!. Dir. of Community Development ICSC Chicago Deals $1.117.56 on this disbursement but wait there is so much more to come, that was just a drop in the bucket.
Of course we paid $97.95 for his Crains subscription and
he also had a charge from Christy's Kitchen for provide $50.00 for doughnuts for the Rte 6 Committee Meeting. Did you even know we had one? Do we know who is on it? Have you ever seen minutes of these meetings?
I have discussed this one with the city before and I believe these meetings that seem to be using taxpayer dollars should have minutes listed on the city site and the members should be listed on the city web site. The idea behind the committee may be sound but it needs a little fresh air and transparency to all of you.
44 comments:
well now. A dozen donuts at Dunkin Donuts costs around $10.25. Nice to see how free old Bobby V is with our money. $50 for donuts! How many people attended this meeting?
This committee is obligated the same as any committee of a public body to abide by the rules and regulations of the OMA which include keeping and maintaining meeting minutes and posting notice of when and where the committee meets and so on and so forth. As I have always said and will now repeat. Bob Vickrey is using the phony-baloney position bestowed upon him by the phony-balony mayor for the sole purpose of promoting "Bob Vickrey", not the city of Peru. Now, I suppose he also uses his expense account to the benefit of Harl on occasion, but there is no benefit being derived by this phony position. Just like ther is no benefit to the city of Peru from the Springfield Lobbyist. The Lobbyist is on the city payroll for $25,000 per year to arrange golf outings and meetings between Harl and the political big-wigs of Illinois politics. Nothing more. Wise up people, your aldermen are complicit in both of these scams. Unless Rodney Perez voted against the lobbyist. I don't recall his votes on paying the lobbyist the last two years.
It was all you can eat donut bar. Like an alcohol open bar for the IML conventions in Chicago on expense accounts. Awful funny how we don't get itemized amounts and receipts.
yup... good old Bobby V., the most "progressive" Republican in Illinois. He has never seen anything that the government can't do.
11:52 Get off of Rodney's case, I think he vote no to the lobbyist. Its hard to know since he seldom has cast a vote on any issues of great importance like the budget, fire chief promotion, police chief promotion, marijuana cultivations, sand business, etc.
The disbursement for the bakery said it was for desserts. I want to know why it was a round number of $50. Most times I buy something, it rarely ends up as an even number. Did Vick pad the receipt? Plus why should we pay for desserts for a committee meeting. If Vick is feeling generous and trying to make people like him, let him buy the sweets with his own money!
I also saw an expense of $278 to HyVee for water. Have everybody at city hall drink the Peru TEST tap water. If they don't trust the tap water to be good to drink, they should bring their own bottled water in.
There was an expense of $3,000 to paint a dump truck. Why do we need to paint a dump truck? Waste, spend, waste, spend!
need to spread the pork around to all the friends.
2:43 PM
You are right, it was for desserts and not donuts. My point is that he is a volunteer and probably the only volunteer who freely spends whatever. Does he have an open expense account? Phone, mileage, subscriptions, hotels/motels, food. Who is watching the store?
And to be correct, what has he brought to Peru?
We are still paying $1000 monthly to the local company MCS.
Do you think that he should be at council meetings and give a report like all the other department heads do?
It seems that cities that have a full or part time salaried economic director receive more accountablilty for their money.
What has MCS done since they were hired?
In regards to the Route 6 committee: It is a ad hoc committee with no relationship to the present government of the City of Peru and being a independent body as such no city volunteer should be spending citizens taxpaying funds. Yes Vickery has a elaborate expense account but this account is to be used for specific purposes not for personal endeavors.
From the recent topic of the blog it can be surmised that a little better than a $1,000 dollars is only the tip of the iceberg which has been spent by Vickery at the retail convention in Chicago on our money, yours and mine for no good reason whatsoever besides his own ego.
When Vickerys volunteer position was created Peru only had the IVAC for economic representation, since Vickerys position was created 2 more recruitment devices have been added to Peru for a total of 4. Does Peru need all 4 or possibly does Peru get all the exposure needed without his expense account. The Mayor asked the Superintendent of Public Works one time at a council meeting "We have pretty well cut wherever we can haven't we _ _ _ _?". _ _ _ _ answered, "Yes we have right down to the bone".
