New Holiday Decorating Ideas At MCC

Gather some new ideas on decorating your home for fall and winter holidays at McHenry County College’s annual Home for the Holidays workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 in the MCC Conference Center.

The event will feature MCC floral design instructors and students covering basic floral design, silk and dry designs, and other how-to tips to make your home dazzle this holiday season.

Floral pieces created by local floral shops will be available for silent auction, and all attendees will be included in a drawing for door prizes. Proceeds from the auction will go to the MCC Floral Design Program.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for MCC students. To reserve a seat with a credit card, call the MCC Registration office at (815) 455-8588. For more information, call (815) 455-8764 or (815) 479-7570 or email mccconferencecenter@mchenry.edu.

National Wildlife Refuge In Northern Illinois

The dream of a national wildlife refuge in the Wisconsin/Illinois bi-state region is moving closer to reality. Staff members from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be hosting four public meetings to seek input from local residents and user groups on the potential refuge. 

The proposed Hackmatack NWR includes a variety of rare natural communities, including oaks savannas, tallgrass prairies and emergent wetlands which support sensitive populations of uncommon plants and animals, including a number of grassland bird species.  The study area also lies in the whooping crane migratory flyway; whoopers have begun once again to stop at local natural areas every year.

More information on the Hackmatack NWR is available  here

If you are close enough to attend, the meetings offer members of the public the chance to spend one-on-one time with service staff members to ask questions, offer comments and provide ideas about the refuge.

Each open house will be held from 4-8 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 12- McHenry County Government Center Administration Building, 667 Ware St, Woodstock, IL
Wed., Oct. 13- Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Rt. 31 & Harts Rd, North of Ringwood, IL
Wed., Oct. 20- Bristol Municipal Building, 19801 83rd Street, Bristol, WI
Thurs., Oct. 21- Lake Geneva City Hall, 626 Geneva Street, Lake Geneva, WI
This is your chance as a Friend of Hackmatack to show the USFWS that there is strong grassroots support for the refuge.

Comments may also be provided by e-mail
or mailed to

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Division of Conservation Planning
Attn: Proposed Hackmatack NWR
BHW Federal Building, Room 530
1 Federal Drive
Ft. Snelling, MN 55111

For more information on this project, check out the Friends of Hackmatack website !

The next step for the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will be the preparation of the Environmental Assessment referenced previously. The Service expects to release a draft Environmental Assessment in late spring 2011.

Crystal Lake Park Board Learns Details of West End Aquatic Vegetation Management

The Annual Crystal Lake Meeting took place Thursday evening. This is a time when Hey and Associates provides an annual report on the "State of The Lake."  This year the topic of "West End Aquatic Vegetation Management" was added. This was due to the problems experienced with weeds growing in the west end of the lake, making it difficult for boats to enter into the larger body of the lake from the shoreline.

In order to handle the situation, dredging could be accomplished to provide "pathways" to get to the main body of water. The cost of this could be $1.2 to $1.3 million. It was also noted that it could take up to two years to obtain the needed permit from State and Federal government in order to accomplish the project.

It is something the Park District Board will be discussing further.

On a brighter side, it was found that the reason for the numerous Main Beach closings by the McHenry County Department of Health this past summer resulted from sea gulls, not human or geese waste. The problem facing the District Board now is, how and if the problem can be eliminated.

Not Registered to Vote? Handle That Task And Vote At Same Time

If you are not a registered voter and you missed the Tuesday deadline for registering, there is a grace period to accomplish that important task.

McHenry County Clerk Katherine C. Schultz is announcing a "Grace Period" allowed by state law which means people may register to vote between now andl October 26th for the General Primary Election.

This important task may be accomplished in-person during normal office hours at the clerk's office, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Room 107, Woodstock.

However, people who register to vote during this two-week period must vote in the County Clerk's Office at the time they register and will not be eligible to vote at their precinct polling place on November 2.

This means the voter who needs to register to vote also gets the voting task out of the way in one visit.

To be eligible to vote, a person must be a US citizen, 18 years old by Election Day, and a resident of the precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day. Two (2) forms of ID are necessary both with their name and one (1) with their current address.

For more information about grace period registration, contact the County Clerk's office, at 815-334-4242.

