Friday, August 3, 2012

Season Ending For Movies In The Park


The final Movies in the Park for this season is taking place Friday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m. with the showing of “Cars” which is rated G. Movies in the Park are held at the Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake.

Pre-movie festivities including an ice cream eating contest begin at 7:00 and the movie will begin at dark.
Need more info? Contact the Crystal Lake Park District at (815) 459-0680.

Words Of Wisdom


"[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt."
--Samuel Adams

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Government At Work

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 –
8:15 a.m.—McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee –
Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Budget reviews for several County agencies are scheduled, including Senior Services Grant Commission, Regional Superintendent of Schools, Veterans Assistance Commission.

Resolutions to be considered by the Committee include:
  • Authorizing a contract with Delta Institute to provide technical assistance in the development of a five-year update to the McHenry County Solid Waste Plan;
  • Authorizing acceptance of a $75,027 Grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, creation of a fulltime Health Educator position and an emergency appropriation to the FY12 Health Department budget
  • Authorizing the acceptance of the AmeriCorps grant and an emergency appropriation to the FY12 McHenry County Mental Health Board Budget.

Words Of Wisdom

"Wish not so much to live long as to live well."

--Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1746

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Government At Work

THURSDAY AUGUST 2, --
8:30 a.m. – Planning and Development Committee –
Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget Reviews will be considered for the following
Planning and Development, Community Development Block Grant, Zoning Board of Appeals.

Other new business includes Waterfront neighborhoods plan initial findings report and Sign Ordinance Discussion.

Old business to be considered includes an Ordinance Amending Appendix G of the 1991 McHenry County Subdivision Ordinance Adopted February 19, 1980 as Amended.

A number of reports will be reviewed as presented from Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning; Community Development Block Grant; Historic Preservation Commission; Housing Commission.

Area Beach Closings

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 37 licensed beaches on Tuesday, July 31st.  As a result the following actions were taken:
  • Morrison Park Beach, Lily Lake, Lakemoor, is closed due to high bacteria levels 
  • Lake Park Beach (Main Beach), Crystal Lake, is on an advisory.
 Both beaches will be resampled today, Wednesday, August 1st.

 Wooded Shores, Wonder Lake is also on an advisory and will be re-sampled next week.

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (click Environmental Health, quick links, “beach testing results”) or call 815-334-4585.


Child Care At Crystal Lake Grand Oaks

The Crystal Lake Park District is now offering Child Care! Our newest program, Grand Oaks Child Care is now open and accepting registration.

Enrollment will continue throughout the year as space permits. The Grand Oaks Child Care program is licensed by the Department of Children & Family Services and will provide children ages 3-5 years old, a quality child care and education program.

The daily schedule will include literacy, music, art and dramatic play. Breakfast, lunch and snack will be served daily. 3 and 5 day schedules with full and half day options are available.

For further information contact Sam Thompson at (815) 459-0680, ext. 220 or via email sthompson@crystallakeparks.org


Words Of Wisdom

"What is the Constitution or the laws when it comes to ideological soul mates, especially young soul mates who remind the aging 1960s radicals of their youth?

Neither in this nor any other issue can the Constitution protect us if we don't protect the Constitution. When all is said and done, the Constitution is a document, a piece of paper. If we don't vote out of office, or impeach, those who violate the Constitution, or who refuse to enforce the law, the steady erosion of Constitutional protections will ultimately render it meaningless.

Everything will just become a question of whose ox is gored and what is the political expediency of the moment."

--economist Thomas Sowell

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 –
8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Transportation Committee –
Meeting in the McHenry County Transportation Building,
Several Resolutions are being presented for Committee approval, including one for supplemental services agreement and appropriation funds for the Charles J. Miller Road project. An additional $$265,451.18 is required for breaking the project into two separate contracts that were not identified in the original scope.

Another Resolution is authorizing a budget line item transfer in the Division of Transportation FY 2011-12 budget for Fuel, Oil and Grease, regarding a budge line item transfer from the Transportation/County Engineer and in conjunction with the County Administration to transfer $70,000 within the Transportation Budget to cover a shortage in the Highway Fund-Fuel Oil & Grease. This $70,000 shortage is due to the price of fuel oil which has dramatically increased from Fiscal Year 2011 by 7%. It has also increased 23% since Fiscal Year 2010.


A third Resolution the Committee is to consider awarding a $384,927.51 contract to Peter Baker & Son Company for maintenance resurfacing for Dunham Township. Bids for this project were opened July 11. This is the second annual bid letting for Township projects which are funded primarily through Township Motor Fuel Tax Funds.


8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Housing Commission Education Committee –
Meeting in the Planning and Development Department Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road Woodstock.

The Committee will continue consideration of the MBE/WBE Certification.

