PRESS RELEASE

The Peru Municipal Electoral Board will convene on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. to address the objection to the petition for nomination filed by Mr. David P. Potthoff. 

Mr. Potthoff is objecting to the petition of nomination filed by Mr. Aaron Buffo, who is seeking election to 4th Ward Alderman in the City of Peru. Mr. Buffo is seeking election at the April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election.

The Potthoff/Buffo hearing will begin at 5:00 p.m., January 2, 2019. The hearing, which is open to the public, will be held in the Council Chambers of the Peru Municipal Building, 1901 4th Street, Peru, IL

The complaint is evidently concerning inproperly or missing page numbers and 3 names that the complaintant  believes are incorrectly written on the petition to run as an alderman of the 4th ward.

And Across the River from Peru and La Salle is Oglesby

And Across the River from La Salle Peru is Oglesby

And all of this is happening and true. Nice job Oglesby which has the luck to be located near to  two much visited state parks: Starved Rock and Mathiesson also known locally as Deer Park.

Shared Services Peru and La Salle Ilinois Encountering Delays.

http://www.newstrib.com/free/cities-disagree-on-timeline-for-shared-police-services-agreement/article_99e47622-dd17-11e8-8bc1-e76df09ce000.html




Delays in the Agreement and Construction of a New Facility.l

Continuation of Possible Consolidation (Shared Services) La Salle and Peru Only

http://www.newstrib.com/free/la-salle-stays-on-board-with-shared-policing-study/article_ae0933b4-aac6-11e8-8f7e-37a3906edf2b.html
Is this happening because of poor fiscal management regarding the  pensions of retired police officers?

Will this really solve the issue or just create new ones?

Ogesby to Remove Itself from the Shared Services (Police)

Oglesby to Remove Itself from the Shared Services (Police)

Map of Proposed Casey Convenience and Nearby Residences

Additional Information of Area:

People of Peru and the IV were aware that a Casey’s wants to be built at the corner of Rt. 251 and Shooting Park so many who don’t live in that area might think who cares it’s not near my house. The proposed zoning change does not just relate to this B2 zoned parcel of land. If the language of the B2 ordinance is amended then it changes all B2 zoning to include a Casey’s or the like. This is a zoning map of Peru. The Red area is currently zoned B2. This area is northeast of a very beautiful and expensive residential area of Peru. provided by Julie Ajster.

Before Oglesby there was La Salle Officials on Board But Are the Police Officers?

http://www.newstrib.com/free/la-salle-oks-cost-sharing-for-study-on-shared-police/article_cc5d6596-8970-11e8-96cf-c71b0966bed3.html

Oglesby Chips in Funding to Study Location for SSLOP

http://www.newstrib.com/free/oglesby-ok-s-for-shared-police-station/article_fe882752-8a9e-11e8-ab1e-5f9adb223d2d.html


At the last meeting of the SSLOP Commissioner Argubright was present and asked some questions. More questions need to be asked by the La Salle and Oglesby representatives. As we know Peru will not publicly ask any questions of their Police Chief/City Administrator.-Manager.
La Salle also had a Alderman present not as part of the committee like Ald. Potthoff of Peru but as a member of the public asking.

LOPSS Committee Possibly Coming to a Standstill

http://www.newstrib.com/free/shared-police-committee-tables-spending/article_9f2584b2-7a13-11e8-a35a-8fb489bc9990.htmlLOPSS Committee Possibly Coming to a Standstill

It Is a Matter of FOIA and the LAW

Peru Police Chief Douglas Bernabei does it again. Remember when Officer Buffo spoke up at a SSLOP meeting about IVRD 911 and then a few days later this PR piece appeared in the News Tribune saying how the dispatchers foiled a Facebook scam. Well, at the time I questioned the accuracy of the article and Bernabei's account of the events so I sent a FOIA request to the Peru Police for the incident report, CAD, etc. This request was denied by Bernabei claiming it was on ongoing investigation. Bernabei denied the request because he didn't want me fact checking his News Tribune PR piece. Here is what happens:

May 30, 2018 a lady reports to the Peru Police Department that she sent $3,000 to Florida as a result of a Facebook request and now she believes she was scammed. The complaint is investigated by Peru Police Officer Damron not IVRD as Bernabei claims in the article. Damron asks IVRD dispatcher Sienkiewicz to submit a request to the post office to stop the package. Presumably because IVRD has internet access. Package is tracked and is going to be returned. No further investigation or activity.

