Words Of Wisdom

"He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and a third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world's believing him. This falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all its good disposition."

--Thomas Jefferson (1785)

Understanding Real Estate Property Assessment Process

On September 17, 2012 at 6 pm, McHenry County Assessor Robert Ross and Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore are pleased to present, “Understanding the Real Estate Property Assessment Process in McHenry County.” The event will be held at the Grafton Township Offices at 10109 Vine Street, Huntley Illinois.

The presentation will cover the 2-year property tax cycle in McHenry County and Grafton Township including the assessment and assessment appeal process, as well as the tax district levy process. Time will be allowed for questions and/or comments at the end of the presentation.

Please call the Township Supervisor’s Office 1-847-669-3328 to reserve your spot and ensure adequate facilities for all in attendance.

Words Of Wisdom

"I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, not longer susceptible of any definition."   

Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank, 17

Radical Muslims Invited To Lead Prayer At Democratic Convention

Some 20,000 Muslims are expected to attend the Democratic National Convention.

The Democratic National Convention will be supporting an Islamic Jumah prayer, a prayer said by Muslims on Fridays. The event is “intended to address the concerns and issues that are challenging to the American Muslim citizens in the 21st century.”

The plan to proceed with the event comes as a shock to some, given that the Democratic Party did not respond to a Catholic bishop’s request to pray at the DNC.

As many as 20,000 Muslims are expected to attend as a way to show their concerns in regard to Muslim rights in the United States. Topics of interest include the Patriot Act and the National Defense Authorization Act.

“Thousands of Muslims are going to perform the Friday ritual prayer,” said Jibril Hough, a local Muslim activist. “We hope our people will leave feeling rewarded about who they are and what their issues are and have a candidate checklist.”

But not all Muslims are supporting the event. Zuhdi Jasser, the president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, has voiced concern:

It is troubling that the Democratic National Convention has decided to promote and lend its name and national political platform to the organizers of the “Jummah at the DNC”. The leaders of this event – Jibril Hough and Imam Siraj Wahhaj as advertised are no moderates. They are radicals. These individuals embrace Islamist supremacy and have demonstrated support for radical ideologies.

A quick Google search by the DNC would have shown them that Hough and Wahhaj are leaders in the separatist American Islamist movement. While they may be able to get a few thousand Muslims to attend the event, they are NOT going to be mainstream Muslims.  Most will likely come from Hough and Wahhaj’s radical networks that have long been entrenched in the Charlotte area. Make no mistake they are part of the Islamist movement.

If that is who the DNC is consorting with then all Americans, Democrats should be concerned. There are many patriotic Muslims who are part of both parties, and when radical ideologues like this do a demonstration of “solidarity” in the name of our faith and choose an imam like Siraj Wahhaj who I saw with my own eyes in 1995 seditiously say it his duty and our duty as Muslims to replace the US Constitution with the Quran- then we need to speak up!

Words Of Wisdom

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government."

 --Thomas Jefferson

Government At Work

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 –

7:30 a.m. –McHenry County Mental Health Board –

Meeting in the Main Conference Room of the Mental Health Board facility, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

Following the public comment period, the Board is to consider revision to Audit and Appeals Policy and Procedure.

Recommendations of the search committee are to be presented to the board for consideration. These include Appointment of Interim Deputy Director, Acceptance of Regional Search Strategy, and Acceptance of Consulting Recruiter Firm.

Also being presented for action from the board is to allow the Search Committee to negotiate a contract with Consulting Recruiter Firm.

The Board is also seeking to set special meetings of the board as follows:

Thursday, September 12, at 7:30 a.m. for Adult Substance Abuse, Psychiatry and Outpatient, and

Thursday, October11, at 7:30 a.m. for Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, Residential, Community Support Ancillary.

9:00 a.m. – McHenry County Housing Commission, Executive Committee –

Meeting in the Planning and Development Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee will consider the 2013 Action Plan Goals before tackling new business matters of Establishing Committees under new bylaws and the Home 2012 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

10:30 a.m. – Crystal Lake Park District Building and Grounds Committee –

Meeting in the Park District Administration Building, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.

The Committee expects to consider the final plans for the Ken Bird Park and Woodland Estates Play Ground Replacement.

