High School District 156 Referendum Error Correction

  The best laid plans of men and mice......
If only those mice would do a little work and help out.

A mistake was pointed out in the recent Town Crier election edition. On the information for the District 156 Referendum for increasing the limiting rate it read:

(2) For the 2010 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $200,000.

It should read:
(2) For the 2010 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $200.00.

We are sorry for the error and appreciate it being pointed out.

 

Unveiling Of a Great Lady

Regardless of the various attempts by others, it is important to think about somethng that has stood "tall" for over a century.

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers crowded into the southern tip of Manhattan 124 years ago on October 28, 1886. The cold rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, which stared expectantly across the water to a patch of land called Bedloe's Island.

They were there to watch the unveiling of an unusual gift from the country of France — a massive statue that would become a worldwide symbol of liberty. On cue, an enormous veil dropped and for the first time the crowd could see the 151-foot tall, 225-ton work of art that would become known as the Statue of Liberty.

An eye-witness account would later recall "a thunderous cacophony of salutes from steam whistles, brass bands, and booming guns, together with clouds of smoke from the cannonade, [that] engulfed the statue for the next half hour." In his remarks, President Grover Cleveland contrasted the statues of other nations, with their "fierce and warlike gods," with "our own peaceful deity keeping watch before the open gates of America."

Important Dates For Crystal Lake Library

Tuesday, November 2

The Planning Committee of Crystal Lake Public Library Board is meeting 6 p.m. on in the Library Director's Office. A needs assessment proposal from Anders Dahlgren is to be considered and discussed.

Wednesday, November 3

The Finance Committee is meeting at 7:00 p.m. Library Director's Office. Considerations are to be given to the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Audit, investments, and Equalized Assessment Valuation projections.

Friday, November 5

The Library will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until noon for staff training. The facility will open to the public at 12.00 noon.

Thursday, November 11

The Library will be closed for Veteran's Day and will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. Friday November 12.

Upcoming Quit Smoking Classes Could Be Free

 McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer the American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking” program, a 7-week quit smoking class for adults. The program begins on Tuesday, November 2, from 5:30pm-6:30pm at MCDH Crystal Lake office (100 N Virginia Street).  The $25 enrollment fee is refundable if all sessions are attended.  Call 815-334-4931 to register. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women.  More than 70% of smokers want to quit and attempt to do so each year, but without help, most fail.  Smoking cessation counseling and medicines are proven to help and improve quit rates.  MCDH classes give participants the assistance and tools needed to stop smoking in a supportive group setting.  The program will discuss your readiness to quit, nicotine replacement products, behavior modification, copies strategies, stress and weight management, and how to stay smoke-free for good.

For more information, visit www.mcdh.info. To speak with a counselor immediately, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES.

 

McHenry County Jail Inmates Offered Job Training

"ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world."

The above statement from the website of ARAMARK explains what this company does. It is known for its involvement in food services. The company does provide services to such locations as McHenry County Jail.

ARAMARK crated a job training program called IN2WORK that is being offered beginning November 1 to the inmates of McHenry County Jail. The specific program, I2W, is a 12 week program that ARAMARK Correctional Services created to help its clients provide non-violent offenders with valuable training and work experience in a commercial kitchen.  There are three phases to this program which cover Kitchen Basics, Retail Basics, and ServSafe.  After successful completion of coursework and all exams, participants in this program will receive ARAMARK and ServSafe certifications.

Shawn King, Food Service Director for ARAMARK, will provide the classroom instruction and supervise the students through the completion of their coursework and gaining experience in helping prepare the 1,500 meals prepared daily at the McHenry County jail. The first program will be offered to two to four participants.

Following successful completion of coursework and exams, the participants will receive ARAMARK and SafeServ certifications. The Sheriff's office recognizes the value the program will have on improving the ability of the individual inmate to turn the skills into gainful employment in the food industry.

MCC To Initiate Full Time Law Enforcement Agency

McHenry County College campus will be transitioning from the Campus Public Safety and Security Department to a MCC Law Enforcement Agency. That was the decision of the Board of Trustees at Thursday's meeting. However, it was not a unanimous decision. Trustees Lowe, Larson, DeWitt and Miller voted for approval. Parrish was against it and Walters recuesed herself because of a relationship with someone involved in the issue. Kurtz was absent.