Sadly while cutting the public works department to the bone our taxes were being utilized to fatten up what is referred to as PORK (the latest big buddy of the month). We don't need to spend at a minimum $50,000/year and than add on a expense account of a so called volunteer to attract more bakeries and auto supply stores.
Does anyone remember when the Mayor appointed a Director of Economic Development if the council ever voted in favor of this position. It is a fact that they have increased the positions expense account to $35,000/year in depressed economic times.
Yes Lois, published itemized accountancy is needed for Mr. Vickerys position. If the retail convention is more than a $1,000 what is the true final amount and on what has this final amount been spent on? Does anyone know how amny cupcakes a $1,000+ will buy.
Anon 3:01 PM There haven't been enough sweets in the history of the entire country to make people like Vick.
I guess there is more to come. Originally $1117.56 is now a grand total of $11,793.73. Finally I know what that sign above the men's urinal "We aim to please will you aim to please" means. Thanks, Bobby V. for the education.
Note the invoice for Convention Booths and set-up. So Vickrey takes a Peru display "on the road" but he has to take people from MCS with him to set up a $4,300 booth and display for a cost of $750 labor to the taxpayers of Peru. MCS is really liking these phony promotional scams Vickrey has arranged. These people are throwing our money away with these promotional scams at an alarming rate and no elected official has bothered to inquire as to the Cost vs. Benefit for these outlays of capital. I know it benefits Vickrey, MCS, Letterkraft, and Connecting Point. But has any of it ever produced any tangible benefit for the citizens of Peru? Me thinks not!
Pure cronyism. Do a cross reverence to the Harl campaign fund disclosures and you will see many of these same businesses listed.
I think the total cost for the Navy Pier convention is over $14,000 according to my calculations.
8:05 The proof is everywhere! EOG..DUNHAMS..ADVANCED AUTO PARTS are a few of the recent tangible benefits as a result of the efforts of the MCS program, Vickery's follow-up and the emphasis of those involved in the City of Peru.
Old McHarl Had a Farm,
E I E I O....
And on the Farm he had some Pork
E I E I O...
With a piggy piggy here and a Bobby V. there, E I E I O...
Seriously look at the foolish things people post here. I understand concnern and if you have questions please ask but the name calling and this is very childish.
Some communities will pay $30,000 per job created. Nothing happens by itself. Its looks like Peru is doing well with filling up the old Jewel, filling up KMart, knocking down old hotels, spending a few dollars on bringing business. Or working on Route 6 business.
In the third bill down on the right side why is the customer identified as the city of Mendota?
How is Peru working on Rt.6 business. Seriously it had best hurry before all store fronts collapse on account of deteriation. As for knocking down old hotels, are these hotels that old or have the owners and city officials ignored normal maintenance? Peru will never get a balance on the funds it has had to invest in these hotels. Peru is a city that has had unbelievable funding with nothing in the bank to show for it.
Doesn't MCS rent from the Peru Economic Director?
About the only thing Peru is doing well at is repairing broken water lines and filling roads that were repaved a year ago. The water department is a busy group of employees and the cold months are just starting.
What are the present plans for hiring a SPW's and returning all Department Heads to their original positions? If it takes a individuals 100% to perform one full time position efficently how can he fill 3 or 4 positions efficently or are they simply accumulating a bunch of job titles and doing none of them well?
Anon 4:03 PM When someone makes a open end comment such as "some communities will pay $30,000 per job created" they truthfully are saying nothing. They state no location, what the job is nor any comparison. By the way didn't Peru fund well over a million dollars last year to a firm hoping to get 25 jobs in return? Nothing happens by itself but one does expect a fair return on their investment.
5:20 don't forget that the owner of MCS is Dave Potthoff's boss and Potthoff is the alderman who presented this monthly proposal for MCS.
5:37 Like it or not there will be no hiring of a SPW. Things are already set in stone.
4:03 What is the old Jewel being filled with? The last I heard is it was going to be torn down this past summer. Obviously that project has been delayed.
Bobby V is a democrat posing as a republican...
6:22 - How much you want to be that the city will end up paying to bring that building down to?
