze to her personal cash income account, but all costs such as purchases, advertising, insurance, labor, etc is pushed through to the concert side of the deal. It's a huge win, win for her and huge loss/loss to the volunteers, the charity, and the City. Absolutely, beyond disgusting!
The only way to stop these Scam Concerts is to pass a law regulate them. Do you think Frank Mautino would draft such a bill? Not !
These comments are just nuts. The concert was very nice! How many of you were there? It was well done.
5:47 Funny you should mention that. The draft law will be presented to our representatives in only three months! It will generally apply to all fundraising activities but especially designated fundraisers by for profit companies.
It was inspired by concerts for a cause and written by a consumer group in California!
Believe me, when presented for vote, this blogsite will be the FIRST to know about it!
Wont stop fundraisers at all though. But it WILL open up their books.
6;26 Which comments are nuts. I am sure it was a great concert. I have been to lots of great concerts, very well done. Very few claimed they were charity fund raisers , many had drug screening, lots had rescue station, quite a few had drunks and ODs. they were still nice concerts. Good music. Good time.
I just dont want my city airport or tax dollars used for making one scamming pompous business owner rich. And i am sick of the scamming aspect of them on the consumer. Call them Concerts for Gods sake. Almost every other Concert for a Cause facebook Page or google search is a GD charity! You want nuts? How nuts is it to keep saying these things are for any cause but entertainment and getting rich. Nobody has a problem with that. Just buy a decent venue not next to a developed subdivision, get your permits, do things like Allstate or the amphitheaters and compete fairly.
Stop playing pretend big shot/benefactor and do it right. You want a real business in the area, support Noonan Ampitheater out on real isolated farmland. Then when the city spends money on it it will be for real jobs, credit card trackable revenues, a full concert series just like the ones in Peoria and Rockford and the Burbs. With safety officers , multiple vendors,and evac plans and all kinds of real jobs!
These things are just a cash siphon for one family, and yes the concerts can be nice but it helps to give a damn about HOW you do things not just GETTENERDONE, Harl.
I like how you are a straight shooter 8:12. You put it just as it is. I like your honesty. Are the people who are involved in these concerts 100% honest? I think not.
8:12. I like your thinking. But, this area will not be able to sustain such a venue until the middle class is restored and starts to thrive again. To do that, we need to concentrate on industrial expansion - heavy and light manufacturing, transportation and logistics, mining, chemical production. Remember, the Illinois Valley had all of this at one time. We can have it again and our population can expand again. Our political leadership needs to concentrate on making this area attractive to industries instead of feel good, populist, entertainment projects. Our political leadership needs to put honest incentives in place. We need to establish fair labor laws and enact Right-to-Work legislation.
With industry comes jobs, with jobs comes families, with families comes the feel good entertainment projects like pools and concert venues. All in due time and in the right order.
It used to be that people worked for the government to serve the people. They traded a lower salary for good benefits and a good pension. Now they insist being paid at the top of the scale and scoff when somebody questions their contribution to benefits and pension.
It is sad that the only job sector that is expanding in the Illinois Valley is "government services."
We live in a city of no rules no policy no control
I see nicks emergency lighting pulling a police vehicle...is he insured to pull city equipment, is he double dipping on payroll and charging city to move equipment
These are all questions to be answered
Isn't the owner of Nicks Emergency Lighting a Peru Police officer?
Yes, Anon 2:59 PM your questions should be answered!
Yes, yes, and yes 2:59 and 9:55. He also just applied for permits to build a bigger garage at his residence. Wonder if he'll use it to do his take home work on city vehicles (in other words like a business).
Wonder if the garage addition will be inspected or if the person will be told to just go ahead and build it? Or will be told, "you're good to go."
He's not building a garage edition , he's building a new pole barn for his business in city limits zoned residential. Which is all against ordinances . But when your in the "in" crowd you get to do what you want .
He's not building a garage edition , he's building a new pole barn for his business in city limits zoned residential. Which is all against ordinances . But when your in the "in" crowd you get to do what you want .
12:17 I think you are absolutely correct. Another example of who you are or who you know in this town.
Why does Peru have so many variances in residential zoning? When I buy a home I want it to be in a area zoned residential and I expect it to stay in that classification. If a person needs a variance he has bought the home in the wrong area. Why have zoning if it is going to be changed at the whims of the newest guy on the block? Many neighbors will not object to a variance because the do not want to make a bad neighbor worse than he already is!
12:02 - take a look at almost every city council meeting. A zoning variance always seems to be on the docket. I once asked at a design and review / zoning board of appeals meeting if it would not make more sense to update the entire zoning ordinance instead of having 300 variances a year. They just gave me the sink eye and it would not be a good idea.
I'll tell you who makes out on this - its our layer. He writes the ordinance and bills the hours.
forgot to mention. You only get the variance if you are connected or juiced in.
This needs its own blog title with the last 10 or so comments under its title. People need to know what's going on.
He is also a Peru paid on call firefighter who reports to the building and zoning officer, this needs to be reviewed by outside zoning and board committee not peru!
In Peru, what is the cost/variance paid to the city attorney?
In Peru, what is the cost/ordinance
charge collected by the city attorney?
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