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
I agree totally with the author of the letter. The Peru library is the best bargain in town. We have used it for years. In addition, we have taken advantage of its many programs. We are members of the Friends of the Library and have directed memorial gifts to the library. I have yet to see a council member in the building. When they eliminated cutting the grass and plowing the snow, they showed how petulant they were after learning how wrong they were. There is no better use of tax dollars in Peru.
Can anyone put together a properly constructed problem statement for the issue that the library is supposed to solve? More importantly, what other government service should we cut to support the library? Should we do without fireworks? That might be the answer. Should we do without a few police men? Should we do without a new fire truck?
Government is not here to give us something to do. Government is not here to make sure our kids have a place to play games or surf the internet. The schools take care of education. Adults have many options for reading available in the private sector at almost zero cost.
I say the old brick and mortar library is no longer required. For the price it takes to maintain that system everyone could have internet access.
I don't think that they proposed to closing the library or cutting them back. I think the radio mentioned that they have half million in the bank and salaries increased 30% in one year. Maybe they need some one to tell them to take it easy on us taxpayers. I don't know if anyone today can validate enlarging the library with the internet and the ability to research anything on-line. And do we need a township? Probably not. Every aspect of government taxing bodies should be reviewed and validated. Hopefully, we will get some elected that care about both the library and the tax needed to survive not expand. I give credit to a few of those who are willing to stand up and question where our money is going.
And do we absolutely need for the fire chief, the assistant chief, the engineer, the engineers helper, the meter readers, the foremen in the electric department, etc. to be riding around in huge gas guzzling SUV's? And do they each need their own vehicle? We keep complaining that our payroll is way down but yet we keep adding new vehicles to our fleet. Who's driving them? And now we've outgrown places to house these vehicles so we need to add a new structure to house these vehicles that I don't know who will be driving them because we have supposedly drastically cut our staff. I agree with you 3:12 let's tell them (and by them I mean our government officials) to take it easy on us taxpayers. I highly doubt that the library gave it's employees 30% raises in one year.
Our library should be teaching kids to read books or study some culture, not giving them another outlet to play video games and watch movies. Video games and movies are ruining my grand kids and all of their friends. I love our library but I am not happy they spend my tax dollars like that. I will vote for someone on the library board that will stop this nonsense.
Simply offering books will not keep the library open. Voters want free entertainment. That is all. They want the government to pay for fireworks, combination rock concerts and booze parties, and free video games and movies. That is the only way to get elected in Peru. Give the denizens something for "free."
Kudos to the letter writer. It's always gratifying when Peru's phony elected and appointed officials are exposed form what they really are. They are rubber-stamp hypocrites who spend and hire and hire and spend with a total disregard for the oath they took to represent the people of Peru. Peru's governemnt bureaocracy continues to grow in personnel and salaries designed to produce votes to keep the current phonies in power while dysfunction in every department runs rampant behind the scenes.
Your crazy about those vehicles used by city employees. The IRS mileage rate is .58 cents per mile. Should the city reimburse employees for driving their own vehicle? And those who take home those vehicles are subject to the IRS personal use that taxes them for the vehicle. If driving to some city location is part of their job its the city/employer responsibility to pay for that. Please give me any city that has the foreman, fire chief, or engineer drive their own car?
8:23 Video games and movies are not ruining your grand kids. The adults in charge of them are allowing them access to the games and movies and are therefore the culprits who are ruining your grand kids. I highly doubt they spend multiple hours amd multiple days at the library. I would bet they spend multiple hours on the couch in their home sitting in front of the TV either playing games or watching movies. The library is not the problem. The adults in charge of children are the problem.
The library is simply a method of providing government jobs. If they don't sit around all day at the library, they will sit around all day in some other government building.
