This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
Not sure if this belongs here but for no more reason than it is in reference to illegal drug use I've heard that attendance at Uproar was below 3,000. What has been turned in at the rate of $/ticket and has the school received it money yet and how much? Maybe Peru made the most money for parking. Those who have seen the county fair with the Beach Boys say it was a great family show with a packed house. Couldn't sell another ticket because of lack of room.
Why would you invest so much into such a changing legal attitude? Marijuana will become legalized in not many years off. The only reason to invest is that so much money is going to be made so fast or that when it is legalized it will be done through the same 21 district manufacturers that produce medical substance. Our government is the best system in the world we just keep voting for the wrong people to be put in charge.
12:50 my grandson went to the uproar concert and said there was a mosh pit towards the end of concert and police officers watched to make sure it didn't get out of control. And also, I was told there was pot being smoked. Since I read your blog 12:50 I thought I will comment on what I was told by my grandson.
I would guess the attendance was more like 5000. But the lower reported , the less they have to pay the city. So you might be right hearing there were only 800 walk ups. Remember when the city only got paid for 9000 (even number) Kid Rock tix, and the chief of Police recently said there were over ten thousand at that concert. Oops.
@6:32PM - I assume you mean, what is the scoop about the "Finanial Officer" Peru is advertising for. The Peru council has placed an ad in the local Fish-Wrapper advertising for a CPA with experience to fill another phony city position created by the aldermen. They have only advertised locally so all those interested will likely be local folks and I suspect that those who apply for this position will be local folks currently out of work. There will be few if any qualified and experienced CPA's who will apply for this position because it is a "political position". It was dreamed up by the Finance Committee and approved by the city council and it can therefore be just as quickly "eliminated" by the city council. This position will attract only individuals currently out of work because it is a "political appointemnt". The quality of the applicants is stunted by this fact right out of the box because there is "Zero" job security for this position. Furthermore, the current city council will only give serious consideration to hiring individuals with a "Peru connection". That's how they think and that's how they operate. Do you think it was just a coincidence that the newly hired "Sidewalk Engineer" has a Peru connection? The bottom line is this, the Peru City Council has no clue how to conduct a legitimate job search or interview process for any position and they never have. They will corrupt this hiring process just like any they have done in the past. Plus, they are in a big hurry to get somebody hired and on the payroll in the next month or two. It would be much easier to just change to a Managerial form of government and bring in a "bonified" City Manager and eliminate a number of the phony-baloney positions the council and mayor have created. My prediction is this new Financial Officer will be someone with a Peru connection, meaning they will be a resident or close relative of a Peru resident, and they will be extremely "under-qualified" for the job at hand. He/She will not possess the skills needed for the job and will not have the required experience that the job desription requires. The Finance Committee and the Council as a whole will settle for much less than the qualifications they included in the newspaper ad. Plus, the position will be subject to political pressure from the mayor and aldermen at all times and will have "no independent authority" to do anything without politics coming into play. THIS IS THE PERU WAY!
I disagree 10:33, a CPA certification makes this hire more than qualified, this will be a first. What connection did the so called sidewalk engineer have with anyone in a position that mattered? As far as I know none. So if we go with the City Manager system and all of a sudden he is doing things you don't like, what then, Oh he is politically connected so he is doing what the Mayor and Council tell him. Someone like you who thinks he or she has all the answers are so extreme, they like to voice opposition about everything but are afraid to put your name on a ballot because I believe you would find out how good some of these decision have been and helped make Peru a better place. I can't remember when we have had so much road work done, as an example. No you will only justify your feelings over the blog thinking nobody knows who you are.
I see you forgot to sign your name also, so whats the difference you both make comments and do not sign your name. btw, I personally have never see so many areas in Peru looking as bad as they did this summer but on the reverse side the areas that were done to impress have never looked better. And I have looked over this town for a lot longer than both of you, I am betting.
The blog is very informative, enjoyable and managed fairly by the administrator. She not only allows a individual to express themselves but also the opportunity to share their viewpoint and learn from others. The blog created in a home and carried on by a private citizen has done a better and unbiased job of informing readers than the local newspaper of area news and political controversy. The many who send in comments are also a important part of this blog. What I have never understood is why when someone expresses their viewpoint such as 10:33 AM in a professional manner that another as 11:12 AM has have to not only publish their own opinion but have to become personal. As for either individuals I do not know who you are, nor do I exactly care but I am interested in what you have to say and glad that you have been given a means to say it by. I as the huge majority of bloggers utilize Anon. rather than a name because I do not care to be personally attacked because I have only expressed myself and my ideas.