Meeting of McHenry County Natural and Environmental Resources Committee of McHenry County Board

The Natural and Environmental Resources Committee of the McHenry County Board is meeting at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning in the County Administration Building, 667 Ware, Road, Woodstock.

A discussion regarding the Quality of Life Nuisance Ordinances is scheduled to take place with the State's Attorney and Sheriff's Departments.

A Letter of Understanding between McHenry County and McHenry County Conservation District is to be considered for adoption. This relates to stormwater management Ordinance (SMO). The agreement set out the requirements of MCCD meeting the SMO requirements and depending upon the scope of the project, the County may waive application requirement for the MCCD or notify the MCCD in writing of the final decision. Fees for labor, equipment, wages or materials will be waived in carrying out the Letter Of Understanding.

 

Neighboring Community College Receives State Capital Funds

According to information from State Senator Michael Noland, D-22, $8 million in State capital funds were announced for Harper College to begin renovating the Engineering and Technology Center and to replace the Hospitality Facility. 

Enrollment has grown exponentially in the welding, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, and other programs housed in the Center, and funding will enable Harper to develop the capacity to provide these vital job training programs. The renovation would also include space for training programs in the green job sector.

 

Defenders October Recycling Collection In Woodstock

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will hold their October recycling collection from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the McHenry County Farm Bureau parking lot, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock.

 

The monthly drive collects only certain materials that are not normally accepted by curbside trash haulers, but could damage the environment if put into landfills.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables.  Defenders volunteers will help to unload and sort the items, then transport them to outlets where they will be properly recycled

.  

Accepted items include car batteries, rechargeable batteries, and button batteries such as those used in watches or hearing aids.  Starting this month, however, the Defenders cannot accept single-use alkaline batteries. The reason: 

“Our processor no longer accepts these single-use batteries, so we have no place to take them,” explained Diane Oltman Ayers, outreach director.  “We have been told that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) advises they can safely be disposed of in a zip-lock type bag and placed in the trash. While this is not optimal, right now we have no other option.”

The Defenders Recycling Drive does accept fluorescent tubes, which contain mercury and must be properly disposed of. A small donation is requested to cover processors’ fees for recycling fluorescent bulbs and batteries.

There is no charge to drop off clean, white block styrofoam or bagged styrofoam packing “peanuts” and unpopped, reusable bubble wrap.

 

Starting this month, the drive will also take electronics such as computers, phones, printers, and electronic toys.  TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a transportation fee of $25 for screens 26 inches or less, or $35 for screens larger than 26 inches. 

The Defenders Recycling Day is held on the second Saturday of each month at alternate locations:  at the Farm Bureau lot in Woodstock during even-numbered months, and at the Metra station lot in McHenry during odd-numbered months.  In McHenry, the group also collects and pays for aluminum, brass, and copper recyclables.

For more information about the Defenders Recycling Day schedule and the types of materials accepted at each location, visit the Defenders’   website or phone (815) 338-0393 during normal business hours.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment.  Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or phone (815) 338-0393.

A Special Traveling Art Exhibit

This has been designated Mental Illness Awareness Week through Friday.

McHenry County is hosting the traveling art exhibit “Mental Health Awareness for All” at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, in the 2nd floor rotunda through Friday, October 29th. The “Mental Health Awareness for All” art exhibit is sponsored by Community Partners and features the work of residents affiliated with agencies funded by the McHenry County Mental Health Board. This exhibit is a unique collaborative effort among service providers, community leaders, residents and  their families, as well as other individuals interested in raising awareness and understanding of mental illness. The art exhibit is traveling to public locations such as city and village halls, libraries, and park districts through the end of the year.

MCSEEP Lesson Library Launched

Through the generosity of Siemens Industry, Inc., the McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program (MCSEEP) officially launched the MCSEEP Lesson Library on Thursday, September 30.

The goal of the MCSEEP Lesson Library is to help educators create meaningful environmental lessons, and provide the resources for those lessons at no cost to McHenry County schools that have the MCSEEP lessons.

The library is updated weekly with current articles on environmental issues in McHenry County.. Resources offered include: books, games, lesson plans, movies, posters, and a collection of unique environmental materials.

