Words Of Wisdom

In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws. Its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained by the separate provisions of any."

--James Madison, Federalist Paper XIV, 1787

Beach Testing Results

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 38 licensed beaches on Thursday, July 18th.  Sampling results are as follows, due to elevated bacteria levels:

 Lookout Point, Wonder Lake - OPEN

 Wooded Shores, Wonder Lake - OPEN

 Wonder Woods 1, Wonder Lake – OPEN

Shore Hills Beach, Wonder Lake – CLOSED (resampling today, July 19th)

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

Celebrate Safe Drinking Water Month

IIn honor of Safe Drinking Water Month (August), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer reduced fee water testing for individual well water users for the entire month of August.  Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18. 

Testing a well regularly is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless.  Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards. 

Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally. 

Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants.  High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women. 

Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.   

MCDH will test water from private wells for nuisance chemicals resulting in water hardness, iron, discoloration and odor.  Additional charges will apply. Sampling kits can be picked up at MCDH locations in Woodstock, Crystal Lake or at one of eight drop-off centers. 

Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm at the following sites: 

• Algonquin Townships Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2329
• Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Avenue, Woodstock  (815) 338-0125
• MCDH, 100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake IL (815) 459-5151
• McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry  (815) 385-5605
• Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo  (815) 568-7112
• City of Harvard, Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
• Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
• Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328

 For more information, contact MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585 or visit www.mcdh.info

It's Summertime

Hot and Humid conditions expected to last through Friday.

A heat advisory is in effect for the north central and northeast Illinois and northwest through Friday evening.

The area affected includes Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake (IL) Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford

Government At Work

FRIDAY JULY 19 –

10:15 a.m.- McHenry County College Board-

Meeting in the Board Room of the College, 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake

The Board is to consider the purchase of upgrades to the ventilation system of the ceramics studio.

Crystal Lake Park District Hiring Youth Employees

The Crystal Lake Park District has received notice that they are the recipient of a $60,120.00 Illinois Youth Recreation Corps Grant. Through this award, the Crystal Lake Park District will hire 21 new employees between the ages of 14-19 years old for the months of July and August. Positions that the park district is looking to fill with the grant include: 5 Day Camp staff employees, 6 Park Services employees, 2 Racket Club maintenance employees, 4 Nature Center employees and 4 Concession Stand employees. The grant will pay those hired $9/hour during the grant period.

As one of the largest employers of youth/teen workers in Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Park District is looking forward to being able to further assist youth and teens who are still seeking summer employment. “The Illinois Youth Recreation Corps Grant is mutually beneficial for both the park district and area youth/teens,” said Crystal Lake Park District Human Resources Coordinator Anna Olas. “In addition to helping youth and teens gain valuable job skills and a paycheck over the summer, the park district benefits through camp and program staff being able to provide additional assistance to participants, and parks and facilities benefitting from the additional cleaning maintenance provided by these staff.”

Applicants for the Illinois Youth Recreation Corps Grant positions should complete a Crystal Lake Park District employment application immediately. Applications are available online at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/General-Info/employment.asp or in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake. Positions are available immediately and will last through August 31. Applications are accepted in person or by mail only. For more information contact Anna Olas at (815) 459-0680, ext. 202.

Pet Microchip And Rabies Vaccination Event July 27

Your pet has a better chance of being reunited with your family if it has a microchip for quick identification and a current rabies vaccination/registration record.  McHenry County Animal Control & Adoption Center (MCAC) will host a rabies vaccination and microchip clinic at its Crystal Lake facility (100 N Virginia Street – intersection of Woodstock Street and Route 14) on Saturday, July 27, 11am-1:30pm.  First come, first served. Doors will open promptly at 11am – NO EARLY BIRDS. Please do not bring animals that are in heat. Dogs should be on leashes and cats in carriers.

Rabies vaccinations are $10 for one year or $25 for three years.  Registration tags are required by law; registration fees are separate and required at time of rabies vaccination. Discounts for senior residents apply and for pets who have been previously spayed or neutered when purchasing registration tags.  Microchips are $15.