Also, planning is to get underway for the 2
nd Fair Housing Poster Contest fir 2013.

9:30 a.m. – Staff Plat Committee –
Meeting in McHenry County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A staff sketch plan review of the Evans Subdivision, 9822 Haegers Bend Road, Algonquin, is scheduled.


Also, a final plat review is scheduled on the Leuth Subdivision.

6:00 p.m. – Community Behavioral Health Safety Net Task Force –
Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Time is provided for public comment at the beginning of the meeting.

Following approval of minutes from the prior meeting, the agenda calls for a restatement of purpose, revisit indicators, and review allocation summary by provider, including Mental Health Board, Community Development Block Grant, United Way, and Senior Services.

7:00 p.m. Valley Hi Nursing Home Operating Board –
Meeting in the Valley Hi Nursing Home, 2406 Hartland Road, Woodstock.

New Business matters include: the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget; presentation to the County Board, a Resolution for an upgrade to the Clinical Software; and ZPIC Audits.


Old Business includes Medicare Part B prepay probe; Valley Hi Unionization Update; Open Meetings Training; IDPH Hearing Update.


The Administrator will also provide the Board with an update.


7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Department of Health, Animal Control Advisory Committee –
Meeting in the McHenry County Department of Health Crystal Lake facility, 100 North Virginia Street (Route 14,) Crystal Lake.

Under Old Business, a report is made that a second rabies and microchip event was held providing 17 microchips

A presentation is to be provided regarding the McHenry County Animal Control.


Free Concert At Crystal Lake Main Beach Tonight

Gather your family and friends to be a part of a long time summer tradition-FREE Concerts in the Park at Crystal Lake Main Beach (300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake).

For years, fans of music and those who cherish time together with their family have gathered at the Main Beach Band Shell to enjoy music and entertainment on the shore of Crystal Lake.

The group White Saddle is featured for this Tuesday. The concert begins at 7 pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, call the Program Weather Information Hotline at (815) 459-7275.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Final Movie In The Park -- Friday, August 3

The final Movies in the Park for this season is taking place Friday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m. with the showing of “Cars” which is rated G. Movies in the Park are held at the Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake.

Pre-movie festivities including an ice cream eating contest begin at 7:00 and the movie will begin at dark.
Need more info? Contact the Crystal Lake Park District at (815) 459-0680.

REMINDER--Pyott Road-Rakow Road Intersection Work Ongoing Tonight

Traffic at the Pyott Road/Rakow Road intersection will be affected by work on Monday night/TONIGHT, July 30th, into the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 31st.

The temporary asphalt ramps that have been in place will be removed.  Work will begin at 7pm TONIGHT and continue until 5am Tuesday morning. 


During the work, the traffic signals will be set to flashing red and flaggers will be posted at each leg of the intersection.  Although the flaggers will try to minimize the disruptions to traffic as much as possible, please be prepared for delays while this work is performed. 


Thank you for your continued patience
.

Loving Homes Needed- Senior To Senior Event

McHenry County Animal Control & Adoption Center (MCAC) will host an adoption event on Saturday August 4th from 10:30am-2pm at its Crystal Lake facility, 100 N Virginia Avenue.  Adoptions will be $40 for cats over 2 years and $60 for dogs over 5 years and include age-appropriate vaccinations, spay/neuter, FELV & FIV testing, microchip, heartworm and free 1st Veterinarian visit at participating veterinarians. 

To view available pets, visit http://www.mcac.petfinder.org. For more information, call MCAC at 815-459-6222.

Town Hall Meeting With Congressman Joe Walsh-Tonight

Join me tonight for a town hall meeting in Schaumburg with House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves.

This town hall meeting will provide a unique opportunity for owners and representatives of local small businesses and other constituents to share their thoughts and learn about matters currently before the U.S. House Small Business Committee.


WHAT: Small Business Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: Tonight, Monday, July 30th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
WHERE: Roosevelt University, 1400 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Schaumburg

Seats are limited, so RSVPs are encouraged.  If you plan to participate, please call my Fox Lake District Office at (847) 973-9341.  For more information visit Walsh.House.gov.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Reminder--Pyott Road/Rakow Road Traffic Disruptions

Traffic at the Pyott Road/Rakow Road intersection will be affected by work on Monday night, July 30th, into the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 31st

The temporary asphalt ramps that have been in place will be removed.  Work will begin at 7pm Monday night and continue until 5am Tuesday morning.

During the work, the traffic signals will be set to flashing red and flaggers will be posted at each leg of the intersection.  Although the flaggers will try to minimize the disruptions to traffic as much as possible, please be prepared for delays while this work is performed.  Thank you for your continued patience.

Words Of Wisdom

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." 

--Thomas Paine, The Crisis, No 1, 1776