9:23 I may be crazy but my point is do they all need huge gas guzzling SUV's? I'm also sure it would be a lot cheaper if we paid them mileage. Right now we buy the vehicles, maintain the vehicles, pay for all the gas and for insurance. I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper if we just paid them their gas mileage when they use their own vehicle to go to a job sight.
Why do I have to go to the Ottawa newspaper to find out about a new manufacturing company starting up in Peru? Why not the NT? I'll tell you why. Bobby V. had nothing to do with it and it will not bring in any sales tax dollars. Businesses like that are contrary to Peru's business development plan.
I know this is off topic but since it's close to the library I thought I'd voice my thoughts on the subject here. It's about the cell phone tower that's located in the outfield of the senior league diamond at Washington Park. I know the city gets rent from this tower but I wonder if they are aware of how much it is growing and are they getting an increase in rent as it grows? Today there is all kinds of heavy equipment in the park including semis and a huge crane. Does anyone know if the city is informed of these changes and additions because I have never witnessed any type of discussion at a meeting regarding this issue. Granted I don't attend nearly all of the meetings but I do usually read the minutes from them. I also wonder whether they need the city's permission before they bring their equipment into the park as it will, in all likelihood, do some damage. As this monstrosity grows I would personally be more leery of putting a splash pad or any type of water entertainment near it. It's also, in my opinion, a thorn in the middle of our park.
7:11 The story you are writing about is the story of the library. Tax and spend..........at least now they won't have the elected financial misers of the city looking to derail that train. Free videos, unlimited internet, and gaming stations are the present library offerings. Why should residents have to rent or buy entertainment when it is paid for by taxpayers. America wake up---Peru is just following the system of a few pay for the many free services offered. Did you know that any out of town patron can get the same book, check out the thousands of videos and take part in any library function on your dime? Peru we thank you for those tax dollars. Let's keep the oil running.......Your library will take the burden away from all other area libraries and tax the tails off of your Peruvians.
I know for a fact that many Peru workers are given a car as part of their job and they are allowed to drive anytime they want. It is also not reported to the IRS as compensation.
The Peru Fire Department command vehicle I've seen at banks in drive ups, burger king, etc... how about the assistant fire chiefs vehicle at lasalle post office???? Who is in charge here people? Wake up. The assistant fire chief also evidently banks at the bank off Wendel road, seen it there before. Lasalle state bank? Don't even get me started. Good night. New mayor needed and swipe the slate clean.
Peru rushes to sell a building for a hamburger joint that's still not there. They pay overtime wages for work not performed. They allow 2-man crews to ride around and read meters. They pay overtime to pick up garbage cans on Sunday. They allow illegal gambling to exist. They spend wasted dollars on pickleball and concerts. They don't supervise contractor's street,sewer, or curb repairs. They take income-producing land out of production for parking. They don't often clean city streets. They accept million dollar contracts without bids. and SOME CLOWNS WANT TO PICK ON THE LIBRARY ? give me a break ! The library is the best thing in Peru.
I have also seen the "command vehicle" parked at McDonalds, Wendy's and as well at Shakers in Ottawa!. A friend of mine has a company car that he is able to take home and use it for personal use, however he has told me that he must claim any and all personal mileage to the IRS! His company also adds 6500.00 to his base salary as they consider part of the car as compensation. He also told me that he pays for all the gas and is reinbursed at 10 cents a mile for company business only-this is to avoid employees form using company gas cards for personal mileage use.
I still cannot believe that people are not upset that their tax dollar was used to create a private restroom for the mayor. I also cannot believe that citizens don't realize that if our employee list has been decreased significantly who's driving all these new vehicles we keep purchasing? All these new vehicles that no longer fit in the building that's been used forever. I realize the building does need replacement but only because it's so dilapidated, not because we ran out of room.
5:11, anybody can say they saw this or that, show me some proof, pictures for instance, did you turn them into the clerks office. Until you show some proof, I think your a liar.
