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
I think most of the bloggers will be reading between the lines as I have done with this news posting.
39 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I hope it includes stop lights! 4-Way stop signs at busy intersections just don't work. In addition to this intersection, the one at Hyvee needs to have stop lights as well as every intersection on Shooting Park road between Peoria Street all the way to the east end of town.
I hope the plan is a good long term solution that is good for the businesses there as well as convenient for the motorists. I like the idea of a meeting for the plan to be unveiled, but is the plan set in stone? Is the plan up for suggestions? Or will it be just like the short term plan, here it is, like it or not, too bad.
This seems a bit backwards but at least the city officials finally got it. Call in an outside engineer to design something because if Chamlin couldn't do it last time someone else can. Rod and Sherry will finally get their way. If they would have all sat down to talk about it with the public and council last time the city wouldn't be in this jam! Buy some land on the road that goes past Dairy Queen and widen that street for a round a bout or use the exit Dollar Tree just blocked off and use that for a connect to the east and west road. I don't think dollar tree uses that end of parking lot especially now since the city closed it. Widen the north south road and move that intersection more to the west where that blocked area is. Problem solved. If that won't work then round a bout right there.
I have been told that only specific items are to be discussed at closed sessions. Is this one of those specific items? Anon 6:49 I agree with you this should have been discussed in public. Which of the following two do you identify democracy with - public meetings or closed sessions? Which of the following two do you identify honesty with - public meetings or closed sessions? Who do you believe you want as a political representative - one who practices being translucent or one who conducts business initially behind closed doors and never reveils what is being discussed or opens minutes of the meeting to the public but substitutes the minutes with procedures. When seeing a picture of Peru's Mayor and councilmen do you see any face that you would buy a used car from? Now think people this is who is running a $50,000,000 business, your city, Peru. This spring you will have a opportunity to change towards a translucent government. Two years latter you will have a opportunity to complete the change. The best, fairest and most honest representation is always done with the open door policy. Sadly this policy is unknown in Peru government.
So I ask.....when was it decided by the mayor and aldermen that the chief should write a letter and set up this meeting? Was it at a city council meeting? It really is a very easy yes or no question as judge Judy would say.
The city should not give a Christmas bonus - period! If they want to give a Winter Bonus or Holiday Bonus or even a Festivus Bonus, they can. But they should not give a Christmas Bonus.
Is a Christmas Bonus included within the city employees contract? How many city employees are now certified to operate heavy equipment and when does that pay scale kick in? A bonus of any form should not be paid unless it is a clause of the contract. If all involved would learn and practice that the contract is a management -employee strict guideline Peru would not have been needlessly embarassed and had so much money wasted last year. Hope by now that a FBI invstigation and its expenses are fair warning. The FBI involvment is referred to as only fair warning because rumours still exist that a big outside interest was involved in the final decision.
It has become alarming that city officials of Peru could in closed sessions make very favorable purchases of property for the city and converting it to alternative usage which would raise the value of their own property without the citizenship ever knowing about it. This actually happened in Peru years ago when a city attorney purchased property which his position allowed him to know of the city's desire to buy the same property.
The current Venture/38th Street intersection is now been called a temporary short term solution. This is absolutely, positively a false statement!! The mayor made it perfectly clear at many council meetings that it was "a done deal" and would not be changed even though many business owners inferred that the set up was destroying their businesses. As a matter of fact these business owners were not treated well at all at these meetings. As a citizen of Peru it makes me angry when government officials try to cover up their mistakes by making false statements. Own up to the fact that while you may think your solution helped one problem it created many more. Now, 2 years later we are addressing an issue that many wanted to address at it's conception. Why the change of heart now? Apparently someone with some pull has stepped up to the plate and complained. Whatever the reason, I hope all involved will have the ability to be heard.
Anon 10:20 AM Be careful, "false statement" is a politicians way of the common mans reference to liar. Personally I feel it i s best to call a liar, liar.
FYI: According to an article which appeared in the News Tribune on Nov. 25th, 2014 the 38th Street/Venture Drive intersection changes that were made 2 years ago were a "short term solution". However, according to a Sept. 5th, 2012 regular council meeting it was reported and I quote "Mayor Harl stated that the 38th Street and Venture Drive topic is closed and will not be addressed further".
Mayor Harl made his statement on Sept 5th, 2012. Someone else who is now running Peru made the more recent statement. Don't feel bad if you do not understand as most of us don't. Things are terribly foggy in Peru.
4:47 No one else was quoted as making the most recent statement. It was just a statement that the paper printed. However, you are right, things are foggy in Peru. I heard thru the grapevine that there was an accident at the infamous intersection today. Hope no one was hurt.