To sign up for lessons and create your schedules, go to the following website: www.mcseep.com and click on the link “lesson sign-up” on the left side of the page. Select your school, enter the recycling coordinator’s name and email.

MCSEEP is a countywide provider of diverse, comprehensive environmental education whose purpose is to foster awareness, concern, and action regarding environmental issues, both locally and globally. MCSEEP K-12 presentations address the environmental issues facing today’s students.

Lesson library topics are listed on the website. For questions on the MCSEEP Lesson Library or scheduling, please contact Susan Burke at: slburke@co.mchenry.il.us.

Expedited Permit Process for Government Agencies

A discussion regarding Quality of Life Nuisance Ordinances is scheduled with the State's Attorney and Sheriff's Departments when the McHenry County Board Natural and Environmental Resources Committee meets Friday. That meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the McHenry County Government Center Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Other matters for consideration include the adoption of a letter of understanding between McHenry County and the McHenry County Conservation District to expedite the permit process for routine projects undertaken by government agencies.

Discussions At Planning and Development Committee Thursday Morning

When the Planning and Development Committee of the McHenry County Board meets 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning in the County Administration Building, a couple discussion items are included on the agenda. One, Administrative Adjudication, has been discussed in prior committee meetings. A slightly revised process regarding code violations is to be considered.

A second discussion matter is Ag Tourism since the present County Zoning Ordinance does not provide a definition of Agricultural Tourism. However, there is a considerable amount of that taking place in the county. At times it seems to be more than Ag Tourism is taking place when horse racing sneaks in. A definition of Ag Tourism has been lacking and the Committee hope to resolve that matter shortly.

Another discussion item is Conditional Use list which provides the number of Conditional Use permits in each of the 17 townships. A total of 552 active conditional uses are in effect in the county. However, 75 of them are for work in a flood hazard area. This conditional use was discontinued following the adoption of the Stormwater Management Ordinance.

Actions may also be taken on recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Department staff for the revision of fines for a number of violations.

Annual Lake Meeting Combined With Crystal Lake Board Meeting

The Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners will combine the Annual Lake Meeting with the regular board meeting on Thursday October 7 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The location is the Offices of the Park District, One East Crystal Lake Avenue.

The Annual Lake Meeting will feature a report by Hey and Associates and will include information on the state of the lake, water quality, pollutant load budget, hydrology, aquatic macrophytes, fishery, and invasive species status.

Also being address are the beach closings and bacteria along with a special presentation on the West End weeds and dredging.

There will also be time for questions and answers.

Other matters on the agenda for the meeting include the Lippold Park Flood study update and an intergovernmental agreement between the Park District and the Village of Lakewood for the transfer of property.  This is a transfer of what is known as the triangle and is being transferred to Lakewood to augment their plans for a bike trail.

Candlelight Vigil Wednesday In Observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Join the 22^nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council at a Candlelight Vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 on the Woodstock Square in downtown Woodstock. The candlelight vigil is in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and will include entertainment by Just Duet and Julie Gibson.

Anyone is welcome to show their support of Domestic Violence Awareness efforts in McHenry County. The purpose of the event is to remember those who have been hurt or who have died at the hands of someone they know. It is also to show support to those affected by domestic abuse, including survivors and family members and to call attention to the devastation that domestic abuse can cause individuals, their families, and friends. Speakers will give first-hand accounts of their experiences and musical entertainment will be provided.

Other sponsors of the candlelight vigil are: McHenry County College, Centegra Health System, McHenry County Crisis Services, Direct Counseling, McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association, McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office, VOICE Sexual Assault program, and Turning Point

.

The vigil will be held in rain or shine. For more information, contact Mary Denney of Turning Point, at (815) 334-4630.

Randall Road Phase I Presentation At Transportation Committee Wednesday Morning

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6

8:15 a.m.—Transportation Committee of McHenry County Board meets in the Main Conference Room of the McHenry County Transportation Department facility, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

A presentation is to be made on Randall Road Phase I.

