This is a post I had not planned on and it is sort of off the cuff on my part. Today I have had a few too many "political" comments and due to the nature of them, I will not post and I am asking you not to send them in to the blog. If any of the candidates wish to write in with a comment, I will post it but any negativity that comes after that I will not.
You can write in only what is positive about any of the candidates with no added negatives about who they are running against. The N.T. will undoubtedly will write up the qualifications and background of all of them, so be patient it will come. Because of the heavy involvement of Mayor Harl in this election as in the last, this becomes necessary for all of us to keep it all on a level playing field. How do I know that? It is a small town and nothing is a secret. Many of us were caught off guard last time and it will not happen again. So keep it clean and honest and forget the back stabbing even done politely.
40 comments:
Peru Town Form -In the Illinois Valley has been a tool of political ideologies from its infancy until today. As of this day the administrator of the blog has rightfully declared that this will not be a forum for political campaigns or any discouraging remarks of a candidate. With such a concrete rule one should fairly believe that this means all and everyone's campaign as well as expressions from secondary resources.
Puzzling is why today this stature is enforced not when 1:29 PM 3/2/15 under the title "Right to Work is Surrounding Illinois" was published. Most at that time realized the hintdiando of the sentence "10 AM Why are people stealing and vandalizing Rodney Perez's campaign signs? Would you vote for somebody who would stoop to such juvenile tactics? Also the comment of 3:07 PM 2/2/15.
This temporary truce will elate the 3rd ward alderman.
What will be the topic of the blog from now on "Soups and Salads" or is it to change everyday or by the week?
@7:26 It appears as though you need to create your own blog. Maybe Lois can direct you on how to do that? I take it Lois is just keeping the blog from becoming a political debate amongst Anonn individuals who will expect candidates such as Alderman Perez to answer questions and debate shadows. I say Perez because I don't think any other city officials or candidates come on to say anything except by anonn. Which isn't fair to anyone. Lois has experienced how the Harl (who's not a candidate) camp operates. As Lois said I'm sure the news tribune will send a questioner to the candidates. I would imagine Lois respects any candidate who comes here and posts with a name. At least I do, I enjoy seeing when a candidate comes here to say something. It makes it more interesting and wish more would. Being honest with you I don't sign my name because I will be ridiculed by those from the city who I deal with regularly. With that said, these same individuals which I know for a fact are like a bunch of snakes ready to attack a certain(s) candidate because they are becoming more concerned things won't go their way in April. I'm also hearing from these same individuals criticisms about those they support. They are playing a dirty game while using people. So I agree with Lois.
the whole point of the blog is political in nature.
Agree with first comment I get my f o i from the township today Cant wait to see how that has mounted
7:26 another desperate attack? Missing signs? Please?
I agree with Lois. Let's be positive about these campaigns.
Stealing campaign signs is one thing. Driving into a resident's yard to try to run over Alderman Perez' campaign sign is a whole different thing. That is criminal damage to property. I do not believe this is the work of some kids.
7:26 neglected to post the rest of the 1:29 pm 3/2/15 blog, where it said both 2nd ward candidates were honorable people.
I believe the sign damage and stealing is done by somebody connected with city hall, not some kids looking to cause trouble. Time will tell.
The rest of the 1:29 pm 3-2-15, where it is said both 2nd ward candidates were honorable people along with the beginning of the post is a oxymoron. Poor try, bad cover up.
Historically most instances of missing signage is because the owner of the property disposes of the sign because permission was never sought to locate the sign on his property. It is best and respectful to contact the property owner before placing a sign on his property.
2:14 pm
Personally don't think this was the case in this instance. More is going to come out, not necessarily on this blog, that the connections in this election may pale in contrast to the one in the 4th ward at the last aldermanic election because there are long tentacles from the top down. And I won't explain that one on the blog.
2:14 I believe you misinterpreted the 1:29 comment from 3/2/15. The way I meant it was somebody who is running for election would steal and vandalize signs, but I do not believe it was the 2nd Ward opponent.
Is it legal for an office holder to use his campaign fund to support a candidate for another office without disclosing it?
Anon 2:51 PM nor has anyone else given a explanation on the blog or anywhere else. As the last election was 2 years ago those harmed have become as wrongful as those who performed the wrongful acts against them by not revealing these acts. . As you yourself said this is a new election and everyone should be treated fairly. The comment "more is going to come out" appears as nothing more than a idle threat which is never going to happen in Peru Politics. As to those who will enter a opposite viewpoint good bring it on with proof. My only question is what have you been waiting so long for?
