Words Of Wisdom

 "Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual -- or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country." 

 --Samuel Adams (1781)

Grafton Township Board Meeting This Evening

Some important matters are being considered this evening at the Grafton Township Regular Board meeting, being held at 7:30 p.m. in the Huntley Park District faculty, 12015 Mill Street, Huntley.

In addition to handling the regular business of the board, old business matters include: 

•  Discussion and potential action on Forensic audit; 2010 audit and 2011-2012 audit; 
• Discussion and potential action regarding Senior Bingo
• Discussion and potential action to reimburse Trustee Zirk for mileage for TOI training class and for FOIA charges in response to her request for copies of all bills related to legal fees so she could conduct work on the budget.

 New business matters include:

• Discussion and potential action regarding:
• Grafton Township final payment to Grafton Township Road District per intergovernmental agreement
• Consideration of service from Direct Energy
• Payment of expenses submitted by Trustee Murphy related to Electoral Hearing on the Primary Election candidate objection
• Supervisor’s accounting and use of postage
• Line item transfers for the Assessor’s Office
• Establishment of agenda items for next meeting.

 Other matters to be considered by the Board include various reports from officers and possible executive session.

Government At Work

 FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 –

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Public Health and Human Services Comment –

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

Presentations to the Committee include an overview of the County Public Health and Human Services Department and the County Mental Health Board.

Other matters for consideration include:

• Resolution authorizing acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant;
• Resolution authorizing acceptance of a modification to a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for added funds of $99,578.23.
• Resolution authorizing the reclassification of one full time activity assistant into one part-time business office association position and one part time assistant position in the Valley Hi Department
• Review of interview and recommendation process for Mental Health Board members
• Meeting schedule for 2013.

Words Of Wisdom

"[T]o preserve ... independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude."

 --Thomas Jefferson, 1816

Evening With Larry Miller Saturday

Spend an Evening With Larry Miller at Raue Center For The
 Arts on January 12, 2013 at 8:00 pm.

As one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, Larry has appeared in over 100 film and television shows. He began his career with a memorable scene in the blockbuster film, "Pretty Woman", and has since gone on to unforgettable roles in such television shows and films as "The Princess Diaries", "The Nutty Professor", "Seinfeld" and "Ten Things I Hate About You".

Miller has made dozens of appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Real Time with Bill Maher, Curb Your Enthusiasm, NCIS and more! Back for a second year, join him for an evening you’ll never forget!

Tickets start at $42 and are on sale now online at www.rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 26 N. Williams Street or by calling 815.356.9212.FT

Holiday Lights Recycling Program

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages residents to take advantage of the Holiday Lights Recycling Program offered at several area municipalities.  Residents can bring holiday light strands, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords.  Unacceptable items include garlands, wreaths and other non-recyclable materials. The following municipalities offer drop-off locations –

Village of Spring Grove 7401 Meyer Road Spring Grove, IL  60081 (815) 675-2121	City of Crystal Lake 100 W. Woodstock Street Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 459-2020
Village of Lakewood 2500 Lake Avenue Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 459-3025	Village of Cary 655 Village Hall Drive Cary, IL 60013 (847) 639-0003
Village of Port Barrington 69 S. Circle Avenue Port Barrington, IL 60010 (847) 639-7595	Village of Prairie Grove 3619 Ames Road Prairie Grove, IL 60012 (815) 455-1411
Village of Algonquin 2200 Harnish Drive Algonquin, IL 60102 (847) 658-2700	City of McHenry 333 S. Green Street McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 363-2186

If your municipality is not listed, please contact them directly for recycling availability.  Additional information is provided on the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or by calling Kristy Hecke, MCDH’s Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.

Government At Work

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10—

7:00 a.m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board Search Committee—

Meeting in the Mental Health Facility, Main Conference Room, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The Committee is to engage in a conference call with the Myers Group Search Firm regarding continued efforts to hire an Executive Director for the facility.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Legislative Committee –

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

In addition to setting a meeting schedule for 2013, the committee is to consider any applicable State and Federal Legislative updates.

1:30 p.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals –

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

A request is being made by the property owner to reclassify from A-1 Agriculture District to the A-2 Agriculture District with a variation to allow the existing frame/metal barn and existing block shed to be located three feet ten inches apart instead of the required five feet. Also being requested is a variation to allow accessory buildings on the property to occupy, not more than 22,365 square feet instead of the maximum 4, 356 square feet allowed.

3:00 p.m. – Building Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board –

Meeting in the Library Directors Office, Crystal Lake Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake. 

Another McHenry Countian In State House

At a ceremony at the University of Illinois Springfield, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) took the oath of office to become State Rep. for the newly created 64th Legislative District.  Wheeler says she is humbled at the opportunity to serve the interests of her neighbors and friends in Springfield.

“The responsibility of serving as State Representative is not something I take lightly,” said Wheeler.  “I have been honored to serve the people of McHenry County as a County Board Member, now I take the challenge further to serve the interests of McHenry and Lake Counties in Springfield.”

