"I want to see big boy/girl discussions on jobs, infrastructure, education, parks, tourism, etc. I understand the frustration that can occur when dealing with city hall, hence the old saying "you can't beat city hall," sent in as part of a blog post where the rest was directed to me"
I say again and again if you want those discussions then please start them and no one has brought forth a blog with details which are needed. That is not what I do, that is up to you.
45 comments:
There is a very old saying:
"how do you eat an elephant?..one bite at a time"
Peru, like all other cities have many issues to resolve..and its no ones faulty we have them...
We have aging water mains which are being replaced...we have aging roads which are being replaced as we replace the water and sewer pipes...
Our schools are being upgraded as needed...
The parks are still really nice...
so one thing we need to focus on is jobs. We need to put aside the petty bulls^&t..leave our egos at the door and work together to attract companies and industries to the area with good paying jobs...jobs buy homes...jobs fill stores and restaurant...jobs pay sales tax..job create stability..
so i say to all concerned and directly involved..grab a fork and knife and start looking for ways to make sure the next art gallery, the next restaurant, the next retail shop and the next factory locates to the area instead of choosing somewhere else....
4:39 PM
I agree but until communication improves on all levels and community improvement is noted, Peru will will not change because when someone is coming in to do business, they look at the whole picture before they even start talking.
With that in mind, I heard that Sterling Optical, Radio Shack and the one business next to it in the Peru Mall are gone and there are 3 vacant store fronts. But that is no surprise because all had competition that most likely took them down. Sterling and Radio Shack were long time businesses in Peru.
The guys/girls in town can't bring the jobs to town. We do spend a lot of money on economic development, isn't that their job?
Radio Shack has gone bankrupt and is closing all of their stores.
The first thing we can do is get rid of "Rat Man."
Lois I am curious, do you ever offer anything positive? The economic development director, mayor or city council or you or me or anyone else cannot overcome a national company deciding to close down stores like that. Same with Office Max, as it was hilarious reading comments from people who actually think you can talk a large corporation out of leaving. It is a miracle that Sears and JC Penney are still here but every time one of these outfits closes another takes its place or was already here providing the competition.
Peru is still the economic driver of the Illinois Valley thankfully but as a community we do not work in a bubble. It's just funny you always mention the negative things but never anything positive. Well yes you do. When it happens in Ottawa or LaSalle or Spring Valley you do. Just not here.
We are far from perfect but we have a lot of things going for us and since from you comments you have no idea how a business is developed, you should know that businesses DO want to do business in Peru. That's why our business base has actually expanded through the great recession and through today. Still much work remains but in all seriousness, find another town of 10,000 that has what we have that is not located in a wealthy suburb.
Thanks for letting me share this, but I wanted to call you out for always focusing on the negative.
The mall is needing to decide to either maintain rent or lower rent to attract more tenants..less store means higher rent for remaining tenants...the theory of malls is past due...the Peru Mall is "nice"..but cant compete with other venues of that type...
The Rat is placed in the Right of Way, and blocks view leaving Burger King. Speaking of King, does he need to wear his fire hat to a bad crash right there or have someone call with a complaint before he does something about this? Mr.King needs to step up and do the job he's paid to do. Enforce Enforce! City of Ottawa has actually fined 150 for bad placement of the Rat like we would ever see the day Peru stops the Rat.
Fire chief needs to stay a fire chief and stop acting as though he can do it all. Bernabei and Harl are going to be the death of him. he's a big boy and needs to grow some!
6:01 PM
I am waiting for you to say something positive about many of the comments that are posted here or maybe you could take some time and answer questions residents or out of town readers have asked here on the blog. You seem to have inside information that I don't, so go for it, we will be happy to listen.
Need I say that in recent years my views of the city have been based upon how I am treated and how problems that I have brought forth are ignored. In fact I think maybe I am going to start using pictures instead of words.
The guys/girls can help bring jobs to Peru by having a positive, co-operative attitude towards those the city has hired to accomplish economic development.
Although Peru spends a lot of money on economic developers development is not only their job it is all of our jobs. In saying this I admit that not one of the four hires has made a attempt to make the citizenship welcome to assist nor has there ever been evidence of them helping one another.