There you go Lois, a negative comment about what has been done, is it that hard to say they gotten a lot of roads done and not just the ones to impress. Check some of side roads that nobody see's unless they are from the neighborhood. You might be a little bit older Lois, but not by much. I also have an interest in this starting back in the Pamatier and Rubb Potthoff days, I feel Baker brought this town to a new level and Harl is taking it a step further. I wish you would look at the good things also. I know blogs empower people, but most for the wrong reason.
1:48, really? Wasn't 28th and Debo sewer project suppose to be done 4 years ago? How many closed sessions have there been since Harl? ? Don't get me going blogger. Meetings held when majority of public is working? Not to mention the disrespect at council meeting to some people. Concert deal is a joke.
The city is running fine. Lois and her followers just can't take it. The majority love the town and support the elected officials. After all you keep losing your elections.
Anon 1:48PM Really! What you actually mean is the Rubb Potthoff (1957-1961) and Pamatier (1961-1965) days. Their are some of us who can remember Joe and Nibby also when Peru was the Little Sister to LaSalle. Mayor Baker developed the retail section therefor increasing the sales tax and providing the money for Peru to do the things it has done. Since Don Baker has left office I do not see any advancement in the retail and industrial areas. There are those who keep referring to road development which is great but a city is not built on a patch of blacktop.
Anon 3:08, that's your opinion, committee meetings as far back as I remember we're during the day , so that isn't new when Harl got in, as far as closed sessions that started ever since the blogs were started, because of your extreme views. Debo & Marquette was looked at over the years, but they didn't OK it until this year. To get respect you have to show respect.
I have been out in public and I will have to tell you that almost everybody I have spoken with don't agree with you 3:50. A lot and I mean a lot if people who supported Harl in the first election no longer support him. Very negative comments I've heard.
Lois you and some former candidates for office as well as Rodney missed a nice celebration of maude powel over the weekend. Your absence spoke volumes. Believe me it was very noticeable.
To 11:12 am and 1:48 pm and 3:50 pm, So the benchmark that you use to determine if Peru is doing well is "street resurfacing". If blacktop is being layed you are convinced all is right with the world. OK, that's how you measure success. You are exactly the type of voter that Harl and most of the Peru aldermen depend on. Narrow-minded, single issue voters that don't make the effort or have the ability to analyze and research all the information. Or, you just don't pay attention. The current elected officials love you because you pay little (if any) attention to the details of how this city is actually run and how raw politics plays into almost every decision the Peru council makes. They love you because you see fresh blacktop and to you that must mean progress. They got you right where they want you, and you even take it a step further by defending them. They are counting on you to remain just as uninformed and ignorant of the facts as you obviously are. I know Peru can and must do much better considering the tremendous resources we have. You need to realize that maintaining and improving infrastructure is only a good start. Spending a lot of money overlaying streets is easy for Peru. You are the classic "low information" voters that help keep the cycle of dysfunctional Peru government going. I know Peru can do much better and someday we will. Honesty and Integrity will eventually prevail in Peru government. We need leaders with those two qualitiies more than any other.
To 6:52 pm, Really? Did you make a list of who paid homage to Maud and who didn't? Is that the new "litmus test" to be considered a wothy resident of Peru. Please excuse those of us Peru residents who actually have a life. I get all the Maud I need each time I drive by that "old lady with a fiddle" off of Route 6. But you go ahead and enjoy all that Maud festival has to offer. It's good enough for you and that's all that matters.
So what is the plan for the day retail starts to decline in Peru? Along with the shift in demographics, people's spending hobbits are changing. It is predicted that 10% or more of all indoor retail shopping malls will fail in the next five years (Forbes). Internet sales are growing at a 8% to 10% annual rate - one can reasonably assume that the necessary retail space will decline along with this. Peru needs something besides shopping. Yet, that is all anyone talks about. Also keep in mind that the younger generation does not view shopping as a social event. It is either "on-line" or get in and out of the store as fast as possible. My prediction is that once the baby boomers stop spending, much of Peru's retail are will start to dry up. Bottom line - we need to find a new revenue source to pay for things.
