I cannot tell you first hand the events of the city council meeting this evening but it definitely reinforces the thought that mybe you the taxpayers are not really being considered as first and foremost in the officials concerns. I have received very reliable information about events and some foia's will definitely be taking place very soon..
Recall the Xmas Tree/Safety Mtg expenditure of $1699. it turns out that the cost was for a very expensive Christmas Tree for $1500 to be placed in the center of city hall. It must have been a secret order as most of the aldermen did not know nor did the City Treasurer know about the purchase.
How many citizens do you think walk through city hall on a weekly basis other than the regular employees that actually work there? I get complaints about the outdoor city decorations that must be at least 20 or 30 years old and half the time no longer light up. Some pretty lites on the greenery around City Hall might be seen by the most people as they drive by on Rte 6, and could have been one of the downtown improvements being worked toward by the Rte 6 Tourist Association. Who owns the outdoor decorations put up by the cso and should some new ones be on our bucket list?
That leaves us with a $199.00 Safety Committee but it is a secret committee because no one knows the members, there is no agenda and there are no minutes and we the taxpayers are picking up the tab for the luncheon etc. From what I hear from others who have inside information, neither you or I will be happy about the receipt. Maybe they bought Happy Meals.
With that in mind, I just read in the news that Peru proposes a slight tax increase,
"The city Peru proposes a 4.98 % increase in its tax levy and then a slightly higher tax rate for following year" according to the N.T.
I propose they learn how to spend the taxpayer dollars a little more wisely.
#christmastree
#christmas
#citychristmastree
33 comments:
Did hear Sapienza approved the purchase of the tree...that guy has turned out to be a disappointment. Does the tree talk like bergners tree? What was he thinking.
Lois - Where did you see the notice of tax increase? The increase is just short of the 5% increase threshold that would require a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing which would be open to the public and might require the elected officials to demonstrate the need for this tax increase.
Peru officials avoid including "Truth" or "Open" in any of their official actions.
On the online N.T., just a short blip of information.
the Christmas tree is just another example of our public officials trying to show off.
They are playing with the tax levy so it doesn't go to the 5% threshold. They're removing some items from the levy, (the band and ESDA) and those will now be paid from the general fund. Still taxpayer dollars being spent, but not from property taxes. $50,000 is still staying for the rec board. Most of it is from the library.
I think the Christmas tree that was purchased should have been outside for all to see, not just the few who enter city hall. But I also like Lois' idea of not buying the tree for inside and instead, decorating outside. I think this was Sappy's idea and Bartley went along with it. Did they ask anybody else about decorating ideas??? Probably not. It's under the $5,000 limit, so no approval needed.
9:34 I agree 100%. We need to do something new and better to decorate our city for the holidays (especially xmas). Our current decorations are outdated, dull, and many don't even light up. We need a plan to begin lighting up Peru as our surrounding towns are doing. Maybe the Rt. 6 organization along with the rec board and the city could have started by putting lights outside of city hall (not inside).
On the disbursements just above the Christmas tree/safety committee lunch, there is another expenditure of $109.91 that says safety committee clerk lunch?? What's that all about?
10:02 and 9:34 - the city should keep its distance when it comes to "decorating the town for Christmas." The only involvement the city should have in these festive decorations is giving permission - and only with an insurance waiver - for some private organization to do the decorating.
Zero and I mean ZERO tax dollars should be used for decorations - Period. Zero - and I mean ZERO wages should be paid to employees to decorate. Zero - and I mean ZERO city vehicles should be used. Decorations should not be stored on city property either.
In other words - if somebody wants the town decorated then they should organize a civic organization, raise the funds, and provide the labor. THIS IS NOT A FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT!!!!
If you were at the city council meeting, you would have noted that the great majority of the meeting was focused on the insurance coverage, employee health insurance renewal and tax levy. Very little was discussed about a Christmas tree purchase.
