A Special Luncheon Next Thursday

Words Of Wisdom

"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in the happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm and solid foundations shall enable us to return to our Private Stations in the bosom of a free, peacefully and happy Country."

--George Washington, address to the New York Legislature, 1775

Summer Baseball Not Over

Don’t say goodbye to summer baseball just yet. Join McHenry County College’s Trips and Tours program for a trip to the Cubs-Brewers game at Miller Park from 4 p.m. to midnight on Monday, Sept. 16.

Enjoy seats in the Loge Infield at Miller Park as the Cubs meet the Brewers for some friendly rivalry. No need to drive as participants can relax on their way to Milwaukee in a comfortable motor coach that departs from and returns to the MCC campus at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

Cost is $69. To register, use course ID: NST S09 016 by calling the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588. For more information, contact Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782.

Annual Pasta Dinner -- Saturday

                                  

 ANNUAL PASTA DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION

Is taking place Saturday, September 14 

at the McHenry Moose Lodge,
located at 3535 N Richmond Rd on Route 31 just south of Johnsburg Rd)
(4 PM to 9 PM)

Dinner includes all you can eat
Pasta with Meat or Meatless Sauce,

Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert, Relish Tray.

Cost: $10 Adults  /  $5 Kids 10 and under  
Plus--

Silent Auction, Bake Sale, Crafts Sale, 50/50 Raffles and more.

For more information or to donate an item please call 815-385-0939

Government At Work

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12—

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

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

Three firms are to be interviewed to serve as a Federal Legislative Consultant. These include Aronnax Public Strategies, LLC, eCapital Management and The Ferguson Group.

Additional matters for consideration include updates on State and Federal Legislation.

9:00 a.m. – Crystal Lake Public Library Facilities Committee—

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

9:30 a.m. – McHenry County Merit Commission—

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

The Commission is to consider approval of a vendor for entry level patrol testing.

7:00 p.m. – Crystal Lake Library Board of Commissioners—

A workshop meeting is to be held in the Administrative Office of the Park District, One East Crystal Lake Avenue.

The Commissioners are to consider the Park Police review.

Words Of Wisdom

`"We are firmly convinced, and we act on that conviction, that with nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties, and history bears witness to the fact that a just nation is trusted on its word when recourse is had to armaments and wars to bridle others."

--Thomas Jefferson, Second Inaugural Address, 1805

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11—

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee—

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

Six interviews are to be held for appointments to the Board of Health and Mental Health Board. The committee is to appoint two people to the Mental Health Board, one for a term to expire January 1, 2014 and one for a term to expire January 1, 2015.

One person is to be appointed to the Board of Health for a term to expire June 6, 2016.

The Committee is also to consider acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Dislocated Worker Training National Emergency Grant.

A resolution is also to be considered by the Committee authorizing the reclassification of a position Administrative Specialist II to Administrative Specialist III and from a part-time status to a full-time status.

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

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

The hearing involves Harvard State Bank Trust –Marks, Alden Township, for a reclassification from A-1 Agriculture District to the A-2 Agriculture District.

7:00 p.m. – Algonquin Township Board

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

The Board is to audit bills, hear the treasurer’s report, reports from the Supervisor, as well as remarks from the public.

7:00 p.m. –Crystal Lake Public Library Board Building Committee-

Meeting in the Ames II Room, Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

Truck Or Treat Coming October 19

On Saturday, October 19 from 10 AM-Noon, the Crystal Lake Park District will host Truck or Treat at Crystal Lake Main Beach. Truck or Treat is a FREE event that is open to children and their families. Children dressed in Halloween costumes will have the opportunity to trick or treat for candy and prizes from truck to truck at the event, take pictures at Halloween displays and enjoy morning of free family fun.

In order to make this event a continuing success, the park district is asking for help from local businesses and organizations who have vehicles to display. Vehicles on display may include (but are not limited to) large trucks, tractors or any other type of vehicle or piece of equipment suitable for display.

It is a plus if the vehicle or equipment is available for the children to sit in, but that is not a requirement of the display. All vehicles/equipment need to be at Main Beach for set-up between 8:30-9:00 am on Saturday, October 19. There is no fee to participate, but businesses will need to bring their own candy or prizes to hand out.