June 4, 2018 Victim came into the Peru Police Department to say that she received her money back and thank the officers. From May 30-June 4 no further investigation is done.

June 4, 2018 Douglas Bernabei provides the News Tribune with the "details" of this foiled scam.

June 5, 2018 article appears in the News Tribune the facts of which seem odd since dispatchers don't investigate crimes.

June 5, 2018 I send a FOIA to the Peru Police Dept for the incident report and other documents.

June 6, 2018, after receiving my FOIA request and more than a week after the initial complaint came into the department, Bernabei transfers the case to a detective for him to review.

June 6, 2018, I receive a denial of my FOIA request saying it's an active investigation.

June 7, 2018, I send a complaint to the Attorney General's Office as a result of the Peru Police Department's denial of my FOIA request.

June 18, 2018, Attorney General sends letter to Peru Police Department via email regarding my FOIA complaint. The AG's letter asks for explanation for the denial of my request because a pending prosecution or active investigation is not a valid reason to deny a FOIA.

June 19, 2018, after the AG's scathing letter and 13 days after the case was assigned to a detective, a peru detective makes a few calls to some post masters and then says no further leads, case closed. Mind you this detective did no work on this case from June 6-June 19.

June 19, 2018, I receive a response to my FOIA request and an email saying that the case was closed 6/19/18 as no further leads and here are your records.

It is clear from this timeline, that the Peru Police Department opened an investigation for the sole purpose of denying my FOIA request because the documents produced in response to the FOIA clearly show that Chief Bernabei misrepresented to the News Tribune the actual facts of this incident. After receiving a letter from the Attorney General's Office which clearly tells PPD that even an active investigation doesn't negate my being entitled to the documents pursuant to FOIA then and only then does Bernabei admit defeat and give me the documents.

It is disgusting that Bernabei gives IVRD all the credit with no mention of the police officer or detective.

A Chief of Police lying to a News Paper and the public and intentionally denying FOIA requests should be grounds for immediate termination. ...Julie Ajster.

This Is An Abbreviated Version of the SSLOP Shared Service LPO

http://www.newstrib.com/news/oglesby-and-peru-pitch-possible-sites-for-shared-police-station/article_0cbd10d8-6e9f-11e8-8837-bf5acdd72513.html


This is the meeting as seen through the eyes of our local media.

June 12 @ 6 PM SSLOP Meeting in Peru TONIGHT

Tuesday June 12, 2018 at 6 p.m. there will be a meeting at the Peru City building where the building and grounds committee of SSLOP will discuss possible locations of the new police station; Old Jewel or IVCC

Why can't this committee get its self together and plan and announce their meetings at least a week in advance.  Truly seems to be in favor of only communicating with its members and not the people who will be most affected by their decisions.

Bernabei was heard to say NO REFERENDUM. Maybe this needs to be taken to a higher level and seek actual legal input on the activities taking place.

Quad City Coca Cola Facility to Move to Walcott Iowa

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/coca-cola-distributor-relocating-facility-143-jobs-to-iowa-from-rock-island/

An indication of what is happening to areas where cities are border cities. So easy to move from the Quad Cities to Wolcott Iowa. This is an ongoing problem and will continue until and when Illinois once again becomes competitive with the border states with regard to taxing business.

Sure it will affect a small number of people in Illinois but we are being hurt not only in the Quad Cities on the Mississippi but even as far inland as the Illinois Valley when business does this.

Hey Jim, I always remember why you moved to Iowa, lower taxes. Didn't understand at the time but do now.

The New Beginnings Taking Place in Peru at the Westclox Complex

http://www.mywebtimes.com/2018/05/30/westclox-resurgence-more-than-20-businesses-call-old-peru-factory-home/a9908lm/

If you like me have not informed about all that is going on in the Westclox bldg., you will enjoy reading this article from the Ottawa Times.

SSLOP Known as Shared Services La Salle Oglesby Peru

SSLOP committee appears to be charging ahead full speed without the approval of the citizens being affected by the changes and if it does as it appears to be on target for change, the only choice will be for the people to take it to the ballot box.  Logically there needs to be a referendum in La Salle, Peru and Oglesby to determine what the people who will be affected by the change think about it. That would be the democratic way but I somehow believe that is not what the committee has in mind.

And perhaps it is not the way that those most affected by the Bernabei Solution want the police departments managed in their cities.