Not going to many meetings I was impressed with the knowledge of the FINANCE team members that included Hylla, Potthoff, Radtke and the new Finance Officer Miller. They discussed a plan for pensions, tax levies and did a very good job of reviewing the insurance needs and electric rate rebates. The other committee discussed the many projects the city has going in the area of infrastructure. Members Lukosus, Waldorf, Bernabie and the City engineer Carls had a number of reports and it looks like progress. I was concerned about the north area flooding problem. The city is working on a plan with the state in mapping out the areas for water shed plan. From my viewpoint the city leaders are working at the many issues that every government municipality is faced with and doing it well.
11:44 AM
Those are all committeee reports and have been discussed in length at their respective committee reports. Important as they are to the functioning of the city and good economic health of the city, the topics are way above the average persons knowledge level and they will be affected by an increase in taxes to pay for all the above but don't expect any of the people in the audience to go out and discuss this with friends and family and in fact most aldermen could not discuss with their constituents. Ald. Potthoff handles the Finance meetings well and Eric Carls and Chamilin handle public service and not sure the aldermen are involved at a working level on that committeem at least that is the impression they give and of course you are not allowed to ask questions. Alderman Waldorf has made that very clear.
11:44 am, did you notice that when it came time to make a motion for the lawn cutting, Waldorf made the motion and Sapienza seconded. Potthoff and Perez questioned it and it got tabled. Why didn't Waldorf and Sapienza or any of the other aldermen question this service? Potthoff questioned how much the city is saving by outsourcing and Perez questioned why it wasn't bid out since it is over $20,000. If the alderman are doing such a good job, they need to start asking questions before they make motions they apparently don't have enough information about.
11:16 FYI the city has been putting up the xmas decorations for the CSO for many, many years using city vehicles and city manpower. Why all of a sudden are you concerned about this matter?
Streator had a beautiful tree lighting ceremony and parade last weekend. All arranged by volunteers, businesses, and those that believe in their community. LaSalle and their Rotary Park members put up a beautiful lighted drive through the park with many business-sponsored decorations and they have a holiday walk scheduled. All arranged by volunteers and those that BELIEVE in the community AND people visiting the park were personally greeted by their MAYOR. Ottawa had their Christmas lighting and ice sculptures last week all arranged by VOLUNTEERS and those that BELIEVE in their city. What has Peru had for our holiday celebrations? Very, very sad...... And you ask us why we leave town? The leaders in Peru will respond by saying that the other cities have dedicated volunteers. My response would be, those volunteers believe and support their leaders as team players and support their visions of the city. Every other community supports small town activities for ALL family ages but I just don't see anything, other than a beer garden or two, in Peru. We have a few, and I mean a few, small events that don't even bring out a 100 people. If you don't put the effort into planning an event, you won't get the outcome. The other cities are bringing in 1000's of people to their events. If we spend $50k on parks/rec, we should be able to have an event planner on staff (would rather hope it would be volunteer) that should know how to pull off something much larger than a small parade or two. Come on Peru, please do something! The pearl harbor walk is not bringing people out of their homes anymore. And I don't know many that will spend their day visiting city hall for a tree lighting ceremony to see a $1500 tree. Is it made of gold? Seriously, i thought it was a joke when I heard Peru was having a tree lighting ceremony and it was one tree in city hall.
12:18 You always have a few members of society that thrive on conspiracy and religious freedom issues. I and most others have no problem with a city promoting the holidays. In fact it probably helps the holiday shopping mood. And you would have many more critics if you had no decorations. Please tell us when those that oppose decorations will appear at a city hall meeting and demand that the city take down decorations or eliminate the town spirit! Let the Grinch have his few words and lets move on.
Amen 12:41! You nailed it. Additionally, the Peru mayor doesn't want volunteers because it takes a job away from a union person. The Peru mayor doesn't care that Peru could be so much better with a good group of volunteers who are appreciated and wanted for the help they would bring to the city.
@9:29, explain to us about ESDA and elaborate on your comment. Who are on committee for ESDA?