 Any businesses or organizations interested in setting up a truck or equipment display should contact Connie Cooke at (815) 459-0680, ext. 213 or via email at ccooke@crystallakeparks.org.

Heartache Tonight At Raue Center For The Arts Saturday

Raue Center For The Arts invites you to their 2013/2014 Season Opening Night featuring Heartache Tonight on September 14, 2013 at 8:00 pm. The band provides the ultimate Eagles tribute so good you’ll swear you’re hearing the real thing.

Formed in 2008, Heartache Tonight has quickly become the premiere Eagles Tribute band in the world, playing sold out concerts at top performing arts centers and festivals all across the country. From the powerful guitar duel in “Hotel California” to the shimmering harmonies of “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” Heartache Tonight delivers a true Eagles concert experience in every detail.

Each performance features unforgettable hit songs from all eras and incarnations of the Eagles, plus great solo hits like Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way,” and Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry.”

Tom Carey, Chris “Bean” Weng, John Forrest, Scott Bahry, Jim Altenbach and Tom O’Brien make up this Eagles experience. The six members of Heartache Tonight have shared stages with some of the biggest names in rock, including Jimmy Buffett, Eddie Money and the Doobie Brothers, and have played festivals and performing arts centers across the country.

Every show is filled with moments designed to thrill classic rock fans: the soaring a cappella harmonies of “Seven Bridges Road,” the snarling guitars of “Life In The Fast Lane,” the anthemic country rock of “Take It Easy,” and the beautifully evocative “Heart Of The Matter.”

Tickets range from $29 to $35. They can be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. 

Words Of Wisdom

"Every man who loves peace, every man who loves his country, every man who loves liberty ought to have it ever before his eyes that he may cherish in his heart a due attachment to the Union of America and be able to set a due value on the means of preserving it."

--James Madison, Federalist No. 41., 1788

Government At Work

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10—

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Human Resources Committee—

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

Matters to be considered by the Committee include:

• Authorization for the reclassification of the JULIE Coordinator position in the Division of Transportation
• Authorization for ht reclassification of a position of Administrative Specialist II to Administrative specialist III and from a part-time status to full time status.

The Committee is also to discuss the e-Verify Program.

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 County Division of Transportation is making supplemental requests and is providing a presentation for this.

Resolutions are being presented regarding the following purchases:

• Fuel Management System
• Tractors with mowers
• Skid Steer

Other matters for committee consideration include:

• Authorizing the reclassification of the JULIE Coordinator position in the Division of Transportation
• Resolution authorizing the relocation of the veterans Assistance commission Office, the Regional Superintendent of Schools Office and Planning & Development Staff.
• A Construction Contract with Carmichael Construction, an Emergency Appropriation to the Veterans Assistance Commission and General Fund Fiscal Year 2013 Budgets, and Budget Line Item Transfers in the General Fund Non-Departmental Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
• A presentation is slated regarding the Division of Transportation purchase of a fuel management system
• Resolution authorizing the purchase of tractors with mowers
• Resolution authorizing the purchase of skid steer.
• Resolution authorizing the reclassification of the JULIE coordinator in the Division of Transportation
• Resolution authorizing the relocation of the Veterans Assistance commission Office, the Regional superintendent of Schools Office and Planning and Development Staff, with a Construction Contract with Carmichael Construction and an Emergency Appropriation to the Veterans Assistance
• Resolution Authorizing Monthly Transactions for the Delinquent Tax Program
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Dislocated Worker Training National Emergency (DWT NEG) Grant #13-671002 and
• An Emergency Appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network FY 2013 Budget
• Reclassification of the JULIE Coordinator Position in the FY13-14 Budget Development Discussion

7:00 p.m.—Lakewood Village Board,

Meeting in the Red Tail Golf Club, 7900 Red Tail Drive, Lakewood.

• The Board is to consider approval of the recommended Halloween Trick or Treat Hours to be October 31 from 3 to 7 p.m.
• A presentation is slated regarding the Village’s annual audit for the fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2013
• A presentation is also slated by Strand and Associates regarding the East Sewer Area followed by a request to approve an agreement for technical services with Strand along with a request for approval of a task order for $127,000.
• Approval of another motion is requested for concrete work of removal and replacement of sections main sidewalk at Georgetown by RDS Concrete for an amount not to exceed $9,650.