Several consultant interviews are scheduled for the 2040 Transportation Plan

Ten different resolutions are being presented for committee approval on specific projects including:

Engineering Agreement for Blivin Street Bridge project

Acquisition of Right-of-way for the North Union Road Bridge project

Acquisition of right-of-way for the Lawrence Road Bridge Project

Acquisition of right-of-way for the Graf Road Bridge Project

Acquisition of right-of-way for the Dunham Road Bridge project

Acquisition of right-of-way for the Charles Road at Queen Anne Road project

Engineering services agreement to provide bridge inspection services

Engineering services to provide structural analysis work on various county bridges

Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission Meets Wednesday Evening

7:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake

The scheduled Lukas public hearing for a requested variation to allow a deck and pool to encroach into the rear yard setback at 1764 Andover is being continued at the request of the petitioner to October 20.

Willow Creek Church, 220 Exchange Drive.

The church desires to continue using the property on which they have held religious services and related events since 2004. The original Special Use Permit included a time limit for the SUP for five years. This was provided as there was concern there might be parking problems. The concerns were not noted by city officials. The church is requesting the continued Special Use Permit without the time limit.

McHenry County Democrats In New Headquarters

The Democratic Party of McHenry County is enjoying the hum of activity at its new “war room” headquarters at 1119 S. Main in Algonquin (at the corner of Edgewood and Route 31). The magical effects of having a gathering point every day and night have made the new office a hub for canvassing, phone banking, and candidate appearances. The hours are from 4 to 8 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and from 12 noon to 8PM on Wednesday and Saturday. Sunday hours are from 1PM to 8PM and anyone can phone the party at 815-788-9540.

Important meetings of the McHenry County Democratic Party will also be held at the new office and the October central committee meeting will include a lively get-out-the-vote planning session and appearances by many of this year’s candidates.

Two-Day Pottery Workshop At MCC

A two-day demo pottery workshop will take place at McHenry County College on Oct. 8 and 9 in the college’s conference center, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The event is co-sponsored by McHenry County College and the Clayworkers’ Guild of Illinois and Great Lakes Clay and Supply.

The pottery workshop will feature Simon Leach, a professional potter who conducts workshops from his farmhouse in Spain and teaches through the internet, including instructional demos on YouTube. Leach grew up in Cornwall, England, surrounded by a family of famed potters—his father, David Leach and grandfather, Bernard Leach, as well as Japanese and Korean art—and continues the family tradition in his own unique way.

Since moving to Spain in 1990, Leach is keenly aware of a sense of place, a connection to the landscape, colors, textures, and quality of light. He lives in a rural community with people that are largely self-reliant and connected to the land. Leach uses local materials where he can find them dug up from a hillside or scraped from the sea bed.

The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9 in the MCC Conference Center. The registration fee for both days is $125 and $115 for MCC students and Clayworkers’ Guild members. The fee for one day only is $70 and $65 for MCC students and Clayworkers’ Guild members. The fee includes lunch. An additional $25 fee will be added for registering at the door.

To register with a credit card, call the MCC Registration office at (815) 455-8588 or register online at www.clayworkersguild.com. For more information, email mccconferencecenter@mchenry.edu or call Amy Carzoli at (815) 455-8764 or Kristine Emrich at (815) 479-7570.

Sheriff Challenger Touts Financial Savings

Democratic Sheriff’s candidate Mike Mahon, Monday released the details on his plan to cut $1 million annually from the McHenry County Sheriff’s budget with no impacts on public safety. He added that more cuts could probably be identified and implemented once he was Sheriff.

“Nothing matters more in these tough economic times than that every nickel of taxpayer funds be targeted to accomplish the essential mission, not to build good will for the officeholder,” Mahon said. “Feel-good programs, waste and cronyism are out and focused, sensible programs are in. That’s the message from taxpayers to those at every level of government.”

In almost every government budget, far and away the largest expense is salaries of full-time employees. Cuts in the permanent payroll are often the hardest to make, but also the most significant, in that the reduction continues in following years unless the positions are restored. Also, every full-time position carries associated benefits such as pension, medical insurance and the like. These benefit costs are customarily estimated at 25% of salary.