Lois I remember Rodney saying when he ran the first time that he had a call from a friend who worked at the Y that Rodney's signs were stashed behind the YMCA. Rodney said Dave Pothoff admitted to taking Them because Dave thought they were on the Y property but were actually on the neighbors property. According to Rodney Dave told him he meant to call him to tell him he had the signs and placed them behind the Y.
This is a fact because I just texted him to verify these facts. Why do people have to play so low.
I wish there was a way that we could ban ALL yard signs without jeopardizing the First Amendment. I hate looking at these signs. They are ugly. I mean really, why is it that a City can outlaw billboards but they can't outlaw these stupid vote for me signs.
9:31 Truth be told. More desperate claims. Call Potthoff to verify.
9:25 AM
I will check with Ald. Potthoff to see if correct. This could easily have happened with one of his staff and the location of some of the homes that are almost on Y property.
Am I mistaken or is my thought correct in that the signs have become the main topic of the races in Peru rather than the candidates themselves?
Who has mentioned the qualifications of the candidates and what they will offer Peru and if they will have the necessities needed for the next four years? We as voters should learn from every election, there appears that sign committees, council and administration should also learn from each election and update its policies. Some of the issues to ponder upon would be that signage should not be located in a position where it becomes a safety hazard to pedestrians and drivers. Another could be a limitation of candidate signs per ward, and a restriction of candidate only posting signage in the ward which he is running for office. What, besides exposure is the value of a sign being posted in the same yard as the opponents sign?
I believe that there are so many other campaign methods which are more effective than a huge sign on a street corner which limits my view of oncoming traffic that i will not allow any signage on my property. Yes signs are cheap but have they become more of a turn off than a turn on? WOULD IT BE a GOOD IDEA TO HAVE CITY SIGNS POSTED APPROVED BY THE SIGN COMMITTEE AND CANDIDATES WITH THE DATE OF ELECTION, THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATES AND THE LOCATION FOR EACH WARDS PLACE OF VOTING SITUATED IN THREE OR FOUR WELL TRAVELED SITES and THESE to be the only election signs allowed?
To 10:06 AM, NO!
10:06, that makes perfect sense to me. They had many meetings where all of this was discussed. You know who vetoed most of the positive ideas.
10:06 Peru has a detail of when and where signs can be posted. Did you realize that Peru has a time frame of no signs before 45 days of the election. It was unconstitutional and candidate Perez has had signs up since December.
11:34 PM
But state law states can be up all year, no time limit and I would believe state law supercedes municipality. ??
11:08 AM
How many of those meetings were closed session and how many were in the public forum? No one can vouch for what is said or discussed in closed session except those in attendance and they cannot legally discuss anything said in those meetings with anyone who was not there. So unless you were one that was there, you don't know either.
Lois - the meetings on the "sign ordinance" go back many years. Harl's first term. It was in open public property committee. They where more concerned about the rental space on the Welcome to Peru signs.
The sign ordinance has a suggestion of 45 days. The wording was changed to a suggestion when the Supreme Court ruling came out and Illinois changed the law to allow them 365 days per year. Despite being warned by our lawyer that the 45 day "suggestion" could not be enforced, they included the words anyway. Which lead to all the hubbub earlier this year when signs where legally placed well before the upcoming election.
Me - I think it is time for people to protest these stupid signs by leaving them up all year. Maybe change them out for people running in other cities or even other states. Eventually the point will be made that these signs are nothing but POLUTION.
@1:14 PM That these signs are nothing but pollution is correct. I is a fact that some people that allow signs to be put in their yard don't even vote. As for people who have signage from all candidates who do they really support?
Peru's ordinance recommends signs go up no sooner than 60 days before an election. State law says they can stay up all year. Get over it, 11:34 a.m., Perez did nothing wrong.
Thank God for Freedom of Speech!
Political sings, while annoying, are part of being an American. People on here act like Peru is so different somehow but they are everywhere there is a contested race. Perhaps that is how one should look at it! We have choices! Many times that does not happen in local elections. Suck it up looking at the signs for the next month and then they will disappear again. Who cares!
