We currently have 2 aldermen Dave Potthoff and Dave Waldorf who are in violation of the sign ordinance and knowlingly have done this.
But the ordinance gives them 30 days to remove (CORRECTION - THE 30 DAY WINDOW IS FOR CHARITY ONLY AND NOT TO POLITICAL SIGNAGE) When Ald. Perez put up a sign at 251 and Shooting Park RD, he was notified by King and IMMEDIATELY took it down. King has been notified about this and if the above mentioned aldermen wish to delay until after the election they can legally do so. What a joke this is!
When people joke about lawless in Peru they are not kidding. How will the ASM and DSM handle the problem, we have an ordinance adopted by the offenders who then turn around and break the law.
Waldorf still has 2 signs in his yard.
The Potthoff signs are 4 x 8 and located at 251 and Shooting Park, Shooting Park and Peoria and N. Peoria at the O'Beirne residence.
90 comments:
First of all how can anyone vote for any individual who deliberately and knowingly violates an ordinance? We have 2 seated aldermen who have violated, and continue to violate, an ordinance that they themselves enforced and helped establish. One alderman even went so far as to violate 2 sections of the ordinance. Mr. Payton did you report these violations as you did your opponents? Also, to those who are hired to enforce these ordinances, have you done so or will you do so? As of tonight the violations have not been eliminated and the 2 signs/yard still exist. Let's see how long we allow the oversized signs to exist.
7:46 PM, March 17, 2015
I am also positive both aldermen know this will be discussed on this blog and that leads me to the conclusion that either they don't care what is said about them or if and this is a big if "Do they have enough friends and friends of friends and neighbors and relatives and expand this to include all of the just mentioned groups of all the contractors shown favortism and contracts by these same aldermen. So they are extremely confident that they can do whatever and still be elected. If this is true, it makes me believe this city can't be worth fighting for.
I have to agree with you Lois. If Waldorf and Potthoff get away with this ordinance violation and Bernabei and King refuse to enforce it, this city is not worth fighting for. And I'll just bet all of them are sitting back smirking with glee that they can get away with not following the rules, because ain't nobody gonna stop them! Redneck town if you ask me!
I read Perez and Payton's information in the paper last night. It struck me that Mr. Payton mentioned how great the Peru public school is but failed to mention we also have a great Catholic school. His kids went to Peru Catholic, so why would he leave out the fact that Peru offers both public and private schools. As a PCS alumni family, I was miffed.
Awee your were miffed? Gona start a religious war now? They have 30 days to take the signs down its legal
They should be ashamed of themselves and if Bernabei and King fail to enforce it...what a shame. Where is dankert? Failure to report this violation is a shame too.
Basically giving the finger to the citizens of Peru. I don't understand the mentality of "being an alderman" mean everything attitude. We don't need them, I say begin a letter to editor campaign and bombard them. Throw them out!
How can you go on about size and quantity and still not address the fact that one candidate had his signs up more than three months before the election?
Those signs up in yards for this long are more objectionable to me than a 4x8 sign being up for 3 weeks.
signed confused?
@10:55, why miffed? Our tax dollars pay for public schools. I wouldn't see why any person running for Alderman would mention private schools. Also regarding the ordinance. In the last 6 weeks the person who is in charge of code enforcer was on vacation twice(?, I heard) therefore, this gave time to those who were not in compliance to have their signs up without being told or sent a letter. Didn't Mayor Harl appoint this person to the position of code enforcer? Now, connect the dots.
No surprise, who is buddied up with who? Alderman Perez would have my vote if he were in my ward.
Private schools has nothing to do with taxpayers money. If Mr. Payton would have mentioned catholic schools, I would have been miffed. Smart that he didn't mention in my opinion. Our children are going to learn what they put into their schooling no matter which school system they go to.
Rodney should start putting up 10x10 signs.