Mahon suggested that the following positions could be eliminated without adverse impact:

                  

Proposed Savings
Position	Salary	Benefits	Total
CALEA Coordinator	$71,574	$17,893	$89,467
EEOC Officer	$91,001	$22,750	$113,751
1 Police Captain	$107,403	$26,850	$134,253
1 Deputy of Corrections	$106,998	$26,749	$133,747
1 Court Security Chief	$61,799	$15,449	$77,248
1 Business Manager	$81,200	$20,300	$101,500
1 Mechanic Supervisor	$82,857	$20,714	$103,571
TOTAL	$602,832	$150,705	$753,537

According to recent studies, today the overwhelming trend in government and business is for higher span of control ratios (i.e. fewer supervisors over larger numbers of officers). Advocates of this leaner, “flatter” strategy cite factors like improving communications and reducing costs by eliminating multiple levels of management as the rationale for the trend. They say that to budget-conscious jurisdictions, the possible financial saving with little perceived increased risk is attractive.

As an example of top-heavy supervision in the current force structure of the Sheriff’s Office, Mahon cited the Investigative Bureau, which currently employs a Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 9 detectives and 5 deputies. The Sergeant in charge of the evidence room supervises only 2 deputies, the Narcotics Sergeant supervises only 2 detectives and the Apprehension Sergeant supervises 2 deputies. The Detective Sergeant supervises 7 detectives. The span of control for Sergeants in that Bureau therefore ranges from 1/2 to 1/7

For the Sheriff’s Office as a whole, reductions could be achieved by the elimination of three supervisors (Sergeants or Lieutenants) by attrition, and reassignment of the various rank-and-file officers to other supervisors.

Thus, 3 Supervisors at $90,000 X 3 + 25% personnel benefits = $337,500

This amount, combined with the $753,537 detailed above, equals a Grand Total of $1,091,037.

Even with the changes articulated above, the Sheriff’s Office as a whole would fall well within the acceptable levels of span of control as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“Not only could we cut supervisors, but my plan includes placing more gold stars on the street, some of whom are currently house-bound in the headquarters or other offices,” Mahon said. “I am also confident that further cuts could be achieved, but this would be a good start. We need to get the fat out of government, and it won’t be easy, but it’s the only way to restore the trust of taxpayers.”

Mahon is challenging Republican incumbent Keith Nygren, a Republican, who has served as sheriff for over 13 years. Also in the race is Gus Philpott, as a candidate on the Green Party ticket.  

GE Aviation Bringing More Jobs To Northern Illinois Area

 GE Aviation and local economic development groups will partner to create new jobs and an expanded supply base in the Rockford, Illinois area.

U.S. Rep Don Manzullo and GE Aviation leaders Mike Chanatry and Elliott Liddle joined economic development leaders to make the announcement today during a ceremony at the Rockford facility.

The Rockford facility was part of GE’s 2007 acquisition of Smiths Aerospace. Since that time, the team has utilized the GE engineering resources to expand its product offerings and markets. In addition, machining work is transitioning in from various parts of the GE supply base due to growth of the GEnx and the F136 programs.

Plans are to expand machining at Rockford over the next year, which means plans for approximately up to 20 new jobs at the GE Aviation facility.

Working closely with the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, GE Aviation will host a supplier symposium on Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Rockford Airport. The symposium is structured around coaching and mentoring local small businesses in doing business with GE.

“I want to commend GE Aviation for growing jobs in the United States and centering them here in Loves Park. This is exactly what we envisioned several years ago when we passed our bill to give manufacturers a 9 percent tax rate reduction on the products they make in the United States,” said Rep. Manzullo. “The supplier symposium will help create badly needed jobs for our area and expand our aerospace network even more as we continue to compete for an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Rockford.”

“GE Aviation is thrilled with the workforce in Rockford, which has demonstrated its ability to meet commitments and engage in the GE culture of compliance, quality and integrity that is so vital in the aviation industry,” said Mike Chanatry. “We also value the relationship GE Aviation has with government in Rockford. Rep. Manzullo has continued to create a business environment here that can help U.S. manufacturers like GE become more competitive in places like Loves Park.”

GE Aviation employs approximately 38,000 employees and operates more than 50 manufacturing and service facilities around the world. The company invests $1 billion annually in jet propulsion R&D programs. This long tradition of commitment to new technology has helped GE establish its leadership position in the industry with a proud list of "firsts" in both the military and commercial jet propulsion, tracing back to 1942 with America's first jet engine.

