Perhaps this topic needs more eyes on it as there were none before it suddenly gasped for air before the attempt to submerge it beneath the eyes of the voting public known as the residents of Peru.
No public money for private business for that business to make a profit. I am sure that many local businesses would love to have had this type of incentive to begin or improve their privately held business.
For months I have heard about the Harl Amusement Tax to be associated with the proposed new theater but details were sketchy at best. If citizens were present at a meeting Mr Vickery simply said it was an ongoing discussion but we all know that this has involved months of closed session discussions.
Suddenly the proposal was made public and a look at the information indicated it would be unfair to some already existing businesses.. The to be taxed list was long and covered any and all forms of entertainment except charity etc. Suddenly entertainments most people take part in which had never had a tax associated would cost more IN PERU. It would be illegal (?) to tax only the theater and leave all others alone and to tax all would certainly be bad business.
How much money was spent to have lawyers put this on paper?.
This is the transparency we were all promised in 2005 and 2009 and it was never meant to happen. It was all a smokescreen for votes.
And no announcement has been forthcoming about the needed construction of a new road for movie goers to enter and exit this complex in this already crowded area which dead ends at a local bank. And that entry/exit could very well be on the North Peoria road (old Business 51) which is narrow and many times crowded and needs numerous Stop signs to keep traffic controlled in a safe manner.
Does our city have any long range planning in mind or just as it comes to mind planning?
Maybe the city would like to put this idea up for a referendum. Let the people decide if they want to pay for this idea.
50 comments:
- Please dedicate another topic to the "amusement tax" debacle that Harl and the Nit-Wits have tried to dump upon the citizens of the Illinois Valley. I am still laughing at the way these Bozos are walking back this phony development deal. The fact that Harl and the aldermen could not muster up enough courage to provide their position for the NT story last night shows how cowardly these pretenders are when it comes to taking a position on anything. Instead, they send Schweickert out there as the spokesman for elected officials who sneak around the issue and try to hide from the fact that most of them are in favor of it. No comment from Harl! No comment from the aldermen on the Finance Committee. These are the people you elected Peru, and some of them have been elected multiple times. What is wrong with you people? Why do you settle for leaders with no spine? They were prepared to stuff this tax down your throat for the benefit of a private land developer and a private theatre company. Do you people ever hold your elected officials accountable? Will you re-elect those aldermen who dump on you? I'm afraid I already know the answers to those questions.
Thank you 2:43 you took the words right out of my mouth.
I think it is worth looking at who currently owns that parcel of land. Whatever you do though - don't mention who the owner is on the blog.
Does the 1st ward hold its elected officials accountable? Two years ago only 2 individuals, the incumbent and a newbie, ran for 2 positions. This year only the incumbent is running for 1 position.
This is as far from being accountable as possible. Why, in this situation does the 1st ward even get two representatives? The 1st ward shows a complete lack of interest.
Does the 2d ward hold its elected officials accountable? This is a ward which seems to have a overabundance of qualified people for representation who make themselves available to be questioned and to answer.
Does the 3d ward hold its elected officials accountable? No, not at all or this ward would have neither of the present incumbents that it has. Being that a new face with good ideas and concern for the city has entered the upcoming election the 3d ward will have a opportunity to vote someone into office that can think and lead rather than always follow.
Does the 4th ward hold its elected officials accountable? The 4th ward in its own way is as unique as are the other 3 wards. By this I mean that the incumbent has 24 years as a aldermen and has in those years made contact with his constituents so often that he is impossible to beat in the 4th. He does his homework, understands the value of a dollar and provides his ward with strong representation.
The other incumbent has beaten 2 candidates that would add so much more to the council than him that I must say that this ward only holds one, its long term representative accountable. The last council election in this ward was one of heavy politics influenced by outside sources who live in and do not live in the ward but had much to gain or lose personally depending on the election results. Incidentally they won and the people lost.
Overall the citizens of Peru are very politically lethargic and do not hold elected officials as accountable as needed. Much of this stems from the fact that Peru has been very successful for the last 1/2 of a century 44 years in which one man held a position of strong leadership in the city and over the council which resulted in many generations having complete faith that he would take care Peru because he always did and they felt they never had to worry.