8:39 AM
Perhaps the blogger felt that Mr Payton knew little about the public school system since his children did not go to them. In that case, they would be correct.
but they did go to L-P
7:15 confused? Putting signs up early does not violate any rule, regulation or ordinance. You people just don't get it DO YOU? These aldermen were well aware of the rules and regulations regarding the number of signs per yard and the legal size of these signs. They were also both well aware that alderman Perez's sign was reported on by Mr. Payton and removed immediately. They are deliberately violating their own rules and pushing the removal policy to the limits and to their advantage. How disgusting and unethical. Wake up people. Peru is fast becoming a town where favoritism and nepotism preside and where rules only apply to the average citizen who isn't connected to one of the so called "IN" crowd. This is a case where the ASM and the PSM should enforce the ordinance because these aldermen deliberately put these signs up less than 30 days before election knowing full well that they were illegal. They defied our government and they themselves are 2 of our representatives? Is this what you want as your representative?
Strange, how in the last couple years that 3 persons have or are currently campaigning for Alderman that live on Carrie Street I heard. Is this correct information? Ferrari, Mertel, Payton.
Our school system in Peru stands for itself. Peru ' s best asset.
10:46 King and Bernabei don't seem to enforce much, if anything. Thought King would have at the very least, kept the fire zones parking free. Maybe not paid enough. Wonder if there is anyplace higher up, that checks this kind of BS. Any state agency ?? Notice that there are 5 new State Troopers in district 17. That should free up some of the local boys for in town work. If they are being told not to enforce anything, that won't do any good either, I guess. Sure a lot of money being spent in Peru, with no return, in my opinion.
Mr. Paytons endorsement of the areas parochial educational system is proven by his strong personal and active support.
Tom Payton not only "talks the talk but also walks the walk" actively supporting Saint Bede, a extension of the PCS, as a volunteer golf coach and annual chairman of the schools fund raising activities.
Mr. Paytons personal feelings towards the PCS are very deep and positive proven by his children's attendance at this educational institution which is a much greater proof of support than a one line comment in a campaign interview .
Being that Tom has a positive attitude towards both the private and public school systems of the Peru educational area certainly makes him better equipped to be qualified as a future alderman in the City of Peru.
Being a graduate of both the parochial and public school systems I know where Mr. Payton is coming from and I guarantee you he recognizes and supports both.
Recent and upcoming evidence of Tom Paytons background are that he is has been active on Saint Joe's finance committee, been President of Saint Joseph's Holy Name Society for 16 years and he will be hosting St. Joe's Palm Sunday breakfast. Tom and his wife have two children, Matt & Molly which have attended and graduated from Catholic educational systems and a son Mitch who progressed through the public school system and sadly has passed away since.
(The above is in no way a campaign tool for Tom Payton nor is he aware of my writing of this rebuttal to someone who has written to the blog without full acknowledgement of his respect and activities in the life of religious faith and education).
Ok, let me get this straight...they have 30 days to take the sign down? What if the sign had some borderline offensive language, would they have 30 days to take it down or would the city administrators make the decision that it must come down? Thirty days makes no sense what so ever.
FYI Since I have received and deleted some irrelevant blog posts, here you are, we have 4 children, 2 went to private catholic and public schools during their school years and 2 went only to the public schools during their school years. I also attended the public school system in Peru.
Northview, Washington, St Mary's, LP and St Bede
are the schools attended by our children, so I believe I had a pretty good outlook on our schools in the Peru area. And they all moved out of town and out of state after college.
I went to both, private and public schools. My children started out in private and finished in public, after college two stayed here and had good careers, the other left to find a job, hard to say, but to just get away from us his parents to prove he is totally independent, I respect that. Lois you like to point out everyone is leaving such as your kids, but the numbers from the last census show different , we went from approximately 9700 to 10300 give or take.
I hate to be derogatory, , the kids that go to college and don't come back to their hometown of the Illinois Valley to work and raise a family and move out of state are the smart ones.
