This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
Friday, March 06, 2015
What Has the Lobbyist Done For Us Lately
Last summer Mayor Harl broke the tie vote on the city council amd time for a fact recheck as to whom voted to retain him and who voted against the rehire.
40 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Waste of money! 48k so far thrown in the toilet!!! Waldorf and Lukosus supported and they have no control of our taxpayer money!
I have been forwarded the email you sent to the Mayor regarding your allegations that business cards used in Dave Waldorfs mailing were city purchased cards. You also seem to make a direct allegation that this is a criminal violation. At the end of your email, you seemed to have backed off the direct allegation a bit when you then referred to a possible violation.
Regardless I have already made an inquiry based on your email and have learned and confirmed that in fact Dave Waldorf ordered, was billed and obtained business cards that were placed in a political mailing and that was all done by him in his private and personal capacity and were not ordered or paid for through or by the city of Peru or any tax dollars. That clearly is not a violation of any law. In fact, it seems to me at least to be commendable that an elected official would insure that no tax dollars were used in any political effort. I personally have reviewed the written proof and billing document.
If you in haste assumed the cards were the same ones on any city disbursement I hope this clears it up for you.
Otherwise, if you have proof to the contrary then please provides it to me so I can proceed accordingly.
Finally, can you provide me you name, address, and telephone number for my file?
Chief Douglas P. Bernabei Peru Police Department 1503 4th Street Peru, Illinois 61354 Telephone: 815.223.2151
Does the Chief really need my address, telephone #....or is this a form of intimidation?
This is not about me but evidently someone sent a complaint to the mayor about the business cards that were on a city disbursement sheet which stated that the city paid for Dave Waldorf business cards and I will post one someone put in my mailbox. The mayor gave it to the Chief and this was sent to the blog because the Chief nor I have the complaintants name etc.
There was no explanation on the Disbursement paper, it was just another bill the city paid with no explanation. I don't know whether the city has since listed as money received from Ald. Waldorf for payment of the cards. (which it should have). If the offer was made to all of the aldermen why did none of them take advantage of the offer beside Waldorf?
Faux pas?
Anyone that read the disbursement would believe as everyone did, that the city purchased cards for the alderman. This is the first time I have ever seen something like this done.
How about an apology to alderman Perez who was humiliated in public by the mayor and various alderman and who was investigated for using city electricity and found innocent?
Its a business card with the city logo. He is a member of our city council. And if his opponent wants to put his name with a card and the city logo, its ok. But he would have to address himself as Mr. not alderman. Dave Waldorf has earned the right to put alderman on his mailing. Stop the nonsense.
4:11 I'm lost. Are you saying you sent an email about Waldorf to the mayor and the chief answered you. If the chief doesn't have your contact info, how did he answer? What am I'm missing? Does your email not reveal your name? The mayor and chief normally don't answer anon emails.
4:11 I need clarification. You cannot e-mail the city without using your name,(as indicated by the *). So how does the chief not have your name? Seems suspicious. Is this a ploy by the city to absolve the alderman of any wrong doing by using the blog,but really not using it? Please explain.
Time frame from when cards were ordered, city paid, how long of a time frame was city reimbursed? Was city reimbursed due to this coming to the forefront of this blog with information. Explanation please. City logo on card with personal business number is wrong. Nor should card with city logo be used for campaign purposes. How about a resignation?
11:28 You got the explanation and now you need apologize to Mr.Waldorf. The cards were paid for by Waldorf, the mailing was paid for by Waldorf, and the phone number is his phone number. How much more information on this trivial topic do you need? The logo is the city logo and he is a representative of your city. I am not sure why but the Chief of Police has responded to the anon. complaint that further verifies that the mailing was within and without question legitimate in every way. I would like to note that you won't win a election based on some anon. complaint about a paid for business card in a current officials mailing.
12:38 How do u know the chief responded to the anon complaint. If the mayor was contacted through the city web site you cannot e-mail unless you provide the information requested..one being your name. And the chief did not respond on the blog. This whole e-mail regarding this business card issue smells fishy to me.
6:14 I agree with you. No how no way would the chief answer an anon email. And coincidentally that anon emailer just happens to know about the blog and posted it here. No way!
The chief thinks it's "commendable" that an elected official would insure that no tax dollars were used in any political effort. Really? I certainly hope no elected official uses tax dollars for reelection.
It appears the mayor directed the police chief to investigate this issue. Did mayor Harl give that direction to the chief in the same way as he did with Perez in public with council approval? This note from police chief showed praise for Waldorf not using city funds. I don't remember seeing on here or anywhere the chief praising Perez for not using city money. I see political favoritism here. Or is it political corruption?