Has the ownership of the property that Jewel and CVS formerly occupied? The last name mentioned as owner is the executive officer of Ottawa's Chamber of Commerce and Jewel and CVS simply paid him to occupy these buildings. Also rumour was that he approached Jewel for a hefty increase financially to continue occupancy and they decided to leave rather than pay him more. Peru should not have to pay anything to increase the value of his property.
Many years ago that property was purchased for a $100,000, the person who sold it felt she was better off to sell in one lump than to develop it herself. If my memory serves me correctly the ownership of this property also includes a abundance of land behind it along 251.
Speaking of property what are the owners plans for the farmland North of Marquette Street and along Airport Road that LaSalle annexed from Peru and why did this happen?
I wish some of these bloggers would put a name behind a few of these insane comments made up about individuals working for the city.
9:54 who cares what party Bob V belongs to
And why such a bad taste about local business?
Rt 6 business group meets to benefit business aroud rt 6, a dessert tray is the least the city could do.
Foolish songs about city officials
Maybe the city should let the eyesore hotels continue to blight Peru? I and most others like the proactive approach!
Rumors about Jewel and the city holding the bag on the old property. The property has been bought by CVS, read the local news. They are responsible for the building and will be in their best interest to further develop the property or demolish.
You may not like a few of those mentioned businesses or individuals involved in the economic areas of PERU. The economy is picking up, Peru has put some very good tools in place and looks to be working. CVS, Dunhams, Advanced Auto parts, Casey's, Eakas expansion, EOG, many others I hear are in the works.
Anon 11:14 AM Me, myself and I wish as much as you (a majority of one) that what you say was true.
Besides posting a positive comment about Peru on the blog, what did 11:14 say that was wrong? We have a lot of things going for us in Peru and there are more things in the works. The city alone doesn't decide who comes here but they do what they can to bring businesses here. We still need to strive to improve, but what other city in the Illinois Valley has had half of Peru's success?
To 11:14 am and 9:23 pm,
Any and all businesses locating or expanding in Peru is due "solely and exclusively" to an improving economy nationwide. There is no Peru official, elected or appointed that has anything to do with bringing business to Peru. The only example of Peru officials providing any incentive to a company was when the Bonehead Mayor and City Council agreed to purchase and operate a 1 Million Dollar piece of equipment used to treat the EAKAS watewater stream at the city's expence for as long as EAKAS is in business. That "brilliant" move was made by the city of Peru in exchange for the promise of about 25 slightly higher than minimum wage jobs. EAKAS got waste treatment for life which will continue to cost the city money each and every day EAKAS operates. There is the "very good tolls in place" that you refer to 11:14 am. Giveaways by your phony elected officials that pay no real dividends, but in fact actually cost the taxpayers of Peru more money.
Yes 10:05 AM At the least if the Community Director of Development wants to identify the relocation of CVS and Casey's as expansion couldn't he at least ask them to change the C's to D's for a few months. DVS and Dasey's would be much more to his unique style.
How many of the 25 jobs have been filled by citizens of Peru?
@10:05 Economy, Economy, Economy is the answer. When I don't have money. don't have a job and can't pay my bills I do not increase my problem by spending more. When I have a job, have money and can pay my bills I spend.
As you can tell there is a huge difference between a individuals economics and a city governments economics. Peru city officials have no realistic idea of any economy good or bad and continue to spend under all circumstances. They have a viewpoint that as long as there is a $ in the general fund Peru has money to spend. Remind one of a bunch of drunken sailors on their 1st night in port. Aye Aye, Aye Aye, Aye Aye vote yes for everything Sir.
When are free deserts going to be served next by Bobby V. Never was made aware of these bene's before but think I am entitled to them more than most and would have been at the meeting desert or no desert if notified. But as all know this as most other Peru politics is only granted to those who are all on the same page or think alike. Peru political thought was not done as such years ago and one wonders where this has come from. I've been told that the entire city council are all lifelong Peruvians who else besides "deserts" is from north of Peru?
Recently word is that the city treasurer and mayor are not talking, and that the city treasurer and mayor are not talking. So what other positive cooperative efforts are happening?