Today on Adventure Drive someone made a u turn in front of the concrete barricades.It just gets more adventuresome every day. Do not worry after Tuesday's meeting everything will be just peachy.
I have often seen people turning left (back to 251) around the cones. This is dangerous! I typically let them know with a loud blast from my horn. But they just give me a look like they did nothing wrong and I'm the one violating the law. One lady, in her sixties or seventies, gave me the finger - this was two weeks ago!
I think everyone that is forced to drive in Peru are generally in a bad mood due to the 4-Way Stop signs at major intersections, instead of stop lights. It is very frustrating driving in Peru. It takes twice as long to get around as compared to other cities.
@11:12AM The intersection is immobile and never causes anything to happen. People who don't know how to drive, pay no attention to what is happening around them or are driving and talking on the phone at the same time which causes crazy things to happem.
I've noted several things about drivers around here. As a point of disclosure, I have lived in Florida, Connecticut, Maine, Virginia, California, Washington, and Japan. So, I think I've seen everything. Drivers in our local area are not that good. In fact, they have many bad habits that I attribute to both poor training and the local culture. The average driver in Peru would never be able to negotiate a Round-about. Peru drivers, on average, are very distracted. This is odd since there are many uncontrolled intersections which require cognitive ability - specifically, the forethought to know the order in which all the vehicles at the "stop line" made the stop. They also do not understand the left turn and right turn rules. Everyone seems to think that crossing multiple lanes of traffic when turning is OK. Directing traffic from inside their vehicles is normal. Eye contact is mandatory to drive through any contested intersection. The "rolling stop" appears to be OK at times. The speed limit is only a suggestion, except on the interstate where anything over 55 MPH is avoided. Turn signals are only a recommendation. Driving with a cell phone pressed to ones ear is normal - in fact, doing everything but paying attention is condoned. So - what do we do about this? How about writing tickets? The city could be collecting tens of thousands of dollars in fines - at least for a few months. I say it is time to start pulling people over and making them pay for their poor driving skills.
3:21 Yes, the intersection is immobile. And yes, it's the drivers who are doing the crazy things. However, to those who are not familiar with that set up (and even to those who are) it is confusing when you find yourself wanting to go north but you're not in the proper position to do so. That's when crazy takes over. And, as 8:14 pointed out, many drivers are already distracted while driving. They don't need to add a confusing intersection to the mix.
I agree. We need to compensate all obstacles to the lowest common denominator. We need to set the bar low to compensate for those with poor driving abilities, low intelligence, attention deficit disorder, and just plain old lack of planning.
Oh for crying out loud. It is not that complicated of an interaction. It would be better with stop lights. Without them, this is a good compromise. Most of the "controversy" comes from local yokels still living in the 1970's when there was nothing but "The K-Marts" and "The Mall." If you can't put up with a little traffic, move to Mendota.
After reading the minutes from the regular council meeting on Nov. 17th I have noticed that mayor Harl and alderman Lukosis were present and deputy clerk Stephanie Piscia was in charge. At the end of the regular meeting they went into closed session and the aforementioned individuals were still present. When closed session ended at 8:29 Harl and Lukosis were MIA and clerk Bartley came on the scene. EXPLANATION?
Anon 10:07, did you inquire about your question with the City Clerk, alderman, or Mayor, or are you stirring up something, that should be an easy question to get answered.
I believe a round-about would be the safest and most efficient solution. It would get people in and out of the shopping area and 251 as fast as possible without the possible tiring congestion of stop lights. Though this type of traffic alternative doesn't exist in Peru yet, the local residents should be able to adapt easily.
6:13== isn't this a great blog site so those who are unable to attend meetings can be informed? I wouldn't say stirring the pot, I'd say quite observant.
@ 6:13 pm Most people no longer ask questions of the present city officials, easy question to get answered or not. Examples of 3 minute public comments to some and 8 to 10 minute public comments allowed to others, also Chairman of Public Services saying there will be no questions. Now did you ask who was responsible for stirring things up? Duh!
Anon 6:13 PM. A mistake was made in the minutes. Minutes were accepted with changes made. How could Anon 10:07 be stirring up something when the minutes are bizarre?
39 comments:
I hope it includes stop lights! 4-Way stop signs at busy intersections just don't work. In addition to this intersection, the one at Hyvee needs to have stop lights as well as every intersection on Shooting Park road between Peoria Street all the way to the east end of town.
I hope the plan is a good long term solution that is good for the businesses there as well as convenient for the motorists. I like the idea of a meeting for the plan to be unveiled, but is the plan set in stone? Is the plan up for suggestions? Or will it be just like the short term plan, here it is, like it or not, too bad.
probably going to hire somebody to direct traffic until Christmas is over.
