Most days I have more questions than answers about the workings of the city and many of you do also. As far as I can tell, we have no plans for anything. The Friends of the Peru Pool is one small example of dedicated volunteers who want to work toward funding a pool in Peru at some time in the future. There is absolutely no cooperation from the city except a few words of praise for the hard working people who are trying to raise some funding. I have heard no explanation about what has happened to the money that would have been spent on maintaining the previous pool each year since it was demolished. This is a legitimate question and yet when Ms Noonan asked this question of the mayor at the last council meeting, his answer was "Proceed", meaning I won't answer that.
The city just voted to "give" a contract to TEST without going for bids, in spite of the fact that Mayor Harl ran 2 mayoral campaigns, saying this would be corrected when he would be elected Mayor and people do have that in print. And now when questions are asked on this blog about various aspects of our water service, bloggers immediately attempt to make them look foolish for even questioning the process and this only could be coming from TEST employees, families or friends,and elected officials. This administration has developed a network of contractors, aldermen and employees who makes sure that the votes always go in the right direction as directed by whom?
We have a smoke shop recently charged with selling illegal drugs which remains open, 2 smoke shops were raided at the same time and the other store in Spring Valley was closed while ours remains open. The minutes of a meeting at least 2 weeks ago said that legal counsel was working on this problem. It takes that long long to come up with an answer?
Communication is a vital function of any successful city and we have literally none. Your tax dollars are spent with or without your knowledge for the benefit of others ( as in retirement parties). In spite of the frequent announcement of how much sales tax the city is generating, it seems there is not enough to plan for the future or even for the average needs to maintain the city. Let's never forget we are so progressive we have a Lobbyist in Springfield looking out for our needs when what we really need is a City Manager.
All one has to do is drive around the city and it will speak for itself. Knowing that the people in La Salle and Peru carry a long history of resentment towards each other which I do not understand and I a resident of Peru my entire life have never felt that we as a city were ever any better than LaSalle. In fact there were times in the recent history of our city, I was frankly disturbed by happenings in Peru. The boundary line divides police, fire, ambulance but I hope that we are past the point that it makes a difference to the people of either city. I shop wherever I am getting the best buy and sometimes it is beyond either of the cities. We all have friends and family in both.
It is a worthwhile goal to hope that someday, city services would be combined to serve both La Salle and Peru in a fiscally responsible manner.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
EPA warns modernizing Chicago water system may boost levels of lead - Chicago Tribune
EPA warns modernizing Chicago water system may boost levels of lead - Chicago Tribune
This is not only about Chicago but many cities in the U.S including the Illinois Valley. The complete article is in todays Chicago Tribune and is almost a "must read" especially since water is on our mind. Meeting the EPA limits on lead is not good enough. Any time your water system is disturbed as a water main break, lead can be released into your water flow.
This is not only about Chicago but many cities in the U.S including the Illinois Valley. The complete article is in todays Chicago Tribune and is almost a "must read" especially since water is on our mind. Meeting the EPA limits on lead is not good enough. Any time your water system is disturbed as a water main break, lead can be released into your water flow.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Twin Peaks at La Salle-Peru, Illinois | Visitors' Guide | Chicago Reader
Twin Peaks at La Salle-Peru, Illinois | Visitors' Guide | Chicago Reader
Wonder what the traveler really thought about his trip, sometimes it takes an outsider to show what many of keep trying to get across to those who rule.
Wonder what the traveler really thought about his trip, sometimes it takes an outsider to show what many of keep trying to get across to those who rule.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Council Meeting Tomorrow 9/23
Mostly the meeting looks like routine business but this little snippet will be discussed again. Mayor Harl wants the pool to go out for referendum which I do not believe will pass. They can then say the people have spoken, end of issue for now
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Sodium in Public Water Supplies: An Increasing Public Health Concern
Sodium in Public Water Supplies: An Increasing Public Health Concern
It seems that I am not the only one concerned about the sodium we take into our bodies.
It seems that I am not the only one concerned about the sodium we take into our bodies.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
City Cracks Down On Spring Valley Smoke Shop « AM1220 WLPO News
City Cracks Down On Spring Valley Smoke Shop « AM1220 WLPO News
What is the status of the Peru shop, as of yesterday I was told it is open.
What is the status of the Peru shop, as of yesterday I was told it is open.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Peru Council Meeting September 9 Part II Vote on TEST Contract
It appears that City Hall does not wish you to see this council meeting as it is over a week and still it has not appeared on the city web site. This was done by a private party who attended the meeting last week.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Monday, September 09, 2013
Bidding on the Water/Waste Water Treatment is Over and No Bid Won and the People Lost by a 7-1 Vote
No surprises tonight except for Alderman Potthoff joining the clique. I really thought he was a thinking man but I guess I was thinking of the aldermen of the people he used to be.