8:50 AM, April 02, 2016 - but they have run out of room. Lets see, we have the Zamboni, the Sewer Sucker, the street sweeper, enough lawn mowing equipment for a golf course, cars and trucks for every employee.... yes, I can see how they run out of room. The Mayor likes big trucks. He grew up playing with big trucks and worked with big trucks all his life. Maybe he needs big trucks to
5:14, what kind of proof do you want? My friend has emails and text messages from him to his wife who works in Ottawa (Shakers). He cant be trusted, this is who we (mayor) appoint? He has no morals and cant be trusted!!!
3:32 The library district is different from the City of Peru taxing district. You don't have to pay Peru property taxes to be in the library district. You can still live outside of Peru and pay no property taxes and still be allowed to use library resources without charge. Some people were talking at school about the library and were upset that wages increased by 30% in one year and the employees pay nothing for health insurance with the same gold plan as city employees. They also complained that there are never new best selling books to check out.
yup, and I hear people saying that gas is so cheap that the state should increase the tax. we will see when it goes back to $4.00. only a matter of time.....
9:50, protecting his family from what, there isn't a thing anyone in the administration can do to you without hurting themselves, tell the truth and quit being paranoid or stay off the blog, it's that simple!
9:50, protecting his family from what, there isn't a thing anyone in the administration can do to you without hurting themselves, tell the truth and quit being paranoid or stay off the blog, it's that simple!
39 comments:
I agree totally with the author of the letter. The Peru library is the best bargain in town. We have used it for years. In addition, we have taken advantage of its many programs. We are members of the Friends of the Library and have directed memorial gifts to the library. I have yet to see a council member in the building.
When they eliminated cutting the grass and plowing the snow, they showed how petulant they were after learning how wrong they were.
There is no better use of tax dollars in Peru.
.... said an insider.
Can anyone put together a properly constructed problem statement for the issue that the library is supposed to solve? More importantly, what other government service should we cut to support the library? Should we do without fireworks? That might be the answer. Should we do without a few police men? Should we do without a new fire truck?
Government is not here to give us something to do. Government is not here to make sure our kids have a place to play games or surf the internet. The schools take care of education. Adults have many options for reading available in the private sector at almost zero cost.
I say the old brick and mortar library is no longer required. For the price it takes to maintain that system everyone could have internet access.
I see there is a new advertisement in the NT masquerading as news...
"Illinois Valley businesses feel the squeeze."
I don't think that they proposed to closing the library or cutting them back. I think the radio mentioned that they have half million in the bank and salaries increased 30% in one year. Maybe they need some one to tell them to take it easy on us taxpayers. I don't know if anyone today can validate enlarging the library with the internet and the ability to research anything on-line. And do we need a township? Probably not. Every aspect of government taxing bodies should be reviewed and validated. Hopefully, we will get some elected that care about both the library and the tax needed to survive not expand. I give credit to a few of those who are willing to stand up and question where our money is going.
And do we absolutely need for the fire chief, the assistant chief, the engineer, the engineers helper, the meter readers, the foremen in the electric department, etc. to be riding around in huge gas guzzling SUV's? And do they each need their own vehicle? We keep complaining that our payroll is way down but yet we keep adding new vehicles to our fleet. Who's driving them? And now we've outgrown places to house these vehicles so we need to add a new structure to house these vehicles that I don't know who will be driving them because we have supposedly drastically cut our staff. I agree with you 3:12 let's tell them (and by them I mean our government officials) to take it easy on us taxpayers. I highly doubt that the library gave it's employees 30% raises in one year.
No one does anything in Peru without getting something in return. The author of the letter gets his bread buttered by the library.
Our library should be teaching kids to read books or study some culture, not giving them another outlet to play video games and watch movies. Video games and movies are ruining my grand kids and all of their friends. I love our library but I am not happy they spend my tax dollars like that. I will vote for someone on the library board that will stop this nonsense.