Regarding lawn care not going out for bids. Is it because it is already determined what company is going to do it. Could this company's owner be good friends with the select few in decision making. Our city is a crock pot full of ....!
There are too many things going on with the city's spending and who is watching the income and expenses. I am sick with the mayor and city alderman that think the well or checkbook will never go dry! Mike Hart please put name in for our future with new aldermen and an independent city manager.
2:15 PM
But the select few don't realize we are a lot smarter than they realize and can easily see thru the smoke screens they keep trying to put out there. Why the mayor and aldermen don't open their eyes and see is the problem. Buddy system at work, you say? Add to that total lack of leadership in Peru.
I think the main point of every discussion is Quality Volunteers. Those who give of their time and ability for the benefit of the CITY. We have a number of self promoters who call the radio station or place their photo on facebook every place they walk. And then there are some terrific volunteers that serve on committees, help with events and ask nothing but make the city a better place to be. That is the difference in quality volunteers. I think Mayor Harl has determined what type of volunteer he values.
Peru has the potential of having a good volunteer group but this potential will never develop under the present Mayor.
I say this having had the experience of living in towns which the Mayor always appeared at the project being worked on many times working on it himself with the volunteer group. I know of a entire group which put in many volunteer days and have yet to recieve a thank you from Peru's Mayor.
There are individuals who can gather 15 -20 people in a half an hour because they know how to show appreciation, give a atta boy and/or a atta girl or a simple pat on the back and than there are people who give away the shop but can't get someone to appear in person for a time and a half pay day.
we can have all the Christmas decorations you want - just not paid for in any way with tax dollars. And whoever asked why I'm just getting concerned now - I answer with I've always been concerned.
The point is we need an inclusive civic organization to do things like putting up decorations for Christmas, flowers in the spring and summer, organizing parades for the kids and all the nice things that small towns offer. But it needs to be done with volunteers and not paid for by the government. The government has enough on its plate already. If we had a real civic organization and not a private drinking and gambling club, it would attract younger members. As it stands now, it looks to me like a bunch of old fuddy duddies that only want a bear garden and fireworks - paid for by tax dollars.
Concerning the Peru property tax increase - I like how the on-line version of the News Tribune buried the article. This morning it was on the front page with no real information. Now it is buried.
It has been repeatidly stated at city council meetings that retail sales tax is picking up ay the rate of 2%/month. With this economic increase why would Peru, a major retail center need to raise property taxes. Something has to be radically incorrect. Are all departments being financilly managed correctly and how do the wages of these departments compare with similar cities of 10,000. Would someone familiar to Peru government explain Peru's check and balance system and who has authority of what? I do know, being a retired CEO of a major corporation that 3 year no bid contracts, $1500.00 city hall Xmas trees and $200.00 meal and drinks for four paid for by a city fund are unjust causes of tax increases. History shows that this mismanagement does not disappear but only increases until challenged or eliminated.
The xmas tree actually cost the full $1699.
5:15 PM
No the remainder was for a city dept. that was given a free lunch for being accident free for 180 days we were told and waiting for absolute verification because you won't believe the department that we were told that was treated.
I almost fell off my chair laughing when I read about the "missing cannonballs and sword" in the Fish-Wrapper. When asked Don Baker was unaware that they had been missing from the statue at Cannonball Park since before he took office as mayor about 50 years ago. Reminded me that someone needs to break the news to Don that he is no longer the mayor. With that said, I am convinced that even now the old man would run a "more open" administration than his Rob Ford impersonator predecessor Closed Session Scotty!
It was the crossing guard department that got the free lunch for being accident free . lol or the meter readers probably .
The invoice shows the tree did cost $1699.00.
What was the charge above the tree invoice? Something about Clerk and lunch?
8:15 PM
I have been told that the city departments get a free lunch after having 180 days without an accident by any of the employees of the department.
So did the clerk's office receive free lunch?
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