Words Of Wisdom

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Ludlow, 1824

Spring On The Way Along With Construction Cones

The weather might not feel like Spring yet, but orange construction cones are sprouting up!  Road construction signs will be reinstalled this week, and Changeable Message Signs will be placed in preparation for upcoming construction activities.  Beginning the week of April 1, 2013 (weather dependent):

Intersection improvement work, including new traffic signal installation, will resume at IL 176 and Walkup Road. 

The pavement will be re-striped between Crystal Ridge Drive and Talismon Drive in anticipation of the removal of existing pavement in this area.  The remaining existing pavement will be removed and new underground utilities will be installed in preparation for the new pavement placement. 

Final paving on the northern section of Crystal Lake Road is anticipated to resume approximately May 1, 2013.

As always, please use caution when traveling through the construction zone, be alert for workers/equipment, and restrict cell phone usage.

Early Voting Saves Time On Election Day

Katherine C. Schultz, McHenry County Clerk, announces that voters can cast a ballot prior to the April 9th Consolidated Election without having to offer a reason or an excuse for wanting to vote early.

The early voting law, effective in Illinois, allows voters to cast a ballot at an early voting center through Saturday, April 6th.

As all ballot styles, for McHenry County, are available at all Early Voting Centers, voters may choose to vote at the site most convenient for them.

EARLY VOTING WILL BE CONDUCTED AT

McHenry County Administration Building

667 Ware Rd., 2nd Floor, Conference Room A

Woodstock, IL 60098

Thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Saturday, Mar 30th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday and Tuesday, April 1 and 2

Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Apr 3rd

Hours: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Algonquin Township Offices

3702 US Hwy. 14, Community Room

(Adjacent to Sheriff’s Substation)

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday, Mar 30th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

City of Crystal Lake

100 W. Municipal Complex, Room P106

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Saturday March 30 thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Saturday, Mar 30th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday April 1 thru Friday April 5

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Grafton Township

Huntley Park District

12015 Mill St.

Huntley, IL 60142

Saturday March 30 Thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Saturday, Mar 30th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Village of Lake in the Hills

Lake in the Hills Village Hall

600 Harvest Gate, Executive Conference Room

(Enter thru Board Room)

Lake in the Hills

Saturday March 30 thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Saturday, Mar 30th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday April 1 thru Saturday April 6

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

City of McHenry

McHenry City Hall

333 S Green St., Court Entrance Only

McHenry, IL 60050

Monday, April 1 thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday, Apr 6t

-Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

McHenry Township Offices

3703 N. Richmond Rd.

Johnsburg, IL 60051

Monday, Mar 25th thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Except Friday, Mar 29th

8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Nunda Township Offices

3510 Bay Rd., Annex

Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Monday, Mar 25th thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Except Friday, Mar 29th

CLOSED

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 8:30 AM to Noon

Harvard Area

Dunham Township Office

107 Airport Rd.

Harvard, IL 60033

Thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

Marengo Area

Marengo City Hall

132 E. Prairie St., Upper Chambers

Marengo, IL 60152

Monday, Mar 25th thru Saturday, Apr 6th

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, Mar 30th

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

Saturday, Apr 6th

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

The state law requires that a registered voter show valid photo identification before voting early. Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Any voter who requests an “Early Ballot” or an “In Person Absentee Ballot” MAY NOT go to the polls on Election Day and revoke the ballot he originally requested. The law prohibits any voter who has been issued an “In Person Absentee Ballot” or “Early Ballot” from appearing at his precinct polling place and requesting another ballot.

For more information about early voting or voting locations, contact the McHenry County Clerk’s office at 815-334-4242.

Words Of Wisdom

A  militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves ... and include ... all men capable of bearing arms. ... The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle."

 --Richard Lee (1787)

Words Of Wisdom

"That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit; and that, in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power."

--Recommended Bill of Rights from the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1778

Government At Work

THURSDAY, MARCH 28--

7:30 A.M. McHenry County Stormwater Commission—

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

A number of technical advisory committee membership changes are to be considered. Before considering SMO Comprehensive Revisions as well as reports from the TAC Chairman and the Chief Engineer.

10:00 a.m. – McHenry County Coordinating Council –

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

Representatives from twenty-one county organizations which deal with emergency situations are to gather to discuss mutual aid matters.

A number of presentations will be provided regarding EMA planning, County PIO Networking and plans for the next meeting on April 25.

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

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

The zoning hearing is regarding a conditional use to allow the storage of commercial vehicles and equipment, and recreational vehicles. This to allow the operation of a business for the outdoor storage of commercial vehicles and equipment and allow maintenance and light repairs of same equipment.

Also to allow a landscape waste transfer station and allow a trucking cartage company to operate on the site and allow the operation of a business for the outdoor storage of commercial vehicles and equipment. Also to allow the operation of a wholesale/retail landscape business, selling various aggregates, pavers, plants and materials pertaining to said business.

Also allow a landscape waste transfer station and allow a trucking cartage company to operate on the site. Also requested is to allow a trucking brokerage company to operate in the location.

Also requested is approval to allow the withdrawal of the recycling process facility from the original conditional use permit and variations to allow material bins to be located in yards abutting a street.

6:30 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees—

Meeting in the Board of Trustees Room, MCC, 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

In addition to the usual reports to the Board regarding finances, reports from various committees, the Board is expected to hear reports on parking lots B and D repairs and renovations as well as the Watershed update.

A number of requests for purchases are to be considered all related to items needed to operate the educational facility.

Words Of Wisdom

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader." --Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 1779

Words Of Wisdom

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."

 --Thomas Jefferson

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

Crystal Lake Library Altered Hours

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed from 9:00 am until noon, Friday, April 5, 2013 for Staff Training.

The Library will open to the public at 12:00 noon.

Government At Work

MONDAY, MARCH 25 –

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

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

The Committee is to consider a resolution authorizing the purchase of certain information transfer technology equipment and continue review of county board rules.

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

Meeting in the Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock.

The Board is to consider, in addition to financial reports regarding the Department, a number of reports, grants, and renewal of contracts for services.

Words Of Wisdom

A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general emulation takes place, which causes good humor, sociability, good manners, and good morals to be general. That elevation of sentiment inspired by such a government, makes the common people brave and enterprising. That ambition which is inspired by it makes them sober, industrious, and frugal."

 --John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776