Simply offering books will not keep the library open. Voters want free entertainment. That is all. They want the government to pay for fireworks, combination rock concerts and booze parties, and free video games and movies. That is the only way to get elected in Peru. Give the denizens something for "free."
Feel The Burn, Taxpayers!
Kudos to the letter writer. It's always gratifying when Peru's phony elected and appointed officials are exposed form what they really are. They are rubber-stamp hypocrites who spend and hire and hire and spend with a total disregard for the oath they took to represent the people of Peru. Peru's governemnt bureaocracy continues to grow in personnel and salaries designed to produce votes to keep the current phonies in power while dysfunction in every department runs rampant behind the scenes.
No, our schools should be teaching kids to read books and study some culture. The library is an unnecessary luxury and should be disbanded.
5:46
Your crazy about those vehicles used by city employees. The IRS mileage rate is .58 cents per mile. Should the city reimburse employees for driving their own vehicle? And those who take home those vehicles are subject to the IRS personal use that taxes them for the vehicle. If driving to some city location is part of their job its the city/employer responsibility to pay for that. Please give me any city that has the foreman, fire chief, or engineer drive their own car?
8:23 Video games and movies are not ruining your grand kids. The adults in charge of them are allowing them access to the games and movies and are therefore the culprits who are ruining your grand kids. I highly doubt they spend multiple hours amd multiple days at the library. I would bet they spend multiple hours on the couch in their home sitting in front of the TV either playing games or watching movies. The library is not the problem. The adults in charge of children are the problem.
9:23 AM, March 30, 2016- I saw the Peru Fire Department Command Vehicle parked at McDonalds at 7:00 AM today. Tell me that is official business.
The library is simply a method of providing government jobs. If they don't sit around all day at the library, they will sit around all day in some other government building.
9:23 I may be crazy but my point is do they all need huge gas guzzling SUV's? I'm also sure it would be a lot cheaper if we paid them mileage. Right now we buy the vehicles, maintain the vehicles, pay for all the gas and for insurance. I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper if we just paid them their gas mileage when they use their own vehicle to go to a job sight.
Why do I have to go to the Ottawa newspaper to find out about a new manufacturing company starting up in Peru? Why not the NT? I'll tell you why. Bobby V. had nothing to do with it and it will not bring in any sales tax dollars. Businesses like that are contrary to Peru's business development plan.
I know this is off topic but since it's close to the library I thought I'd voice my thoughts on the subject here. It's about the cell phone tower that's located in the outfield of the senior league diamond at Washington Park. I know the city gets rent from this tower but I wonder if they are aware of how much it is growing and are they getting an increase in rent as it grows? Today there is all kinds of heavy equipment in the park including semis and a huge crane. Does anyone know if the city is informed of these changes and additions because I have never witnessed any type of discussion at a meeting regarding this issue. Granted I don't attend nearly all of the meetings but I do usually read the minutes from them. I also wonder whether they need the city's permission before they bring their equipment into the park as it will, in all likelihood, do some damage. As this monstrosity grows I would personally be more leery of putting a splash pad or any type of water entertainment near it. It's also, in my opinion, a thorn in the middle of our park.
7:11 The story you are writing about is the story of the library. Tax and spend..........at least now they won't have the elected financial misers of the city looking to derail that train.
Free videos, unlimited internet, and gaming stations are the present library offerings. Why should residents have to rent or buy entertainment when it is paid for by taxpayers. America wake up---Peru is just following the system of a few pay for the many free services offered. Did you know that any out of town patron can get the same book, check out the thousands of videos and take part in any library function on your dime? Peru we thank you for those tax dollars. Let's keep the oil running.......Your library will take the burden away from all other area libraries and tax the tails off of your Peruvians.
3:10PM
Out of district people must pay for their library cards, Peru residents do not have to pay.
12:21 PM, March 30, 2016 - the "company car" is probably part of their pay package.