10:07 AM, Thanks for that testimonial that was "in no way a campaign tool for Tom Payton". Of course not. I would add only one last sentence to your heaping helping of praise for Mr. Payton. It reads, "If elected, Mr. Payton will waste no time and immediately fall in line with the other Rubber-Stamper aldermen and like the others before him, will go on to contribute absolutely nothing towards the future of Peru. In four years he will probably be re-elected becuase he did nothing more than "tow the establishment line". HAIL, HAIL, PEE-RUU!
Isnt a blog suppose to be unbiased? Its ironic that you just put out there the fact that you deleted irrelevant blog post. As long as it isn't offensive or racial I don't think you should delete my post because YOU feel they aren't relevant. Transparency Lois! Rememember? The main reason I don't blog here is because the transparency issues I see everyone complaining about with the city council are the same things you Lois are doing by deleting my post.
@10:38, HUD assistance house rentals is up. What percentage of houses are rentals? This realistically doesn't stimulate our economy. Would be nice if we had better paying jobs in this area.
Do both the ASM and the PSM realize that if they don't enforce this size ordinance that we are opening ourselves for future candidates to take the 30 day notification to the extreme. Future candidates would be allowed to put up ANY size sign they choose as long as it's less than 30 days from election. Aldermen Potthoff and Waldorf how would you like to see 20 x 20 signs all over town? You've set the precedent. People could also start putting 2 signs in every yard as you've set that precedent also.
10:55, your one of the main reasons why the blog gets a bad rap, spewing innuendos that you can't back up. The biggest problem is the fact I believe you don't have a clue who Mr. Payton is, which would make it factual that you don't have any idea how he will perform as an alderman. You must be a tunnel visioned person not to consider finding about opposition to your candidate, than to make blanket remarks as you comment said.
10:59 AM
You make a good point that I have in the past raised about increasing numbers of rental property in Peru but I did not associate HUD with it, but you are right. Some of these landlords own and rent upwards of 100 or more homes that fit into that classification and Peru has their share. And a substantial number do not maintain their property as a homeowner would.
To our ASM and PSM and the 2 aldermen who are violating a city ordinance: Do you realize by ignoring this ordinance we are setting ourselves up for future problems. Future candidates could disobey the ordinance (as you have) and put 2 signs in 'MANY' yards and also put 'HUGE' signs (10x10 or bigger) all over town 29 days before election. Is this what we want for Peru?
If a landlord has their rental property under HUD assistance, their rent is guaranteed from the goverment. The tenants don't pay directly to the landlord. So, landlords don't have to chase tenants for their monthly rent. This is how I understand the housing assistant program. How many people live in the high rise? Alot of persons who receive assistance are hard working people who don't get enough hours working and are paid minimum wage. Nobody mentioned Perus population and the percentage of those who are on some type of assistance. There are so many well known businesses that pay cash to workers, whereas the workers qualify for housing assistance, etc... this would be family owned businesses such as restruants, bars, possible barber shops, hairsalons, babysitting, construction, etc..The reason many run their business this way is they don't pay into unemployment, don't pay into workers compensation, therefore they don't claim true sales and services of their business on their tax returns. Tax preparation 101.
I just read the sign ordinance, studied it, and found out that the 30 day notice of removal does not apply to "political signs". It only applies to business or event signs that are posted on vacant or unoccupied property. Therefore those in charge should be making alderman Potthoff remove his illegally sized signs immediately. And, what reason are those in charge giving for failing to enforce the 1 sign per yard portion of the ordinance?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KL2JQXW
Check this link out
Chance to pre-vote for your alderman and respond about signs
Let send them a message of what we think!
9:17 I did they survey, now how do I see the results?
how about all of Rod and Travis's signs on right away. Why not upset about those because that is in violation? Is it okay for theres to be in violation but not the other guys? Every candidate is currently in violation in one way or another because everyone has signs in right away or to big.
Get over it or be honest and call out Rod and Travis also
9:30 What do you mean by "right away" ?? Do you mean the signs are out in the street ??
