Corruption is about greed and private interests put ahead of the public good. Influence that is bought through a bribe, outside spending, outside income or campaign contributions, the public suffers in the same way. Until we move past scandals toward structural change, our democracy will suffer, too.
We shall add No Bid Contracts, Election Interference and Cronyism and Favoritism. When the elected become so concerned during the election process that they disregard what is legal and what is not, the people will suffer the consequences for the benefit of a few. When the voters become tools in the hands of public officials because they trust them, we no longer have an honest and responsible government and the ballot box has become a tool to retain power by a few.
Look at the quote on the right side of the blog about public officials.
41 comments:
"W" is opposed to any change. He is not a very nice man either. For the life of me, I wonder how his is able to maintain his business - his profession has an expectation of being personable and communicative.
I heard and witnessed the most hilarious thing yesterday.
Five of The good ole boys were at the coffee shop yesterday must've been planning a campaign attack against Perez. I left the shop after listening to enough politics for one morning I went to Menards to pick up my honey do list. I see Perez out with a group of volunteers cleaning up our city. I shook my head and felt like driving back to the coffee shop to tell these city officials they should be out helping do something for the city instead of planning an attack. Three hours later Perez is in my neighborhood knocking on doors. I was in the middle of repairing my shower so never answered the door fast enough but did get his flier and saw him across the street.
Wonder what would happen to city employees if they openly showed support for an opposing candidate?? If they went door to door, sent a letter, put up a sign, etc. etc. I would bet their job would not be a pleasant one if the sitting aldermen (Potthoff and/or Waldorf) won re-election.
I'm curious 9:29. Who were the 5 you saw at the coffee shop? I can't think of 5 of them who were and are friends that would have met for coffee before they became aldermen which tends to leave one to believe they had something to discuss that couldn't wait until the next council meeting.
9:24 PM
If the groupincluded Radtke, Sapienza and Ferrari, they were out walking for Dave Potthoff, we were told from a reliable resident.
10:49 AM
Great question because the aldermen are paid with our tax dollars the same as city employees.
What is our city clerk put his name on the list of aldermen supporting Ald. W.?
I heard Bartley, Harl and King are real close.
I think having Radtke, Ferrari and Sapienza walk for Potthoff or Waldorf is just going to hurt the incumbents. Especially Sappy.
It would be great to say that having these fellow peers walking in support of a candidate does not change the environment and the vote.
The elimination of many political practices would most likely be a strong positive move for political life and enable the better of candidates to be chosen.
Now having said this I must stay to present reality that the amount of financial backing and political allies that understand the game being played create a almost impossible wall to defeat. In brief the game is politics and it has become very unfair and often untruthful. Therefore it must be remembered that for the decision to vote in the better of the candidates similar to business word of mouth from voter to voter is ones best advertisement.
Also one must remember in today's busy world many have a short memory or have never had the time to understand all that is going on so although you have communicated why you believe in a candidate a dozen times remember that another two dozen times may be needed.
11:41 am, there has been a falling out of buddies Harl & Bartley because of the FBI investigation.
Lt. Bobby Thompson had a Harl sign in his yard out in Sycamore Lakes subdivision. Don't remember when for sure but he retired and left the area in late 2007. Mayor Baker brought in Mr. Bernabei to be chief just before then too. Wonder how supporting Harl hurt him with Baker? Anybody know how to reach him? He's outspoken and would probably tell you how that worked out for him...
12:47 they've amended ties. Harl and Bartley are once again buddies. Bartley is kissing the mayors back pockets in hopes of not being targeted.
11:41, Bartley and Harl can't stand each other.
10:49, not a thing would happen, one reason they are protected, knowing these alderman what could they do, get King/Bernabie to go after them, good luck, the employees wouldn't put up with that unless there is cause, then Local 150 would take it from there. There are also laws on the books against going after city employees exercising their rights.
What I want to know is why are the sitting aldermen afraid of someone new joining them. How do they know it wouldn't be for the betterment of the city? Are they afraid something might be exposed that they don't want citizens to know about. If 5 of them met someplace was any government business discussed? They obviously did some government campaigning. Is this legal? 5 is enough to constitute a legal meeting for which an agenda should have been posted. Are you comfortable knowing that the very representatives that you pay for are campaigning against someone they haven't even worked with before? Maybe this newcomer would take better care of your tax dollar than the present sitting alderman is doing. I definitely don't feel it is ethically or morally right and I for one am disappointed in their behavior and don't understand their reasoning behind it.