Comments Being Moved to FB

All future comments to any PTF blog can be written on the Peru Town Forum Blog Facebook page. I will continue to post here but due to the animosity being shown by specific individuals under the guise of ANON it was necessary to make changes.  Certain people have chosen this venue as a way to get back at any information posted that they do not want to see the light of the day. The only difference will be names will be shown on FB.
Most of us don't like to shadow box with people and those that are being derogatory don't have the courage to put their names on the page and others fear retribution by the power brokers in town. Sad to see but the situation requires changes.
Thanks for all that posted in a positive and honest way. And to those with ill intent who wish to destroy any honest discussions for whatever your fears may be  can talk among yourselves.

I would like to add that I recently had a conversation with someone who was looking to buy a home in Peru because our schools are so good also said that I hear your politics are not so good. That is correct our politics are not so good here in Peru.

Just Asking. Will You Be Keeping the New Oversize Garbage Cans in Peru?

We have  our brand new shiny plastic garbage totes and find them to be too big, way too big. Storage is a problem as is the cumbersome issue and all this for not more than one bag, sometimes small and sometimes enough to fill the old metal can we have used for years. So we are calling for an exchange.

Perhaps we should have been surveyed or been obliged to call for the size most convenient for each family or individual. Your thoughts on this.

Peru City Council

http://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-attorney-says-she-plans-to-take-city-to-court/article_ca1aa686-58ab-11e8-8d20-2f65d96a8f8f.htmlhttp://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-attorney-says-she-plans-to-take-city-to-court/article_ca1aa686-58ab-11e8-8d20-2f65d96a8f8f.html

What Streets in Peru are Being Resurfaced??

I just watched a short video put out by the City of Peru showing all the repairs being done and most looked to be in the St John's subdivision. Is your street on the repair list?

Looks like most of the East End of Peru which has some very bad streets and a couple are major thoroughfares are being ignored. Several people have commented that one of the streets being resurfaced is the one that Alderman Payton lives on and a few more in the Marquette Manor II subdivision.

In times past Aldermen were allowed to suggest repairs to a certain number of streets in their ward but evidently that is old news and they no longer are doing that.

Do you live on a street that is being ignored or on a street being repaired?

Pontiac Illinois is Opening a Sports Theme Splashpad at What Cost

http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/20150618/NEWS/150619561

This is a Whole Lot of Property - Becoming Peru City Property

http://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-council-approves-purchase-of-acres-at-site-of-the/article_cde3eb90-4cdc-11e8-9a02-0be97ebf3b99.htmlat is a Whole Lot of Property

Summer Is Coming Time To Think Outdoor Time, Community Events

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-on-state-2018-tickets-45625047746?aff=efbneb Illinois Summer Fun

This looks like so much fun for people of all ages and an event to know your neighbors in your city. Every year people complain that our city does little in the way of providing events for all ages.  Here is an idea.

Bergners Will Be Liquidated and The Mall Will Be????

http://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-bergner-s-among-stores-expected-to-be-liquidated/article_52020f98-43ef-11e8-984b-03521fe5ea9b.html

City of Peru Accused of Illegal Closed Meetings by Illinois AG

          http://www.newstrib.com/free/illinois-attorney-general-s-office-asks-peru-to-release-parts/article_4670392e-43dc-11e8-8880-0f197c92dc90.htmlIllegal Closed Session Meetings

No Swimming Pool and Lots of Flowers and a Splashpad

And to Think the City Could not Fund a Swimming Pool

Tragedy in Peru Highlights Technology Available .....Should Peru Invest in This?

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-the-police-fire-ambulance-can-change-traffic-lights-on-the-fly-Can-they-push-a-button-that-immediately-turns-the-red-light-greenTragedy in Peru Highlights Technology Available .....Should Peru Invest in This?




To be honest this is something I never ever thought about until this accident between an ambulance and another vehicle this past week. While talking to family, I was told that for many years Ottawa has had this type of technology and used it to get the ambulance through the main arterials of the city. And then someone told me that yes it is still in place and works.(OTTAWA)

Peru has several intersections with a great deal of traffic: Rte 6 and the intersection with Peoria and Shooting Park Rd, intersecting with Rte 251. Granted we have gone many many years safely but drivers of today seem to be involved in many more accidents and they are more distracted by various devices they are using.