Possibly if the four different recruiters would schedule meeting to discuss their progress and in what direction should be taken to help one another. Also if knowledge would be interchanged frequently with the Peru citizenship and the invitation offered to include them in job development cooperation would increase to achieve success.
Yes when a company explores a area for a possible home site they do look at the entire picture which consists of attitude of the citizenship, the desires of those they encounter, whether the people are positive and progressive, do the people take ownership of their job and are they willing to accept direction. These attitudes and many others are part of the business worlds big picture.
Also explored in the big picture are the signs of why they possibly will not chose this area. These signs are is the attitude of many negative, always pushing responsibilities off to others, will not change attitudes and project a feeling that they believe they are always correct.
When making a site selection the corporate world wants a population with the teamwork concept evident, not a population always in conflict.
If a idea is thought important enough to be made a ordinance why is it not important enough to be enforced? There are more than enough people in Peru with the responsibly of enforcing ordinances. Is the problem that those responsible are not qualified and should be replaced.
Recent illegalities in Peru should have been handled by at least 35 different city employees during any 24 hour time frame.
Being a alderman in Peru must have hidden benefits to cover constant radio ads and front page advertising in the newspaper. Possibly the race has become a lot closer than previously expected by these two campaign camps or it is all about ego trips and power drives of these two incumbents.
It does not make sense to spend the first years alderman's salary on campaign advertising, especially for a incumbent if he has done a good job. Word of mouth is still the best vote getter and does not create the disturbance of excessive signage which is another huge expense (legal or illegal).
It is normally questionable as to where the money comes from for advertising for certain aldermen in their campaign and accusations have always been made. Now with excessive expensive radio advertising it will also be questioned even more.
11:31 Well said. Guess that goes to show how much these “Oaths” that people take, mean. Get the job, take the money, do as little as possible. People from out of town, often ask if there is any enforcement in Peru.
6:01 PM, You tow the Peru establishment line and I have no problem with that at all.
But please don't try to tell me or anybody else that the city of Peru does not need to improve how it does business. Don't tell me that this town 0f 10,000 can't improve its overall leadership and management immensely. Don't try to tell me that Peru city departments are not in need of professional guidance and experienced knowledge. Please don't tell me that any of Peru's elected officials have any idea how to run the day to day operations of this city. You can tell me and I will agree that Peru has a lot to be proud of. But don't you dare try to tell me that Peru is a well managed city with elected officials who have a clear vision for the future. Because I know that's not the reality of Peru. If you're satisfied then good for you. I'm not becuase I see the potential of Peru being stifled by most of the current crew of city officials who make each and every decision based on politics instead of the interests of the city as a whole. My opinion, the best leaders are not born in Peru. They are hired from somewhere outside the city. Peru desperately needs a Professional City Manager.
Thanks for letting me share this as you seem to always focus only on the positive.
11:31, what are you talking about 35 different employees, explain.
It's sad that the winner of an election comes down to who has the biggest newspaper ad instead of who would do a better job handling our tax dollars.
9:09 I think you're on to something with regards to hidden benefits being an alderman. With the amount of money being spent by the 3rd and 4th ward aldermen in Friday and Saturday's paper something is at stake in the city of Peru. Whatever it is it is not public knowledge and is something larger than just an aldermanic race.
I'm not sure why the newspaper ad 2 days in a row is Utica and spring valley voting in this election
Radio is definitely cheaper seems to be getting some traction
I would say waldorf has collect some heavy fundraising money to be able to put those ads in
Anon 9:52 AM
I am not 11:31 but lets speculate:
1. Mayor
2. City Clerk
3. 8 aldermen
4. City Attorney
5. 2 administrators, C,PPD and
C,PFD
6. 26 Police Officers
7. Public Works Superintendent and
public works department
employees
8. Code Enforcer
9. Any private citizen willing
to make a citizens arrest
I believe the reference to 35 employees might include the police department who are also responsible for upholding the law which, by the way, includes city ordances. Trust me.....they don't want to do it but for $50,000.00 a year to start plus full benefits they could if their Chief asked for it to be done. Does Peru still have a Chief of Police or does that department run by secret committee as well. No disrespect to the officers as they're only gonna do what their told when it comes to that type of enforcement.