10:05 Your drinking the wrong Kool-Aid that some misguided desperate for attention individual is selling you. Peru is not giving away free water, free testing or anything related to water treatment. And there is no other business getting any free water, free sewer or free electrical. Your getting sold a conspiracy! Business won't happen unless you have some very positive pro-business Peru Leaders. It looks like you may be trying to stretch a story to turn the tide of what many will call a good lists of Peru recent developments. Eakas expansion, Hy-Vee expansion, Dunhams, EOG sand transportation, Advanced Auto parts, Casey's, 3-4 new downtown small retailers, Hotel demolitions, and many more. Many other companies continue to hire and have increased shifts.
Your thoughts about a worldwide economy improving and expanding is evident in Peru. But if you noticed it is not happening everywhere. Not with the diversification Peru has with retail, manufacturing, transportation, professional business expanding.
Did you know you do play a part in the progress of Peru? If I was looking for a business opportunity I would look to the web site of the City. If you find the negative, false lies and conspiracy about the town that you shovel out on the blog, you won't get involved with your business. I do give you credit for the continuous efforts you make to be relevant. You are relevant to the negative trash.
Anon 1:36 PM You most likely if not a Peru Leader are related to one or making a fortune off of their poor business decisions. These same poor and improper business decisons which has established them as a role model of complete lack of business knowledge. Eakas, Hy-Vee, Casey's and CVS are all expansions not new businesses. EOG is a corporation which is associated with a industry that most don't want. Advanced Auto Parts will fit in well with the other 5 auto supply stores already in Peru and the 3-4 new downtown small retaileers are all a form of donut shops.
I'd like to see another type of store come to Peru besides auto parts and sporting goods, we have enough of these stores already. Do we really have enough shoppers to keep 5 auto parts stores in business?
Just for clarification we have 8 auto parts stores in Peru. Also only two are locally family owned, Halm's and Peru Auto Electric. These business should be supported for they have to compete with the big name stores!
And all of the auto parts stores do no bring in sales tax as a good number of the patrons have sales tax numbers and it is those business people who collect from their customers and the businesses may or may not be located in Peru and the sales tax goes to where the shop is located.
Only on the blog can you find complainers of "too many" auto parts stores and "too many" sporting good stores. What's too many? Are you afraid you are going to trip over one? They would not be here if not for the demand. One might put another out of business. That is to be expected in a free market economy.
Eakas, Hy-Vee, Casey's and CVS are expanding or completely reinvesting in their infrastructure where? In Peru. The horrors! They are only expanding?
Sadly, people like 11:23 think this these are "poor business decisions" by the Peru council or leadership. Hey 11:23. News flash. They don't pick the business and tell them to come here. The businesses don't come because they have to. They come because they want to. But somehow, despite what you see as everything being inept or corrupt, businesses still want to locate or expand here in Peru.
But cities do need contact with those businesses to be a player in the game. People here are talking about $100 expense receipts and buying donuts, without a clue how business actually gets done. Actually when I read the complaints on the blog I realize just how fortunate we are in Peru. We have a long ways to go as it is a process, but our community is doing pretty well.
We actually have a pretty diverse local economy, despite being in Illinois and the Illinois Valley, which otherwise largely struggles. Any business that opens its doors in our community or a neighboring one is a good thing.
Only here can you find complaints about it, and foolish people who think it is the city's fault for having "too many" of a business. What a sad, but comical commentary here.
I can tell you this. Comments - many false or misleading or rumors - like many on here in a public forum are counterproductive to business relocation and development. For those of you who do not understand what I am saying, I can assure you that is proof alone that you do not understand why businesses choose the locations they do. Fortunately, they can still vet out the general population for a select few.
I'm sure my comment will not be posted but that will perhaps say more than anything. How very sad for some of you.
1:48 yes the Illinois Valley is a redneck area, so bring in more auto parts stores and sporting goods stores. I'll drive my pick up truck to the auto parts store and then go get my bullets at the sporting goods store and go shoot me some dinner. Not complaining about new stores coming to Peru, just saying diversity would be nice.
4:18 I agree with you. But you obviously understand it is supply and demand, the basic rule of economics, something most posting here clearly do not understand.
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