Crystal Lake Park Board Names Glenview Park District Director of Recreation Services As Executive Director

Crystal Lake Park District has named a new Executive Director to step in when Kirk Reimer retires May 1 following many, many years with the district in many capacities. The Board of Commissioners selected Jason Herbster, currently the Director of Recreation Services for Glenview.

Herbster has 20 years of experience in the field of Parks and Recreation Services. His background includes program management, facility management, financial management, facility development and team building.

He has managed the Glenview Park District's award winning 165,000 square foot Park Center Recreation Center, led the simultaneous construction of two outdoor aquatic centers, and oversaw program participation double in six years.

Herbster has also been instrumental in building and maintaining strong cooperative relationships with other local governmental agencies and school districts and feels it is the key to a well rounded community.

He has worked for park districts in Alsip,Paatine, Schaumburg, and most recently in Glenview as Director of Recreation Services.

The newly named Director was the unanimous choice of the board which put in a lot of time researching since October to find the replacement. Director Reimer commended the Board for the time spent since October to find a Director.

Herbster says, "I am really excited to be here May 1. There is a lot more to be done."

Commissioner Eric Anderson, commenting about the change says, "Ihe timing was right for him to step up to an executive directorship, and his skill set fits in well with our future plans."

"We are confident that Jason Herbster can continue to elevate the Crystal Lake Park District, help refine our focus going forward, and play a key role in acquiring the facilities that this community has continually asked for," says Commissioner Michael Zellman.

Tuition Increase At McHenry County College

Following considerable discussion, McHenry County College Board of Trustees voted 5-3, to increase tuition by $2 per credit hour beginning with the Fall semester. The rate now will be $82 per credit hour. There are no increased fees. The vote for the increase included Trustees, DeWitt, and Kurtz, Larson, Lowe, and Student Trustee Sheriff. Opposing votes were cast by Miller, Parrish, and Walters.

Considerable discussion was held at the Special Meeting of the Board called for the purpose discussing a possible fee increase. Opposing views were expressed relating to costs of operation as well as a surplus of funds, which is always kept on reserve in case of an emergency.

Some of the Trustees feel that tuition should be increase a little each year to keep up with the increased costs of operation, including salaries. The feeling expressed is that if the increase is a small amount each year it is easier to handle rather than a larger amount every other year, for instance.

Some of the need for added funds comes from the lack of the State providing what it is supposed to provide.

Discussion on the subject of operation costs was also held at a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday evening.

Reminder

McHenry County Government Center is closed Friday for Good Friday.

City of Crystal Lake Receives High Marks In National Citizen Survey

Life in Crystal Lake is rated "excellent" or "good" by 89 percent of respondents to a recent survey conducted by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and National Research Center, Inc. The National Citizen Survey (NCS) is a service that administers, analyzes and reports results from a citizen survey.

The report compares the results from the Crystal Lake jurisdiction with results from other jurisdictions across the US using a database of survey results so that the comparisons can be more precise and useful.

This is what the recently completed statistically significant survey revealed:
Overall quality of life in the City of Crystal Lake was rated as "excellent" or "good" by 89% of respondents.

88% of the respondents reported they plan on staying in the City of Crystal Lake for the next five years.

A variety of characteristics of the community were evaluated by those participating in the study. The three characteristics receiving the most favorable ratings were opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events or activities, the overall image or reputation of Crystal Lake and ease of rail travel in Crystal Lake.

On average, residents gave very favorable ratings to almost all local government services. City services rated were able to be compared to the benchmark database. Of the 38 services for which comparisons were available, 36 were above the benchmark comparisons, none were equal to the benchmark comparison and two were below.

In the past 12 months, 96% of the City residents had provided help to a friend or neighbor. About half had volunteered their time to some group or activity in Crystal Lake, which was higher than the benchmark.

In general, survey respondents demonstrated trust in local government, rating the overall direction being taken by the City as "good" or "excellent." This was higher than the benchmark.

The overall image or reputation of Crystal Lake was rated "excellent" or "good" by 89%.

Those residents who had interacted with an employee of the City of Crystal Lake in the previous 12 months gave high marks to those employees with 87% rating their overall impression of employees as "excellent" or "good."

As a first-time participant in the NCS, the overall results are very encouraging. The results provide feedback on the City's strengths, as well as those areas where the City can make improvements.

A complete version of the survey results is available on the City's website at

A Rare Theatrical Experience In Crystal Lake

“That rare theatrical experience that leaves the audience wanting to see it again.” – NYTheatre.com

Look for this exerience on Friday, April 9 at 7:30 pm for "Runt of the Litter" a semi-autobiographical account of Bo Eason’s life and career as a safety for the Houston Oilers.

Eason himself, who has also appeared in Pride and Glory and ER, performs this powerful one-man show. It tells a compelling story of family dynamics and successfully achieving a 20-year dream against all odds.

The play looks at what happens to two brothers in a family of over-achievers: when their parents assure their oldest son he is destined for football stardom, while their youngest son appears too small to compete, a line in the family sand is drawn that colors the rest of their lives.

Though resolutely American in its themes of competitiveness of sports, sibling rivalry and underdog makes good, it also contains elements of ritual theater and blood sacrifice that give the material a mythic resonance and power. The show cuts across all demographics and has an across-the-board appeal for everyone, from sports enthusiasts to hardcore theater lovers.