GE Aviation, a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft.

Created by Thomas Edison, GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide.

Freedom Of Information -- A Hot Topic Everywhere

Freedom of Information requests are being denied in more than just the local areas, as observed in this report from an organization that is connected with Universities.

"The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) today charged the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency of serious legal and procedural violations in its withholding of performance data about how the agency is enforcing the immigration laws.

"The deficiencies, detailed in a letter TRAC sent the agency today, involve ICE's violation of long standing provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the agency's own administrative rules and the stated policies of Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama in the handling of a request from TRAC for anonymous alien-by-alien statistical data about the arrests, detentions, charges and removal activities of the agency.

"The agency's actions — spelled out in a three-page September 22 letter to TRAC — have the effect of denying the American people concrete information about an important and controversial aspect of a key responsibility of the federal government: what is it doing and not doing to enforce the nation's immigration laws.

"Among the anonymous statistical data that ICE previously released but now said were "unavailable" were the city or state where the alien's apprehension took place, the facility where the alien is currently being detained, the nature of the formal removal charges, the details of any criminal charges and the alien's marital status.

"Under the FOIA, all federal agencies are required to provide specific reasons — such as national security or privacy — when they withhold records from requestors. But in the September 22 letter, FOIA Director Catrina M. Pavlik-Kennan, did not cite any of the possible exemptions to justify her decision not to provide a large segment of the data requested in May by TRAC.

"In regard to a second part of TRAC's request, Pavlik-Keenan unilaterally imposed a $450,000.00 processing fee, half of which had to be paid in advance before ICE would begin processing the data. The agency did not document how this fee was determined or explain why TRAC — a part of Syracuse University — had not been considered an educational institution. Under the law, requesting organizations are entitled to both a full explanation of a proposed fee and how it has been classified.

"(For the last five years, with the support of Syracuse University, the Knight Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Four Freedoms Fund and others, TRAC has used the FOIA to obtain extensive data from a range of different agencies in the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security. With this information we have posted numerous special reports on trac.syr.edutrac.syr.edu.)

"One of President Obama's first actions when he came to office was to declare his administration's commitment "to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government." Shortly thereafter, Attorney General Holder issued a series of policies and guidelines on the subject requiring all federal agencies to improve their handling of FOIA requests.

"Six months ago, another DHS agency — the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — informed TRAC that a $111,930.00 payment would be required to obtain a description of the information stored in one of its databases. After news of this demand was posted on TRAC's web site, USCIS told TRAC that the agency had acted improperly and it subsequently provided the records to TRAC. "

Governmental Events For Tuesday

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2010
8:15 a.m.—Human Resources Committee of McHenry County Board
Consider resolutions making changes in the personnel at Valley Hi Nursing Home. The Administrator is eliminating one full-time Office Assistant position and recommending the use of existing part-time staff. Also, the reclassification of the Business Office Director position to a Marketing position is being recommended for the nursing home.
Discussion is also to be held regarding potential wage increases for fiscal year 2011.

9:00 a.m.—McHenry County Board
Continued discussion is slated on the Fiscal Year 2011 budget development.
A new security camera for Valley Hi is on the agenda for approval along with a contract with CBJ Architects, PC for the design of a new courtroom, judge's chamber and holding cell to accommodate the new judge for the 22nd Circuit.

6:30 p.m.—Community High School District 155 Board
Special Meeting in the Center for Education, One South Virginia Road to consider in executive session a student discipline matter.

7:00 p.m.—Finance Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board
Meeting in the Library Director's Office of the Library at 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

7:30 p.m.—Crystal Lake City Council
Life-saving awards are to be presented to two members of the Crystal Lake Police Department, Officer Michael Avila and Officer Ingrid Ketchev.
A number of proclamations are being made at the request of the City's Economic Development Committee.

• Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center is being honored for their 50th anniversary
• General Kinematics is also being honored for their 50th anniversary.
• Joe's Barber Shop is another Crystal Lake longtime business being honored for 50 years in business.
• Lloyd's Paint 'N Paper is to be present to accept a proclamation, however there was no further information provided.

