I could have predicted this vote. Those who work for the mayor voted for only including the city administorator, but not a city manager. What did you expect that is what the mayor wants, those are the "pocket aldermen" The 2 aldermen who think long time in the best interests of the city voted against it. With only one choice, what is the purpose?
From the N.T. where the full story may be read.
44 comments:
Another thing to think about. If they go down the path of just hiring an administrator and NOT changing the government - we still have a legal requirement to have an elected City Clerk with a salary that is dictated by a city ordinance.
If we change to a Council-Manager form of government - we can include in the referendum a provision to remove the elected clerk. We can also reduce the salary of the Mayor. Between the two (the clerk being paid the most) I think that is about $100K. Somebody else can look those numbers up. My point is - by changing the government we can use the savings between those two positions to pay a large part of a Manager's salary.
Knowing very little about the task force and its purpose plus the distinct advantageous of having a city administrator or a city manager.
What I do know is that it is time for the Mayor and city councilmen to individually account and explain why they vote as they do.
Whoever is running the big top has a idea of not overmanning the middle level of management but does not realize that overmanning the level of top management with high salaries to eliminate middle management is not the correct method.
Many of the questions presented on this blog should be answered at public meetings such as city council meetings rather than solely discussed in private and during closed sessions and meetings of the whole. Is it my imagination or is it evident that the longer the private meeting is the more radical the following city council meeting will be.
As Mayor Harl realized and stated in 2009 one of his main goals would be transparency.
Knowing this one wonders why in 2015 it is still the voters want but possibly no longer among his desires. This is the disconnect killing his tenure in office.
The brainless boys club. And they're trying to add to it. According to working ears at the bi-weekly after hours meetings the boys club goes out to gossip about their meeting and election. The city boys have been accompanied by Rodney's opponent. They must not realize workers at their favorite after hours establishments have ears.
To 7:28 AM, The elimination and or reduction in existing elected and salaried positions that will be realized by changing to Council/Manager does not stop at City Clerk. The elimination can also include the Human Resources Director who is currently grossly overpaid at a rate of approximately $70,000. Plus, the newly hired "Finance Kid" at $60,000. Next, the phony Community Development Director for whatever it costs us to have him hanging around. In addition there will be additional savings with a true professional cutting the bloated administrative payroll that Harl has created by allowing Bernabei to hire assistants to assistants of assistants and technician assistants and their assistants. And of course the savings when the City Manager hires a legitimate and qualified Public Works Superintendent and Bernabei and King are stripped of the extra $25,000 they get for "playing the role". There is so much to be gained by professional management. Can the lazy and uninformed Peru electorate pull their heads out of their asses long enough to see the benefit and approve it via referendum? That is the ultimate question. I have my doubts.
It's my opinion Harl want to protect those who he has given, appointed jobs to with large salary and benefit packages. Make sense? Wasn't this done in closed sessions? No advertisement for hiring process either. Hand picked, signed, sealed, delivered. Outrageous. Nor questions regarding this that public has asked have not been answered either. Don't alderman ask questions?
The approved Peru City Admin Task Force (6-2 city council vote, those voting nay were Potthof and Perez) is comprised of - name, occupation and hometown location plus political experience. Who selected these individuals?
Presently do not know who has been chosen for this task force but I do hope that the initials of some of the following have been included L.C., O.J.S., W.C.J., A.K.G., J.L.,G.M. S.W., S.M., G.B.,K.M., L.c. and some others
Lets not get to carried away 7:28, the Manager will still need a staff. He or She won't be able to do all the tasks you listed.
How about going back to the 11k a year for a fire chief instead of 84k a year (with added titles)? People, this has all been taking place in front of our eyes, behind closed door deals during Harls terms. Where are our alderman? Mr. Pothoff and Mr. Perez should see what has been happening. Just one example here. Assistants, assistants assistants
10:25, that's a raise of 2 people each receiving $1,000.00 each per month as additional compensation. Unlimited payroll distributions.