9:30 Rod has already been called out and removed his sign. Do you think it's okay for your representative to deliberately violate and ordinance that they voted on? I DON"T!!!!
Hi Lois. I'd like to first thank you for administering this blog forum. This is my first time writing in and would like to keep my identity off from here as I reside down the street from Alderman Mike Radtke and I know his in laws well.
I found it dis heartening to have Mr. Radtke out in our neighborhood promoting Alderman Rodney Perez' challenger. It just doesn't seem right for him to do this.
I sure don't understand politics this way to see what Mr.Perez has done wrong for certain individuals to want him removed from his seat. Mr.Perez has been doing wonderful things for us all in Peru. Couple years ago we voted for Mr.Hurst because we never really knew others running. We want Mr.Perez re-elected so we will be voting for him. Peru needs someone shaking things up. My husband and me both think the same things that others are saying on your blog that Mr.Perez' challenger would be there to say yes. My sister has told me the challenger Payton is close with Mayor Scott Harl. My sister knows the First Lady Barb Harl well.
9:30 Rod has been called out more than once already in this election time frame. You seemed okay with that until the current 2 aldermen deliberately violated a rule that is written in black and white and approved by them. One of the two violaters even demanded that the ASM investigate Rod's supposed violation which proved to be a false accusation yet he was publicly put under the rug.
This election is getting dirty and I don't think any currently seated alderman should be out there campaigning for or against anyone. They have a right to their opinion but they should not be making it public knowledge. They may well have to end up working with the person they are campaigning against and that does not make for a good working relationship. Wonder what would happen to a city employee if they openly campaigned against the chosen ones. I, for one, am very disappointed in alderman Radke, Potthoff, Lukosis, and Waldorf for the things they are reportedly doing during this campaiging time.
10:18 PM
I want you and everyone else to know that I usually would not allow a posting with the mayors wife mentioned but I also know Mayor Harl's politics and evidently those politics have heavily infilitrated our city council and that is not a compliment.
When the mayor and aldermen who are influenced by the mayor are finding it necessary to go out into the community and openly campaign against Ald. Perez and Traviis Nelson, I believe it says so much about the way this city council-mayor form of government is not functioning. They want nothing more than a total buddy system with no dissent. In other words follow the leader.
My disgust with this group of people who have no integrity but simply follow the leader and have no respect for the open and honest government they are supposed to represent for the benefit of the people and not themselves.
A bit of dissent is always good because there are 2 sides 2 every problem.
I know their answer is what one former alderman said in public regarding improper meetings. "That is the way we have always done it"Correct me if I am wrong but it was when they were holding Public Wjorks meetings in the TEST bldg whom they were giving contracts to for our water distribution..
So publicly we have Ald. Radtke and Ald. Lukosus working for Ald. Waldorf and challenger Travis Nelson.
Draw your own conclusions. This is not the time when you vote for your buddy or your friends friend. I know the belief is that all politics is dirty from the top down, and most honest people are sick of the way of government doing business in this way and getting away with it..
Recent actions and and false accusations make one wonder why anyone would run for public office in the City of Peru.
Many express the feeling that if you don't like the way it is done in Peru run for office. This idea is stated so often by many as a scare tactic to those who have a political interest and express it but possibly for some important reason do not desire to hold a public office. It must be remembered that everyone has the constitutional right to express their opinion.
Than there are those who incorrectly believe that a individual who maintains a public office does not have the right to campaign for someone who is desires to become a city official. City officials have every constitutional right as every other citizen.
Finally may this election be concerned with issues rather than personalities and penny ante politics such as signage and unintended omissions. It is time to become concerned too who will do the best job in the future for the City of Peru. Whether you believe or do not believe this concept is correct or incorrect it is the key to the future of Peru. But most important is to remember to vote.