Hey 6:52 pm, What are you the "Maud Police"? Are you out there keeping tabs on those Peru residents who have better things to do then sit around all weekend. Get a life! Better yet, get a clue!
Why do we worship Maud Powell? She was born in Peru. But, her parents saw that there was no opportunity here so they moved away when she was very young (3 years old I think).
So - are we saying that if you are from Peru and want to be successful in life, the best opportunity is to move away? I guess so... What was true then is true now.
For those who enjoy listening to this type of music and to those who wish to honor Maud I hope you enjoyed this past weekend. I spent mine with my grandchildren and in my opinion you can't beat that and it doesn't in any way, shape, or form make me a disloyal Peru citizen.
The reason all you were no shows is you all knew how hypocritical it would be and uncomfortable for all the bloggers and past election losers. There has been so many positive things happening it is driving you nuts. From a good source there are many positive things coming. The current group less one is well on their way to re election. The majority are very happy and proud to call peru home. Get out of the way as we move it forward and even better. Sit back and telling each other what you want to hear.
Please correct if misinformed but I've been told that Maud Powell was born here and moved a way a short time after. Most people living in Peru do not know who Maud is? It is nice that those who do have a celebration but no need to be insulted because someone does not attend. Does Peru have any other world known celebrities? I am from LaSalle and find we have many.
6:52, I do believe the city had a Christmas parade, and wasn't it mentioned that Mayor Harl wasn't in attendance nor was one of his appointees whom you would think should have been there to show their support for a city event? CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DIDN'T SOMEONE MENTION ON HERE THEY SAW A SUCH A PERSON SHOVELING A DRIVEWAY DURING WHEN THE PARADE WAS TAKING PLACE. Was that this or last year? Or what parade was it? Didn't I read that information on this forum? So, nice try at a slam to Lois blogger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't work with me.
Anon 4:46, you don't get it, in a 4 way race every body counts on 25 percent, Harl got 35, he actually won by a large margin. In that type of race he won by a landslide!
We keep hearing about all the good things coming and frankly if you can't tell us what is coming please be quiet. I hear we are maybe getting a marijauna growing facility and maybe we will get senior housing. There will be a sand storing facility on Water Street with lots of truck traffic which the city is not quite sure how to handle. Advance Auto is slowly building and the retail sports in the KMart bldg. is also slowly redoing the store. None of those are major job producers or will add to the desire for people to move to Peru or maybe even shop here. I had to replace a modem today and I was happy to say that the Peru ATT store had the needed one and the clerk was very nice and helpful. Don't drive 251 until the repair work is done. North Peoria was very busy with cars and some trucks bigger than the regular pickups. But if I had to drive to Ottawa or Streator, I would have done that to to get the correct product.
I beg to differ. Your logic that in a 4 person race everyone gets 25 percent is so ludicrous it is not worth pursuing. Maybe when you ran against Biff at LP for student council each clique voted that way.
There was harl and lackey candidate, designed SPECIFICALLY to siphon off a few uninformed voters who NEVER would have gone for Harl. they prefered smoke mirrors and polish.
That left two legit candidates, where it could be argued had either candidate dropped out and thrown support to the other Harl would have been creamed.
In the end, Harl held fast to his core union patronage base, while the MAJORITY of dissatisfied voters could not decide between intelligence and going back to the past.
Had any candidate won as harl did and say the same thing, that a MAJORITY of the voters wanted them, I would tell them they were full of it. There was no mandate, there were those sleeping and cared for by Harl, and the uneasy parochial battling majority that Harl counts on to never back any candidate they did not grow up with.
I agree. Boss Harl had a Shill in the race to dilute the vote. WE all know who that was. This time we need to turn the table on him and make sure there are at least five valid candidates. This will force a primary election and the Boss can be removed from the ballot before the general election. The majority of Peru voters want somebody else. Time to send Boss Harl packing!
8:50 There is no such thing as a primary election in a municipality. You need a majority of the votes cast to be elected. Some cities may have 10 candidates. There is no party affiliations in a city election.