Presently I would think that the Mayor of 44 years would believe it is time for the lethargic attitude to change. His guidance will diminish as time goes on and the citizen must become active to maintain Peru.
Anon 4:02 PM Although although none of us can or should attempt to speak for Mayor Baker himself if I worked over 48years+ for a cause and saw what is taking place today I would be disappointed.
The present group of Peru decision makers have presented a steady stream of turmoil to turmoil.
Whenever anyone including the blog develop a winning idea the Mayor replaces it with a idea of his own. I am not saying he is always wrong but I will say that he is not always correct.
For a lengthy period of time many have questioned if Peru has reached the point of needing a city manager with several positive points in having one. All of a sudden the Mayor campaigns for a city administrator therefor replacing a idea of many with his and a very few others who don't want a professional counterpart with power of their own. Repeatably the Mayor and his flock have exhibited a distaste of sharing any power with others even if it would be a significant improvement for Peru.
Peru , in the last 6 years has had major changes in their management chart with many positions added. Presently with the national economy picking up should a city manager have been the 1st added and than go on from there professionally?
How many lawsuits does the city presently have in the workings against it? Also of interest is how much is Peru paying in pensions presently, how much in 5, 10, 15, 20 years etc. This is a financial figure which should be accessible at ones fingertips.
Who conducts cost analysis for what a employee hiring actual cost is in comparison to outsourcing? Why is it that every time a present administrative employee is terminated that it takes 2 new hires to replace one? City engineer, administrative assistant, zoning inspector and in many cases one assumes more titles and responsibilities that they are not qualified for at a significant increase in pay.
I think the proposal was pulled because "they" have finally figured out that people talk, the blog works, and most people are against this sort of corporate handout.
I am a proponent of business. But I'm also a believer in the Efficient Market Theory. The only thing government should do is get out of the way. Whenever they get involved in handouts, etc. the market and the tax payer suffers.
a little snippet in the NT about charity begging at storefronts.
I don't know about anyone else, but I think this practice needs to be halted. Nothing worse than running the gantlet of children begging for money to support their baseball team or other such nonsense.
1105
They threw out the proposal to see the response. I heard through the grapevine that a few of them were not on board with the taxing of other entertainment.
Does anyone who was not involved directly understand what the history with this 7% amusement tax has been? I don't understand if a vote was taken and how does someone find who voted for and who voted against?
Peru certainly would be a perfect study for "Politics for Dummies".
Is it true that the city council overruled the zoning boards recommendation recently? This is a unheard of occurrence in other cities. But so are the number of variances that are granted by the council.It appears that the council has finally been disclosed as the reason Peru has such zoning problems.
Why would Peru have a Zoning Committee if the council does not honor its recommendations?
Even more questionable is why isn't city business discussed openly in the council chambers meetings rather than in closed sessions behind the Mayors office? If every open meeting needs to have a closed meeting Peru definitely needs new representation.
@12:01 Do these men have any connection with the community they represent. Financially Peru consists of a lower middle class income retirement community. Employment wise blue collar,hard working citizens living in a area which the majority of jobs are retail and pay as such.
We have lived in a long term recession which the front page of the local newspaper last night stated economically still exists.
Nationally people are fed up with taxes, want no more and would like to see a return on those we presently pay.
Any group that is so out of touch with those it represents should be voted out of office. Yes I admit that a minority of the present council would not be on board with a increase of taxes but the citizenship should have the knowledge of who they are. This is transparency and a necessary tool upon which to decide how one votes. To hide behind secretive closed door evasive forms of not entitling people of what their individual swayed politicians favor is not a replica of the United States of America.
I as most others prefer to know what is taking place today not ask and be told this was passed 6 months, 1 year or or some unknown time ago if ever.
Presently it is best for the citizen to do it and ask for forgiveness than to initially ask. This no way to govern.
11:13 If a vote was taken it was not taken during an open council meeting and if it was taken during a closed session then it was illegally done. When the city's attorney publicly made the announcement I would not be surprised if some of the aldermen were not even aware of where and when the
decision was made.
I believe the election in April made them change their mind about the entertainment tax. And 11:13, what decision are you referring to regarding the zoning committee?
There was no amusement tax vote.