Also to be considered are the final plans for the Veterans Acres Entrance Relocation.

Other matters for consideration include ADA project updates and Paving Project Updates.

Words Of Wisdom

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

 --Roman philosopher and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 –

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board Agricultural & Conservation Easement Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

 This committee is to be provided with an update on the August 8^th Natural and Environmental Resources Committee meeting.

The Committee is being requested to consider a motion in support of Legislation for the Advancement of the Agricultural Conservation Easement and Farmland Protections Program.

Discussion is expected regarding:

• Next taskforce meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Office
• Next NERC meeting scheduled for September 12, at 8:30 a.m. at the McHENRY County Administration Building
• Next ACE meeting scheduled for September 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the County Administration Building.

Words Of Wisdom

"It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors?" --

Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 17, 1781

Fourth - Sixth Grade Girls After School Basketball League

A Crystal Lake Park District Fall Program Highlight

Everybody plays in this basketball program held directly after school in District 47 elementary school gymnasiums!

Participants will develop basic individual basketball skills and team concepts all while having fun in a no pressure environment!  Five officiated games will be scheduled during the season at various schools to give the player a chance to use her newly acquired skills in game situations.  Parents are responsible for transportation to all away games.

Team shirts are included in the fee. 6th grade players may select to play at the grade school of their choice.  This program will not meet on half days of school or when District 47 does not meet. Parents are responsible for transportation to all away games. 

Teams are being formed at Canterbury, Coventry, Husmann, North, South, West, Indian Prairie, Woodscreek and Glacier Ridge Schools.  Call Joe Davison at (815) 459-0680, ext. 228 for more information.

Register online at www.crystallakeparks.org.  Registration deadline is September 11, 2012.

Program Fee: $80

DAY   TIME             DATES

T/Th    3:30-5 PM    Sep 13-Nov 15*

*No class as per District 47 and individual school calendars

Government At Work

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 –

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Human Resources Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Several County Budget reviews are to be made by the Committee. These include FY12-13 budgets for Employee Benefit Fund, Social Security Fund and IMRF Fund.

The Committee is also to consider Verisight Study Recommendations, which includes moving a number of county officers and employees to a higher grade on the County Wage Scale.

9:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

FY2012/2013 Budgets for Assessor, Auditor, County Clerk, Treasurer, Revolving Loan Fund and Non-Departmental are to be presented to the Committee for review.

Several Resolutions are being presented to the Committee for approval, including a contract with Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies to provide strategic planning and performance measurement services;

Supplemental engineering services agreement for Randall Road Project

Authorizing monthly transactions for the delinquent tax program

Authorizing entering into a contract with MDI-Management Data, Inc. for upgrading the clinical/accounting software used by Valley Hi Nursing Home.

Also being presented for approval is a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with the McHenry County Conservation District and appropriating funds for wetland mitigation for the Miller Road project.

10:00 a.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Burton Township – Lease Trust – A1C to A1C

A renewal of Conditional Use Permit #02-13 to allow a second residence on the property in question.

Chemung Township –Brook –A1 to A1CV

A conditional use permit is being sought to allow food processing and retail sales on the property in question. Also a variation from the provisions of the zoning ordinance to allow a gravel parking surface area and a driveway that is approximately one-half as wide as the required 24 feet.

The Zoning Board is also to vote on a renewal of conditional use permit for Unilock Chicago, Inc., in Riley Township. This is to allow the applicant to manufacture, store and distribute concrete and related paving products and conduct related activities on the premises.

7:00 p.m. Village Board of Lakewood –

Meeting in the RedTail Golf Club, 7900 RedTail Drive, Lakewood –

In addition to handling the necessary resolutions for approval of minutes of prior meeting, approval of bills and financial statements, the Board is being requested to approve an ordinance authorizing the sale or disposal of personal property owned by the Village.

The Board is also being requested to approve the appointment of Philip Stephan to the SSA#1 Committee.

The Board is also to consider the adoption of a resolution for the McHenry County Board to Adopt a Moratorium on All Pending and New Applications for Electronic Billboard permits.

The Board is also to consider an Ordinance granting variations from the Lakewood Zoning Code to allow construction of a Detached Single Family Dwelling at 1994 South Shore Drive.