Ald Sapienza needs to learn when people call him to express their opinions, they are calling him to solve a problem not to have him turn the tables by asking them how they would solve the issue before him. I think his loud demanding tone of voice might have discouraged anyone in the audience from voicing even one thought. He was nasty and should apologize to all who took the time to call him.
Ald Waldorf really looked pretty smug. Pulled one over on the people he represents and who cares if they don't agree.
Ald. Radtke tried to compare it to the police and fire going out for a contract.
Lukosus, Mueller and Ferrari were pretty quiet. Wonder if maybe they were thinking about all those people who wanted it to go for bid but they didn't have the hutzpah to vote for that solution.
Mayor Harl sat there in a chair, saying nothing, and I wonder if he was thinking about the times he said yes he wanted to have this contract go out for bid and how now he just couldn't jeopardize his office by expressing what he said when he was running for office. So now we all think he is just any old politician who would say anything to be elected and then throw all honesty and integrity out the window.
Atty Schweikert assured us that Christ Perra was 100% of the ownership. ??? I actually felt bad for Chris Perra that this city council put him on display when it wasn't necessary.
Last spring they should have started getting together information to go out for bids and explain to Chris Perra that the city needed to start following the rules they are supposed to and since this is a large contract extending for many years the city is required by Illinois Municipal law to do so.
In fact Ald. Sapienza further embarrassed Chris Perra by stating he had helped the city fight the fire at Westclox. Please remember that at the time of the fire TEST has an office in the Westclox building and I am sure he was trying to save and protect his own business.
An additional thought:
The council chambers were full to the brim with standing room only and yet during the last public comment, I thought perhaps a few people would express a comment pro or con and it was utter silence. After thinking about this, I believe that most of the people there had already talked to or emailed their aldermen and expressed their ideas to them and were there only to observe them as they discussed and voted on the TEST decision. If they were disappointed, I am sure they will share that with family and friends as will they talk to them about the attitude shown by their representatives.
Now the funny part which shows how uninvolved the mayor is, when no comments came forth, Mayor Harl sees his friend Vaccaro at the back of the room and says, Greg do you want to add anything about the BB gun club. Now why would he even say that?
It was almost like I want to talk about something I like or am interested in and I am not interested in water or waste treatment.
Ald Sapienza needs to learn when people call him to express their opinions, they are calling him to solve a problem not to have him turn the tables by asking them how they would solve the issue before him. I think his loud demanding tone of voice might have discouraged anyone in the audience from voicing even one thought. He was nasty and should apologize to all who took the time to call him.
Ald Waldorf really looked pretty smug. Pulled one over on the people he represents and who cares if they don't agree.
Ald. Radtke tried to compare it to the police and fire going out for a contract.
Lukosus, Mueller and Ferrari were pretty quiet. Wonder if maybe they were thinking about all those people who wanted it to go for bid but they didn't have the hutzpah to vote for that solution.
Mayor Harl sat there in a chair, saying nothing, and I wonder if he was thinking about the times he said yes he wanted to have this contract go out for bid and how now he just couldn't jeopardize his office by expressing what he said when he was running for office. So now we all think he is just any old politician who would say anything to be elected and then throw all honesty and integrity out the window.
Atty Schweikert assured us that Christ Perra was 100% of the ownership. ??? I actually felt bad for Chris Perra that this city council put him on display when it wasn't necessary.
Last spring they should have started getting together information to go out for bids and explain to Chris Perra that the city needed to start following the rules they are supposed to and since this is a large contract extending for many years the city is required by Illinois Municipal law to do so.
In fact Ald. Sapienza further embarrassed Chris Perra by stating he had helped the city fight the fire at Westclox. Please remember that at the time of the fire TEST has an office in the Westclox building and I am sure he was trying to save and protect his own business.
An additional thought:
The council chambers were full to the brim with standing room only and yet during the last public comment, I thought perhaps a few people would express a comment pro or con and it was utter silence. After thinking about this, I believe that most of the people there had already talked to or emailed their aldermen and expressed their ideas to them and were there only to observe them as they discussed and voted on the TEST decision. If they were disappointed, I am sure they will share that with family and friends as will they talk to them about the attitude shown by their representatives.
Now the funny part which shows how uninvolved the mayor is, when no comments came forth, Mayor Harl sees his friend Vaccaro at the back of the room and says, Greg do you want to add anything about the BB gun club. Now why would he even say that?
