AGENDA
CITY ADMINISTRATION TASK FORCE COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015
TIME: 4:00 P.M.
PLACE: 1901 4TH STREET, PERU, IL
This information is posted on the City of Peru web site. It is a date change from the initial proposed date at their last meeting.
Open to the public
35 comments:
It would be great to see a good turnout of concerned citizens at this meeting. It would be great to have a substantial number of citizens have an opportunity to witness Harl's politcal maneuvering in action. Unfortunately, the scheduling of this meeting is just as inconvenient as the public services committee. These meetings as all others should be conducted in the evening hours after 6:00 pm. That is the most convenient time for a majority of citizens. Petty excuses from phony elected officials about having to pay city employees overtime is just smoke and mirrors. City employee time is easily manages with "professional" techniques such as Flex-Time or Comp-Time that will allow hourly or salaried employees fair compensation for attending meetings outside of normal work hours. That phony Press Release story planted in the NT recently by Waldorf spouting phony reasons why the public services committee can't meet in the evening was just disgusting in its disrespect for the citzens of Peru. Waldorf says he doesn't want meetings to cost the city money. That's laughable. Imagine the money he has cost the city by virtue of his incompetence as chairman of the public services committee. Why has our HR Manager not educated the alder-barber about Flex-Time, Comp-Time, and the basics of management?
8:01, to add to your argument; how do you get people interested in becoming part of the government if meetings can only take place during "normal working hours"? People that have actual jobs can't be part of Peru government I guess.
Waldorf is as poor an elected official as I have ever witnessed in Peru government and I have suffered through the likes of Jack O'Beirne and other equally ethically challenged Peru "Dandys".
Holdin public meetings after 6:00 PM is not a burden or sacrifice by any city official or employee. Just as Travis Nelson pointed out in his campaign material, Waldorf and other officials schedule the Public Services committee meetings in the morning in order to deliberately limit the amount of public attendance and participation at those meetings. There is no question that an honest and responsive city governemnt will always make meetings more accessible to the public instead of less accessible for political reasons. Politics has permeated every aspect of Peru governemnt to a totally dysfunctional degree.
We should record committee meetings and post them on YouTube.
While I see the points about day versus night meetings I think you are overplaying the whole "Peru is corrupt" and "worst alderman ever" campaign because they are choosing to have the meetings during the day. Attendance will be the same regardless of when they have the meeting. Many people work second shift or have other things going on at night. also if Waldorf is our worst elected official then we have it pretty good. He is my alderman and he is a good guy. Lots of voters agreed. Just saying..
1:16 We should demand that the city record these committee meetings and post them to the city website just like regular council meetings. There is no difference between committee meetings and council meetings and it should be very easy to move the committee meetings into the council chambers. Then whoever wanted to view these committee meetings would be able to regardless of when they are held.
To those who instigate a continuous blog attack upon Alderman Dave Waldorf after he has won 4 more years on the council by a wide margin is foolish and a complete waste of time. To question Alderman Waldorf on his political decisions is fine but to simply antagonize for no reason at all is foolish and discourteous.
Next if concerned citizens want to attend committee meetings so bad why are they not attending city council meetings which start at 7:30 P.M.?
2:21 PM, You may be surprised to find out your favorable opinion of Waldorf is not shared by many who really "know" him. In fact, the more we "know" about him the less we consider him a "good guy".
You are uninformed.
7:32 I would have to say that you are in the minority in your ward. The voters spoke loud and clear about who they wanted to represent them. It sounds to me that you are still angry that ALL YOUR GUYS GOT BEAT AGAIN!!!
Please move on to something that will be positive for the city.
It is a reflection on the voters of Peru. Sadly, the ones that got out and actually voted held firm to their history of voting for names that vaguely sound familiar. There is very little citizen involvement in government in Peru - maybe the entire region. That is why the same names continue to hold office for decades. Frank Mautino is an example. I bet there are some people in Spring Valley that still think they are voting for his dad. Baker was another one. The name was connected - people in Peru, when they did vote in the April election, only knew one name on the ballot.
That is the problem in a small town. Need to shake things up a bit - but why would anyone volunteer for the job. First off, "they" make it difficult for a working man or woman to participate. Who is going to take half a day off of work to attend a public works committee meeting? Answer: Somebody that can set their own hours or who is retired. So, a nine to fiver cannot be an Alderman in Peru. Just not practical.