Barbara has spent her entire adult life in public service, starting as volunteer for the United States Peace Corps.  She later served as a school teacher at Wauconda Middle School and was elected to the McHenry County Board in 2002.  As a Board Member, Barbara’s top priorities were conservation and fiscal responsibility.  She was awarded the Theta Award from the McHenry County Environmental Society for her conservation agenda.  Additionally, the County Board improved the bond rating to Aaa during her tenure.  Barbara stresses that in order to achieve these accomplishments in Illinois, the General Assembly needs to exert legislative courage.

 “There are major issues facing the State of Illinois,” said Wheeler.  “We have an underfunded pension system, an unwanted income tax increase, and billions of dollars in unpaid bills. Solutions to these problems are not easy.  We need to be brave.  We need to be courageous.  We need to stand up for what is right for the people of Illinois and deal with today’s problems now.  The people deserve this from their elected leaders.”

Wheeler says her top priorities in Springfield will be fixing the State’s finances while bringing jobs back to McHenry and Lake Counties.  She notes that dealing with the Illinois $96 billion in pension liability and allowing the 67% income tax increase to expire as solutions which the General Assembly needs the courage to solve.

“We have a unique problem in Illinois, where, despite extra revenue, pensions are still underfunded and bills are still unpaid,” said Wheeler.  “This is unacceptable.  The solutions are not easy, but there are ways for Illinois to fix its pensions, pay its bills, and allow the tax increase to expire.  We just need the courage to confront our current realities and get the job done.”

McHenry County State's Attorney Elected Officer Of Illinois State's Attorneys Associations

“It is a great honor and tremendous opportunity to have been nominated and elected by my peers to serve as Second Vic-President of the Executive Committee of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Association.”

That was the statement made by McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi upon his election to the office on the statewide State’s Attorneys Association at its 75^th annual conference held recently in Chicago.

The Illinois State’s Attorneys Association is a bi-partisan organization composed of State’s Attorneys throughout the State. The purpose of the organization is to promote the orderly administration of justice and the enforcement of the law.

Bianchi continues to serve on the Association’s Legislative Committee which reviews and initiates legislation designed to more effectively prosecute criminals and prevent crime.

“I look forward to advancing the important work of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Association” says Bianchi.

Mother Of Three Wins MCC Award

A single mother of three children is the Fall 2012 recipient of the Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award at McHenry County College.

Karen Morelli, Lake in the Hills is the recipient of the award, a $600 gift given to a student with special needs who displays a positive attitude while pursuing a degree of certificate while overcoming a disability.
Ms Morelli began taking GED course at MCC in spring 2011 and by that summer she was enrolled in college credit courses. She is interested in becoming a nurse.
“As a tutor, what is so rewarding about working with Karen is that she not only seeks guidance but she also applies it once it is offered,” said Ellen Morton, MCC special needs tutor. “Her attitude is always, ‘Live and Learn,” and that indeed is what she is doing.”

Joe Blanco founded the award in 2009 as a way to recognize students who inspire people with their can-do-attitude. Blanco passed away last year.
“Karen was among seven deserving nominees for this fall’s award. She exemplifies all the attributes our good friend Joe admired in his students,” said Bev Albright, manager of Special Needs. “We are so proud of her.” 

Words Of Wisdom

"If we move in mass, be it ever so circuitously, we shall attain our object; but if we break into squads, everyone pursuing the path he thinks most direct, we become an easy conquest to those who can now barely hold us in check."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Duane, 1811

Bridal Fair January 20 At Park Place, Crystal Lake

Park Place, a Crystal Lake Park District banquet facility will be hosting the annual Park Place Bridal Fair on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 11 am-3 pm. There are still a limited number of booth spaces still available for businesses, services or organizations who serve people planning a wedding. Vendor booths are available for $175. A vendor information packet and registration form may be downloaded online at www.crystallakeparks.org.
Vendor benefits include:

• All event advertising provided by the Crystal Lake Park District (park district brochure, newspaper advertising, banner advertising, radio advertising
• Exposure to a large audience of individuals who are interested in wedding planning (admission to the expo is free)
• Inclusion of your business or organization in welcome bag distributed to expo attendees
• Lead list after the event

For further information call Lauren Thibodeau at the Park Place, (815) 477-5871

Crystal Lake Park District Ugliest Yard Contest

As strange as it may sound, it is all because of a July 2011 storm which blew down a 125 year-old Burr Oak tree a the Main Beach. 170 acorns were harvested from the tree and 100 new seedlings will be planted in district parks this spring.

The Park District staff also wanted to share a piece of this historic tree with the community. The 2013 Crystal Lake Park District Ugliest Yard Contest was created in order to select recipients of the Main Beach burr oak seedlings.

Eligibility for receipt of a burr oak seedling requires entry in the Ugliest Yard Contest by submitting an ugly yard photo by February 28 to intern@crystallakeparks.org or bring it to the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue (attn: Ugliest Yard Contest).

Please include name, address, telephone number and e-mail address with the photo.

Anyone can vote for the Ugliest Yard, March 1-30 via the Crystal Lake Park District website at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/2013UgliestYardContest.htm, at the Administrative Building or at the Crystal Lake Park District booth at the Crystal Lake Business Expo at Crystal Lake South High School, March 23 and 24. The grand prize winner will be announced April 1.