We are getting close to the election, so I got out my prognosticator and find out how it will turn out. All indications are that incumbents will win. Although, “W’s” margin will be very low and the media will initially call it for his opponent. That contest will be settled by a recount and in the court. “The Boss” will fund both the court case and the recount. This will lead to some hurt feelings in our community. After the spring election, the “big plan” will be revealed to all. Frank Mautino will resign for health reasons. The Democrat Party will appoint “The Boss” to fill the remainder of the Mautino term in Springfield. When “The Boss” steps down as Mayor, the Council will vote in “W” as Mayor. “The Boss” will continue to pull the strings in Peru until his second term in the Legislature. It gets cloudy, but the shadows appear to be pointing toward a campaign funding scandal – this will not only take down “The Boss” but “W” and several members of the Peru Council as well.
What will be interesting is that Harl has filed his D-2 report every time before April 3rd, with election on April 7th...What are odds he doesn't before the election date, word on the street is Waldorf is above the $3000 threshold and everything he is printing is coming from LOCAL 150 printer.
Voter Beware this election is not about the 3rd ward alderman this is about control of city...
3:58 PM
You are very wise with your comment.
I'm voting for Payton, when he runs against Radtke.
Lois I would guess Test incorporated and Chamlin Engineering is funding Waldorfs entire campaign. They can't afford to lose him. Waldorf is a woman hater I know that. This video just released even proves that even more.
UNDER THE TABLE MONEY GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO FUND THEIR CAMPAIGN. DETECTIVE 101 CLASS.
Anon 6:32 Payton won't run against Mike Radtke. The plan is to get rid of Rodney so most likely Radtke will run unopposed.
I imagine The Boss will file his quarterly report at the last possible minute.
A number of residents were walking for Potthoff. He has the respect of many including those on the city council. If you spoke to Dave he wouldn't say anything negative about those running for office.
Kind of glad that the professionals are strategizing about the future of the city vs raking leaves actually.
The alignments are easy to spot. The Perez's and Nelson are fully entrenched as one. That's the talk in the city. And it looks like for whatever reason newcomer Payton is supported by a few current officials. Without political parties you will always have alignments. The last township election was the same type with groups put together for support. These small elections always are about the person running and not the one aligned with whoever. Most know the candidate and make a poll decision based on that.
it is not strategizing.... it is plotting.
I heard a little bird. The bird tweeted that concerts for a profit is still on and there will be a venue sponsored by the City of Peru. The little bird said that not much can be said until after the election.
Typical Peru politics...we shouldn't forget when the city clerk mysteriously drew mr.Waldorf name for the first spot on ballot and then had to redraw when challenged by correct state law.
What is the deal with him and elections ? This was no mistake.
9:11, please expand your comment. How is the ballot position supposed to be determined? What was done by the clerk that necessitated a challenge? Please don't leave this hanging. Or are you just trying to stir up something without actually saying anything?
The rumor is that one candidate did not have enough valid signatures on his petition to run for office. The incumbent that is being challenged decided that it was not in the best interest of the city to file for removal of the candidate.
anon 9:37 since when is it up to a candidate to determine if he/she should be removed? Haha
You must be talking about cook county elections because in the real world there's a board who determines that.
11:17 The candidate files a petition with the Board of Elections, the elections board will not review unless they have probable cause cited by the opposition. In this case the opposition decided that he did not want to file for removal of the candidate. He said let the voters decide.
When two or more petitions are simultaneously filed for the same office as of the opening hour of the filing period or within the last hour of the filing deadline, the local election official shall break ties and determine the order of filing by means of a lottery or other fair and impartial method of random selection approved by the State Board of Elections. The lottery shall be conducted within 9 days after the last day of the petition filing period and shall be open to the public. The local election official shall give 7 days written notice of the time and place of the lottery to the candidates involved, and any civic groups who had been entitled to have pollwatchers present at the last election, as well as posting the notice in a conspicuous open and public place. (See official SBE Election Calendar.)
This wasn't how processed was followed initially...it was redrawn by clerk after initial draw?
I also reviewed state statues and the city clerk certified the petitions that are in fact signed and valid.
12:31 I have a a yacht at Lake Havasu Az. I'll sell you for $20.00 along with the condo over looking the ocean for just $10.00 more. You're silly. Ha
The clerk definitely tried to pull one over on Nelson. He drew the placement of the names on the ballot without giving notice to the candidates and without Nelson being present. Can you imagine the corruption that happened before the law was made that all candidates had to be notified in advance. Bartley showed by example why that law came into effect.
You have to be kidding yourself. I've heard the Clerk is a big, big fan of Travis Nelson. In fact a lot of people are huge fans of Nelson and the vote has heavily swung his way in the last week. Without a doubt if things keep as they presently are Travis Nelson will be the 3rd ward alderman next Tuesday night. He has sent very interesting mailings and shown a big difference between himself and the present 3rd ward aldermen.
Laws are only recommendations for Peru elected officials.
3:08 PM
I will say no more except you are very wrong about the first statement you have made.
I agree 3:08. He knocked my door and the flyers he presented at least have plans for future
I expect him to be the next alderman in Peru
3:46, your are wrong unless you are the city clerk or the person running for the third ward spot, how would you be so privy to that type of information otherwise.
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