2:07. I agree with what you are saying. But I think it is time for a larger discussion about voter education and so on. The sign strategy uses a very basic marketing principal. People see the sings with a name on it - they remember the name. Add to that, when they see the sign all over the place is many peoples front yard, they start "keeping score" without realizing it. People like to be on the winning side, so without doing a bit of research, they can determine who they want to vote for purely based on the number of signs visible on their ride home from work. Marketing 101. And you get a lot of bang for your buck. I doubt anything will ever change until people change their behavior. The only way to do that is not vote for the guy with the most signs. Which is just as bad as voting for the guy with the most signs.
Yes political signs have been recognized as being American just as a buckboard and buggy whip. No one on the blog is acting like Peru is so different but they are in question as to the whether political signage is worth the effort in 2015. Personally I know of many, many campaign tools that are more efficient and cheaper.
Evidently there are many who care by the number of comments in a short period of time.
Common sense would rule a intelligent candidates that they would not position a sign that hinders a view of oncoming traffic at a intersection but there are signs doing such.
You and I agree that political signs are annoying, I believe some changes should be made to enable this condition not to be annoying this is part of being a American.
Lets' get back to voting for the the most qualified candidate not who has the most signs. A debate at Parkside sponsored and conducted by the Peru Chamber would be more enlightening than a sign in every yard. What do you think?
There are three contested races in April, a debate anywhere in Peru makes the most sense. I don't think the candidates will organize this, so it will have to be up to an organization.
@5:08 PM, I think a debate is a great idea. It's the only way to really know where a candidate stands on a particular issue and it would be a good way to hear their ideas for improving Peru.
Front page of the Ottawa paper states that April 7, 2015 is 34 days away aand Candidates Nights will be held before than in Ottawa, Sreator, and Marseilles sponsored by their respective Chamber of Commerce. Utica is also going to have a candidates night.
The city sponsors the Peru Chamber of Commerce with more than $14,000/year which has to be a strong motivator to at least be interested in sponsoring a Candidate night in Peru. Peru also has a Community Development Director who also fits the x & O's of just this specific cause.
Another suggestion for a sponsor of a debate would be the Peru city administration since non of them are running for any office. 2 years from now those who are only in their 2nd year of their 4 year term could be sponsors of the next election. This could be considered a winter project similar to parking cars at the concert during the summer.
5:08 PM, it has never been about voting for the most qualified candidate. People don't think that way - they vote for the guy or gal that will benefit them in some way or have benefited them in some way in the past. They vote for "the winner" which they determine through social interactions and observations - not researching points of view. In other words, most of the voters are so poorly educated on the matter that they should not be allowed to vote.
And... if you want an actual debate, you would have it at Parkview not Parkside!
They will never "debate." If anything, they will read prepared statements in response to questions that are provided to them in advance.
When someone thinks of Peru what is normally their 1st thought? Most likely it is that Peru has the best retail section in a 60 mile radius, which consists of a outdated mall and big box stores.
As a local resident I know of many other things Peru has but I also know of some things that Peru possibly has that are not advantageous to the overall progress of the city.
I am sure many Peru citizens have thought of the positives of a debate not only for political elections but also school board elections etc. Four towns of close approximation have shoved the idea in our face.
These four towns namely Utica, Ottawa, Marseilles and Streator are cousins of Peru but no longer 1st nor 2nd cousins more like 3rd or 4th. Each is more open minded, willing to try new ideas and has made a strong effort to stay with the times if not be ahead of the times.
Peru citizenship has discussed having a city manager such as Streator has, Peru citizens actively supported a at large election for its representation which was soundly defeated and if approved would have comprised a much stronger council than presently exists.
No, rather than update, many past and present so called rulers want to maintain their kingdom by never allowing Peru to change. Sadly it is working but in their favor only. Possibly a upcoming debate would be a good start in breaking traditions set in stone for the last five decades. What are your thoughts?
If Peru had a candidate "night" it would be closed session at 2:00 PM to prevent anyone from the public from attending.
we need an unscripted debate with written questions submitted by the audience no more than 30 minutes before. I'm tired of the scripted Q&A put on by the local media.
10:10 & 10:17, 8:53 responding
To be of any value the session would have to transparent, open and very direct with questions being permitted from the floor not written and distributed before the meeting.
It is a positive to obtain what a candidate plans are for the future of Peru and why?
6:43 AM Love your idea of having it at Parkview if you can swing it I'll buy the house the 1st round.
10:52. The Tavern has played a pivotal roll in the history of our nation. I don't see why we can't put it back in its appropriate place.
As a famous man once said - "There are two types of problem drinkers. Those that drink to much and those that don't drink at all."
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