This seems a bit backwards but at least the city officials finally got it. Call in an outside engineer to design something because if Chamlin couldn't do it last time someone else can. Rod and Sherry will finally get their way. If they would have all sat down to talk about it with the public and council last time the city wouldn't be in this jam! Buy some land on the road that goes past Dairy Queen and widen that street for a round a bout or use the exit Dollar Tree just blocked off and use that for a connect to the east and west road. I don't think dollar tree uses that end of parking lot especially now since the city closed it. Widen the north south road and move that intersection more to the west where that blocked area is. Problem solved. If that won't work then round a bout right there.
Was this ever discussed at any full council meeting? And I do not mean when they changed it a year or so ago, I mean recently.
probably only in closed session, which makes no sense. why couldn't this be discussed in public?
Is discussing a intersection allowed in a closed session?
I have been told that only specific items are to be discussed at closed sessions. Is this one of those specific items? Anon 6:49 I agree with you this should have been discussed in public.
Which of the following two do you identify democracy with - public meetings or closed sessions?
Which of the following two do you identify honesty with - public meetings or closed sessions?
Who do you believe you want as a political representative - one who practices being translucent or one who conducts business initially behind closed doors and never reveils what is being discussed or opens minutes of the meeting to the public but substitutes the minutes with procedures.
When seeing a picture of Peru's Mayor and councilmen do you see any face that you would buy a used car from?
Now think people this is who is running a $50,000,000 business, your city, Peru.
This spring you will have a opportunity to change towards a translucent government. Two years latter you will have a opportunity to complete the change. The best, fairest and most honest representation is always done with the open door policy. Sadly this policy is unknown in Peru government.
So I ask.....when was it decided by the mayor and aldermen that the chief should write a letter and set up this meeting? Was it at a city council meeting? It really is a very easy yes or no question as judge Judy would say.
I can't understand why the city is still giving Christmas bonuses.
Waldorf and crew continue to spend with no recourse. We need a change in the spring!!!
8:41, It was not at a council meeting so it must have been behind closed doors in a closed session.
I think the employees deserve a Christmas bonus. Good grief it isn't that much. Have them cut money somewhere else, like the IMLconvention.
The city should not give a Christmas bonus - period! If they want to give a Winter Bonus or Holiday Bonus or even a Festivus Bonus, they can. But they should not give a Christmas Bonus.
Is a Christmas Bonus included within the city employees contract? How many city employees are now certified to operate heavy equipment and when does that pay scale kick in?
A bonus of any form should not be paid unless it is a clause of the contract. If all involved would learn and practice that the contract is a management -employee strict guideline Peru would not have been needlessly embarassed and had so much money wasted last year. Hope by now that a FBI invstigation and its expenses are fair warning.
The FBI involvment is referred to as only fair warning because rumours still exist that a big outside interest was involved in the final decision.
It has become alarming that city officials of Peru could in closed sessions make very favorable purchases of property for the city and converting it to alternative usage which would raise the value of their own property without the citizenship ever knowing about it.
This actually happened in Peru years ago when a city attorney purchased property which his position allowed him to know of the city's desire to buy the same property.
The current Venture/38th Street intersection is now been called a temporary short term solution. This is absolutely, positively a false statement!! The mayor made it perfectly clear at many council meetings that it was "a done deal" and would not be changed even though many business owners inferred that the set up was destroying their businesses. As a matter of fact these business owners were not treated well at all at these meetings. As a citizen of Peru it makes me angry when government officials try to cover up their mistakes by making false statements. Own up to the fact that while you may think your solution helped one problem it created many more. Now, 2 years later we are addressing an issue that many wanted to address at it's conception. Why the change of heart now? Apparently someone with some pull has stepped up to the plate and complained. Whatever the reason, I hope all involved will have the ability to be heard.
Me too, but this new plan is also a done deal. It's not a meeting to get input, it's a meeting to show how it's going to be now.
Anon 10:20 AM
Be careful, "false statement" is a politicians way of the common mans reference to liar. Personally I feel it i s best to call a liar, liar.
FYI: According to an article which appeared in the News Tribune on Nov. 25th, 2014 the 38th Street/Venture Drive intersection changes that were made 2 years ago were a "short term solution". However, according to a Sept. 5th, 2012 regular council meeting it was reported and I quote "Mayor Harl stated that the 38th Street and Venture Drive topic is closed and will not be addressed further".
Anon 1:05, are you a bleeding heart athiest?
Mayor Harl made his statement on Sept 5th, 2012. Someone else who is now running Peru made the more recent statement. Don't feel bad if you do not understand as most of us don't. Things are terribly foggy in Peru.
