Peru's Six-Term Mayor
Envisions Era of Growth

By D. J. BICE, News-Tribune Reporter

His demeanor is unassuming. His speech is sometimes hesitant as though marshaling uncertain thoughts.

Peru Mayor Donald Baker's appearance is deceptive, however; in reality he is a dynamic individual, whose foresight and deeds have molded Peru into a progressive leader in North Central Illinois. He is one of those "behind-the-scenes" people who get things done.

He is currently serving his sixth term as mayor. On the wall in his office hangs a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, which reflects, to some extent, the mayor's motives for volunteering his time and energy to public service for 21 years.

He points to the wall plaque as he explains why he has been mayor for six consecutive terms.

"It is hard to explain, but this statement by Roosevelt pretty well captures how I feel," Baker said, "It has been a hectic life, trying to promote a city and a business. It gets pretty frustrating sometimes, going in five different directions at one time, but I enjoy it. I don't know if I would be happy not being this busy."

Alderman Clem Wolf, who has known Baker for 41 years, said Baker has been responsible for much of Peru's growth and progress.

"He has always been able to pick the right things for the city and then go after them," Wolf said.

The alderman credited Baker with the development of Peru northward, including construction of a regional airport to serve the needs of the entire Illinois Valley. Baker had the vision to see where growth would occur and then he facilitated efforts in that direction, including development of the Peru Mall, Wolf noted.

The 56-year-old mayor saw the need for an airport 30 years ago and never gave up the dream of seeing it become a reality, Wolf added.

Perhaps most striking to Wolf is Baker's selflessness in putting the city's needs before his own.

"Baker has always been available to care for the city's needs, leaving his business for several days at a time when necessary," Wolf noted.

Alderman Ed Urban agreed with Wolf, noting that Baker is currently devoting much of his time and energy to acquire new businesses and more jobs for the area. Urban has known Baker for 22 years.

He, too, pointed to Baker's lifelong efforts to acquire an airport for the city and Baker's persistence in seeing it built. He cited a litany of improvements made in Peru while Baker has been mayor.

   • Revitalization of the former Westclox buildings, which is currently underway.

The Carus Corp. moved its headquarters into part of the renovated complex with the assistance of a low-interest loan from the city. Other businesses with bases at the sprawling complex include Diversifoam, Heptagon and Cookie Kingdom, Hammel Business Forms and American Vermiculite also use storage space in the old Westclox plant.
   • Beautification of the downtown area.
   • New fire station.
   • Additional water treatment plant.
   • Relocation of the police station at Fourth and West streets.
   • New library.
   • Acquisition of grants for development of Northeast Recreational Park.
   • Upgrading of parks and streets.
   • Elimination of the city corporate tax.

What does the future hold for Peru?

Baker envisions expansion of existing industry and the location of new industry in the northwest area, near Interstate 80 and the Illinois Valley Regional Airport.

"I think that's going to be the growth area of the entire Illinois Valley," Baker said. "I also predict we will

September 1987 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 21

see more technological type industry moving here. I would also hope to see some population growth.

"I also think we need to develop the agriculture part of our economy, establishing more grain processing plants in the area, instead of directly shipping the grain out. We have some of the finest farmland in the world here and excellent crops. We should try to develop processing plants that will use those products and ship them out by river.

"I also think the river will become more important in the future. Likewise, more and better river docking facilities should be developed in this area." •

Page 22 / Illinois Municipal Review / September 1987