Words Of Wisdom

"Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely entail hereditary bondage on them."

--Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking up Arms, 1775

Words Of Wisdom

"Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit."

--James Madison, Federalist No. 51, 1788

Government At Work

FRIDAY OCTOBER11-

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

Meeting in the Mental Health Board Main Conference Room, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, IL

Meeting in Executive Session for the purpose of deliberations for the position of Executive Director

9:00 a.m.- McHenry County Zoning Hearing Officer—

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

Four matters are scheduled before the Zoning Officer:

#13-22 - Greene - McHenry Twp - R1-R1V

Variation to allow a front yard setback of 8 feet instead of the required 18.1 foot modified front yard setback, to allow a maximum land coverage of 933.12 square feet instead of the maximum 722 square feet allowed, to allow a detached garage height of 15.22 feet instead of the maximum 14 feet allowed, to allow a setback of 2.5 feet from the north property line instead of the required 10 foot setback and 0 feet from the south property line instead of the required 5.2 feet.

#13-31 - McDonald - Burton Twp - R1-R1V

Variation to allow a detached garage in the front yard, and to allow said garage to be 18 feet in height instead of the maximum 14 feet allowed.

#13-36 - Atkinson - McHenry Twp - R1-R1V

Variation to allow a side yard setback of 6'5" instead of the required 9 foot setback from the south property line, and to allow a front yard setback of 16 feet instead of the required 16.5 foot modified yard.

#13-37 - Dunne - Hebron Twp - A1-A1V

Variation to allow a swimming pool in the side yard.

Government At Work

THURSDAY OCTOBER 10—

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

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

A federal legislative update is to be provided by Trent Lehman, of Ferguson Group, via telephone.

A resolution authorizing entering into an agreement with the Ferguson Group for continuation of providing federal legislative consultant services for the county. The agreement provides for extending the services for an additional two years at a cost not to exceed $82,008 for fiscal year 2014 and an option to renew the contract for an additional two years for an inflator factor not to exceed 6% per fiscal year.

9:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board Continuum of Care Committee—

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

9:30 a.m. – McHenry County Natural and Environmental Resources Committee-

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

The nomination of a chairman and vice chairman is the first order of business. An overview of better SMO process and subcommittee responsibilities will be discussed and a review of the phase 1 report along with direction to be provided.

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

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

A hearing is scheduled before the Board regarding the Pieper Trust, located in Hartland and Alden Townships. The request is for Conditional Use Permit on the A1 zoned property to allow a bed and breakfast and a sign to be located at the property and allow a gravel parking area and a 10-foot wide driveway instead of the required 24 foot width requirement.

7:00 p.m. Crystal Lake Public Library Finance Committee—

Meeting in the Library Director’s Office of the Public Library,

Words Of Wisdom

"In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate -- look to his character."

--Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education, 1789

Words Of Wisdom

"The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is scarcely a scare-crow) working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one."

--Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Charles Hammond, 1821

Not All Government Stopped

COLUMN-Will you get your Social Security check if the U.S. defaults?

“Tue Oct 8, 2013 12:53pm EDT

By Mark Miller

“Oct 8 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama warned last week that Social Security benefits might not go out "on time" if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling.

“Should seniors and disabled Americans really be worried about their benefits if the U.S. government runs out of borrowing capacity later this month?

“The answer is yes - but only if the Obama administration insists on making Social Security a pawn in the debt ceiling battle. And that's a move it has no business making.

“Social Security is a stand-alone program with its own dedicated revenue stream: Workers and employers pay a combined 12.4 percent of employees' payroll. It was designed to be a "pay as you go" program, with taxes on today's workers funding current payouts to retired and disabled workers and their dependents. Those funds can't be used for anything other than benefits.”

Government At Work -- Wednesday

 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

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

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

Eight resolutions are being presented the Committee for consideration including:

• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Remaining Funds from the Dissolved McHenry County FilmLibrary and an Emergency Appropriation to the Regional Office of Education Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
• Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Vehicle for the McHenry County Regional Office of Education
• Resolution Authorizing the Reclassification of a Full Time Laundry Worker (Position #061-004899) to a Full Time Evening Custodian Position in the Valley Hi Nursing Home Departmental Roster
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Modification to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant and an Emergency Appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network Fiscal Year 2013 Budget.
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Modification to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant #12-661002 and an Emergency Appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Modification to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant 11-661002 for McHenry County Workforce Network
• Resolution Authorizing the Creation of a Full Time Business Service Position to the McHenry County Workforce Network Departmental Roster

Other matters for consideration include:

Mental Health Board Liaison Update and Discussion

Discussion and Recommendation - Appointment of the County Board Liaison to the Board of Health
Discussion - Oakwood Hills Proposed Peaker Plant

1:00 p.m. McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee and McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals

Meeting to discuss three more items of the Unified Development Ordinance including:

A. Discussion of Article 19 (Subdivision Standards)

B. Discussion or Article 21 (Enforcement)

C. Discussion or Article 15, Section 15.3.G (Home Occupations)

3:45 p.m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board Search Committee—

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

Interviews will be conducted, in Executive Session, for the position of Executive Director for the Mental Health Board.

