For months if not years, the comment keeps being made "if you don't like the way it is, run for office. So someone does and takes out a petition for the 3rd ward aldermanic seat. He is doing what people here on the blog have been telling people to do.
So someone does but only he is not a part of the present city council and not friends with any of them and in fact has made criticisms of some of their decisions. Honest criticisms.
So now here we have someone that decided he wants to serve Peru in an elected capacity. I believe he has the credentials to do so and probably is more qualified to serve than the current alderman but that is up to the people to decide.
Oh wait the current aldermen think they should have a say in this, not all but some of them. They decide to promote and work for and put signs in their yards for the present alderman.
Why? Don't they believe in honest and fair elections and staying out of what is none of their business.
I remember when Mike Radtke was running for First Ward alderman and saw a Ald. Mertel sign in Ald. Ferrari's yard and he said that he didn't know if he could work with Ald. Ferrari since he was publicly supporting Ald. Mertel who was his opponent. Well Mike won and found out he could work with Ald. Ferrari on the council.
So now we have a situation where the 3rd ward alderman running for re election has legitimate, honest competition and evidently some of the others now think they have to actively support him because gee what will they do if his opponent wins. What ever happened to integrity???
Thiis just one of the reasons we need term limits on all elected offices. People begin to believe they are entitled and start either on their own or through their friends and cohorts begin to do things that are unethical and in my opinion slightly dishonest. Saying this is the way we have always done it just doesn't cut it anymore. The alderman should run on his record of the past 8 years and if that doesn't work, he will be defeated.
The problem is that record will not bring in that many votes without a little....(you can finish this by yourself, I am sure)
25 comments:
Lois I remember when you were all for Radtke, when he didn't play to your tune, he wasn't that good of an alderman, come to think of it the same goes for when Harl ran for mayor, now he is useless. What makes you think the next elected official is going to sing to your tune. Maybe you should have run against the 1st ward alderman, then you would really have a say.
Have any of you thought about protesting in front of an aldermans home or business when you feel they have failed you? You have that right. It's the first amendment but it takes guts to put a face under that sign while you March back and forth on the public sidewalk.Some would say that it is wrong to do that to someone but I say stop whining and take that stand. Your that upset......do it and watch what happens. Good and bad but that's how change can happen. Call the trib, Ottawa and Peoria papers if you do. Some may come. Time for Peruvians to take the city back.
8:01 PM
Mike was moved to the second ward after redistricting and he is still one of the aldermen I can usually talk to, not always in agreement but that is OK. I am in the first so he could no longer represent this ward.
Supporting Harl is not something I am proud of. For 2 years he complained about the rest of the aldermen that he could get nothing done, he complained to those who supported him. Then he learned how to be a politician and quit talking to most of those who voted for him hence the 35% he received in the last electiom. He never fulfilled his campaign promises.
We are still waiting for all those Public Forums he promised instead we get closed sessions to the public.
Now you have my side of the story.
I was encourage to see Nelsons Facebook post tonight:
As a resident and senior citizen I am encouraged by his platform
The ability of office hours to meet with an alderman and the utility discount are huge. I also like to see contracts being reviewed now that ambulance is costing us 10% more..an idea that radktke and waldorf pushed hard for!
Let's give him 4 years better choice this time. Just so you know people I voted for Dave twice and I'm also very disappointed in Mike. He could do a better job that he is doing
I did read nelsons page yesterday. I will tell you that i totally disagree with the utility rate discount for seniors. I believe this is a strategy to buy votes from the elderly population. I will agree that he is doing nothing different probably than any other politicians though. We already give tax breaks to seniors and i think it is time that we stop with the freebies. Younger families starting out in life are on just as tight of a budget as seniors. Its hard for everyone in todays world. I will not support anyone that gives hand outs so willingly with taxpayer money. Has nelson determined a dollar value of this freebie?
9:01 AM
I understand it would be income based and not all seniors would be eligible for the discount, in fact the percentage I think would be very small.
