Don’t Give Up On Good Government
I think they are referring to our city, too many politicians in it for themselves. Tonight at the council meeting 8-0 to the hiring of Bob Vickrey without one word of discussion, not one. I don't think there have been any closed sessions since the election (not sure) so where did these discussions take place. Shouldn't the public be informed that we are giving away some of your tax dollars to a startup consulting firm? What other cities has he helped and what is his record?
30 comments:
There was probably no word of discussion in public comment as very few would not be sir-prized by this appointment. Very unusual and possibly unethical to volunteer ones services to get a foot in the door to work towards a paying job. It must be remembered that the individual who volunteered is one and the same person who has asked for a pay, and has now received it.
Peru officials once again have shown their ignorance by this foolish creation of another payed administrative job, but on the same night that a article of Gov. Rauners cutback to state 's city funding. WOW!
There had best be no complaining of city shortage of necessary funds in Peru.
Being that the council approved this pay by a 8-0 vote most taxpayers know that not 1 alderman contested the idea of paying anything as well as recommending the abandonment of the position in Peru. Why is it necessary to allow a new firm to bully the city when Peru already has the Chamber of Commerce with all its years representing them. For the sake of fair and good government have hope that this isn't a example of "inner circle" influences.
To dovetail on the theme of bilking the taxpayer - there is a must read article in the Ottawa Times. It reports the penalties that local school districts are being charged by the teacher's retirement system. These penalties are being charged due to pension spiking raises given by the school districts. This happens when a retiring teacher is given a raise of more than 6 percent. LP High School is paying a $27K penalty. Peru Elementary is paying an additional $7K. Keep in mind that the penalties are a one time "fine" and do not make up for the long term cost the pension system of spiking salaries in the final year of a teacher's career.
I told you exactly how this would play out, and that's what happened. This council is disgusting in its hypocracy and out of control spending.
The connected stay connected. I was told that the city engineer drove over all the roads in Peru to determine which roads needed to be repaired instead of the aldermen doing it this year. So how did he determine that North Pulaski Street between 25th and 28th needed to be repaved? Did he drive over Wenzel Road between Marquette and Progress Blvd? That road is horrible. North Pulaski Street did not need to be repaved, and some neighbors of theirs are furious because of who lives on that stretch of road. Makes it seem like because those residents are "connected" that's the reason that road is getting repaved when it didn't need it.
pension spiking is a standard in the Illinois "Education Industry." No matter how many rules you make, the teacher's unions find a way to milk as much as they can. Why do you think that many high school teachers approaching retirement "volunteer" to work drivers education and summer school? Its not just for the extra hours now, its for the hundreds of dollars extra a month when they retire.
Another swift kick in the gut from Harl and the Peru council to the citizens of Peru. This message was sent loud and clear last night, "The great majority of you fools are totally oblivious to what we do and the few "troublemakers" that cry wolf just can't make enough noise to stop us from screwing you. We will continue to waste your money and enrich our friends and political allies at your expense". We are pissing down your back and telling you it's raining and you are clueless. In two years you morons will re-elect Harl and the same aldermen and the cycle will continue. OMG!
Actually,discussion about Bob Vickrey being hired took place during the PUBLIC committee of the whole meeting that took place just before the regular council meeting last night. At least three members of the community were there and heard the discussion. Also, during last night's public comment section before the regular meeting, no one in the crowd chose to talk about Vickrey, although all were given the chance to fill out a comment card before the meeting kicked off.
Discussion right before a meeting is sneaky. Matters to be voted on should be discussed in public and then voted on the following meeting. This council has people so confused about whether the committee of the whole meetings will be public or completely closed sessions, that many people stopped attending them because it was a waste of time to sit in the council chambers while the council used the whole meeting time in closed session. I believe that was the thought all along, so people would stop attending. Even if it was discussed at the committee as a whole meeting, further discussion should have taken place during the actual council meeting before the vote for the people who did take the time to attend the council meeting.
2:02 - you hit the nail on the head.
Vikrey created this job himself as a unpaid volunteer position compensated only by payment of expenses. Any further compensation should open the job for interviews and opportunity for all. Vikrey at best is a mediocre getting treatment as if he cannot be replaced. Take a look at his US6, presently only Morris, Ottawa, Utica, LaSalle, and Spring Valley are stepping ahead of Peru in the surrounding area and Jonesville is running even. Get the hook to pull this guy off the stage.
Those guys down at Tammany Hall not even good politicians and lousy elected reps.
The crickets are chirping down at the N.T. Peru Reporters office, not one word on the hire of our new consulting firm just hired .
SHHH
@11:45AM So good to hear that it was determined to pay Vickrey during a meeting of the whole before the city council meeting. I am looking forward to observe this hiring over the video recording as I am the council meeting.
Public comment is not geared to promote a discussion and therefor most no longer participate in it. What is to gain by a discussion of Vickrey when the vote is already in the hat waiting to be counted.Most expect and do deserve better.
Quotes from the Famous Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall. This about sums up the current situation at "Fulton Hall."
"I don't care who does the electing, so long as I get to do the nominating."
"What are you going to do about it?"
"The way to have power is to take it."
and finally:
"I don't care a straw for your newspaper articles, my constituents don't know how to read, but they can't help seeing them damned pictures."
I heard on the radio this morning that they are hiring a "part time" assistant for Bobby V. and that he position has a strong possibility of becoming full time.
I'd like to know how to apply for this job. This just might be the shoe in the door for long term employment scam. How much should I donate the to re-election fund? I mean, right now its only part time - do you think $500 is enough?