Thoughts on this

3/27/18 Police Committee Meets Again, Sounds Like it is Moving Along

3/27/18 Police Committee Meets Again, Sounds Like it is Moving Along



http://www.newstrib.com/free/cop-committee-ok-s-architects-law-firm-updated/article_a28b9a08-3227-11e8-b19c-d7ccab60bbf7.html

Ice Hockey May Soon Arrive Across the Street From You on Plain and.or 12th St.

Ice Hockey May Soon Arrive Across the Street From You on Plain and.or 12th St.


Have the aldermen consulted neighboring residents? Thoughts on location of proposed rink.  I was under the illusion that this would be a neighborhood skating rink for our cities residents. Evidently many of us were misled.


I happened to find myself in a conversation with a "Hockey Mom" today. She talked about most of the hockey teams prefering to use the indoor ice rinks in some of the larger cities.  Evidently the ice rink at Echo Bluff has "coolers" to maintain the ice during periods of warmer weather in the winter. This link has some answers.


http://www.customicerinks.com/plan-FAQ.html

May 23, 2015 Looking Back at the Change in Peru Government and Now

http://www.newstrib.com/news/local_news/peru-may-revamp-unusual-administrative-structure/article_132de426-e7cc-5527-987c-a31a7f7f412f.html



An interesting look back at how Peru has evolved into the current structure of the city.  Read  the comments made by current Administrative Employees' How many positions will one person be allowed to have?  It appears that the newly developed proposition of a combined Police Dept., might have an affect on the structure of the Peru Administration.

If the new design of police service in the Illinois Valley actually takes place, will it change the structure of Peru government? When the 2015 changes were made, maybe there should have been a required evaluation of how well it is working or not and it should have been designed to have public input as well as employee input, within a specific time frame such as 3 or 5 years.

Take a few minutes to read the news from 2015 and share your thoughts.

Peru and Oglesby OK Expenditures to Further the Combined Police Station

http://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-oks-police-committee-spending/article_8b53795a-2156-11e8-9bdc-e3bc08daf541.html


Supposedly this is a payment toward Legal Expeditures of the venture being floated of a combined police force for the entire Illinois Valley of La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Spring Valley. At this point it seems that people posting to the blog have more questions than answers about the possibility of building a combined force with the prevailing opinion that the building will be located in Peru.

Will the legal team be looking into all local ordinances to see if all cities have the same rules created? On something this serious, I believe a Public Referendum needs to be held within each of the cities because if you don't have the people backing your venture, you will have problems with an area that is already losing population.

Illinois Valley Chiefs Continue on Their Mission -- Maybe

Illinois Valley Chiefs Continue on Their Mission ---Maybe 

http://www.newstrib.com/free/police-shared-services-committee-recommends-some-spending/article_f29ee1c6-1c9c-11e8-9f8d-b79fd4c5fa99.html



Please read the previous posting as there were 6 new comments that relate to this post, that came in before I made a new post bout the committee.

Update for Your Information - Snow Being Plowed with City Vehicles on Private Property

http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/02/peru-il-police-chief-cites-nonexistant-state-law-oks-illegal-use-of-public-vehicle/

Combining Police Departments Tried Elsewhere - Will the IV Be Successful?

http://www.newstrib.com/free/local-effort-to-combine-police-services-has-been-tried-elsewhere/article_f6c81f1http://www.newstrib.com/free/local-effort-to-combine-police-services-has-been-tried-elsewhere/article_f6c81f16-0df0-11e8-9f7b-1724c7c3dabd.html6-0df0-11e8-9f7b-1724c7c3dabd.html




One thing not mentioned that I thought of after viewing the picture associated with this article that has not been mentioned. The Peru Police Chief is also the City Administrator. Does this put a different light on this picture or not? I'm not sure but certainly it adds another dimension to it. In the other cities the Police Chief  is not the Mayor or City Administrator.

New Police Station Innovation Venture by La Salle Peru Oglesby and Spring Valley

http://www.newstrib.com/free/cop-co-op-group-has-first-meeting/article_e6884c28-0c26-11e8-87e9-

bb3729320e5f.html

So far Peru has been the driving force behind this new venture headed by Peru Police Chief Bernabei. 

Appears to be many questions and I don't understand if it does not involve shared police forces what is the purpose of constructing a bldg. to be used as the headquarters for all the police departments?

Anyone have the answer? From this news article it sounds like the question was asked but I did not see an answer. Thanks to Art Giese and Julie Ajster for being present to represent not only themselves but the general public and hopefully will encourage others to also attend and ask questions.