8:50 - you are wrong. The law requires a primary if there are five or more candidates for Mayor. The primary would be in February of the election year.
I wouldn't be happy if I only got 1,098 votes. I would say the city as a whole doesn't want me as mayor. Thanks to two people running, Mr. Hart didn't get all the votes. I'll just chalk it up that voters got the L and T mixed up while at the booth. The next couple years will give candidates great campaigning material along with the previous 4 years of the fiasco that's been happening in this city.
To argue constantly about a subject that exactly followed legal election procedure, the election of Mayor Harl, is useless. If anyone wants someone different vote for them in 2017. Until than let all of us concentrate on open transparency and positive progress for the city. Would anyone think that monthly open forum Peru Town meetings would be a good idea, or should the city revert back to its past procedure of a formal meeting one week and a informal the next week. Presently the citizenship finds itself without a voice in its own government.
Anon 3:13, what you just did was a spin, who is to say that if Baker and Giordano dropped that the majority of that vote wouldn't 't have gone to Harl. Like I said they start at 25 percent mainly family and friends, I guarantee you most of those votes wouldn't have gone to Hart.
Anon 4:57 PM I'd be very happy if I only got 1,098 votes if the next highest vote getter got 1,097. Results are 1,098 was enough to win. To create hypothetical situations will not elect Mike Hart, nor will it make him any better candidate in 2017. I fully agree with 5:01 PM. Remember and realize the elections are for four year terms without any ability to turn back the clock and reelect if dissatisfied.
5:01 - the point is that we need to get together and be sure the vote is not diluted next time. Baker won't run, so that is big voting block - somebody needs to be courting those voters. Hart seems to be the logical candidate if he will do it.
May be a intelligent idea to observe how many and who decides to run before splitting the votes of a previous candidate who you have written in stone will not run again. Of extreme importance is does the general public consider Mayor Harl doing a good job, not what a few bloggers think but the overall general public. Also will Don Baker run again or will he back a certain candidate. His support would be very important.
Anon, I would prefer to see a more business type of professional, that has the understanding of running a large corporation. Someone who has great organizational skills to take us to the next level, plus have connections in both the political and business world. Hart does not have those credentials and we would probably be in the same boat we are now.
8:33 a.m. We would all like a candidate like that. Unfortunately it's highly unlikely somebody like that would want to run for mayor, if such a person even exists. I'm not sure Mike Hart will run again, Don Baker should not run again, and would anybody else step up? Giordano could talk the talk, but he seems to have gotten into the last race just to split the votes. So it's possible Harl will run again but this time he might be unopposed, unless somebody steps up.
10:53, please elaborate. Who is the "he" you are referring to? Initials? Because I haven't get any idea who you are talking about. If you're talking about Perez, forget it, he has a full time job.
This is 1:34. I wasn't trying to be funny. If you have a candidate that has the qualifications listed at 8:33, bring him on. Let us know who you are referring to. Let us get behind this candidate. Stop the secrets.
1:50 p.m. - I agree, it's way too early. But you have me hopeful! If you have a person who has the qualifications you listed, that person will have my support. Actually a dog running against Harl would have my vote.........
64 comments:
Not sure if this belongs here but for no more reason than it is in reference to illegal drug use I've heard that attendance at Uproar was below 3,000. What has been turned in at the rate of $/ticket and has the school received it money yet and how much? Maybe Peru made the most money for parking. Those who have seen the county fair with the Beach Boys say it was a great family show with a packed house. Couldn't sell another ticket because of lack of room.
Why would you invest so much into such a changing legal attitude? Marijuana will become legalized in not many years off. The only reason to invest is that so much money is going to be made so fast or that when it is legalized it will be done through the same 21 district manufacturers that produce medical substance.
Our government is the best system in the world we just keep voting for the wrong people to be put in charge.
Can anyone please tell me why Gary Eccles benefit signs are down? Noticed that today while dodging flooded 3rd ward streets???
12:50 and you could sit in a chair at the Beach Boys concert!
12:50 my grandson went to the uproar concert and said there was a mosh pit towards the end of concert and police officers watched to make sure it didn't get out of control. And also, I was told there was pot being smoked. Since I read your blog 12:50 I thought I will comment on what I was told by my grandson.