11:13, The entertainment tax was never brought up for vote.
Now wait a minute if there was no amusement tax vote how has it become such a hot topic? Knowing that some alderman were not on board with this increase is a strong indication that some form of inquiry had to be made. Is the city representatives back to the method of not declaring whom and why, or another straw poll?
Would any alderman who has the balls to stand on his own two feet make a motion that all city business is held in open session and cease this closed door administration and council before the citizenship has to stand outside city hall to witness decisions by white smoke or black smoke coming from the chimney????????????
It looks like a few are jumping the gun and looking for ammunition on the amusement tax. First point is that there was no vote taken and the city attorney gave a sample ordinance to review. Apparently, that was not well received by those who vote. 2nd point is that the tax would only apply to those who attend the cinema. But, the ordinance could not eliminate other areas of amusement like the bowling alley according to the local news. That then was dropped without a vote. Unless it is still pending. The increase of the sales tax vote was taken a few short years ago and that cost all those who live in Peru and shop in Peru. Who and when was that vote taken?
If there was no amusement tax vote what form of taxation is going to be proposed by Peru's no bid contract whizzes or as commonly known "Super Majority".
A well known fact is that Home Rule is only as successful as the honesty of the people holding office at a designated point in time. Where do no bid contracts, super majority, closed session council meeting, closed session meetings as a whole and no vote no declared officeholder opinion etc, fit into the definition of home rule?
I am not questioning home rule but I am questioning the manipulation of laws created to enable faster and better decisions when needed by government.
I wonder if the amusement tax was one reason that Concert full of Cr..... was pulled. Maybe it was the heat from Kristy, maybe it was the new hangars, maybe it was because then it would have been clear it would need to be taxed as a for profit event on the tickets.
That would have been interesting to see.
People, People, People. Please pay attention!
There was a proposal to give $875K to a private real estate developer in conjunction with a deal to build a new movie theater complex. This money was to cover part of the cost of development of the building and purchasing the property from the owner (who is local mind you). The infrastructure - mostly a new access road - would be paid in the normal way through the TIF funds -which is set to expire by the way.
Now - the City was not just going to hand over the $875K to the developer. The City wanted to be sure to get the money back somehow. The deal was that the money was not a loan - it was a gift. Sort like - hey City, I want to develop my land a make a bazillion dollars doing it. Why don't you give me an extra $875K just because....
Anyway - to get the taxpayers money back they needed some way to charge the taxpayers extra. That was the amusement tax. They tried to bamboozle people by hinting that it would only apply to the movie tickets - as if that made a difference - but the NT broke a cardinal rule and did not propagate the omission of facts. They specifically stated that the tax would be applied to all sorts of amusements.
Well now - when the people saw what this actually was - a direct payment of almost a million dollars that only benefitted a real estate investor - they balked. The smart aldermen - and possibly those running for election - said "hey Boss Harl - this deal stinks to high heaven and my constituents are calling my bluff. I can't vote for this." Therefore - the idea was pulled from the table.
Don't worry though. Where there is a will there is a way - The Boss, The Economic Director, and the local land owner, will put their heads together and figure out how to get that $875K that is burning a hole in Boss Harl's pocket.
Anon 11:22, it wasn't Kristy or the amusement tax, it was definitely the new hangers, the owners made it very clear if they were going to put the hanger up under no circumstance would they be blocked from pulling out their helicopter or jet aka concert.
The sidewalks along Washington Park are terrible. It looks like they got plowed but not very well. Some is clear,some is snow covered. With this melting, they will become ice covered. Lawsuit in the making!!
Despite the BS from people like 1:22, it was just an idea that was floated. It was not voted upon. Economic incentives for some companies are very common. Peru actually does know how to handle this landscape, just like other shopping destination communities do. We did it with Wal-Mart just as many others do. The long term payoff is huge and any other community in the Illinois Valley would give anything to have any of these businesses locate there.
Despite the snide comments most of our council actually does know what they are doing. We enjoy a low property tax rate and a low sales tax rate for being the town where people shop. Do a comparison. We do very well and we do need a lot more infrastructure and police and fire services because we have a lot more infrastructure an retail and otherwise to take care of, unlike the small minds who refer to Peru "just a town of 10,000 people."