10:18 I too would like to keep my identity off, because of where I live, but I have to comment. My family had high, high hopes for Alderman Radtke, most of all being young and maybe not wanting to get sucked up by Peru politics. Well that has not happened, and I am saddened. As far as his apparent dislike of the current alderman and his open support of his challenger,I would just like to say stop it Mike. Do not take sides, vote who want while in the voting booth, but let the chips fall where they may. Please return to the alderman that we had such high hopes for, you are much brighter than falling into the trap that you are now in. Do what is right for the city and the people you represent, not what they want you to do at city hall. If you read this, please consider some of the thoughts and ideas that have been brought forward with these comments.
11:25 My history teacher always quoted "To test a mans character give him power" Very Very few pass the test.
We need a diverse council consisting of members with different ideas and opinions. We DO NOT need all "yes" men or women. What we have now is a buddy system that is afraid of being infiltrated by what they consider "outsiders". That is why members of the system are out there campaigning against their opposition (i.e. Perez and Nelson)
10:18, what your saying isn't making much sense in this regard, the current alderman ran against a appointed alderman which he won, I thought Hurst ran 4 yrs. ago against the sitting alderman Perez who won. Now if your talking about that election that Rodney won then you could not have voted for Hurst because back then you were in the 1st ward. Also if your are friends with the wife's side of the family of alderman Radtke, I would find it hard to believe you didn't know he was running. I know your a backer of alderman Perez which is great, I have a hard time with some of the comments that don't make sense.
12:22 People do move, and with the redistricting that was done, boundaries did change. Just a thought.
11:24, if you think illegal signage is penny ante, then you think lying and cheating are penny ante. Is that what you would teach your children. It's okay to do wrong as long as you can get away with it. I strongly disagree with you about that. It's not the signage, it's breaking the rules of the ordinance. If they break these rules, they'll break others. I wonder how Chief Bernabei would feel about letting a penny ante thief go because it was a small theft?
How about when Rodney openly supported Mike Hart? Was that OK? Seems it should be OK. I can tell you one thing for Payton and Harl are NOT connected, looks like Rodney's paranoia is contagious!! I'm sure this will not be posted, censorship at it's finest!!!
12:50, I agree with you on your assumption , it didn't sound that way, that's why I question it.
The sign ordinance is a gross violation of the First Amendment to the US Constitution. It should be ignored by everyone, and I MEAN EVERYONE.
As free citizens, it is our duty to ignore blatantly illegal laws!
2:03 I beg to differ with you on that subject. I've witnessed the mayor call Mr. Payton (by his first name) out of a meeting to talk to him in the hallway. They seemed on very familiar terms (oh, and our economic director was a part of that conversation).
In 19 days Peru will have a election to determine 3 seats on the city council, ashamedly the 1st ward has only one person running which leaves one to believe that everyone is presently satisfied or no one else but Becky cares in that area of town.
Being only 19 days away it would be reasonable to surmise that the hottest topic in town would be the election since the election will have much to do with the manner in which the town will be governed in the future.
Sad to say a few have chosen to argue about long standing political tradition, location, size and numbers of signs plus the attitude expressed a few weeks ago that because someone has already marked their spot in a particular ward why is anyone running against them. I do not know the candidate of the 3 contested wards but in general candidates enter a race because they believe they can do a better job. There is surely no harm to anyone in testing the waters to see if the majority feel likewise.
1:38, I agree wit h you r com men t. I watold growing up, "give a man A Wife and see how he treats her." If he lies and cheats on her, he will lie and cheat on the next one, and he will be a liar and cheater the rest of his life. I look at most politician as thieves, liars, and cheaters of the system and with their political power. If they are shady from the get go in their campaigning for office, imagine what they will do if they win.
Amen 2:03. I'm surprised you got past the censor. It is "unethical" for aldermen to support each other but it is perfectly fine for Rodney to support his brother, Travis Nelson and another candidate for mayor? Of course it was fine. This is what politicians do.
This entire discussion is hilarious. Kind of like the blog does not support candidates. Well it does not support certain candidates. lol.