Did Alderman Perez send a business card in a mailing? No He parked his car with his election signs in a public park. No criminal violation was noted, just poor judgement. Alderman Waldorf sent out business cards to his ward residents, these cards were paid for by Alderman Waldorf. No criminal violation was noted. Waldorf did not park his car with campaign signs in a public park, that would have been poor judgement.
I would not give a incumbent $40.00 in business cards if I thought he was going to use them for campaign purposes if his challenger was not to be given campaign cards of a equal amount. If business cards are to be utilized by either no city identifications such as city logos should be included on the card. My personal opinion is that no one should HAVE to support anyone running for a political office when it does not include their own desires. There are many ways of taking advantage of the system but when narrowed down to intentional or unintentional Dave Waldorf intentionally took advantage of Peru government in full awareness and knowledge. The Incumbent or challenger should not be supported by a investigative official during his investigation with a direct support immediately during or immediately after the investigation. Professionally the investigation is the only and final ethical decision and nowhere is there a area allowed to be expressed of a personal opinion. If candidates prefer business cards possibly it should be a consideration that they produce them on their own and eliminate by ordinance signage which appears to be of high expense which all candidates cannot afford if they do not have present questionable financial backing. Lets keep the political environment above the table and open financially to all who wish to participate. Remember it is the responsibility of a voter to vote for who he believes is the most qualified not for whom has or has not the most signs or amount of unaccountable campaign funds. All desirable candidates will agree to this..
Remember the issue is the business cards contained the city symbol, an advantage that would not be available to his opponent. The alderman is still the alderman of his ward, but at the same time he is a candidate, his name is on the ballot, and using the city symbol is taking advantage of his alderman status. It appears that the city is supporting this candidate with those cards. But come to think of it I bet they are supporting him.
"Don't ask what your lobbyist can do for you, ask how much money we can giver him. If a free society cannot help a lobbyist make more money, it cannot enrich their political representatives. Let us never negotiate a lower payment to our lobbyist out of fear that he may turn on us and throw our city under the bus in Springfield. We must give more, not less, to get the full measure of devotion from our hired lobbyist."
The subject of a lobbyist being employed by Peru is questionable? Initially it must be asked does the city need a lobbyist and why. Following question is having a lobbyist financially intelligent? Many additional questions arise but since Peru already has had the same lobbyist for a time frame long enough to prove his fee worthy why aren't the citizens receiving some history of what he has accomplished for the City of Peru? Credit must be given to Alderman Radtke for his analysis of city manpower reductions and Alderman Potthoff for stating that a hiring of a technician would save the city money proven by a city analysis showing it would save the city money. The idea of Gov. Rauner cutting funding to cities is to make them independent of a a overkill of financial support enabling better end results of city and state finances. If a hiring which would benefit city engineering and save the city money why wouldn't you hire this position?
To the many that have asked , outsourcing in the long run is much cheaper than in house because of the expense of fringe benefits especially pensions. Also government employees have been on a upward roll for several years and everyone else has been going downhill. Private business has been outsourcing for a long time to save money and they have found that outsourcing provides quality workmanship.
8:10, so your saying outsourcing is the right way, we have been and the blog has screamed about it for years, I'm talking about Chamlin and TEST, so make up your mind, you can't have it both ways.
@3:37 Yes I am saying that the majority of times outsourcing has become the better of alternatives, but when saying such I am including competitive bidding for the outsourced job. To be fair to you, TEST and Chamlin what was the last time that you can remember TEST or Chamlin having to compete in open competitive bidding in Peru? Did you know that Chamlin has been Perus consulting engineers for over 65 years and TEST is going towards 30. Along time without having to bid. Many cannot understand why. Waiting for a answer.
by saying you can't have it both ways do you mean no competitive bids and always getting the job. Maybe you want to say you shouldn't have it either way.
40 comments:
Waste of money! 48k so far thrown in the toilet!!! Waldorf and Lukosus supported and they have no control of our taxpayer money!
Lois I want to know who got 4900 worth of office furniture and was this approved...was this for police chief?
Where are the new offices and who are they for? I see glass in windows was also replaced.
I have been forwarded the email you sent to the Mayor regarding your allegations that business cards used in Dave Waldorfs mailing were city purchased cards. You also seem to make a direct allegation that this is a criminal violation. At the end of your email, you seemed to have backed off the direct allegation a bit when you then referred to a possible violation.