We are a town of 10,000 people with a shopping district that rivals some towns of 75,000 to a 100,000 people. And that's a good thing.
Pathetic 2:38. There is ice and slippery places everywhere. It's winter. Stop the paranoia of the lawsuits. Who cares?
WOW, 3:50 your onto some strong stuff! Most people OD before they hallucinate to the state you are presently in.
Do you realize how much some people would pay to dream to the extent you have reached. From now on please wait for medical drugs to be sold by the state for your own salvation.
3:50 you can trip out all you want but their is only 1 alderman that would have anything to do with low property taxes that is presently on the council and at one time Peru was below other cities of the area in sales taxes but as a result of the present day Peru politicians who cannot spend fast enough as long as it is not their own buck Peru is at the top of the sales tax scale for the area.
3:50 when you take your next trip floating through the clouds put yourself in any direction and compare our shopping area to cities of 75K to 100K population.
I fully agree with people like 1:22, and by the way what gains are you receiving for the amount of b.s. you are spreading? If it is not b.s. it has to be drug induced or you are so ignorant that it hurts.
Read the sign as I entered Peru,it is a town of just 10,000 people and progressive;y getting smaller in population. Reason being that Peru is going backwards, no jobs and what does come is low paying. Maybe you never heard that the present Mayor had the opportunity to obtain 500 to 600 jobs sitting across the table from him but said we don't want them if they are not union. True to his word we didn't get them.
5:22 PM Would you know the reason why every year the snow is plowed from in front of the city public works building and piled up on the sidewalk in font of the residence next to it which is 1016 Peoria Street. One must walk around this pile of snow on the sidewalk and walk on Peoria Street.
Why, year after year is the city such a poor neighbor? The city is doing worse than breaking its own ordinances it is piling its own snow on its neighbors property and making the sidewalk inaccessible to all pedestrians.
Pathetic 5:22PM Who cares, I care, people who correspond with this blog care and most others care. We care because we do not want anyone even you to slip, fall or get hurt.
Washington Park is near a school and the library which accounts for a lot of foot traffic and should be given special attention.
As you have written "It's winter". Being it's winter a greater amount of care must be taken. Maybe Peru should decrease its numbers of summer help since so much outsourcing is being done and we no longer have a swimming pool and create a program of student winter help to shovel snow spread salt and cover some of the overtime. Most seniors in high school, freshmen and sophomores in college could and would if properly instructed do the majority of city jobs for $9 or $10 per hour and at that rate you would get 3 workers in comparison to one city worker paid $27 and above. It would be a win win for all if unemployed were hired at $10 to $12 per hour.
2:38 here. I refer to a lawsuit because that is exactly what Atty Schweickert told Alderman Perez would happen to him if somebody got hurt during one of his winter fun days. So why is that a reason for a lawsuit, but somebody slipping and falling on city property because it isn't properly maintained isn't? I was at Walgreens yesterday and a customer came in and told the clerk there was ice just outside the door and she almost fell and could have sued them. The law is if you clear the snow on your property and somebody falls and gets hurt, you're liable. If you don't clear the snow and somebody falls and gets hurt, you're not liable because it's an act of God. My point to the city is either do it properly or don't do it. Do we not own a snowblower? Throw a little salt on the sidewalks. I saw a person out walking near the park and they had to use the road instead of the sidewalk because of the poor job that was done. So yes, LAWSUIT!!
The city is nearly 180 years old and still the government has to be told what a lousy job is being done on its own public property at Washington Park.
There is no excuse for this and certain management individuals must get over the idea that everything starts over,brand new every work day.
Presently Peru appears to run by a bunch of Neanderthals.
anon 8:15 Cities are very difficult to win anything from in court and therefor tend to be negligent. As for becoming liable if you shovel or salt your property the law has changed and does give the property owner a fairer shake than it did years ago.
6:30 who was the lost 500-employee employer?
Enough about this. What is our local government doing about the measles epidemic? As far as I'm concerned, the government needs to step in and just force kids to have the MMR Vaccine - this can be done during the summer. Just round up all the kids at the school - use the police if necessary - and give them the shot. No exceptions whatsoever! Use FORCE! Its for the safety of the Children!