The senior utility discount as described to me would be available to fixed income seniors who qualify by income and the entire program would likely be funded by grants from the federal governement, not the city. Yes it's still tax money, but it is a great program that helps older folks remain independent and in their homes. This would be a good plan that would have no negative impact on Peru's finances.
Go Travis!
What happens when the "grants" go away?
Just keep the rates at a reasonable level for everyone. We don't need to create special cases that need to be managed. I also imagine that the program management will cost something.
So Mr. Nelson is trying to purchase votes? Just like Ex-Governor Quinn?
More of the same corrupt Illinois politics. Meanwhile - if someone that is not a "senior" is one day late they turn off the power.
Nope - I'll check it out on his FB page and if he is running on this platform, he just lost may vote and my respect.
10:14 AM
The city has never paid for any special management for grants or federal funding received for projects. So it will be just a part of the city clerks office. This will be nothing, just remember how much bucks the city clerks office spent in time managing the Concerts for a Cause which benefited very few but just padded a few egos at city hall.
Enough commenting on the discount for seniors program until the details are published and may be in tonights paper. (N.T.) So if you don't see what you wrote that is the reason. I believe previous bloggers have already told you what you wanted to know now just mentally digest it before you start typing.
10:14 PM
We have no problem spending HUGE amounts of money on equipment, on IML meetings, mileage for the voluntary economist on staff, business for aldermen, a lobbyist etc. endlessly and anyone who would complain about helping someone with a very tiny discount just doesn't see or know how much needless waste that benefits only those who make decisions for this city.
"business card" and yes the city offered to buy them for the aldermen I am told. Not for campaign use but for general use.
The City needs to get out of the electric utility business. Spin it off as a for profit utility or just let Ameren absorb it. I bet the city could get quite a bit of money for it - and cut the budget quite a bit. Double win.
Providing electricity is not something a government should be doing.
Anon 1:08PM
I do not understand how you can state that providing electricity is not something a government should be doing. If a government in 1897 was intelligent enough to enable itself to enter the electric business and to do nothing but make money on top of money with this investment why should providing electricity be frowned upon?
3:28 - then why don't we Nationalize Ameren, Consolidated Edison, Commonwealth Edison, The Southern Companies, etc., etc. - Lets just have the government own all energy producing companies.
No - it should be a private business. I am a capitalist - not a communist.
1:08, you have no clue what you talking about and would be the first to complain when your service is disrupted and your bill has Increased.
Peru has an excellent electric dept we are so virtu ate in that respect. Cannot remember telling last time we were without power. I don't feel seniors should get discounts some of the seniors in this Sosa have a bigger I come tan working folks if any did oh t should be based on anyone's income not their age. Jam not against seniors I am one myself
Funniest scene of day is watching barber run all over 3rd Ward moving signs around...it was like a scene for 3 stooges
8:52 I don't know what signs he was moving around. I certainly was not the illegal ones he has in several yards.
@4:33 PM have you ever had either formal or informal education in capitalism or communism? It is evidentr that you do not understand Logic.
If as many have knowledge of wrong doings by the 3rd ward incumbent as claimed why would someone think he will be re-elected. Speaking of wrong doings Congressman Aaron Schock has joined the long line of miss - directed politicians in the State of Illinois.
Hopefully more voters will not cast their ballot until each candidates past performance is studied.
Please educate me 9:45 March 17th.
Personally, I think I have quite a bit of knowledge about economics. I think you are the one that does not know what he is talking about.
There - that was productive wasn't it.
I am simply against the government being running things that should be done by the private sector. Electricity is one of them. I also believe that if it was possible to turn a profit on water distribution, that should be a private company also. Someday, it will - because the government is just screwing that up left and right.
If you want to ensure something is over budget, ineffective, and substandard, just let the government do it.
3:15, so your telling me you want to give the contract to someone like TEST so they can double up their contract to $10,000,000, you don't get it, it's not as cost effective to job it out.
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