Regardless I have already made an inquiry based on your email and have learned and confirmed that in fact Dave Waldorf ordered, was billed and obtained business cards that were placed in a political mailing and that was all done by him in his private and personal capacity and were not ordered or paid for through or by the city of Peru or any tax dollars. That clearly is not a violation of any law. In fact, it seems to me at least to be commendable that an elected official would insure that no tax dollars were used in any political effort. I personally have reviewed the written proof and billing document.
If you in haste assumed the cards were the same ones on any city disbursement I hope this clears it up for you.
Otherwise, if you have proof to the contrary then please provides it to me so I can proceed accordingly.
Finally, can you provide me you name, address, and telephone number for my file?
Chief Douglas P. Bernabei
Peru Police Department
1503 4th Street
Peru, Illinois 61354
Telephone: 815.223.2151
Does the Chief really need my address, telephone #....or is this a form of intimidation?
This is not about me but evidently someone sent a complaint to the mayor about the business cards that were on a city disbursement sheet which stated that the city paid for Dave Waldorf business cards and I will post one someone put in my mailbox.
The mayor gave it to the Chief and this was sent to the blog because the Chief nor I have the complaintants name etc.
How about a apology to Alderman Dave Waldorf? Can Dave sue for liable?
Lois, my concern is whether the city letterhead was on the card, and were those used in the campaign mailing?
There was no explanation on the Disbursement paper, it was just another bill the city paid with no explanation. I don't know whether the city has since listed as money received from Ald. Waldorf for payment of the cards. (which it should have). If the offer was made to all of the aldermen why did none of them take advantage of the offer beside Waldorf?
Faux pas?
Anyone that read the disbursement would believe as everyone did, that the city purchased cards for the alderman. This is the first time I have ever seen something like this done.
4:47 PM
Does the card look like a city letterhead? People say it does.
How about an apology to alderman Perez who was humiliated in public by the mayor and various alderman and who was investigated for using city electricity and found innocent?
Its a business card with the city logo. He is a member of our city council. And if his opponent wants to put his name with a card and the city logo, its ok. But he would have to address himself as Mr. not alderman. Dave Waldorf has earned the right to put alderman on his mailing. Stop the nonsense.
4:11 I'm lost. Are you saying you sent an email about Waldorf to the mayor and the chief answered you. If the chief doesn't have your contact info, how did he answer? What am I'm missing? Does your email not reveal your name? The mayor and chief normally don't answer anon emails.
Are there any logos or symbols that are on this card that are registered or protected by the City of Peru and should only be used for city purposes?
Dick Tracy - Gone. Elliot Ness - Gone. FBI - Gone. Who do we go to next?
4:11 I need clarification. You cannot e-mail the city without using your name,(as indicated by the *). So how does the chief not have your name? Seems suspicious. Is this a ploy by the city to absolve the alderman of any wrong doing by using the blog,but really not using it? Please explain.
Time frame from when cards were ordered, city paid, how long of a time frame was city reimbursed? Was city reimbursed due to this coming to the forefront of this blog with information. Explanation please. City logo on card with personal business number is wrong. Nor should card with city logo be used for campaign purposes. How about a resignation?
11:28 You got the explanation and now you need apologize to Mr.Waldorf. The cards were paid for by Waldorf, the mailing was paid for by Waldorf, and the phone number is his phone number. How much more information on this trivial topic do you need? The logo is the city logo and he is a representative of your city. I am not sure why but the Chief of Police has responded to the anon. complaint that further verifies that the mailing was within and without question legitimate in every way.
I would like to note that you won't win a election based on some anon. complaint about a paid for business card in a current officials mailing.
12:38 How do u know the chief responded to the anon complaint. If the mayor was contacted through the city web site you cannot e-mail unless you provide the information requested..one being your name. And the chief did not respond on the blog. This whole e-mail regarding this business card issue smells fishy to me.
2:12 PM
I did verify.
12:38 how do you know 11:28 got an explanation? Who did the explaining?
Lois, what did you verify? That the police chief answered an anon email?
6:04 PM
Yes that he did answer an email sent to him by Mayor Harl that Harl had received.
I do not believe that the chief answered a anon e-mail, no way no how. I bet they both know who sent it and why.
6:14 I agree with you. No how no way would the chief answer an anon email. And coincidentally that anon emailer just happens to know about the blog and posted it here. No way!
The chief thinks it's "commendable" that an elected official would insure that no tax dollars were used in any political effort. Really? I certainly hope no elected official uses tax dollars for reelection.