Rabies vaccinations provide your pet with the best protection against this fatal disease.  Unlike dog tags and collars which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a more permanent form of pet identification.  Animal microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are typically implanted by a veterinarian just beneath the surface of the skin between the shoulder blades. The process is similar to receiving vaccination through a needle and is painless to pets.

Adoptions ($80) will also be available 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

Raue Center Director of Production -- Michael Vandercook

Raue Center For The Arts welcomes Michael Vandercook to their staff as the Director of Production. Mike began his journey to theatre by earning an M.A. literary and rhetorical theory from the University of New Orleans. He has an MFA in Technical Design and Production from Yale School of Drama. He has served as the Director of Operations and Technical Director for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, working with The National Theater Institute, National Puppetry Conference, National Music Theater Conference, National Playwright's Conference. He has been a Technical Director for the Dorset Playhouse, the Elm Shakespeare Company, and Yale Repertory Theatre.

“Raue Center is overjoyed to welcome Michael Vandercook! He’s a hell of a great guy—a true gentlemen.  He’s one of the finest minds in the industry and he is anxious to start working with the team,” says Richard Kuranda, executive director. “We continue to build Raue Center into a regional powerhouse with nationally recognized artists as well as incredibly successful in house programs like Williams Street Repertory, The National Piano Conference and Lucy’s Café.”

He has been Production Coordinator for the MFA program at Towson University and Production Manager for Baltimore Theatre Project. Mike has been a technical consultant for many artists and institutions including Eliza Jane Scnieder, Lee Breuer, and the Raue Center for the Arts. Mike is the Executive Director of Generous Company and the Managing Director for WordBRIDGE Playwright's Laboratory. Mike is a founding member of Generous Company. 

Mike first worked with Richard Kuranda, Raue Center’s executive director, several years ago as an advisor planning Williams Street Repertory – the in-house theatre company.  Before WS Rep kicked off their inaugural season they co-produced I am the Machine Gunner with Generous Company. The show played for two nights in 2010 and was lauded by Timeout Chicago.

Government At Work

FRIDAY, JULY 19—

10:15 a.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees—

Meeting in the Board Room, MCC, 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake.

The Board is to consider a request to purchase upgrades to ventilation system of ceramics studio.

Words Of Wisdom

"There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily." 
--George Washington

Government At Work

THURSDAY JULY 18

McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee—

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

The Committee is to consider several Resolutions including

• Authorizing Additional 2013 Community Development Block Grant Funding Allocations
• Authorizing Program Year 2012 HOME Investment Partnership Act Grant allocation to the McHenry County Housing Authority.
• Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation in the Planning and Development Fiscal Year 2013 Revenue and Expenditure Budgets for the Community Development Block Grant Program.

Also a discussion on Electronic Off-Premise Commercial Advertising Signs Temporary Moratorium.

7:00 p.m. Crystal Lake Park Board of Commissioners-

Meeting in the Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.

In addition to hearing from the public, approving bills and minutes, the Commissioners are to consider a couple requests for park use including:’

• Nejmeh Family Fundraiser Request
• Crystal Lake Anglers Event Request

The Board is to consider approval for:

• Professional services for Woodscreek Park Redevelopment
• An Ordinance regarding a certificate 125 Premium Only Plan
• Organizational Chart Structure Change
• Reports to the Board
• Matters from the Board

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

8:15 a.m.- McHenry County Board Transportation Committee—

Meeting in the McHenry County Division of Transportation Main Conference Room, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to consider a number of resolutions including:

• For approval of Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer Group agreements;
• Authorizing a lease agreement with Woodstock Farm and Fleet Store for a Touch a Truck Event
• Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation to the Division of Transportation FY 2012-2013 Budget for Fuel, Oil and Greece.
• Authorizing a Resolution Approving the Acquisition of Right-of-Way for Highway Purposes and Appropriating Funds for the South Main Street/Pyott Road at Virginia Road Intersection Project.
• Authorizing the purchase of three vehicles for the Division of Transportation

Other matters to be considered include: 

• A resolution of right turn on red request for Rakow Road at McHenry Avenue
• Randall Road Phase II Engineering Consulting Interviews

6:30 p.m. McHenry County Historic Preservation—

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

A hearing is scheduled regarding Landmark Status for the Harmony School Landmark nomination.