It was almost like I want to talk about something I like or am interested in and I am not interested in water or waste treatment.
Mike Hart's Opinion to the Blog
Subject: Peru Forum
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PRACTICES
During the Public Works
Meeting held on August 19, 2013 a discussion/recommendation to renew the
TEST contract was addressed. Both Alderman Waldorf and Alderman
Lukosus stated they recommended the renewal of the TEST contract without
going out for bids. They had Treasurer Hylla read a scenario of what
possible costs could be. He stated 6 full-time employees salary of
$315,000 per year and testing costs of $289,100 per year. Does TEST
currently have 6 full-time employees at the Water/ Waste Water plants
now? Or 4 full-time employees plus the cost of a secretary and company
President Perra. TEST has never explained how many are really employed
at the Water/Waste Water locations.
How many tests are
performed to achieve a cost of $289,100. I can understand biological
wastewater reporting and testing and chloride testing of drinking water
but at $100 to $150 a test this is an amazing amount of tests
preformed. TEST has held this contract without going out for bids for
many years. WHY? Do certain individuals own interest in this company
that are or were on the city payroll?
It is time to require our
City of Peru Administrators to place this contract out for bids. Why the
rush now, the contract does not expire until December 2013.
During the August 26, 2013
regular council meeting representatives from a Water/WasteWater
Treatment Company were in attendance and an elderly woman from Peru
sitting near them. The Mayor saw new faces and came over to ask what
their purpose was in attending the meeting. They stated their purpose,
the mayor left and had Clerk Bartley return to them and inform them they
would not be allowed to speak even during the Public Comment time at
the end of the meeting. The city was wrong according to the meeting
rules. Clerk Bartley called the representative on Tuesday to inform her
they were wrong. Citizens of Peru need to contact their elected
Aldermen and Mayor and voice their displeasure of a Carte Blanc contract
for TEST. I attended both these meetings and will continue to attend
meetings to get the correct information out to the citizens of Peru.
MIKE HART
PERU RESIDENT
Sunday, September 08, 2013
My First Ward Aldermen Replies to Me
Hello Lois. Thank you for your interest in the City of Peru. I have
heard from several citizens and listened to their opinions on this
matter, as well as doing my own research. All I can do is ask you the
same question I have been asking myself. "Is potable water and the
proper treatment of the city's waste water worth $57.16 to each resident
of Peru in 2014?" We are, after all, elected to look out for the health
of the community as well as the tax dollars.
Best Regards,
Becky Mueller
and
Best Regards,
Becky Mueller
and
Lois thank you for the e-mail this item will not come for a vote till september 9th, till then I willl be listening to feed back from my constituents.
Thank you
Alderman Tony Ferrari
If you live in the First Ward, you need to make sure that you call or email. Ald. Mueller has only heard several so please express your concerns to her. Ald. Ferrari would like to hear from you also.
Please let us know what you alderman says.
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Test Inc Suburban Laboratories Explain
Test Inc and Suburban Laboratories
Scroll down the page until you come to Suburban Laboratories in partnership with Test Inc. I would like to know more about this partnership and what do they do for Test or for Peru and what does Test do for them or is it none of our business?
Also I would also like to know the names of other municipalities (according to the N.T.) that they have contracts with because I am seeing a lot of smoke and would like to know where it is coming from.
Scroll down the page until you come to Suburban Laboratories in partnership with Test Inc. I would like to know more about this partnership and what do they do for Test or for Peru and what does Test do for them or is it none of our business?
Also I would also like to know the names of other municipalities (according to the N.T.) that they have contracts with because I am seeing a lot of smoke and would like to know where it is coming from.
Friday, September 06, 2013
The City Council Agenda is Available for Monday 9/9/13
The vote will be taken Monday as scheduled and you can believe that there is a lot of meetings going on in the city and you can bet some of their are against the OMA with the mayor meeting with his very trusted friends.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Peru City Council Meetings
Will the TEST contract be tabled? Our city atty gave many excuses for the super majority vote and seemed to be a cheer leader for TEST, so what comes next. Will you be at the council meeting and have you called your alderman? The majority would love to say that no one contacted them to express their views so be aware and be there.
Make sure you pass your News Tribune paper from tonight to your friends and neighbors and even make copies if need be. This Opinion from a Peru resident resonates what many have been expressing on the blog and to their friends about the lack of civility and rudeness expressed to them.
Make sure you pass your News Tribune paper from tonight to your friends and neighbors and even make copies if need be. This Opinion from a Peru resident resonates what many have been expressing on the blog and to their friends about the lack of civility and rudeness expressed to them.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
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