Didn't the mayor use that e-mail tactic to get Rodney in trouble ? Maybe he is using it to get the alderman out of trouble.
FOIA that anon email!!
FOIA all e-mails.
It appears the mayor directed the police chief to investigate this issue. Did mayor Harl give that direction to the chief in the same way as he did with Perez in public with council approval? This note from police chief showed praise for Waldorf not using city funds. I don't remember seeing on here or anywhere the chief praising Perez for not using city money. I see political favoritism here. Or is it political corruption?
I would give Dave $40.00 in business cards if he didn't vote for $24,000.00 for a lobbyist. Keep your eye on the real money being spent.
9:04
Did Alderman Perez send a business card in a mailing? No
He parked his car with his election signs in a public park. No criminal violation was noted, just poor judgement.
Alderman Waldorf sent out business cards to his ward residents, these cards were paid for by Alderman Waldorf. No criminal violation was noted. Waldorf did not park his car with campaign signs in a public park, that would have been poor judgement.
I would not give a incumbent $40.00 in business cards if I thought he was going to use them for campaign purposes if his challenger was not to be given campaign cards of a equal amount.
If business cards are to be utilized by either no city identifications such as city logos should be included on the card.
My personal opinion is that no one should HAVE to support anyone running for a political office when it does not include their own desires.
There are many ways of taking advantage of the system but when narrowed down to intentional or unintentional Dave Waldorf intentionally took advantage of Peru government in full awareness and knowledge.
The Incumbent or challenger should not be supported by a investigative official during his investigation with a direct support immediately during or immediately after the investigation. Professionally the investigation is the only and final ethical decision and nowhere is there a area allowed to be expressed of a personal opinion.
If candidates prefer business cards possibly it should be a consideration that they produce them on their own and eliminate by ordinance signage which appears to be of high expense which all candidates cannot afford if they do not have present questionable financial backing.
Lets keep the political environment above the table and open financially to all who wish to participate. Remember it is the responsibility of a voter to vote for who he believes is the most qualified not for whom has or has not the most signs or amount of unaccountable campaign funds. All desirable candidates will agree to this..
Oh my, how modern technology can cause problems.
Remember the issue is the business cards contained the city symbol, an advantage that would not be available to his opponent. The alderman is still the alderman of his ward, but at the same time he is a candidate, his name is on the ballot, and using the city symbol is taking advantage of his alderman status. It appears that the city is supporting this candidate with those cards. But come to think of it I bet they are supporting him.
"Don't ask what your lobbyist can do for you, ask how much money we can giver him. If a free society cannot help a lobbyist make more money, it cannot enrich their political representatives. Let us never negotiate a lower payment to our lobbyist out of fear that he may turn on us and throw our city under the bus in Springfield. We must give more, not less, to get the full measure of devotion from our hired lobbyist."
The subject of a lobbyist being employed by Peru is questionable? Initially it must be asked does the city need a lobbyist and why. Following question is having a lobbyist financially intelligent? Many additional questions arise but since Peru already has had the same lobbyist for a time frame long enough to prove his fee worthy why aren't the citizens receiving some history of what he has accomplished for the City of Peru?
Credit must be given to Alderman Radtke for his analysis of city manpower reductions and Alderman Potthoff for stating that a hiring of a technician would save the city money proven by a city analysis showing it would save the city money.
The idea of Gov. Rauner cutting funding to cities is to make them independent of a a overkill of financial support enabling better
end results of city and state finances. If a hiring which would benefit city engineering and save the city money why wouldn't you hire this position?
To the many that have asked , outsourcing in the long run is much cheaper than in house because of the expense of fringe benefits especially pensions. Also government employees have been on a upward roll for several years and everyone else has been going downhill.
Private business has been outsourcing for a long time to save money and they have found that outsourcing provides quality workmanship.
8:10, so your saying outsourcing is the right way, we have been and the blog has screamed about it for years, I'm talking about Chamlin and TEST, so make up your mind, you can't have it both ways.
@3:37 Yes I am saying that the majority of times outsourcing has become the better of alternatives, but when saying such I am including competitive bidding for the outsourced job.
To be fair to you, TEST and Chamlin what was the last time that you can remember TEST or Chamlin having to compete in open competitive bidding in Peru? Did you know that Chamlin has been Perus consulting engineers for over 65 years and TEST is going towards 30. Along time without having to bid. Many cannot understand why. Waiting for a answer.
by saying you can't have it both ways do you mean no competitive bids and always getting the job. Maybe you want to say you shouldn't have it either way.
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