7:30 p.m.- Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission –

Meeting in the Crystal Lake City Council Chambers, 100 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

Seven public hearings are scheduled before the Commission including

Doherty – 5201, 5425, 4501, 4420 Route 176. The petitioner is requesting this be continued to the August 7 meeting.

A public hearing on UDO amendments, also being continued to the August 7 Commission meeting.

Gas Depot, 4410 Northwest Highway. A final PUD Amendment hearing to allow changes to the freestanding sign, modifying the existing sign to be 15 feet tall and 112 square feet in area.

Rumford-Buelow, 175 and 179 Edgewater, a hearing on a variation to allow a four-foot high fence within the front yard (lake side) setback

Hirshberg, 877 North Shore Drive, a hearing on a request for variations from side yard and height requirements and restrictions on accessory structures to allow a new residence with an attached and detached garage.

Signature Auto, 970 Pyott Road. A hearing on a special use permit and use variation amendment. Special use permit for temporary uses and variations from parking lot standards to allow additional vehicle types, more display area and auto shop open to the public and variations to the curbing requirements.

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

A Swedish sociology professor has nominated Edward Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying that awarding the former NSA employee would correct Nobel Committee’s mistake in giving the award to President Barack Obama in 2009.

According to a translation of the letter published by the Daily Mail and RT.com, Umeå University professor Stefan Svallfors wrote the committee that Snowden has made the world safer in releasing information about United States surveillance.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/edward-snowden-nobel-peace-prize-94158.html#ixzz2ZFXZVwFe

Positive Tests For West Nile Virus

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reports a robin found in Crystal Lake has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).  As of July 16, there have been five positive mosquito batches reported in McHenry County but no human cases for WNV.  According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), 17 other counties have reported positive bird and mosquito batches; no human cases so far this year.    

WNV is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible.  Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.  Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease. 

The risk of disease from West Nile virus remains until the first hard frost. The best way to prevent WNV is to reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites around your home and to take personal precautions. 

Empty standing water from containers around the house; make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens

Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk, dawn); use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus; wear long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection.

For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.

Coming -- Recycled Art Contest

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will again be sponsoring a recycled art contest, designed to encourage practical and aesthetic use of used materials. Participants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and have fun. Create a functional or purely artistic item from materials that have been used before. The possibilities are endless!

Finalists will be displayed at the Defenders booth at the McHenry County Fair, July 31 thru August 4, 2013

• Create an original piece of decorative or functional art using re-purposed items or materials.
• All pieces must be made of reused and/or recycled products, meaning the materials must have been used before becoming part of the artwork.  Tape and glue should be kept to a minimum. Paint and/or surface decoration is encouraged.
• The two age categories are for students and for adults 18 and over.
• Each piece must be accompanied by a 3X5 card containing this information:
• Artist’s name
• Contact telephone and address
• Age if artist is a student; otherwise the word “Adult”
• Name of piece
• Description of piece
• Judging will be based on the use of reclaimed/ recycled items with respect to
• Aesthetics
• Creativity
• Utility

Small prizes and/or certificates will be awarded, and winners will be featured on the Defenders’ website and in the quarterly newsletter.

 Artwork must be submitted by Friday, July 26, 2013 to the Environmental Defenders office, 110 South Johnson Street, Suite 106, Woodstock, IL. 

Winning pieces will be designated with ribbons and winners notified by the start of the fair. 

After the fair, artists must pick up their artwork from the Defenders Office by August 8th. 

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation.. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. 

 For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

Words Of Wisdom

"There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily."

 --George Washington

Walkup Road Work Update

Walkup Road work continues with landscaping completed. 

Punch list items will continue throughout the next several weeks.

Words Of Wisdom

"All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated office. To me there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity."

--George Washington, letter to Catherine MacAuly Graham, 1790