Mayor Harl, Candidates Rodney Perez and James Giodano debated public policy, ordinances etc. yesterday at a very well attended event in Peru. Yes I went and the only new comment I hears was that suddenly Mayor Harl always said he would like to serve 3 terms.
Wrong Mayor Harl and I am NOT the only one who adamantly remembers that you said probably in your campaign in "09.
I will not comment on the content of the debate which was series of questions asked by the audience because it would be only my opinion and we are more interested in yours and not political slogans but coming from you heart as a resident of this city of 9, 952.
JUST A WARNING FOR COMMENTS: I WAS AT THE DEBATE AND HEARD ALL OF IT AND IRREGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE I LISTENED CAREFULLY TO ALL OF THEM.
IF YOU START TROLLING WHILE BASHING THE OTHERS YOU COMMENT WILL NOT BE POSTED.
I SAY THIS BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE MAYORS FANS WROTE THIS MORNING AND DID NOT MEET MY STANDARD FOR THIS ELECTION AND IT WILL NOT BE PUT ON THE BLOG. BASHING THE OTHER CANDIDATES WHILE GLORIFYING YOURS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
In less than 48 hours we will know whether Peru will take a new path or continue on the same one as the past 8 years.
That reminds me that I must contact the city about a blocked sewer grating and damage to the berm on Prospect and 6th because I do not know who is responsible for damage and who is responsible for repair and almost forgot pinecones were blown all over the roadway. Is that the same as blowing grass clippings on the street?
23 comments:
I thought we were a city of over 10,000? Apparently people are leaving. I wonder why and is it the older or younger generation?
My data came from projected census figures for 2015, they are working on the 2016 but not available for cities yet and yes it is 2017. It appears that no one of any influence wants to believe this and have their blinders on.
The transcript actually said that Scott Harl would serve 3 terms, if elected. Not much to argue with the transcript.
I was surprised of the lack of new ideas from both of the challengers.
I was also surprised by the lack of research from both challengers?
Neither was aware of any financial facts, FEMA on water street, Tif program, demolitions or electric rates.
One candidate didn't have a opinion on the pool another quoted a price he got from talking to somebody and the incumbent said it's not financially ready.
The fireworks issue was one of the best questions. One candidate didn't have a opinion, one who as former Alderman promoted moving the fireworks from water street took a 360 and wanted it back on water street! And the current Mayor said that the work of the Park Board.
One economic work, the Mayor reviewed the many developments and the current work. Another candidate complimented the work and said the City can move up in the rankings, he didn't tell us how. And the other candidate would have a new team in place to assume the work? I took that as he wants to pay some relatives and friends to parade as the new team.
On the staffing issue the current Mayor discussed the cost saving and work of the staff, another candidate gave his I will evaluate everyone and didn't look like he had any thoughts on staffing. And the other candidate talked about what a good job they all did and he would hire more people to help out!
Term limits was another moment that all candidates looked for separate points of view. The Mayor discussed the ability of the people to remove office holders by elections, one candidate agreed but didn't agree with term limits, and the other said that the Mayor lied about his terms!
One wonders why people some run for office!
According to our Political Sign Ordinance only 6 signs are allowed on private property. The property at the northeast corner of Marquette Road has many more than 6 on it. Has this violation gone unnoticed because of who the land owner is? Do we only point out violations depending upon the individual who commits them? It seems to me that Mr. Perez was accused of putting up his signs too early when indeed he violated no ordinance by doing so. My point is let's treat all citizens of Peru equally. A violation is a violation no matter who you are.
1:23 PM People have been asking me about the transcript, why would you have access to it unless you are a part of the Harl team. No one else seems to be aware of it. Many of do actually remember during either his campaign or shortly after the win, he said he thought that 2 terms will be enough. So evidently he decided to change that number to 3 sometime after the first election.
Where did you get a transcript?
I thought each candidate was effective in his own way but certainly don't think that Mayor Harl did the better than the other two because he spent most of his time telling us what he felt were the accomplishments of his tenure. I think most of us look forward and not back.
12:08 PM, March 27, 2017
I left 6 years ago. The entire state is a mess. I loved Peru but the entire state is in shambles. If you look at the posts here arguing over the number of political signs, a swimming pool, and people who are not suited to run for office making decisions was more than enough. Read the comments here, the Illinois Valley doesn't care about education, infrastructure, and any forms of culture.
Just my answer
1:23 March 27
You must have blinders on because many of the things you accused the 2 mayorial candidates of can also be said of our current mayor. Most of his answers pertained to what has already happened not what his plans for the future are. As fast as we are getting some new businesses old ones are leaving town. Look around you. LaSalle, Utica, Ottawa are growing by leaps and bounds with family oriented activities, beautification problems, parades, fests, etc. Our mayor mentioned the airport concerts that no longer exist and bands concerts that he claimed occur weekly (I'm pretty sure that's way off). As far as the splash pad if it weren't for Mr. Happ and the Friends for the Peru Pool that too would not be on the table. Just food for thought before you enter the voting both and cast your ballot.
If Perez wins I predict he will get no support from the city council and he will not be able to get anything done. He needed to get some people to run with him and change over some of the aldermen.
9:16 Wishful thinking?
You have some quality alderman that place the city above any nonsense that any of the candidates may bring to city hall. One of the qualities of leadership is the ability of the leader to recognize and work with others to benefit one goal.