I'm confused about all the assistants to assist. Could someone please explain so I can understand this? Who is in charge of doing what job/jobs? Geeze
Since it appears that no investigation with regards to alderman Waldorf's campaign antics with brought up at last night's meeting I guess we can assume he will get away with it whether legal or not. I find it very disturbing that a "family fun day" was tainted because alderman PereZ dared to mark his car at a city park with his own personal signs on it and an investigation ensued and was initiated by our mayor. Yet, apparently city business cards can be sent to ward residents along with a campaign letter and nothing will be done. City business cards, with city logo on them and paid for by who knows (I'm not sure whether or not that has been determined).
Does anyone know if all the members of the task force are from Peru? I've heard rumor that they are not all Peru residents. Is this true?
12:59 - it would be best if none of them where from Peru.
12:16 The extra titles and compensation has been voted on. Do you remember that was another abstain vote for Alderman Perez? I think either one or two alderman voted no.
names and occupations are listed in the NT.
No women? Seems like a major oversight. Guess what ? Women live in Peru too and should have a voice in this decision.
Lois Carroll said...
2:56 PM
Yes one woman, the first on the list, but I am told she is from Streator. I have said it before and will say it again, our mayor does not deal with strong women with opinions, Period. So there is one token woman on the list.
The task force is not hiring anybody. They are a committee that will review if the city needs a administrator. Being a resident of Peru has no bearing on the task. After they review and come to some conclusion, it will still be the Mayor's role if he wants to proceed with any changes. According to the news, there will be no referendum to change the form of government.
3:48 you misunderstood the news report. If they go with an administrator a referendum will not be required.
The people can petition separately to change the government if they desire. We do not need to leave this up to the Mayor and Council. A change referendum can be initiated not matter what this committee decides.
I do have a prediction about this committee though... I give them 4, maybe 5 meetings before they figure out the Mayor is steering them in to reach a predetermined outcome that he has already written. One by one the members will stop showing up to the meetings. This has happened before.
@11:40 AM Your list of names has none of those chosen. Does anyone know these people personally and have any ever been to a Peru City Council meeting. What background do any of them have to judge what Peru needs. Oh! that's right they wouldn't have to they are to evaluate the mayors and 6 alderman's idea of having a city administrator not the citizens idea of hiring a city manager.
How many of these people live in Peru and for how long? Again I emphasize who of this group have you ever seen at a PERU city council meeting? Mayor Harl and the 6 aldermen who voted aye have just slapped all of Peru's interested citizens in the face which should be remembered at the next 2 city elections.
Lois don't give up you always have Hillary Clinton and Lisa Madigan.
Watching the news. In the last 2 weeks a politician and a very well known newscaster has embellished their credentials. They lied about being in special forces in the service. Took someone to investigate to find this out. People will say anything to get ahead. Sick and tired of all the lying that goes on.
Anon 4:14 PM From your description of Mayor Harl and his treatment of committees he is pretty much a "They came, They saw, I conquered type of individual".
Sadly this is the normal behavior of today's successful politician. Much more a porch climber than the porch swing.
5:36 why does it matter if they have ever been to a city council meeting, or if some are not from Peru for that matter? I would argue it might be best if they are somewhat separate from whatever bias there may be. I see nothing wrong with the list of people. Instead of being critical why not give it a chance and let it run its course?
Anon 6:36 PM This is Peru, Illinois and as most others the realization is that there is no choice but to give it a chance and let it run its course. This is the general attitude of Peru citizenship and why the city is in its present condition. Years ago in the times of Westclox no one thought of moving from Peru, today you can even ask the elderly if they would move away and the large per cent of the answers will surprise you.
What is the cause of this?
@10;28 pm DO YOU THINK THE CAUSE OF THIS IS THAT THE OLD GREY MARE AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE?
It was interesting that Potthoff requested that the City Manager position be part of the task force study. Why?
There may be nothing wrong with this list of individuals but I do hope (before they put in all their time and efforts) that they are informed that in all probability (even if they recommend an administrator) that the council has already declared that they will probably vote it down.
9:16, because Ald. Potthoff knows that a change to the council manager form of government is needed. An administrator without legal power is just another expense.
If you have a FB account take a minute and read Peru Town Forum latest post re: study of Administrator for Peru.