Did basements get flooded in 3rd ward?
I would guess the attendance was more like 5000. But the lower reported , the less they have to pay the city. So you might be right hearing there were only 800 walk ups.
Remember when the city only got paid for 9000 (even number) Kid Rock tix, and the chief of Police recently said there were over ten thousand at that concert. Oops.
$7 for a 16oz beer. Same price for mixed drink. And a $16 drink I heard. Boy oh boy, imagine the revenue.
How much was a price of pizza?
Understand there was a lot of pot smoked at the concert.
Beers were $3 at the Beach Boys concert.
What is the scoop about the Budget Director of Peru?
@6:32PM - I assume you mean, what is the scoop about the "Finanial Officer" Peru is advertising for.
The Peru council has placed an ad in the local Fish-Wrapper advertising for a CPA with experience to fill another phony city position created by the aldermen. They have only advertised locally so all those interested will likely be local folks and I suspect that those who apply for this position will be local folks currently out of work. There will be few if any qualified and experienced CPA's who will apply for this position because it is a "political position". It was dreamed up by the Finance Committee and approved by the city council and it can therefore be just as quickly "eliminated" by the city council. This position will attract only individuals currently out of work because it is a "political appointemnt". The quality of the applicants is stunted by this fact right out of the box because there is "Zero" job security for this position. Furthermore, the current city council will only give serious consideration to hiring individuals with a "Peru connection". That's how they think and that's how they operate. Do you think it was just a coincidence that the newly hired "Sidewalk Engineer" has a Peru connection? The bottom line is this, the Peru City Council has no clue how to conduct a legitimate job search or interview process for any position and they never have. They will corrupt this hiring process just like any they have done in the past. Plus, they are in a big hurry to get somebody hired and on the payroll in the next month or two. It would be much easier to just change to a Managerial form of government and bring in a "bonified" City Manager and eliminate a number of the phony-baloney positions the council and mayor have created. My prediction is this new Financial Officer will be someone with a Peru connection, meaning they will be a resident or close relative of a Peru resident, and they will be extremely "under-qualified" for the job at hand. He/She will not possess the skills needed for the job and will not have the required experience that the job desription requires. The Finance Committee and the Council as a whole will settle for much less than the qualifications they included in the newspaper ad. Plus, the position will be subject to political pressure from the mayor and aldermen at all times and will have "no independent authority" to do anything without politics coming into play.
THIS IS THE PERU WAY!
I disagree 10:33, a CPA certification makes this hire more than qualified, this will be a first. What connection did the so called sidewalk engineer have with anyone in a position that mattered? As far as I know none. So if we go with the City Manager system and all of a sudden he is doing things you don't like, what then, Oh he is politically connected so he is doing what the Mayor and Council tell him. Someone like you who thinks he or she has all the answers are so extreme, they like to voice opposition about everything but are afraid to put your name on a ballot because I believe you would find out how good some of these decision have been and helped make Peru a better place. I can't remember when we have had so much road work done, as an example. No you will only justify your feelings over the blog thinking nobody knows who you are.
11:12 AM
I see you forgot to sign your name also, so whats the difference you both make comments and do not sign your name. btw, I personally have never see so many areas in Peru looking as bad as they did this summer but on the reverse side the areas that were done to impress have never looked better. And I have looked over this town for a lot longer than both of you, I am betting.
The blog is very informative, enjoyable and managed fairly by the administrator. She not only allows a individual to express themselves but also the opportunity to share their viewpoint and learn from others.
The blog created in a home and carried on by a private citizen has done a better and unbiased job of informing readers than the local newspaper of area news and political controversy. The many who send in comments are also a important part of this blog.
What I have never understood is why when someone expresses their viewpoint such as 10:33 AM in a professional manner that another as 11:12 AM has have to not only publish their own opinion but have to become personal. As for either individuals I do not know who you are, nor do I exactly care but I am interested in what you have to say and glad that you have been given a means to say it by.
I as the huge majority of bloggers utilize Anon. rather than a name because I do not care to be personally attacked because I have only expressed myself and my ideas.