So why even bother? I just pay my taxes and keep my mouth shut in public. So, until the taxes become unbearable, I'll just snipe from the sidelines.
forgot to mention. One of the largest growth industries in the Illinois Valley is government. What happens when everyone works for the government?
I think people involved in politics, or anybody who has an opinion about something, will have some people who support that person or opinion and some who won't support that person or opinion. I believe as elected/appointed officials, they need to have thick skin. If not, get out of office. If you can't take criticism, whether it be on Facebook, the blog, or face to face, then you don't belong in public office. Retaliation is not the right answer.
We are uninformed? Do you know him 7:32? I know for a FACT some of the things that have been said on here are COMPLETE LIES. I have NO problem with Waldorf as my alderman and he shoots straight. Just talk to him!
also 7:32 are you going to try to tell us that the people who voted in the low turnout election were "stupid and uninformed" which is the crap some of you spew when you lose. He won. Hands down he won. The voters spoke. If you don't like him, pick up a petition and run for office and on we should vote for YOU! Stop offering lies and ugly anonymous comments and instead offer a positive alternative and the voters will speak.
Let's be positive and move forward! We don't have to all agree but the blog is not moving anything forward. Talk to your aldermen if you want to or get involved in some way. Stop playing victim and make something happen!
No it's not, it's the health industry.
9:40 - it's not possible to make something happen unless you are part of the in crowd at city hall. If not, your name is mud and you will get no where. Not only will you get nowhere, you will be ostracized and made fun of. 9:11 is right, the only thing a person can do it snipe from the sidelines, because once you disagree with something at city hall, you are forever retaliated against.
9:40 I have tried to communicate with my alderman at times and was not greeted with open arms. I have also tried to communicate with other aldermen and was treated rather rudely. And no, I did not approach them with anger or malice. I approached them with questions and suggestions. I have learned that unless you are on their bandwagon you do not get the same respect as those who are. I have also witnessed disrespect from aldermen to citizens and to other aldermen.
9:40 AM, Stop making excuses for an alderman that many agree is nothing more than an incompetent and arrogant bully who picks on women who stand up up to him. I know all I need to know about Waldorf and have had the displeasure of talking to him more than once. Getting elected as an alderman in Peru is not a vindication or an indication that a successful candidate is a quality person in any respect. In fact, in Peru getting elected is an indication the candidate has kissed the asses of the Peru establishment. Since you asked, I am happy to inform you that not all the folks that voted in the recent low turnout election in Peru were "stupid and uninformed". Only those who voted for Waldorf possess the two characteristics you mentioned. And yourself of course.
There where winners and losers in the last election. What was missing where positions. I don't think any candidate published a platform. All I saw where yard signs, this blog, a couple of face book pages with no position information, and softball questions from the NT.
No candidate will discuss government service consolidation. No candidate will discuss elimination of township.
No candidate will discuss the seemingly endless purchase of machinery by the City of Peru.
No candidate will discuss changing the form of government to council-manager and eliminating the Clerk and restricting the power of the Mayor
No candidate will discuss zoning and tax initiatives to encourage new construction downtown and elimination of antiquated structures.
No candidate will discuss privatization of city services.
You know what they talk about? Flower pots, fun days, fireworks, and beer gardens.
Why? Because that is all the average voter in Peru cares about.
11:22 get some help. Unless you give examples you are just spouting out about something that is made up. Your angry because your candidate lost a election? What is this retaliation? Who has approached who with suggestions? What is this bandwagon? Stop the attacks on alderman and gives us something else than general statements. It's unhealthy to be so obsessive with these alderman.
ll:56 I (11:22) never mentioned any names and neither do you know who my candidate of choice was or is. Read some of the other comments and you will see that many believe there is a 'bandwagon'. You stated that something was "made up". Prove it!!
11:36
Back to the USA.
The township is a township vote and the responsibility of those who reside and those who represent. City of Peru candidates have no involvement, so why waste time?
The form of government change must either come from a referendum or city council. I don't think anybody has had the interest to run this campaign. If it was popular I am sure many would work on the issue.
The downtown is looking better then ever before. It started with the former Mayor taking down many structures and being replaced with new ones. You have a number of new small businesses. And we have some bad patches. One of the problems in downtown area teardowns are that many are connected to each other and have problems with willing owners that won't do anything to refresh the area. You can't legislate ownership.