Real funny ALFONSO! I suppose somebody will bite on that silly bait you are dangling out there. I'll pass!
According to expenditures on city website...only people in town making money is Illinois valley excavating...
Now we are gonna spend 31000 to run fiber so connecting point can charge the city for Internet...this is a scam...
Why was a fireman out plowing the city in the fire dept pick up? Was this approved by the union ? They cut the workers overtime so they look good and they send non union workers out to plow in our place !
I thought the city was surrounded by fiber that was done years ago.
Anon 3:53 PM Fireman, policeman, private contractor doing work for the city. You people are going to have to draw the line in the sand report to the proper positions of power and start to handle your own problems.
Was this approved by the union? Seems to be a "stir the pot" question. Approved by the union or not approved by the union you have the right to grieve the action. So why don't you or are you waiting for someone else to do it for you? If you think you are correct step up and file a grievance.
@3:53, I thought the same thing when a blog mentioned that a fire dept truck was plowing debo lot which is owned by city. Who was driving and did they get paid? Out of what account?????? More and more questions? Who oversees Public Works? Cut costs to may supers look good, and use other dept to get work done. City trying all all cost to show savings of payroll to validate high salaries of some. Hummmmmm
does anyone know how the family fun day went yesterday at the park? was it well attended, did any rec board members, mayor or aldermen show up? are they planning more for the upcoming weekends? who funded the event, or did rodney donate the food ?
WIth all the great ideas and the experts on here I would have thought more of you people would brush off your high school and grade school diplomas and run for office? I know its hard when your resume only has uneducated blow hard on it to be taken serious but you learned on the streets and studied at the school of hard knocks.
7:56 pm You have good questions although you refer to the parking lot as the debo parking lot which is owned by the city. Are you sure that every parking space plowed and maintained by the city in this lot is owned by the city. I have heard, in traditional Peru lingo, yes and no.
Very questionable is that the Mirror Building at the time it was up for sale did not offer any property behind it or part of the parking lot. It can be assured that city representation was asked why not and told it was a added incentive for the difficult sale. Also at that time it was mentioned that city parking was behind Butterfly Landing. Much of what the city does is questionable and the only assured is that it continues to do as it pleases.
No food at the fun days, nobody was there. Just another day.
8:40 Heard it was a fun and successful day. Weather permitting I believe there should be at least 2 more (Feb. 14th and 21st). Those are the days that the rec board president reserved for just such events.
There is an item on the agenda for tonight's meeting to allow some Holey Rollers from Rock Falls to hold tent services / revival meetings in our parks this spring and summer.
This should be rejected! The parks are public property and they should not be used for religious activities.
Good job to Rodney for another successful family event ! So glad you help in Peru ! Keep it up !
This is sickening. Part of the fun is to have hot chocolate and a hotdog. I don't live in Peru, do follow the politics from what I read, listen to, and have many friends that live in Peru. Your city is shameful for how it is being run. Nothing but a bunch of self serving individuals in my opinion. All of you need to grow the heck up.
So Saturday was a Rodney event? Nobody else helped out?
8:40 PM
The event was very well attended and Rodney provided the hot chocolate and hot dogs. The Rec BD had several members present and they came with cookies and cider and I don't know if they were donated or not. Otherwise they were purchased from a local grocery with Rec. Board funds.
The City and Debos own parts of that parking lot. Not all owned by city.
8:22 Why is the city so reluctant to be transparent about this fact. Is the reason that they do not belong maintaining property that is not city owned.
Maybe it would be smart to replace the logo on the fire departments pick up with a logo of another city besides Peru or some made up logo from a non existent corporation. Who could be trusted to do this work quietly, how about that city employee who does emergency lighting?
It has been quite awhile since Home Depot and Menard's have started business in Peru. What amount of sales tax and property tax does each pay the city? What hardware store does the most business with the city?
Could above questions be part of the reason that it has been determined to discuss a city administrator rather than city manager? Everyone realizes the city manager-mayor chain of command in comparison to the mayor-city administrator plus who else's power would be determined by this difference of manager to administrator. To protect the tightly knit group of the inner circle the mayor choose to have a city administrator rather than the peoples choice of city manager.
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