I was unable to attend either meeting on Monday night when the council voted unanamously to help Bob Vickrey start a lobbying firm at Peru taxpayer expense. Can one of the two or three citizens that were actually there tell us if the newly elected alderman Mr. Payton provided any of those "ideas" he had mentioned to the newspaper prior to his election? Did Mr. Payton share any of his "ideas" about the wisdom of hiring a second lobbyist for the city of Peru?
I guess we're still waiting for all those "ideas" from Payton to formulate on behalf of the citizens of Peru. As I informed you all several months ago, Tom Payton has now been fully indocrinated to the Peru way of conducting political business and has shown himself to be a true "team player" in the clique. That 8-0 vote is just what the doctor ordered for what has been ailing Mayor Harl and the Peru establishment. This Vickrey vote was the first opportunity for Payton to prove he will fall in lock-step with the other seven lemmings.
Peru city council meetings is the place where ideas and honest discussion go to die a quick and silent death. Thank you Harl and aldermen for another secret backroom deal designed to enrich a political insider with taxpayer funds. How proud of yourselves you all must be.
I was unable to attend either meeting on Monday night when the council voted unanamously to help Bob Vickrey start a lobbying firm at Peru taxpayer expense. Can one of the two or three citizens that were actually there tell us if the newly elected alderman Mr. Payton provided any of those "ideas" he had mentioned to the newspaper prior to his election? Did Mr. Payton share any of his "ideas" about the wisdom of hiring a second lobbyist for the city of Peru?
I guess we're still waiting for all those "ideas" from Payton to formulate on behalf of the citizens of Peru. As I informed you all several months ago, Tom Payton has now been fully indocrinated to the Peru way of conducting political business and has shown himself to be a true "team player" in the clique. That 8-0 vote is just what the doctor ordered for what has been ailing Mayor Harl and the Peru establishment. This Vickrey vote was the first opportunity for Payton to prove he will fall in lock-step with the other seven lemmings.
Peru city council meetings is the place where ideas and honest discussion go to die a quick and silent death. Thank you Harl and aldermen for another secret backroom deal designed to enrich a political insider with taxpayer funds. How proud of yourselves you all must be.
Already hiring a "helper" for him!!!!!!!!!!!
Just heard on the WLPO news the city of Peru will hire a part time assistant for Vichrey. According to Doug Bernabei it will start out as a part time position could turn to a full time position. So who could this miracle making person be? This city has approximately 10000 citizens why do we need 2 people to try and influence business's to the city. Another created job for a friend? With Bernabei, King, and Vickrey running the city why do even need a mayor. Oh that's right a city administrator will also be hired.
According to the agenda for Monday's Committee of a Whole Meeting, ordinances were not on it. Since Vickrey's appointment was by ordinance how were citizens supposed to know it was going to be discussed (even if it was). Plus, there was another closed session listed on the agenda and from past experience that session could take up the whole meeting leaving citizens sitting in an empty room.
Citizens of Peru: Vickrey has apparently taken a volunteer unpaid position, turned it into a business (paid for by you), and gets all the perks that come with this business (paid for by you). He gets an office, phone, assistant, salary, budget, etc. etc. (all paid for by you). Did you see this coming? Did you hear about it at a council meeting? Did you hear any explanation given by an alderman as to the need for this change? Did you hear any aldermen ask questions with regards to this? Another closed door decision made for you? I don't know about you but I'm angry. I think citizens are at least entitled to the reason for this change and how it will benefit them and why it is all of a sudden necessary.
Another assistant for another unnecessary position? When it rains it pours. Absolutely incredible how bold and arrogant this council is with the graft and patronage hiring. Then they send Bernabei out for marketing the scams so the elected phonies can keep a distance from the stink. These people are so predictable in their corruption and collusion it is laughable. An assistant for Vickrey? WTF is wrong with these people? No, WTF is wrong with the people of Peru for not running these elected officials out of town on a rail?
So much for cutting the budget to the bone. They got rid of employees, but not the hiring just doesn't stop! Whose friend/neighbor will be hired as Vickrey's assistant?
Three cheers for the zoning board to listen to the citizen neighbors and crack down on millionaires who want to knock down homes and put their businesses in their place. And the council agreed. Miracles do happen.
2:03. Please explain so I don't have to wait for the NT or minutes coming out. Did the "millionaires" lawfully purchase property and now the government is telling them they cannot use it for their own benefit? Or did the "millionaires" try to get the government to use eminent domain to force a property owner to sell their home? Either one of these situations is government encroachment on personal liberties.
Read the legals in the paper and you will understand the situation. Chapman LLC petitioned the zoning board for a property change from residential to business at a location along Shooting Park Rd. that had a couple of homes that they wanted to take over. Fortunately the citizens signed petitions to stop the zoning change.
11:45 please don't make such silly remarks about public comment.
What would you expect one to say? A citizen can't ask questions or seek clarity because to seek clarity you must ask questions. Therefore public comment is only public comment.
What's Bobs salary, what's assistance salary, what are total expenditures we pay in economic development? These are questions that can't be answered by a comment. We should be able to look that up in the transparent minutes however they are unlikely to be there.
I agree this new guy is a follower for sure.
Recently there was also approval given to hire a part timer for the clerk's office. Does anyone know who that person is and if and when they started?
2:03
the zoning board is not to be thanked for stopping the change - the zoning chairman (mr. biederstedt) sold mr. chapman the property (for his son in law jim spelich to relocate his office) (we need to remember this when he is up for re-election for treasurer again) and instead of excusing himself he voted along with others to recommend the zoning be pushed through. mr. radtke & mr. payton voted against the zoning and the others followed.
@10:30 Thanks now i am really confused where is the HELP button to start over?
Post a Comment