Approval is also being sought for the 2012 Water Main Replacement Program Low Bid from Berger Excavating Contractors, Inc. for an amount of $424,759.

 A construction Services work order from Baxter & Woodman for Partridge Lane and Braemar Circle Water Main Replacements are also being provided for Board approval. The amount for this work is not to exceed $15,820.

Just What Is Needed -- Another Tax

The Federal Communications Commission is eyeing a proposal to tax broadband Internet service.

The move would funnel money to the Connect America Fund, a subsidy the agency created last year to expand Internet access.

The FCC issued a request for comments on the proposal in April. Dozens of companies and trade associations have weighed in, but the issue has largely flown under the public's radar. 

"If members of Congress understood that the FCC is contemplating a broadband tax, they'd sit up and take notice," said Derek Turner, research director for Free Press, a consumer advocacy group that opposes the tax.

Numerous companies, including AT&T, Sprint and even Google have expressed support for the idea.

Consumers already pay a fee on their landline and cellular phone bills to support the FCC's Universal Service Fund. The fund was created to ensure that everyone in the country has access to telephone service, even if they live in remote areas.

Last year, the FCC overhauled a $4.5 billion portion of the Universal Service Fund and converted it into a broadband Internet subsidy, called the Connect America Fund. The new fund aims to subsidize the construction of high-speed Internet networks to the estimated 19 million Americans who currently lack access.

EDITORIAL NOTE: When can we expect an added tax on our breathing?

Assessment Process Explained

On September 17, 2012 at 6 pm, McHenry County Assessor Robert Ross and Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore are pleased to present, “Understanding the Real Estate Property Assessment Process in McHenry County.” The event will be held at the Grafton Township Offices at 10109 Vine Street, Huntley Illinois.

The presentation will cover the 2-year property tax cycle in McHenry County and Grafton Township including the assessment and assessment appeal process, as well as the tax district levy process. Time will be allowed for questions and/or comments at the end of the presentation.

Please call the Township Supervisor’s Office 1-847-669-3328 to reserve your spot and ensure adequate facilities for all in attendance.

Words Of Wisdom

"The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head."

--Noah Webster, On the Education of Youth in America, 1788

Wildlife On Display In Northern Illinois

Various species of wildlife will find a home in southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois.

The establishment f the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge has officially been designated by the US Secretary of Interior Ken Salezer. The Refuge will eventually provide up to 11,200 acres of habitat for wildlife as well as outdoor recreation, all within driving distance for southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois residents.

The restoration of wetlands, prairie and oak savanna habitat will provide home for 109 species of animals and plants. This includes 45 bird species, five fishes, five mussels, one amphibian, two reptiles and 47 plants.

 Additionally the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide ample environmental education and recreational opportunities for visitors, including the 3.5 million people within the 30 miles of the refuge.

For more information about the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, visit

For more information about the National Wildlife Refuge System,  visit

Government At Work

MONDAY AUGUST 27

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Management Services Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Two resolutions are being presented for committee action. One is for the Adoption of McHenry County Information Technology’s Security Framework & Associated Policies.

Also, a resolution authorizing a contract with Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies to provide strategic planning and performance measurement services and a budget line item transfer in the FY2012 budget.

The Committee is also to review budgets for Administration, County Board and Risk Management.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board of Health –

Meeting in the McHenry Count Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Building A.

Numerous items are listed on a Consent Agenda including

July disbursements

Divisional reports

IDPH Office and Health Promotion/Sealants & Administration Grant

IDPH Body Art Program Grant

IDPH Tanning Facilities Grant

Dentist Contractual Agreement – Michael Koehne

Dental Hygienist Contractual Agreement – Minutillo

Dental Hygienist Contractual Agreement – Gieseke

Dental Patient Care Assistant Contractual Agreement – Osmon

Dental Grant Writer Contractual Agreement – Snipes

IDPH Illinois Tobacco Free Communities Grant

Several new contracts are to be reviewed for approval, including:

Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange (I-Care) Agreement

March of Dime Asward Illinois Chapter Community Award

Contractual Agreement for WIC

A presentation on Beach Sampling and Inspection Program is to be made for the Board.

A Board of Health Hearing on a Septic System, 5206 Rt. 31, Prairie Grove is to be considered.

Words Of Wisdom

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

--Patrick Henry