For more information contact Jacqui Weber at (815) 458-0680, ext. 214, or email jweber@crystallakeparks.org. Contest details available online at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/2013UgliestYardContest.htm

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 –

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Natural and Environmental Resources –

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

 
The committee is expected to consider the 2013 meeting schedule and the committee goals for 2013. 

 
As is the usual practice, the Committee will also consider any matters related to

McHenry County Conservation District, Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, Agricultural Conservation Easement Farmland Protection Commission, Northwest Water Planning Alliance, Watershed Updates, Stormwater Updates, Solid Waste or Environmental Health Advisory Committee.

 
10:30 a.m. – Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners–

Planning, Buildings and Ground Committee

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

 The Committee is to consider the District major capital review timeline.

1:30 p.m. --McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals –

No hearing scheduled.

 
7:00 p.m. – Algonquin Township Board of Trustees-

Meeting in the Township Offices, 3702 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

The agenda calls for approval of prior meeting minutes, approval of bills, reports from the township officials and any other business which may be brought before the Trustees.

Words Of Wisdom

"[T]o preserve ... independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude."

--Thomas Jefferson, 1816

Government At Work

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 –

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

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

The Committee is slated to consider two personnel reclassification matters, along with the 2013 meeting scheduled and a labor relations matter report.

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

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
The Committee is to consider nine resolutions regarding funding matters for:

• Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation in the McHenry County Mental Health Board for IDHS Grants and County Mental Health Fiscal Year 2012 Budget;
• Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation in the McHenry County Mental Health Board DCFS Initiatives and County Mental Health Fiscal Year 2012 Budget
•  Authorizing Funding of the State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor for the Fiscal Year 2013
• Authorizing the Renewal of a Contract with Carasoft Technology Corporation for Agenda Management/Webstreaming Services
• Authorizing the Reclassification of Position 041-0009-99 (Accounting Assistant II) from 1,560 Hours to 1,950 Hours Annually and the Elimination of one position
• Authorizing the Reclassification of One Full-Time Activity Assistant Position Into One Part-Time Business Office Associate Position and One Part-Time Assistant Position in the Valley Hi Departmental Roster
• Authorizing Websense Enterprise Internet Access Support Contract Renewal with SHI International, Corp. for Fiscal Year 2013
• Authorizing the Annual VMWare Software Support Contract Renewal with System Solutions, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2013
• Authorizing Monthly Transactions for the Delinquent Tax Program

11:00 a.m. –McHenry County Board Liquor and License Committee –

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

The Committee is expected to consider:  

• New Liquor License, Manager and/or Amusement License Requests
• Raffle Permit and Special Liquor License Requests 
• 2013 Meeting Schedule

  7:00 p.m. – Lakewood Village Board—

Meeting in the Turnberry Country Club, 9600 Turnberry Trail, Lakewood.

In addition to approving bills for payment, the Board is to consider approving the low bid of not to exceed $227,135.40 for a 15-year lease of 78 golf carts and one beverage cart.

Also for the Board’s consideration is a request to approve an agreement for review services for the east side waste water treatment plant review services with Strand Associates for an amount not to exceed $13,700.

Words Of Wisdom

"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge; I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers."

-John Adams, Dissertation on Canon and Feudal Law, 1765

A Conversation With Former Crystal Lake Police Chief

Following 32 years of dedicated service to the residents of Crystal Lake, David R. Linder retired as Police Chief for the City on December 28.

Chief Linder began his tenure with the Crystal Lake Police Department September 2, 1980. This was his first place of employment and he began in the patrol division.

In 1986 he began working in the detective division of the Crystal Lake Police Department and has served since 2005 as Chief of Police.

Linder says he hopes to spend time with his kids and wait on his wife. He explains he cannot thank her enough for allowing him to have his chosen career. He attributes his success to her help.

Linder did explain that attitudes have changed regarding how to handle situations involving people in emotional crisis. He emphasized that it is important to communicate at their level, whether children or adults.

He explained that we have gone beyond the years of using physical force to gain compliance as there are so many other tools now available.

An example of the care Chief Linder has for people – he was usually at the City Council meetings. Sometimes they adjourned in the late night hours. Chief Linder chose to escort myself and another lady who takes the minutes for the Council to the parking lot. The lot is lit, however, there are dark areas. The Chief always explained that he did not want someone to take advantage of us.

I felt honored that a police chief chose to protect me in case there was someone feeling the need to attempt to be a criminal.

Government At Work

MONDAY JANUARY 7 –

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Law and Justice Committee –

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

Several presentations are scheduled for the committee from the Circuit Clerk, Circuit Court and Court Services.

Other matters to be considered include:

A resolution authorizing funding of the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor for the 2013 fiscal year.

A resolution authorizing the reclassification of an accounting assistant position and elimination of a position in the Circuit Clerk of Court Department.

The Committee is also to consider the 2013 meeting schedule and continue consideration of the Public Defender and State’s Attorney Offices case management system.