Footnote- You will need a solid plan and positive approach to work with those that currently hold jobs in city hall. It's not you lemonade stand! Part-time? Don't think any of them have demonstrated the business experience to lead.
I am not big a Harl supporter but when you are an incumbent, what is wrong with pointing out your accomplishments? Also, he decided to run for a third term. Is that a crisis? He is right. If you like one of the other candidates better, then vote for them. Most people in their right mind would not want that job. One of my biggest concerns is the amount of time that can be dedicated to the job. I am not sure how a person with a full-time job can do both but that is just me.
Also I am so tired of hearing how LaSalle and Ottawa are growing By leaps and bounds when they are not. They HAVE revitalized their downtowns, to which I give them credit. Every community is different.
As for population changes, it has shifted from downstate to the metro area or out of state for years. A few Peru haters will try to always make it sound like Peru is the most awful place and every place around us is just amazing. Each community has its strengths and Peru's is what most cities would want if they could. How many communities around us are building? We are and that is a total exception.
Let's just get the election over with and hopefully this time if Harl wins we won't here the crying about how it was "rigged" or aldermen are campaigning for one candidate or another or a third candidate was brought in to keep another from winning. Who cares? That is called politics and anyone who cannot handle that will never get my vote.
Lois, that the problem you are not fair, and everyone know you have different standards for "your friends" vs the rest of us
Better prepare yourselves folks. Harl will win with less than 50% of the vote again. This is Perez's fault, he had to make it a three way race. I actually think Perez will end up a distant third.
Can someone tell me why Giordano is running? The guy has never done anything in Peru and then shows up for the last two elections. This one is especially bad for Peru, because one on one Perez would absolutely beat Harl.
Both of the candidates are not strong enough to beat the incumbent Mayor one on one. What has Harl done wrong? Not build a waste of money swimming pool? Not given a job to former supporters?
The challengers don't have enough of anything to make a difference.
Quite frankly when you look at other neighboring towns you have some major problems and no races? Have they given up?
The answer is that politics and smart successful individuals don't go together in smaller towns. You have to give a full-time effort to the cause. Our area towns are large enough and need leadership.
7:55- Perez couldn't even win his own ward, and he was an incumbent. He has no chance to win this election for Mayor and he should not be in the race, all he is doing is splitting up the votes. Harl will absolutely win because it is a three way race.
Lois, why didn't anyone run against those aldermen?
On Monday, April 3rd during the council meeting "Splash Pad Park improvements will be reward to the lowest bidders as follows:
Contract 1 - SKI $503,711.25
Contract 2 R.L. Sohol $563,000.00
Contract 3 Leander Construction Inc. $730,000.00
The current Mayor's administration and major appointments are historically Peru's first imported leadership. This group has little concern with Peru but a huge interest of self gain i.e. multiple pensions, assuming responsibilities without proper qualifications to gain overinflated salaries, importing out of town residents to fill City of Peru occupations in unbalanced and increased percentages rather than our own Peru residents exhibiting nepotism and favoritism.
The lack of Peru's future can be witnessed by its lack of the presence of youth because of a "no job environment". It would be a better example for each of its leaders to limit themselves to their qualified positions rather than fill 3 to 4 others and to have a Mayor who believes this multitude are positive appointments.
Peru recently lost a electrical division of a local city firm and has many other firms exploring possibilities of doing the same because of higher than stated electrical rates.
Much of the retail structure is moving out and being replaced by internet sales or out of town endeavors. Peru's administration has been slow on the draw to retain its retail leadership created from 1965 to 2005 but extremely fast to waste money.
Yes, retail taxes have increased but what should they be and would be with a young Don Baker as Mayor.
For sure Mayor Baker would have never ignored and lost valuable growth property from north of Marquette Road east to the Airport Road by a LaSalle annexation.
He had a vision realizing that to expand you first needed land. Harl has claimed that Peru has recently had a increase of permits, Mayor are these one business closing and another replacing it, or the same business relocating, or maybe another gambling parlor? Think Mayor most of the businesses you and Vickrey have recruited are a accumulation of minimum wage one or two job hiring's. In comparison Peru has lost Office Max, Penny's, M.C. Sports, Jewel etc.
Much ado has been brought about Mayor Harl. Among those knowing him best would be his campaign managers of 2009 and 2013? What do his last strongest supporters think of him in todays real time.
It is a widely known fact that his large group of 2009 supporters were forgotten about by him as soon as he won. Most involved claim he is not the same man who they supported.
Your censorship of reasonable comments is completely ridiculous. You see the way it is supposed to work is someone makes a comment, and then another person comments in response. Sometimes there is a healthy debate. Sometimes people say stupid things. In the end, everyone can share their comments. I agree with leaving things off that are vulgar or deeply personal but all you have done is create a little space for a few people who agree specifically with you. That's fine of course but it's why you can barely get ten comments on a mayoral election that is tomorrow. Good luck and see you with the rest of the world on Facebook.
Heard on the radio this morning that the new splash pad park bid came in at $1,700,000. As close as I can figure we have roughly $500,000 in donations and the grant. Did we find that money tree, the one the mayor referenced during the forum, for the remaining $1,200,000 amount?
Nice win by Mayor Harl. He was the only candidate to run a positive campaign.
Great! four more years of BS. when are they going to stop putting stupid in our drinking water!
Post a Comment