Privatization was discussed and many of those same people that were elected have supported private services including grass cutting, water testing, landscaping, etc.
Flower pots, fireworks, fun days were topics of a candidate that was running for office. Your right on track with the residents didn't think those were important issues.
RUN FOR OFFICE
What is a bandwagon? And who are these connections that a blogger continues to call out and never defines?
11:35 you are absolutely pathetic. All who voted for the winning alderman and me are stupid and uninformed? He picks on women? Tell you what let's line up 100 women who know him and see what they think? How about his wife and daughters?
Quit being a sore loser. Quit acting like Peru is so different. Start contributing something positive. All you see here is whining and crying and someone was disrespectful and waa waa waa.
Quit hiding and crying and step up and DO something! Oh wait I am sorry. It's those mean aldermen who stop you.
Like I said. Pathetic.
11:36 no they don't actually. You read that here and assume that to be the case or you think it sounds good. If you get your information from here or from a three paragraph article in the newspaper then you know nothing. They talk about the same things every other city council talks about, although we are light years ahead of most. Try getting involved and see if you learn more! Or did you get beat?
Oh and "seemingly" is the key word. You are probably the same person who has made ridiculous comments about how they just randomly buy equipment that just sits around.
Yes. Truly you know what's going on. We can tell. Please keep commenting. It makes for a good laugh.
No one cares about blogger comments. This is the same damn people talking to each other over and over again. The voters spoke and they will speak again.
Quit whining. Run for office! Vote! But quit whining!
Did anybody go to the task force meeting? Details??
I did not attend the task force meeting today but after reading the loose lipped comments above I wouldn't waste my time submitting details. Sadly these type of people do not realize that the purpose of the blog is to exchange ideas and to accept others even if you disagree with them.
Actually, I can't vote in Peru or run for office in Peru any more. I moved away to get a better job. But I like keeping up with the antics of yokels running the City of Peru. Now that I live in a city and state that actually have a decent economy, low taxes, AND jobs! Wow - I'm glad I moved, but should have done it years ago.
Waldorf is not a very good alderman. it is true,they are moving these meetings to mornings so no one who works can attend. Just follows the council meetings so common folks can't ask questions. TRANSPARENTCY????????
8:43 Dear Former resident,
Did you know that your city has a very low tax rate. If you live in one with less taxes, please let us know where OZ is located.
You new job? What do you do? We look in the newspaper and jobs are listed for many skilled and unskilled.
The Yokels may be still in government. They do have a balanced budget, low real estate taxes, strong retail base, and millions going into updated infrastructure. Two new schools, county wide public transportation, low crime rates. Many seniors are relocating to Peru as a result of affordable senior housing and the health care available.
Were all happy about your move. Let's hope after your sentence is over you will consider moving back to Peru.
To 9:52 AM, You forgot to mention the good paying phony position you have as "Propaganda Minister" for the city of Peru. ZIEG HEIL!
You're a loyal little Fascist Aren't you?
10:08, with a reply like that you are showing everybody that you have major problems, grow up, that kind of spew doesn't do the blog any favors.
When you say we have a low tax rate, you are not looking at everything. You need to look at all the taxes we pay in Illinois - not just the GD Peru Property tax. You lemmings always bring that up. Yes - for everyone to see - the City of Peru has low property taxes. But Illinois in general is one of the highest taxed states. We have 3 types of gasoline tax. We have home rule and state sales tax. We have utility tax. We have telephone taxes. We have cable taxes. We have 7000 units of local government taxing our property - remember you low tax Peru people are also paying a library tax, a township tax, a county tax, a road district tax, college tax, high school tax, grade school tax, did I miss any?
Add it all up folks. Through in State and Federal income tax and we are approaching 50% of our income to one government or the next.... When does it end?
3:37 That comment was aimed at the City of Peru. The response was about the City of Peru, not the State of Illinois. Peru has no utility tax. There is no road tax on tax bills. You were critical about those lemmings in Peru? Maybe you should follow up about the tax in LaSalle County, Schools, Township, State? Wonder what they provide you for your taxes?
4:24 - yes we do pay utility tax. Look at your gas bill from Ameren. We do pay road tax - look at your property tax bill ** PERU TWP ROAD.
It is all TAX and you can't talk about one without talking about all of them. We also have a city imposed tax on cell phone bills. A city imposed franchise fee on our cable bill. Tax, Tax, Tax
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