To 9:16 AM, Because Potthoff knows as well as anybody how poorly run and inefficient Peru government is on every level.He understands that Harl and some of the aldermen continue to interject themselves into city matters they have no knowledge in and are terribly unqualified to be be meddling in. Dave knows how poorly managed Peru currently is and how it is only getting worse day to day. most importantly, Dave knows what it will take to stop the madness and political crap. Council/Manager is the only way to take the politics out of Peru government. If Harl is going to assemblke a phony baloney Task Force every time a tough decision needs to be made he should just turn over all decison-making to a Task Force of citizens whose names will be drawn out of a hat.
I keep reading where Mayor Harl keeps insisting that this task force is not going to cost Peru anything in finances. I am not going to take a lot of stock in this because I remember adding a economic director to the city by the Mayor who was not to cost the city any finances either.
When it comes to Peru government I don't pay much attention to what they say but I do watch what they do with a magnifying glass. Similar to 2 books not even written by the same person.
Lois, took your advise and read Peru Town Forum. The forum states one of the biggest reasons that all of this ballyhoo is being directed to a administrator rather than a city manager.
That reason being that the education and background of a administrator is nothing more than a highly watered down version of a city manager at approximately the same amount of money.
The reason I mention money is the fact that Peru has a appointed city official that is all about the money and the only way he can obtain more from Peru is to become a city administrator. Plus he is already in house and there is no fear of another wild card act which took a huge amount of influence to avoid any backlash, if you consider the FBI a problem which after they completed their investigation in Peru most don't.
So the fortune teller Scott sees that all cards are in line and everything is in place and all qualifications are met. Why do a few want to mess things up by doing the proper thing, if they want a city manager they should move to Streator.
11:43 What and who and why move them to Streator? Are you for or against administrator.
I support shifting to a Council Manager form of government. Figured I'd say that before I say the following:
When we do shift - I say when because I am an optimist an I believe that the citizens will drive this despite what some politicians say. Anyway - at some point in time, the Manager is going to make a decision that he is legally obligated to make and many people will be upset by it. The manger might decide to let some people go, might decide that a new fire truck is not needed, might decide that we need to get a different garbage service. The point is - this person will make some decisions that will upset some people and we need to be ready for that. We can't go crying to our Alderman when so and so gets let go or the neighbor's dog is barking. The manager will turn over the barking dog to the police chief to issue a citation - and he won't discuss hiring and firing with the public - period.
The purpose of the Alderman and the Mayor will be to give the manage money, provide legal oversight, and create the goals for the community.
Anon 12:11 PM Please read 11:43PM again with the sarcasm shinning brightly in the last paragraph.
I am 110% against a administrator, which I believe is no more than a watered down version of a city manager with his teeth removed. The city administrator does not need the education, qualifications, nor the background and previous experience a city manager does although there will not be a lot of difference in pay.
Peru is presently operating under the outdated method of promoting within whether a qualified individual is available or not. much of this is due to the hiring of a professional engineer who making effort to do the correct thing nearly put some behind steel bars. Also in the play book is the fact that Peru has a employee who is all about the money and the only way he can be given more is to give him another title. Most likely he could be called a city administratot but does not have the credentials to be a city manager. Ottawa does not have a city manager nor presently needs one as they have a highly educated attorney as their Mayor, Steator has a city manager who has accomplished a vast amount of progress for the city.
Anon 4:18 PM Isn't the purpose of the alderman and mayor presently to manage money and create goals for the community and the city attorney is to provide all legal oversight.
7:45, who is the employee you are referring to who is all about the money? Are you saying this employee would be appointed city administrator by Harl? Qualifications?
10:26pm, my guess would be DB.
9:01, yes - but they are also in charge of hiring and firing employees - researching the options for insurance - buying trucks and cars - sweeping out the shop and taking out the trash. In other words - The council is intimately involved with every aspect of managing the city down to the last detail. Put another way - a barber should not be deciding which sewers need to be cleaned out.
You will have 2 members on the council and Rodney. Will that change the Manager position?
qualifications - you dont need any stinking qualifications in Peru! you just get appointed!
When a person in charge ask a company owner what should be done when something needs fixed and contracted out, then I would say that person shouldn't be overseeing a department.
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