11:49 Agree with you. Would have to be totally blind, not to see what is going on.
11:07, some of those people should be watching out for ordinance abuse, but PW employees or Electric employees, on the most part don't know the ordinances and really don't care about political abuses, they come to work put their time in and go home, it's not their job to enforce anything, that's for the hierarchy aka the Super chiefs, City Clerk ,Alderman, Mayor, City Attorney, etc . City employees really don't care about, who has the bigger signs, or who can afford to put an ad in the paper.
Can anyone tell me the cost of a Banner Ad in the N.T.? The kind Ald. Waldorf has in the paper which I dont believe for one minute he funded and Im entittled to that opinion.
If a donation it makes me even more suspicious. Hey Ald. W., this ain't a poker game your in.
12:51, I agree. No way W paid for those ads himself. Look to TEST or Harl or Chamlins as the one who paid for them. They want to make sure "No Bid, No Public Questions, No Release of Closed Session Minutes Waldorf" gets re-elected.
What makes you think that Mayor Harl would pay Ald. W's advertisements. I would think that the Mayor would rather see him lose than win this election. As for TEST and Chamlin they have most likely opened their Judas kitties for a huge rate of return on investment for another 4 years. Travis Nelson appears to be content to do what a alderman should logically do
2:29 PM
And where have you been hiding the last few years. The mayor has him wrapped around his thumb, no doubt about that. End of story.
Lois I don't believe that to be true, Harl and Waldorf butt heads constantly, truth is I don't think Harl cares who gets elected to the third ward.
4:33 PM
When has Waldorf ever voted against something the Mayor wanted, give me just one vote.
4:33 Have you ever attended a meeting? I think not or you would know your statement is absolutely false.
4:33, Lois, 2:29
Good discussion, but Tuesday there are bigger fish to fry. Presently rather than discussing who backs who proclaim your candidate of choice and the reasons why to gain a movement which you would like to see for Peru in the future.
Personally I will vote for Travis Nelson because of the subjects listed in his last mailing and his stand on them in comparison to Dave Waldorf's.
"W" is just a nasty and mean old man. He has no place in public service.
Don't expect any money from the Sate of Illinois for anything local. It turns out that Chicago has been using LONG TERM BONDS to fund DAY TO DAY operations for at least five years.
This is a violation of Federal Tax Law - so these bonds will be loosing their tax exempt status.
Why should we care? Because Chicago is probably going to go bankrupt very soon. The State of Illinois may be forced to take on some, if not all, of Chicago's debt.
There is talk in Springfield of raising sales taxes on everything - including services. There is also talk of changing the sales tax distribution model to one based on population - not the location they where collected. Additionally, Springfield is most likely going to remove the income tax exemption on retirement income.
11:21, I don't know where you come up with this political stuff, the Chicago tribune. This hasn't been brought up anywhere down here in Springfield, so I assume it's speculation on your part. The question is why would you make this kind of stuff up.
3:58, because we need to get "downstaters" (meaning anyone south of I80 and west of the I55 interchange to stop supporting all things Chicago.
Chicago is a cancer on the state of Illinois. We must eradicate the cancerous Chicago Politicians. NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM CHICAGO!
Is that really valid? Do you not support liberal social policy? Is this why this "cancer" should be eradicated?Chicago is the economic powerhouse of the state that feeds the entire state with part of their tax dollars. I'm not saying Chicago is perfect, clearly they are not, but without their influence, Illinois would be a very red, conservative state. Many of the public services, including parks and other infrastructure, would not be as funded as well as they are today without some of the city's democratic politicians.
12:18 Just checked. Chicago is $63 BILLION in debt. That means in the hole. This "Powerhouse" feeds the rest of the state " ? Seems as though this area sort of got left out of the drop off of the "goodies". Is that why every year we hear about which parks might not open, or which ones will be on a limited budget. Highways are like Alaska's back roads. Bridges are on the endangered list. The only thing that I can think of that is fully funded, and you never hear that it is in danger of going broke, is the WELFARE fund.