Just a thought, with all the back and fourth about whether Candidates (both current and potential) are or will become "yes" men, how about a discussion of what qualifications and skills these people possess? You see, in my anon opinion the problem with the city is not the amount of "yes" men there are. But the amount of unqualified people filling those seats. If someone doesn't have an answer or can't grasp the concept, they will tend to go along with the pack.
Has any candidate expressed what he intends to do in his 1st year, 2d, 3d & 4th years in office to improve Peru. If so Who & What are they proposing to do.
I do not want standard answers that were promised years ago and have never been done.
Why did Peru have no debate when most other cities believe they are advantageous and have them.
The incumbents have had 4 years or more of exposure possibly each candidate should utilize the Clint Eastwood method of debating a empty chair during public comment at the start and finish of a city council meeting. That would give 6 minutes of time without interruption for whatever.
Hi to the person questioning 10:18 that would be me. I apologize for the confusion. You are absolutely right about the past election when I said we voted for Mr. Hurst. At that time we lived just north of the Peru Police Department. We've been here a little over two years now. I do know Alderman Radtke and Alderman Perez are my current alderman so I know things haven't changed much by moving besides our voting location. We did vote for Mr.Radtke at the last election but don't feel we would next time as we are here to stay.
@3:23 You have a very good thought but before I would have a discussion of what qualifications and skills THESE PEOPLE possess I would make a list of what qualifications and skills in order of importance I think the position calls for and than compare it to the person.
Also in dealing with a multitude of people such as 8 council members what one person or 7 people lack the 8th may have.
There is no assurance that the best 8 in qualifications and skills will make for the best council. So guess what, we are back to pot luck! Vote for whom you believe will make the best alderman and for some reason this method always works out if in your own efforts you have orientated a interest and trust in these people.
I know that Tony Raccuglia's Father, Sam, was the longest serving LaSalle alderman with 42 years of service. Upon completion of this next term will Dave Potthoff have the longest tenure in the history of Peru as alderman? Combining Don Bakers time as alderman and Mayor I believe he totals 48 years (1961-2009).
3:31 PM
I like your suggestion re: the chair.
Anon 9:37 PM
I also like the empty chair debate. Being a public comment not a question and answer session normal procedure has been laid out which is the council members are to only stare and not speak which is similar to addressing a empty chair.
3:15 March 19th
How is Rodney supporting Travis Nelson and his brother? Does he have their sign in his yard. as Lukosis has Waldorf's in his? Is he going to his neighbor's and talking them up as Radke is supposedly doing (they are in different wards so it wouldn't do any good)? Exactly what is he doing to endorse them when I'm pretty sure he's using any spare time he has to endorse himself.
9:24 why can an alderman not put a sign supporting another political candidate in their yard? Or publicly endorse them? Unlike you I don't have time to drive people people's homes to see what signs they have in their yard.
This is what politicians do. They support each other quietly as Rodney is other candidates and sometimes they do it in the open as Waldorf ad others are doing. Rodney is clearly going with the angle of "I am the only incumbent worthy of re-election" route. Personally, I prefer when they just come out and say they support a candidate if they have an opinion. What's wrong with being transparent about it?
The President of the United States does commercials for congressmen and participates in fundraisers and supports specific candidates. In Ottawa, school board candidates are aligned in groups and campaigning accordingly.
I don't necessarily like it, but this is the American way. I've never in my life seen a situation where a forum like this would be against candidates supporting candidates. There is nothing illegal about it. There is nothing unethical about it. It is part of American political life at every level.
If these are your arguments against the people running you had better get a whole new set of ideas. Despite people on here making degrading comments about "stupid" voters, I find quite the opposite to be true. Especially in a low voter turnout like this one. The people voting will know exactly who they are voting for.
10:39 AM
If I didn't know better, I would assume you were from out of town. Don't make excuses for this city council, they try to do that on their own. When you are supporting someone just so there is another vote from someone who has no integrity, there is something very wrong with the way we conduct our elections. The peoople in question could not be in office if they had to take a test on their ability to function in an honest and knowledgable manner. And top it off with arrogance and snobbery. All they want is the title of Alderman in front of their name because their skills to do the job "ain't" there.