I know for a fact that many Peru workers are given a car as part of their job and they are allowed to drive anytime they want. It is also not reported to the IRS as compensation.
The Peru Fire Department command vehicle I've seen at banks in drive ups, burger king, etc... how about the assistant fire chiefs vehicle at lasalle post office???? Who is in charge here people? Wake up. The assistant fire chief also evidently banks at the bank off Wendel road, seen it there before. Lasalle state bank? Don't even get me started. Good night. New mayor needed and swipe the slate clean.
Peru rushes to sell a building for a hamburger joint that's still not there. They pay overtime wages for work not performed. They allow 2-man crews to ride around and read meters. They pay overtime to pick up garbage cans on Sunday. They allow illegal gambling to exist.
They spend wasted dollars on pickleball and concerts. They don't supervise contractor's street,sewer, or curb repairs. They take income-producing land out of production for parking. They don't often clean city streets. They accept million dollar contracts without bids. and SOME CLOWNS WANT TO PICK ON THE LIBRARY ? give me a break ! The library is the best thing in Peru.
7:59 AM, April 01, 2016 - maybe true. But everything must be addressed. Including the "waste" on the Mayor's Private Privy.
I have also seen the "command vehicle" parked at McDonalds, Wendy's and as well at Shakers in Ottawa!.
A friend of mine has a company car that he is able to take home and use it for personal use, however he has told me that he must claim any and all personal mileage to the IRS! His company also adds 6500.00 to his base salary as they consider part of the car as compensation.
He also told me that he pays for all the gas and is reinbursed at 10 cents a mile for company business only-this is to avoid employees form using company gas cards for personal mileage use.
I still cannot believe that people are not upset that their tax dollar was used to create a private restroom for the mayor. I also cannot believe that citizens don't realize that if our employee list has been decreased significantly who's driving all these new vehicles we keep purchasing? All these new vehicles that no longer fit in the building that's been used forever. I realize the building does need replacement but only because it's so dilapidated, not because we ran out of room.
5:11, anybody can say they saw this or that, show me some proof, pictures for instance, did you turn them into the clerks office. Until you show some proof, I think your a liar.
5:14 Believe 5:11. It is a fact. The command vehicle is used (and is allowed to be used) as his personal vehicle.
8:50 AM, April 02, 2016 - but they have run out of room. Lets see, we have the Zamboni, the Sewer Sucker, the street sweeper, enough lawn mowing equipment for a golf course, cars and trucks for every employee.... yes, I can see how they run out of room. The Mayor likes big trucks. He grew up playing with big trucks and worked with big trucks all his life. Maybe he needs big trucks to
5:14, what kind of proof do you want? My friend has emails and text messages from him to his wife who works in Ottawa (Shakers). He cant be trusted, this is who we (mayor) appoint? He has no morals and cant be trusted!!!
3:32 The library district is different from the City of Peru taxing district. You don't have to pay Peru property taxes to be in the library district. You can still live outside of Peru and pay no property taxes and still be allowed to use library resources without charge.
Some people were talking at school about the library and were upset that wages increased by 30% in one year and the employees pay nothing for health insurance with the same gold plan as city employees. They also complained that there are never new best selling books to check out.
11;05
Get the emails and text messages and prove what you are saying. If not you are a liar period.
Speaking of taxes...whaddya gonna do when SB3279 passes??? Another $.30 per gallon tax on gasoline!!!
yup, and I hear people saying that gas is so cheap that the state should increase the tax. we will see when it goes back to $4.00. only a matter of time.....
4:43-i dont lie!!!!, and my friend is protecting his family!!!! PERIOD
9:50, protecting his family from what, there isn't a thing anyone in the administration can do to you without hurting themselves, tell the truth and quit being paranoid or stay off the blog, it's that simple!
9:50, protecting his family from what, there isn't a thing anyone in the administration can do to you without hurting themselves, tell the truth and quit being paranoid or stay off the blog, it's that simple!
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