And what is wrong with being in a "conservative red state?" I think that would be a good thing.
Chicago takes from the other parts of the state way more than it provides in tax revenues. In fact, the corruption that is accepted as "normal" in that cesspool is the single largest contributing factor to why Illinois is a failed state. No friend - until every single person involved in any part of government in that little corner of the state is safely doing time in the federal prison, Chicago will continue to rape the State of Illinois. And I'm talking everyone - From the Mayer all the way down to trash collector - THEY ARE ALL CRIMINALS.
BOYCOT CHICAGO - don't give them any more of your money!
6:15, I'll go to Chicago as much as possible, there is so much to do, great restaurants, museums, football and baseball ballparks,theaters , United center, Bulls, Blackhawks, concerts, boating off Navy Pier. I take it you don't have a clue what the city offers, we're you ever there?
6:47, yes plenty of times. I'm still forced to go the airports there for work. Lets see what else Chicago has;
Pay to Play
Massive Corruption
Crime, Crime, and more Crime. The latest stats for April:
Shot and killed = 7
Shot and wounded = 38
That is just for April so far
Year to date, there is a person shot every 4 hours and 47 minutes. There is a person murdered every 24 hours and 15 minutes. That is not to be confused with killed - that number is for murdered. Chicago has more violent crime than any other city in the country. All this despite having a world class police force. This is because the front line cops are hobbled by political appointees that perpetuate and atmosphere of corruption and political correctness further exasperated by progressive programs that keep people in perpetual poverty.
Yup, all that is happening within an hour and a half drive of downtown Peru. You go to your restaurants and museums. Watch your sports games and head downtown for "good food." No thanks. I'd rather go to a third world country.
6:47, I think most people know what Chicago has to offer. Crime and corruption.
There is absolutely nothing - with the exception of the airports - that will ever get me to enter that god forsaken hole they call Chicago.
I won't even watch their sports teams anymore. St. Louis Cardinals all the way. Green Bay Packers all the way. San Jose Sharks all the way.
Peoria has the same concerts and better restaurants.
The museums are overrated and expensive. If you go on the free days, the place is overrun.
Park your car in Chicago? Ha, be ready to part with a $50 bill.
Take the train? Be ready to get mugged or loose your life.
Face it. Chicago is a burden on Illinois. The only way to save it is to toss every politician in jail and convince people from Southern Illinois to take over the government of Chicago.
6:36 & 8:33, you two are real beauties, you have no clue what the city offers, you just watch the news, that always will talk about the worst in a city. LaSalle - Peru has its problems with drugs robberies etc, if the NT talked about it everyday you wouldn't leave your house, what a shallow life.
You can't dispute the actual statistics as reported by the city itself:
Year to date, there is a person shot every 4 hours and 47 minutes. There is a person murdered every 24 hours and 15 minutes.
This year, Forbes named Chicago the country's fourth most-miserable city...
A taxes makes Chicago gas prices among the highest in the country...
Chicago's high school dropout rate is two points higher than the national average.
One in ten Chicagoans don't have a job.
The violence has divided the city: recently, parents at a tonier public school on the city's North Side refused to send their kids to play baseball against a South Side school.
In many respects, Chicago is now a city of "used to's." As in, it used to have the tallest building in the world.
It used to have the world's busiest airport.
It used to be on the cutting edge of architecture.
The city's political culture got a black eye when Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife were charged with felonies.
yup. Chicago offers us a lot. Crime, poverty, pollution, urban decay, did I say crime?, racial unrest, oh and then there is murder.
perfect place to bring the wife and kids on a nice summer day. No thanks. I'll go to Milwaukee. Or maybe Galena.
Milwaukee is a good choice. I love that town. Galena is a good choice also, but it is still in Illinois and it seems like EVERYTHING is heavily taxed - hotels & motels, gas, amusements, everything!
Hannibal MO is a nice place. And it is outside of Illinois - which makes it much better.
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