Most of them have each others back and that is how this city is run.
Why are the illegal political signs put up by some aldermen running for office still up?
Why has the ASM not taken charge of the situation and had them removed? Or even the DSM, why has the mayor not asked them to do so. Put it all together.
Know do you get it? Peru is becoming the laughing stock of the Illinois Valley because of things like this.
AMEN 11:08 Well stated
11:08, nice speech, what is going on out there is normal politics, get over yourself by trying to put your candidate on a pedestal and everyone else is a despot. Everything I looked up on the sign ordinance tells me nobody at this time is not in compliance, 30 days from when they put them up, then there is a problem. I assure you nobody is going to change anything with regards to their signs, besides 18 days from now this will all be over, I guarantee you nobody is losing sleep over this except the blog, just as it did on the last election.
"Know" 11:08 I get it just fine. I suppose Rodney (who drives a truck) has all the skills and qualifications. I personally think he is qualified but since you and others demean the professional lives of select aldermen, let's just be fair about qualifications then.
Sadly for you, many of us have very different interactions with the aldermen. I think our mayor is weak but despite some decisions I do disagree with I see nothing of the people coming in that makes me want to vote for them.
Despite what you say none of these people are doing this so they can have a title or feel important. They don't self promote. They take loads of heat in a thankless job and they vote what they think is est. Not for a free pizza or chicken as you and some suggest. They work with their constituents and I've not talked to an actual person who feels otherwise.
The voters will speak in a couple of weeks and I predict afterwards you and a few others will be crying about conspiracies and rigged elections. I have no inside connections but I am calling it like I see it. Two or three of the incumbents will win and then we move forward from there.
Most of us. Some people never move forward. Like people who actually believe that Peru is "the laughing stock of the Illinois Valley".
Only to a few people. Not me. Not my neighbors. We are strong and still moving forward. I see other communities around trying to do some good things but everyone has to play to their strengths. The voters will speak in April. Good luck to you.
Anon 11:08 & 11:54 AM
I do not understand whose signs you are referring to. If you mean the campaign signs of the alderman who started putting them up last fall I don't believe he has to take his signs down earlier than the balance of the candidates. The limitation is that signs should not be put up before a certain date and must be taken down so many days after election.
Signage such as the sign which is located at 8th and Peoria is a safety hazard and should be removed before it causes a accident when someone is exiting the 7th street mall.
I was just told by a very reliable bird that the owner of TEST inc. is very concerned about Rodney getting re-elected and Dave getting the boot since their contract will come up during this next term which would mean no more steaks for the Waldorf family. We will probably never see the amount written to Waldorf and Peyton for their campaign contribution from Test or owner of.
Chicago has its street sweepers out today. LaSalle has already been out last week. How about ours (Perus)?
12:34 If you read the ordinance then you would know that only 1 sign is allowed per yard and the maximum size is 4x4 or 16 square feet. That makes 2 of the aldermen's signs illegal in my book and I'm not putting anyone on a pedestal (definitely not those who are violating the very ordinance they approved). Re=read the ordinance and prove me wrong.
Do they know what how to read a tape measure or a yard stick? Do the enforcers of this ordinance know how to use the metric system? Doesn't seem like it to me. Boy, this city is really something.
6:43 PM
I bet they just can't find those signs and they looked all over town. This is ridiculous that the farce continues.
6:27, bottom line is they have 30 days to remove or fix the problem, they are just smart enough to know that takes them past the election, get over it.
I have become fully convinced that Peru has become if not as close to perfect as it has ever been. With elections less than 2 weeks away the major issue being addressed is signs. Many cities in Illinois have major problems such as infrastructure, budgets, inadequate management charts, outdated downtown's attracting non producing taxable businesses', underfunded pensions and not enough money to pay huge pensions, jobs etc.