7:00 p.m. – Nunda Township Board of Trustees—

Meeting in the Township Hall, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake,

Time is provided at the beginning of the meeting for public comments related to agenda items only

The Trustees will consider Township and Road District Warrants for payment.

Township and Road District warrants are presented for trustees approval

Reports from the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Highway Commissioner, Assessor and Trustees.

Another opportunity for public comment is provided at the end of the business portion of the meeting.

Perhaps We Should Thank Mr. Snowden

"Documents leaked by former U.S. intelligence analyst Edward Snowden indicate U.S. and British spy agencies have cracked encryption codes designed to provide online privacy and security.

"Hundreds of millions of people use the codes to protect their personal data, online transactions and e-mail correspondence. But the files show the U.S. National Security Agency and Britain's Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ - working together - have compromised Internet companies' guarantees that their customers' communications and personal records remain private.

"Documents leaked by former U.S. intelligence analyst Edward Snowden indicate U.S. and British spy agencies have cracked encryption codes designed to provide online privacy and security

"The documents show the security agencies have collaborated with Internet companies to leave vulnerabilities - known as "backdoors" or "trapdoors" - in commercial encryption software. According to the classified material, sometimes the collaboration is voluntary, sometimes it is forced with court orders, and sometimes it involves the use of supercomputers and other technical measures, including NSA influence on international encryption standards or government requests for companies' encryption keys.

"The records show the NSA spends some $250 million a year on a program that works with the U.S. and foreign IT industries to "covertly influence" their product designs. The files also reveal the British security agency has worked on ways to enter the encrypted traffic streams of major service providers, such as Yahoo, Google, Facebook and Microsoft's Hotmail.

"The latest information comes from documents the British newspaper The Guardian received from Snowden and shared with The New York Times and non-profit news organization ProPublica.

"The new revelations are already causing backlash among privacy advocates. The New York Times cites experts as saying the NSA campaign to weaken communications security may have "serious unintended consequences" and allow others to exploit the weaknesses as well.

"U.S. government officials have argued that NSA surveillance efforts are only aimed at stopping terrorism. Many technology companies say they cooperate with the intelligence agencies only when legally necessary.

"For example, as The Guardian reported previously, Microsoft worked with the NSA to get around encryption on Outlook email, as well as chat services. But Microsoft said it only did so to comply with "lawful demands."

Environmental Stewardship Award For McHenry County Conservation District

The McHenry County Conservation District recently received the Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.  The award is given to the best in the nation for environmental stewardship in the parks, recreation, and conservation field.

State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is pleased to extend her congratulations and gratitude towards the McHenry County Conservation District for making the 64th Legislative District such a beautiful place to live and visit.

“People travel far and wide to visit us in McHenry County for our beautiful lakes, rivers, and parks,” said Wheeler.  “None of this would be possible if it were not for the dedicated work of the McHenry County Conservation District and its wonderful staff.  This is a much deserved award.  Those of us who live here know this truly is the most beautiful area in the country.”

Past recipients of the Barb King Award are Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina (2009), City of Phoenix, Arizona (2010), City of Boulder, Colorado (2011), and County of San Diego, California (2012)

The McHenry County Conservation District is responsible for beautiful recreational sites such as the Kishwaukee Headwaters in Woodstock, Marengo Ridge in Marengo, Glacial Park in Ringwood, Nippersink Canoe Base in Spring Grove, and Boger Bog in Bull Valley.

Words Of Wisdom

"The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning knife."

–Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Spencer Roane, 1821

Government At Work

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9--

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 will be provided a presentation regarding chiller replacement program.

Also to be discussed is a grant for pneumatic controls in the Court House

A review of the Ethics Ordinance and Operating Procedures are also to be reviewed as well as discussion regarding Buy American” program.

7:00 p.m.—Crystal Lake Public Library Planning and Public Relations Committees—

Meeting in the Library Director’s Office, Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

Change Of Crystal Lake Library Board Meeting Date

The regular meeting of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees previously scheduled for October 16, 2013 has been moved to Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7pm in the Ames Room on the lower level of the Library.