There you go Lois, a negative comment about what has been done, is it that hard to say they gotten a lot of roads done and not just the ones to impress. Check some of side roads that nobody see's unless they are from the neighborhood. You might be a little bit older Lois, but not by much. I also have an interest in this starting back in the Pamatier and Rubb Potthoff days, I feel Baker brought this town to a new level and Harl is taking it a step further. I wish you would look at the good things also. I know blogs empower people, but most for the wrong reason.
1:48, really? Wasn't 28th and Debo sewer project suppose to be done 4 years ago? How many closed sessions have there been since Harl? ? Don't get me going blogger. Meetings held when majority of public is working? Not to mention the disrespect at council meeting to some people. Concert deal is a joke.
The city is running fine. Lois and her followers just can't take it. The majority love the town and support the elected officials. After all you keep losing your elections.
3:50 The mayor did not even get 40 percent of the vote. A MAJORITY wanted someone else.
Typical Harl supporter. Cant count.
Anon 1:48PM Really! What you actually mean is the Rubb Potthoff (1957-1961) and Pamatier (1961-1965) days. Their are some of us who can remember Joe and Nibby also when Peru was the Little Sister to LaSalle.
Mayor Baker developed the retail section therefor increasing the sales tax and providing the money for Peru to do the things it has done. Since Don Baker has left office I do not see any advancement in the retail and industrial areas.
There are those who keep referring to road development which is great but a city is not built on a patch of blacktop.
I believe the Financial Officer position does not have to be a CPA. I'm not sure a CPA would want that job, but time will tell.
Agreed 350. Just a bunch of negative sore losers.
Anon 3:08, that's your opinion, committee meetings as far back as I remember we're during the day , so that isn't new when Harl got in, as far as closed sessions that started ever since the blogs were started, because of your extreme views. Debo & Marquette was looked at over the years, but they didn't OK it until this year. To get respect you have to show respect.
I have been out in public and I will have to tell you that almost everybody I have spoken with don't agree with you 3:50. A lot and I mean a lot if people who supported Harl in the first election no longer support him. Very negative comments I've heard.
Lois you and some former candidates for office as well as Rodney missed a nice celebration of maude powel over the weekend. Your absence spoke volumes. Believe me it was very noticeable.
To 11:12 am and 1:48 pm and
3:50 pm,
So the benchmark that you use to determine if Peru is doing well is "street resurfacing". If blacktop is being layed you are convinced all is right with the world. OK, that's how you measure success. You are exactly the type of voter that Harl and most of the Peru aldermen depend on.
Narrow-minded, single issue voters that don't make the effort or have the ability to analyze and research all the information. Or, you just don't pay attention. The current elected officials love you because you pay little (if any) attention to the details of how this city is actually run and how raw politics plays into almost every decision the Peru council makes. They love you because you see fresh blacktop and to you that must mean progress. They got you right where they want you, and you even take it a step further by defending them. They are counting on you to remain just as uninformed and ignorant of the facts as you obviously are.
I know Peru can and must do much better considering the tremendous resources we have. You need to realize that maintaining and improving infrastructure is only a good start. Spending a lot of money overlaying streets is easy for Peru. You are the classic "low information" voters that help keep the cycle of dysfunctional Peru government going. I know Peru can do much better and someday we will. Honesty and Integrity will eventually prevail in Peru government. We need leaders with those two qualitiies more than any other.
6:52 PM
Gee and I have thought the same thing about you when I did not see you at a local function where you should have been.
To 6:52 pm, Really? Did you make a list of who paid homage to Maud and who didn't? Is that the new "litmus test" to be considered a wothy resident of Peru. Please excuse those of us Peru residents who actually have a life. I get all the Maud I need each time I drive by that "old lady with a fiddle" off of Route 6. But you go ahead and enjoy all that Maud festival has to offer. It's good enough for you and that's all that matters.
So what is the plan for the day retail starts to decline in Peru? Along with the shift in demographics, people's spending hobbits are changing. It is predicted that 10% or more of all indoor retail shopping malls will fail in the next five years (Forbes). Internet sales are growing at a 8% to 10% annual rate - one can reasonably assume that the necessary retail space will decline along with this.
Peru needs something besides shopping. Yet, that is all anyone talks about.
Also keep in mind that the younger generation does not view shopping as a social event. It is either "on-line" or get in and out of the store as fast as possible. My prediction is that once the baby boomers stop spending, much of Peru's retail are will start to dry up.