With a upcoming election most other towns would love to be in the condition some of the Peru citizens are concerned with such as when campaign signs can be displayed, how big can the signs be and how many can be put in the same yard. Oh by the way lets not forget the annual fireworks location dilemma.
What has happened to the major issues of the last number of years or hasn't Peru had any?
7:27 PM
NO THEY DO NOT HAVE 30 DAYS FOR POLITICAL SIGNS.
Read the ordinance. That time frame is for charity events. Take off the blinders.
8:52. I'm telling, get over it 18 days from today they will be taking them down, so much more important things to worry about than a few signs.
9:46 PM
You seem to be quite adamant about ignoring the political signs put up illegally. So I ask you what about the aldermen involved in this, will they be fined or even reprimanded?
I can assure you that many of us not associated with this administration would be immediately fined and threatened with disobeying a city ordinance. I would bet on that one. So that means some people are being shown preferential treatment and yes that is important to the rest of us peons. To me it shows they have no character but that they are............... Fill in the blank.
maybe the letter in the open forum today will wake city hall up.
This is such a simple thing to solve. The City Government just has to change the sign ordinance as follows:
1. Political signs must be approved by the city through a permitting process. Require the applicant to request a permit 3 months before placing the sign. The person requesting the permit must provide the following:
a. Artwork for review and approval by the Mayor's Office
b. Location
c. Company printing the sign and union stamp number - no makeshift sings allowed
2. Candidates will be required to post a $500 bond to place sings in the city. This will be refundable 90 days after the election and when all signs are disposed of - proof of disposal required to prevent people from saving signs, which are a fire hazard. This is a matter of public safety!
3. Signs will only be allowed in the district for which the candidate is running.
We need government to stand up and take control of this situation that is getting out of control. The government has responsibilities and it is shirking its duties with a bad ordinance. People cannot trusted to follow the rules anyway - the government needs to take charge!
11:23 The sad thing is that it's our government that is breaking their own rules and regulations.
Lol that is good 11:23 It would be best to include all signs must be approved by the public works committee chairman.
11:23, well said! We need more strict control!
I think was 11:23 is saying, in his or her own sarcastic way, is that it is time to move away from political signs.
There are better ways to advertise your campaign. Politicians need to embrace modern technology and start talking about how they stand on this issues. Simply plastering your name all over town without so much as a policy statement is LAZY.
7:52 am
This is why it would be could to be able to vote for aldermen at large. You could vote for Perez if you wanted to. It just makes sense. I'm not voting for the first time in maybe 30 years. Ward one has no one running. I wish we could vote at large. We in the first ward really don't have anyone to go to if we have a problem. Its an older ward with not too many young people, so we will have Ferrari till the cows come home. Hes no help. Mueller is to new and doesn't know anything about cleanup or anything about running the city. So we just have to live with it I guess.
Anon 10:47 AM A at large election would be a huge improvement in Peru City Government. Possibly 6 at large seats with no ward vote would be a good answer.
One oversight that was not brought up was the fact that Alderman Perez posted signs up in December of 2013. The signs were up 100 days before the election. The rule states 60 days. Nobody has commented on this! I guess he has 1st amendment rights and others don't.
9:30 A.M.
The rules don't mandate, they suggest on the time frame. Does not appear to be a violation. Everyone should read the ordinance on political signs.
The ordinance is totally flawed and cannot be enforced. They need to go back to the drawing board and make an ordinance that can be enforced and that can be understood by everyone.
I would suggest separating out the political signs into its own ordinance letting the commercial, charity, and garage sale signs stand on their own.
This should be accomplished as soon as the new council is seated. We have a serious election coming up in 2016 - and a Mayoral election shortly thereafter. Need to get a rock solid ordinance with TEETH - putting primary responsibility on the PROPERTY OWNERS - WITH FINES!
10:48, I agree with you on everything but giving a fine to a citizen, that's terrible. If there is a defined ordinance for political and charity signage then there should be no argument in the next election as long as the enforcement officer is allowed to do his job .
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