Eason is currently adapting Runt of the Litter as a feature film to be directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption). He has also written a screenplay to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company. Other celebrities who have seen the play and were moved by it include: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tobey Maguire, Orlando Bloom, James Franco, Mariska Hargitay, Rosie O’Donnell, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sandra Oh, Amanda Peet, Maria Bello and Carla Gugino. Football stars such as Warren Moon, Bruce Matthews and Jason Seahorn have praised the work and Eason’s performance.

Tickets are $25, $22 and $19. They can be purchased at rauecenter.org or by calling the box office at 815.356.9212. Raue Center is located at 26 N. Williams Street, in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois.

McHenry County College Board Considers Tuition Increase For Next Year

McHenry County College Board of Trustees is expected to consider finances for the next three years at a Regular meeting of the Board this evening following a Special Board meeting beginning at 6:00 pm.

The Board will also be presented with information by Mr.Geller, Instructor of Theatre and Speech. Also Mr. Falco, Executive Dean of career and Technology Education will provide the board with a presentation on Digital Media.

A number of other matters are also expected to be considered by the board such as a tuition increase from $80 per credit hour to $82 per credit hour effective December 31 of this year. This is a 2.5% increase with a Consumer Price Index increase of 2.7% nationally, and 2.5% for greater Chicago metropolitan area.

The statewide average rate for community college tuition is $88.95 per credit hour. This is taken from the range of $67.00 on the low end to $131.00 on the high side.

The laboratory fees are to remain the same as the previous year.

Historic Preservation In Crystal Lake

The Crystal Lake Historic Preservation Commission meeting scheduled this evening at 7:30 pm in the Crystal Lake Municipal Complex is cancelled.

Conservation Scholarship Applications Due May 1

The McHenry County Conservation District is encouraging area high school students to submit their applications for the District’s Carl J. Mitchell Memorial Conservation Scholarship, due May 1, 2010.

Any McHenry County high school student considering a career in conservation is eligible to apply. The Mitchell Scholarship is an endowed scholarship fund that assists high school students in covering their fees to attend environmental workshops, camps, career seminars and other related events of their choice. It is not intended for funding college fees or tuition.

Selection criteria for recipients will include the potential of the program to provide the student with meaningful exposure to environmental careers; a student’s history of volunteerism; and participation in extracurricular activities.

Applications are due by May 1, 2010. Interested students should send a letter of application that tells about themselves, describes the event they have chosen, why they wish to attend and how it fits the goals of the scholarship program. A brochure or other publication about the event should be included with the application. Send applications to Deb Chapman, MCCD Education Services Manager, Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd., Crystal Lake, IL 60014. For more information about this scholarship, call 815-479-5779.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Carl J. Mitchell was a McHenry County resident who developed important new techniques in plant hybridization during his career. Upon his death, his family established this memorial fund to encourage young people to explore environment-related professions.

Crystal Lake Park District Board Meeting This Evenig

Crystal Lake Park Board Commissioners will meet this evening at 7:30 pm in the Park District offices, One East Crystal Lake Avenue.

One piece of unfinished business concerns the request for the Park District to annex a parcel of property adjoining property already owned by the district as Sterne's Woodstock.

Property owners of property adjoining Sterne's Woods made the request as they desire to annex their property to the City but reportedly the parcel owned by the Park District prevents them from making the annexation.

During discussion of all property owned by the Park District at the last meeting, it was questioned whether or not the parcel requested for annexation was not already annexed. Further research had to be conducted, with the result possibly discussed at tonight's meeting.

Approval of new computer equipment is also included on the agenda. The new equipment is expected to expedite registrations for the public as well as smooth record keeping for this function.

Film "Seeds of Hunger" Examines Worldwide Hunger, Thursday April 8

Currently, over three billion people worldwide suffer from malnutrition, with over one billion starving, according to a description from Icarus Films. World agriculture is feeling the impact of global warming, population urbanization trends, and an increased use of grains for biofuels.
McHenry County College’s International Studies Department next film presentation in the
Film Festival Series, “Seeds of Hunger,” examines this topic on Thursday, April 8 at 2 and 6 p.m.

Filmed in Africa, China, Latin America, and the U.S., the film examines such issues as the politics of food security and scarcity, declining food production, the impact of genetically modified foods, water shortages, famine, food aid programs, and national food production, distribution and export policies. These issues are explored through interviews with farmers, financial analysts, and food buyers and importers worldwide.

The film is free and open to the public. Audience members are invited to join the small group discussion after the film. Film festival sponsors are Medela, Northwest Herald and Sage Products, Inc.

For more information, contact Lindsay Carson, lead instructor for International Studies, at (815) 479-7723 or visit www.mchenry.edu/internationalstudies.

McHenry County 2030 Plan Slated For Final Committee Review Tomorrow Morning

McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee members are expected to receive complete printed copies of the revised 2030 Plan when the Committee meets tomorrow morning beginning at 8:30.

The resolution to be considered tomorrow also includes plans for reviewing the plan in 2015. This was discussed at the last meeting of the Planning and Development Committee when final revisions were considered.

As expected the Plan as being presented does not satisfy everyone, but as in all governmental issues, the majority rules.

If the Committee approves the 2030 Plan as presented, it will be presented to the full County Board at its April 6 meeting. The adoption of the Plan will also set protocol for reviewing the Plan in 2015 along with land use and population trends and to recommend any possible changes to the Plan at that time.

The resolution adopting the 2030 Plan also provides direction for staff to revise the zoning and subdivision ordinance as well as take other steps necessary to implement the Plan.