Bottom line - we need to find a new revenue source to pay for things.
Hey 6:52 pm, What are you the "Maud Police"? Are you out there keeping tabs on those Peru residents who have better things to do then sit around all weekend.
Get a life! Better yet, get a clue!
Why do we worship Maud Powell? She was born in Peru. But, her parents saw that there was no opportunity here so they moved away when she was very young (3 years old I think).
So - are we saying that if you are from Peru and want to be successful in life, the best opportunity is to move away? I guess so... What was true then is true now.
For those who enjoy listening to this type of music and to those who wish to honor Maud I hope you enjoyed this past weekend. I spent mine with my grandchildren and in my opinion you can't beat that and it doesn't in any way, shape, or form make me a disloyal Peru citizen.
The reason all you were no shows is you all knew how hypocritical it would be and uncomfortable for all the bloggers and past election losers. There has been so many positive things happening it is driving you nuts. From a good source there are many positive things coming. The current group less one is well on their way to re election. The majority are very happy and proud to call peru home. Get out of the way as we move it forward and even better. Sit back and telling each other what you want to hear.
Please correct if misinformed but I've been told that Maud Powell was born here and moved a way a short time after. Most people living in Peru do not know who Maud is? It is nice that those who do have a celebration but no need to be insulted because someone does not attend.
Does Peru have any other world known celebrities? I am from LaSalle and find we have many.
6:52, I do believe the city had a Christmas parade, and wasn't it mentioned that Mayor Harl wasn't in attendance nor was one of his appointees whom you would think should have been there to show their support for a city event? CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DIDN'T SOMEONE MENTION ON HERE THEY SAW A SUCH A PERSON SHOVELING A DRIVEWAY DURING WHEN THE PARADE WAS TAKING PLACE. Was that this or last year? Or what parade was it? Didn't I read that information on this forum? So, nice try at a slam to Lois blogger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't work with me.
Anon 4:46, you don't get it, in a 4 way race every body counts on 25 percent, Harl got 35, he actually won by a large margin. In that type of race he won by a landslide!
Anon 2:50 than what are you still doing living in Peru if its so terrible, better yet if you feel that way --- MOVE!!!!!!!
5:28 PM
We keep hearing about all the good things coming and frankly if you can't tell us what is coming please be quiet. I hear we are maybe getting a marijauna growing facility and maybe we will get senior housing. There will be a sand storing facility on Water Street with lots of truck traffic which the city is not quite sure how to handle.
Advance Auto is slowly building and the retail sports in the KMart bldg. is also slowly redoing the store. None of those are major job producers or will add to the desire for people to move to Peru or maybe even shop here.
I had to replace a modem today and I was happy to say that the Peru ATT store had the needed one and the clerk was very nice and helpful. Don't drive 251 until the repair work is done. North Peoria was very busy with cars and some trucks bigger than the regular pickups. But if I had to drive to Ottawa or Streator, I would have done that to to get the correct product.
6:31 Landslide?
I beg to differ. Your logic that in a 4 person race everyone gets 25 percent is so ludicrous it is not worth pursuing. Maybe when you ran against Biff at LP for student council each clique voted that way.
There was harl and lackey candidate, designed SPECIFICALLY to siphon off a few uninformed voters who NEVER would have gone for Harl. they prefered smoke mirrors and polish.
That left two legit candidates, where it could be argued had either candidate dropped out and thrown support to the other Harl would have been creamed.
In the end, Harl held fast to his core union patronage base, while the MAJORITY of dissatisfied voters could not decide between intelligence and going back to the past.
Had any candidate won as harl did and say the same thing, that a MAJORITY of the voters wanted them, I would tell them they were full of it. There was no mandate, there were those sleeping and cared for by Harl, and the uneasy parochial battling majority that Harl counts on to never back any candidate they did not grow up with.
This town COUNTS on idiots.
I agree. Boss Harl had a Shill in the race to dilute the vote. WE all know who that was.
This time we need to turn the table on him and make sure there are at least five valid candidates. This will force a primary election and the Boss can be removed from the ballot before the general election.
The majority of Peru voters want somebody else. Time to send Boss Harl packing!