Other Matters Being Considered by the Council include:
Facility Improvement
Aaron's Sales & Leasing, 6207 Northwest Highway, Unit B, is requesting a $10,000 Facade and Commercial Tenant Improvement Grant as offered by the City. The City offers these grants for existing and new retail sales tax generating businesses. Existing retailers who make qualifying improvements are eligible for up to $1,000. New businesses occupying vacant space are eligible for up to $10,000 in matching grant funds.

Aaron's Sale & Leasing is planning a new furniture, appliance and electronics store offering rent-to-own financing for buyers of higher-ticket items.

Variance Request For Rooftop Appliance
Dolphin Swim Club, 825 Munshaw Lane, located in the Lakeview Business Center, is seeking a variance from a requirement that rooftop appurtenances for non-residential use be screened. This is the largest rooftop mechanical unit in the City and if the required screening were used it would create an extremely large wind load and void any warranty for the existing rubber roof. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that some type of lighter screening be applied.

Chase Bank
The City Council is also to consider the final plans for the Chase Bank to be located at 1185 South Route 31, which is a Wal-Mart outlot.

Deck and Patio Extensions for Park Place
The extension of decks and patios for Park Place Townhomes is being presented for final approval by the Council Considerable discussion was held by the Planning Commission and the City Council regarding this request. The majority of the home owners favor the request. Those opposed expressed concern that the properties would not appear uniform if some members installed a new deck or patio extensions and other did not. Two of the Planning Commission members opposed the idea. Certain requirements are being placed on the construction depending on the type of home involved.

Observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month during October, the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council of McHenry County College and Turning Point will host a domestic violence strangulation Mock Trial from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 in room 204 at the McHenry County courthouse, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue in Woodstock.

The mock trial is designed to educate law enforcement officers, social agency personnel and health care providers on the effects of domestic violence. The mock trial will exhibit an investigation from beginning to end through the court process and will demonstrate typical signs and symptoms of strangulation, the investigation of the crime and the importance of evidence based prosecution as well as clear and concise courtroom testimony.

According to research, 10 percent of violent deaths in the U.S. each year are due to strangulation, with six female victims to every male. The majority of women victims who have experienced strangulation have also experienced other types of abuse in the same incident.

To register or for further information, call Jennifer Kenning at (815) 338-8081 or email her at jkenning@mchenryturningpoint.org. For more information on the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, contact Bev Thomas at (815) 479-7792.

Summer Is Ended--Time For Annual Fall Leaf Pick-Up Program

Summer is past. Fall has officially arrived along with falling leaves.
Although the colors of the leaves provide visual enjoyment, leaves also can be messy. As a result they are usually raked into piles which then have to be disposed.

The City of Crystal Lake will begin on Monday the regular Annual Fall Leaf Pick-Up Program. This means that as weather permits, the City's Public Works Department Streets Division crews will pick up bagged leaves which have been placed on the parkway at the curbside of the public street.

The bags must be placed on the public parkway before 7:00 a.m. each Monday morning to ensure collection. Streets Division crews will conduct at least one round of leaf bag collection each week covering the entire City. Leaf bag collection does not follow the MDC Environmental Services garbage collection schedule in order to avoid roadway congestion.

Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags in order to be collected by the Streets Division. Leaves placed in other containers such as plastic bags, garbage cans or boxes, or in bags too large for one person to handle, cannot be accepted.

By only collecting leaves in biodegradable bags, Streets Division crews are able to provide better service to resident, picking up more leaf bags in less time. The bags are also better for the environment. Crews can place the biodegradable bags with leaves directly and efficiently into garbage trucks for transport to the Waste Management transfer station.

If residents desire to place leaves in another container type, other than biodegradable paper bags, the City has established a Brush Drop-Off site, located at Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2 at Dartmoor Drive and Coventry Lane, on the first and third Saturday of October and November from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Residents are responsible for emptying their own containers at this site. Crews will only pick up bags containing leaves. Other materials such as grass clippings, branches, yard waste or other debris cannot be accepted. Materials mixed in with leaves could damage equipment, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) regulations do not allow other materials to be collected by the City.

Questions regarding the Annual Fall Leaf Pick-Up Program? Direct them to the Public Works Department at 815-356-3614.