Lawsuit Against the City of Peru Discrimination by City and Peru Fire Dept.

http://www.newstrib.com/free/perez-sues-city-mayor-fire-chief-for-discrimination/article_ec96f7b8-0848-11e8-a0a1-4f3614da5cff.html

This undoubtedly will become a nasty topic with defenders on both sides. Be aware that your comment may not be posted or may be deleted if automatically posted. In other words I want no personal or racial discrimination comments as I am well aware that that problem exists within our City.

If you have facts that can be verified it will be accepted.

Ottawa Mayor Finishing Last Term of Office Ending 2019

http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/eschbach-completing-final-term-as-ottawa-mayor/article_85cc8331-8668-51db-8bad-155fcaafeb0b.html


Found this is to be good read for those interested in reading about Municipal Success from the view of a current Mayor. Admire his philosophy about how to manage a successful city or a successful anything.  It's all about having a plan.

Peru and the New Plans for a Much Desired NEW Police Station

Is our police chief putting the cart before the horse? Or is he just not putting important information in the public venue?

When the meeting between Mayors Harl, Grove, Finley and Marini took place last week, it was the first most people knew about the desire of Police Chief/City Administrator Bernabei to consolidate the Police Departments of Spring Valley ( his former home turf), Peru, La Salle and Oglesby under one roof. And within a week the request to the City Council of Peru to approve a $70,000 design for the police building happened.  Well Almost!

City Engineer Eric Carls was set to get the wheels rolling on this at the meeting but after some discussion by the council and the residents attending the mtg, it was approved but that was all and I understand before the design is developed, the city will need the approval of all the committees of the cities involved . Lots of questions about needing a public referendum in each city for citizens to approve.

Peru Police Chief is promoting this possibility but between the 4 towns we currently have 4 Police Chiefs so what happens if approval happens since no one is going to lose their jobs, what about all the excess police chiefs, will they all retire? Or maybe none of them! Would we need a Police Chief that is not currently serving any of the cities?

This is not something that should happen quickly and it should be thoroughly researched and with the public involved at all levels. The motivation is said to be monetary savings in HUGE AMOUNTS. But the figure given was over a 60 year time frame. At that time frame, logically none of the current employees in any of the police departments will be working in that capacity and it sounds like a play on numbers to get approval. Would this require approval on the state level?

Your questions are?

Starved Country in China

http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/starved-rock-country-on-the-map-in-china/article_b7b1e535-933a-51b3-ba9f-1fbdebb48a13.html

Four police departments look to cooperate

Four police departments look to cooperate

A few years ago the Regional Dispatch evolved and is in place at the Peru Police Station, supposedly because the initial proposal was to place a new bldg  to be constructed on the grounds of Illinois Valley Community College but then the state ran short of funding and everything was put on hold and dispatch continues in Peru.

Is that plan gone? What happened behind the scenes ? Is this part of the original regional center in Oglesby? Where are the details? I watched the WLPO video on FB and it was interesting to watch the demeanor of all the Mayors but really got no more details than the paper version. Facial expressions as always are interesting.

Peru Mayor Harl and Economic Director Off to Vegas in May Searching for More Retail

Peru Mayor and Economic Director Off to Las Vegas

This year our Volunteer Economic Director, Robert Vickery is taking Peru Mayor Scott Harl along as a companion on his yearly trip to Las Vegas. They claim success on previous trips when Vickery traveled with D. Biederstedt.

I noted the emoji's at the bottom of the article and the angry red one seemed to be the winner.  I don't believe anyone currently sitting on a council or in any other of the many new positions created by the Mayor in the last several years are in touch with the residents of this city. None of the businesses mentioned as previous wins are anything the residents would choose to bring into the city. We don't know about Chipotle because they are not constructed yet. Hilton Hotel is also only on paper and this hotel is only one of others being built nationwide and locally one is going up in Streator also. The website for that information is an interesting read  about the many many hotels either in the planning or construction phase.

Just mention the same complaints the residents have given this past few months.
1.  Poor scheduling of the Peru Ice Skating Rink installation for the winter. Might as well forget it for this year.
2.  Downtown Peru had no Christmas spirit and/or color and inability to install the proposed decorations in other Peru locations.
3.  Spending tax dollars poorly while our population is moving downward.

These are my personal opinions as a long time resident of this city.  Yours may be different entirely and feel free to comment and share yours.