8:50 There is no such thing as a primary election in a municipality. You need a majority of the votes cast to be elected. Some cities may have 10 candidates. There is no party affiliations in a city election.
That's it guys enough. Don't make me call the suicide girls
Let's stay on topic and be nice to each other. The blog serves a good purpose
8:50 - you are wrong. The law requires a primary if there are five or more candidates for Mayor. The primary would be in February of the election year.
Anon, 8:50 I disagree with you about the majority wants Harl out, the people put him back in last year, no matter how you spin it your wrong.
11:28 your law does not apply to local municipal elections. There is no primary race for town mayor.
12:04. Let's see now, here are the results of the last election:
Boss Harl = 1,098
Mr. Hart = 857
Mr. Giordano = 377
Mr. Baker = 838
So, 1,098 people voted to keep Boss Harl and 2,072 people voted to dump him.
3:13 thank you, excellent post. Can't argue the facts!
I wouldn't be happy if I only got 1,098 votes. I would say the city as a whole doesn't want me as mayor. Thanks to two people running, Mr. Hart didn't get all the votes. I'll just chalk it up that voters got the L and T mixed up while at the booth. The next couple years will give candidates great campaigning material along with the previous 4 years of the fiasco that's been happening in this city.
To argue constantly about a subject that exactly followed legal election procedure, the election of Mayor Harl, is useless. If anyone wants someone different vote for them in 2017. Until than let all of us concentrate on open transparency and positive progress for the city.
Would anyone think that monthly open forum Peru Town meetings would be a good idea, or should the city revert back to its past procedure of a formal meeting one week and a informal the next week. Presently the citizenship finds itself without a voice in its own government.
Anon 3:13, what you just did was a spin, who is to say that if Baker and Giordano dropped that the majority of that vote wouldn't 't have gone to Harl. Like I said they start at 25 percent mainly family and friends, I guarantee you most of those votes wouldn't have gone to Hart.
Anon 4:57 PM I'd be very happy if I only got 1,098 votes if the next highest vote getter got 1,097. Results are 1,098 was enough to win. To create hypothetical situations will not elect Mike Hart, nor will it make him any better candidate in 2017. I fully agree with 5:01 PM. Remember and realize the elections are for four year terms without any ability to turn back the clock and reelect if dissatisfied.
5:01 - the point is that we need to get together and be sure the vote is not diluted next time. Baker won't run, so that is big voting block - somebody needs to be courting those voters. Hart seems to be the logical candidate if he will do it.
May be a intelligent idea to observe how many and who decides to run before splitting the votes of a previous candidate who you have written in stone will not run again. Of extreme importance is does the general public consider Mayor Harl doing a good job, not what a few bloggers think but the overall general public.
Also will Don Baker run again or will he back a certain candidate. His support would be very important.
Anon, I would prefer to see a more business type of professional, that has the understanding of running a large corporation. Someone who has great organizational skills to take us to the next level, plus have connections in both the political and business world. Hart does not have those credentials and we would probably be in the same boat we are now.
8:33 a.m. We would all like a candidate like that. Unfortunately it's highly unlikely somebody like that would want to run for mayor, if such a person even exists. I'm not sure Mike Hart will run again, Don Baker should not run again, and would anybody else step up? Giordano could talk the talk, but he seems to have gotten into the last race just to split the votes. So it's possible Harl will run again but this time he might be unopposed, unless somebody steps up.
We all know who and what we need. We hope he will run this time.
8:33 AM, The qualifications and skills you describe are those typically needed to be a City Manager. That's the way Peru needs to go asap.
Anon 10:30 AM Thanks for bringing this all back to reality.
10:53, please elaborate. Who is the "he" you are referring to? Initials? Because I haven't get any idea who you are talking about. If you're talking about Perez, forget it, he has a full time job.
Like we said 1:34, read the job details from 8:33 and you decide if you want to be funny or want to be serious?
This is 1:34. I wasn't trying to be funny. If you have a candidate that has the qualifications listed at 8:33, bring him on. Let us know who you are referring to. Let us get behind this candidate. Stop the secrets.
Anon 3:41 Way too too early!
1:50 p.m. - I agree, it's way too early. But you have me hopeful! If you have a person who has the qualifications you listed, that person will have my support. Actually a dog running against Harl would have my vote.........
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