4:47 No one else was quoted as making the most recent statement. It was just a statement that the paper printed. However, you are right, things are foggy in Peru. I heard thru the grapevine that there was an accident at the infamous intersection today. Hope no one was hurt.
1:58 - I am not, I am a Buddhist.
Today on Adventure Drive someone made a u turn in front of the concrete barricades.It just gets more adventuresome every day. Do not worry after Tuesday's meeting everything will be just peachy.
I have often seen people turning left (back to 251) around the cones. This is dangerous! I typically let them know with a loud blast from my horn. But they just give me a look like they did nothing wrong and I'm the one violating the law. One lady, in her sixties or seventies, gave me the finger - this was two weeks ago!
I think everyone that is forced to drive in Peru are generally in a bad mood due to the 4-Way Stop signs at major intersections, instead of stop lights. It is very frustrating driving in Peru. It takes twice as long to get around as compared to other cities.
8:36 It's a crazy intersection which causes crazy things to happen.
@11:12AM The intersection is immobile and never causes anything to happen. People who don't know how to drive, pay no attention to what is happening around them or are driving and talking on the phone at the same time which causes crazy things to happem.
I've noted several things about drivers around here. As a point of disclosure, I have lived in Florida, Connecticut, Maine, Virginia, California, Washington, and Japan. So, I think I've seen everything.
Drivers in our local area are not that good. In fact, they have many bad habits that I attribute to both poor training and the local culture.
The average driver in Peru would never be able to negotiate a Round-about. Peru drivers, on average, are very distracted. This is odd since there are many uncontrolled intersections which require cognitive ability - specifically, the forethought to know the order in which all the vehicles at the "stop line" made the stop. They also do not understand the left turn and right turn rules. Everyone seems to think that crossing multiple lanes of traffic when turning is OK. Directing traffic from inside their vehicles is normal. Eye contact is mandatory to drive through any contested intersection. The "rolling stop" appears to be OK at times. The speed limit is only a suggestion, except on the interstate where anything over 55 MPH is avoided. Turn signals are only a recommendation. Driving with a cell phone pressed to ones ear is normal - in fact, doing everything but paying attention is condoned.
So - what do we do about this? How about writing tickets? The city could be collecting tens of thousands of dollars in fines - at least for a few months. I say it is time to start pulling people over and making them pay for their poor driving skills.
3:21 Yes, the intersection is immobile. And yes, it's the drivers who are doing the crazy things. However, to those who are not familiar with that set up (and even to those who are) it is confusing when you find yourself wanting to go north but you're not in the proper position to do so. That's when crazy takes over. And, as 8:14 pointed out, many drivers are already distracted while driving.
They don't need to add a confusing intersection to the mix.
I agree. We need to compensate all obstacles to the lowest common denominator. We need to set the bar low to compensate for those with poor driving abilities, low intelligence, attention deficit disorder, and just plain old lack of planning.
Oh for crying out loud. It is not that complicated of an interaction. It would be better with stop lights. Without them, this is a good compromise. Most of the "controversy" comes from local yokels still living in the 1970's when there was nothing but "The K-Marts" and "The Mall." If you can't put up with a little traffic, move to Mendota.
After reading the minutes from the regular council meeting on Nov. 17th I have noticed that mayor Harl and alderman Lukosis were present and deputy clerk Stephanie Piscia was in charge. At the end of the regular meeting they went into closed session and the aforementioned individuals were still present. When closed session ended at 8:29 Harl and Lukosis were MIA and clerk Bartley came on the scene. EXPLANATION?
Anon 10:07, did you inquire about your question with the City Clerk, alderman, or Mayor, or are you stirring up something, that should be an easy question to get answered.
I believe a round-about would be the safest and most efficient solution. It would get people in and out of the shopping area and 251 as fast as possible without the possible tiring congestion of stop lights. Though this type of traffic alternative doesn't exist in Peru yet, the local residents should be able to adapt easily.
6:13== isn't this a great blog site so those who are unable to attend meetings can be informed? I wouldn't say stirring the pot, I'd say quite observant.
@ 6:13 pm Most people no longer ask questions of the present city officials, easy question to get answered or not. Examples of 3 minute public comments to some and 8 to 10 minute public comments allowed to others, also Chairman of Public Services saying there will be no questions. Now did you ask who was responsible for stirring things up? Duh!
Anon 6:13 PM. A mistake was made in the minutes. Minutes were accepted with changes made. How could Anon 10:07 be stirring up something when the minutes are bizarre?
Anon 3:42 What a answer, "move to Mendoza". Very similar to "If the glove don"t fit, acquit". Lets get original "Move, don't improve".
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