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

Building Committee - Meeting in Ames Room II at the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

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.

The Committee is to consider eight resolutions involving funds for other agencies including: 

• Authorizing acceptance of remaining funds from the dissolved McHenry County Film Library and an emergency appropriation to the Regional Office of Education Fiscal Year 2013 Budget.
• Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Vehicle for the McHenry County Regional Office of Education
• Resolution Authorizing the Reclassification of a Full Time Laundry Worker to a Full Time Evening Custodian Position in the Valley Hi Nursing Home Departmental Roster
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Modification to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant and an Emergency Appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Modification to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant #12-661002 and an Emergency Appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
• Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Modification to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant 11-661002 for McHenry County Workforce Network
• Resolution Authorizing the Creation of a Full Time Business Service Position to the McHenry County Workforce Network Departmental Roster
• Resolution Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation in the Mental Health Expansion Project (Recovery Zone) Fund FY 2013 Budget
• Mental Health Board Liaison Update and Discussion
• Discussion and Recommendation - Appointment of the County Board Liaison to the Board of Health
• Discussion - Oakwood Hills Proposed Peaker Plant

Under Old Business the FY13-14-Budge review for the Mental Health Board is scheduled.

1:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee, meeting jointly with the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals— 

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

Continued review of the Draft Unified Development Ordinance with discussion of Article 19 (Subdivision Standards; discussion of enforcement article, and discussion of the section on Home Occupations.

3:45 p.m. McHenry County Mental Health Board Search Committee

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

The Search Committee will be meeting in executive session to interview candidates for the position of Executive Director of the agency.

7:00 p.m. Crystal Lake Public Library Building Committee—

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

Doggy Trick Or Treating At Crystal Lake Park District--Lippold Park

Bring your special dog dressed in Halloween attire for an afternoon of fun and doggy trick or treating at the Hound Town Halloween Bash on Sunday, October 20, 2-4 pm at Hound Town at Lippold Park.  You do not need to be a member of Hound Town to participate in this special event! Pre-registration is not required for this FREE event.

Pet owners are welcome to bring treats to share with all our furry ghosts and goblins.  Many animal related businesses and organizations will be on hand to distribute Halloween treats for both dogs and their human friends. Other activities include K-9 Police demonstrations, Search and Rescue demonstrations, Dog Parade and Costume Contest (3:45 pm) and a Dog/Owner Look-a-Like Contest.

Hound Town at Lippold Park is located on Route 176 in Crystal Lake.  Enter at the first entrance, just west of Route 14, park in the first lot and follow the Hound Town signs.

This free event is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors: Star 105.5, Black Diamond Plumbing, Dolphin Swim Club, Cheng Orthodontics, Jersey Mike’s, Dunkin Donuts, Sit Means Sit Dog Training, and Camp Bow Wow. For additional information contact Connie Cooke at (815) 459-0680, ext. 213, ccooke@crystallakeparks.org.

Speakers On U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

Speakers from U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities will discuss the situation in El Salvador and the Salvadoran social movement as part of the October Speaking Tour with community leader Esmeralda Villalta. On  Thursday October 10 from  7 p.m. in Room  B-166, they will discuss community organizing strategies and how to show your solidarity with the Salvadoran people as they defend their human and environmental rights.

Libby Pappalardo* started the Crystal Lake Sister City 11 years ago and some of their projects include an ongoing healthcare project, women's sewing cooperative, Youth theater and arts program, children's art class, environment education classes, and road project. In addition, they support the grass roots organization of Cripdes Sur that works directly with communities in the region.

*Esmeralda Villalta* has been working with The Association for the Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES), a grassroots organization made up of over 300 rural communities for the past13 years. Esmeralda is the coordinator of the Cripdes regional team in the department of San Vicente and a member of the CRIPDES national board whose work has focused on training community leaders, natural disaster preparedness and women and youth organizing.

Alexandra Early, Estela Garcia and Tanya Cole are the translators of the  tour and coordinators for the Sister Cities network, which links 17 cities across the U.S. with organized communities in El Salvador as part of a movement of solidarity.

Words Of Wisdom

"The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is scarcely a scare-crow) working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one."

--Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Charles Hammond, 1821

Words Of Wisdom

"The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is scarcely a scare-crow) working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one."

--Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Charles Hammond, 1821 

Legislation May Cause Data Deficit For Researchers, Small Businesses

By Matthew Swayne

Small farms and businesses may be the unintended victims of legislation aimed at cutting the federal budget by eliminating certain sets of local and county-based economic data, according to a group of economists.

"This local data is really what we use in our lab," said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural economics and regional economics, Penn State, and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. "And, at the end of the day, we're using this information to try to understand how our world is changing."

The researchers, who report their findings in Choices Magazine, said that sequestration and proposed legislation, such as the Census Reform Act of 2013, will cut the reporting of some types of local economic and sociological data. For example, the legislation could eliminate county personal income by industry and unemployment insurance data provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Researchers use county per capita income by industry to measure how different sectors of a county are performing. Unemployment insurance data helps researchers understand employment trends in specific areas.

Analysis of this municipal and county-level data can also help entrepreneurs who run small businesses and farms recognize demographic changes and economic swings that can lead to market opportunities, according to the researchers.

"Someone who owns a business can see certain demographic trends and realize new opportunities," Goetz said. "For example, a restaurant may be able to tailor its menu if the restaurant owner knows that there is a new group of immigrants in their community."

The data that covers rural areas also gives researchers the chance to see how macroeconomic trends and policies, such as interest rate changes, are affecting communities.

"We will be in the dark without the data," said Goetz. "We won't know whether policy changes we implemented are effective or not, and that could end up costing us more than we were trying to save."

Economists can use the information to find communities that may be more vulnerable to the impact of globalization and global imports, as well as opportunities for communities to foster businesses that may succeed in global markets, said Goetz, who wrote the report with Mark Partridge, Swank Chair in Rural-Urban Policy and professor of agricultural, environmental and development, Ohio State University, and Maureen Kilkenny, senior fellow, National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy.

Goetz said that an unintended consequence of the move to trim the budget may lead to governments enacting ineffective policies that actually increase budgets.

"We won't be able to anticipate what services are needed and we might not be able to see and develop opportunities when they arise," said Goetz.

Other alternatives to the economic data collection, such as allowing private industry to gather and distribute data, may not help small entrepreneurs.

"Most likely, only larger businesses will be able to afford the data," said Goetz, "leaving the businesses that most need it -- small entrepreneurial firms -- blind to possible economic threats and opportunities."

Small firms, however, tend to be the economic drivers, according to the researchers.

There is compelling evidence that small, locally owned firms are key engines of both economic growth and of job creation, the researchers noted.

Special Meeting-CL Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Crystal Lake will hold a special meeting at 7:30 PM on October 10, 2013 in the Crystal Lake City Hall located at 100 W. Woodstock Street.  This meeting is being held in order to discuss 2013-50 Col. Palmer House Certificate of Appropriateness at which time and place any person determining to be heard may be present.

/s/ Brice Alt, Chair

City of Crystal Lake

Historic Preservation Committee

Additional Flu Clinics For McHenry County

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering additional flu clinics to protect residents from seasonal influenza.  Appointments for mercury-free shots for adults and children 9 years and older can be made at 815-334-4510 (for all clinics) or online at www.mcdh.info.  The cost is $30; Medicaid and Medicare Part B accepted.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages an annual flu shot for everyone 6 months and older as the best protection against influenza. 

October flu clinics have been scheduled at the following locations:

Tues. Oct 15	4pm-6pm	MCDH, 100 N Virginia St, Crystal Lake
Thurs. Oct 17	9:45am-11:45am	Woodstock Public Library, 414 W Judd Street
Tues. Oct 22	3pm-6pm	MCDH, 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock
Thurs. Oct 24	10am-12pm	MCDH, 100 N Virginia St., Crystal Lake
Thurs. Oct 24	3pm-5pm	Wonder Lake Chamber, 7602 Hancock Drive
Mon. Oct 28	3pm-5pm	Alden Hebron High School, 9604 Illinois St, Hebron
Mon. Oct 28	11am-1pm	Senior Services, 100 W Woodstock St, Crystal Lake

 Flu is a serious and contagious illness – even healthy people can get it. As the flu season is long and unpredictable, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot before flu season begins as it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection. A flu shot protects not only you but those around you like pregnant women, young children, people with chronic health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease) and people 65 and older who are especially at risk for complications from the flu.  Simple ways to protect yourself also include covering your cough, washing your hands and staying home when sick.  For more information on protecting yourself from influenza, visit the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm.

Government At Work

MONDAY OCTOBER 7

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

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

A discussion is slated regarding media policy for the County Coroner.

A resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation in the Law Library Fund for Fiscal Year 2013 is being presented.

Also, under old business, the FY14 Budget is slated for discussion

Words Of Wisdom

"If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted. ... If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."

--Noah Webster, History of the United States