The basic reason for the decision was to be able to have immediate access to police officers if needed. Also to be able to have access to records without having to go through a police department. It was also pointed out that Crystal Lake Police sometimes cannot provide information to the MCC Campus Security people because they are not part of a police department.

The topic has been before the Board previously without taking action. Parrish argued that there is technology available to provide immediate access to information needed. However, head of the MCC Campus Security reported he was not aware of any type of technology that could be used for this purpose.

The transition will take between four to six months to ensure that the appropriate training and resources are in place. The move allows campus police officers to respond immediately to incidents of an urgent nature as they arise without waiting for outside law enforcement personnel to arrive on the scene. Because they are familiar with the campus environment, these officers would also have discretion in procedures for handling incidents that may be unique to MCC. This applies to the Crystal Lake campus as well as the McHenry Shah Center Campus.

Another key benefit of this department transition is quicker access to criminal and intelligence databases, such as L.E.A.D.S. (Law Enforcement Agency Data System), allowing campus police officers to properly investigate potential threats or other issues, as well as check vehicle registrations or conduct background checks, if needed.

“These are changing times that require the College to assess its ability to properly respond to campus emergencies,” said Michael Clesceri, director of Campus Public Safety and Security. “The Board’s decision is a prudent step toward further protecting the students, faculty and staff,” he said.

A 2009 amendment to the Illinois Community College Act authorizes community college distrcits to appiont both law enforcement and non-law enforcement officers to their security forces. This is in the wake of an increase in college campus violence nationally that has caused community colleges in Illinois to make changes to have sworn police officers.

In an unofficial survey of a handfull of students, Student Representative, Cody Sheriff reported that 73 favored a full time force, 23 were opposed and 11 were not sure.

Help For Voters

To All Congressional Candidates:

GOTCHA!

Project Vote Smart’s Great Divide Ranch, MT--VoteEasy, a powerful interactive, automated research system that gives each voter instant confirmation on which congressional candidates agree with their own positions on the issues, has begun today. (Link to VoteEasy at www.votesmart.org)

Unknown to the candidates, over the past year Project Vote Smart has applied thousands of research hours examining each candidate’s political history (voting records, public statements, backgrounds and actions) and is now exposing their positions on each voter’s questions, even when they refuse to answer the same questions put to them by Project Vote Smart and national media in the 2010 Political Courage Test. Each position is anchored in the candidate’s own words and public record.

“This is fact-checking on a massive scale and it is not popular with either major party,” said Richard Kimball, Project Vote Smart President. “It is easier to catch a greased pig than it is to catch a candidate with a straight answer to a straight question,” he said. “In fact, one Democratic congressional campaign told us the DCCC would withhold their campaign funds if they provided Vote Smart with answers, while the NRCC had one of their attorneys contact us and threaten legal action if we did not remove their candidates’ positions on the issues.”

VoteEasy converts thousands of research hours into just seconds, enabling any voter in any state to Vote Smart. After typing their zip code, users can answer the same key issue questions their congressional candidates were asked by Vote Smart staff and national media. Then they can watch the candidates squirm as their yard signs advance and recede relative to how the trail of evidence they have left suggests their agreement or disagreement. This candidate match-up helps voters cut through the campaign manipulation and identify the candidates most like them on key issues. If a voter questions why a candidate’s yard sign has moved, they may simply click on their picture and the candidate’s record will be instantly revealed.

Fearing opposition research, most modern candidates now refuse to answer basic issue questions posed by citizens, Project Vote Smart, and major media. “We are turning opposition research on its head to serve the will of each voter,” said Kimball. “Any candidate who thinks our research is in error is welcomed and encouraged to exchange their own answers for ours on VoteEasy.”

NOTICE TO CRYSTAL LAKE RESIDENTS

Crystal Lake Public Works Department will help with the fallen branches and debris as a result of the high winds experienced very recently.

A special branch and limb collection will take place beginning Monday, November 1. Crews will pass through each City street just once, so resident should have any debris that they wish to be collected moved to the parkway by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, November 1 to ensure that it will be picked up.

The City will also be continuing its regularly scheduled Brush Drop-Off Program on Saturday, November 6. Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. residents can drop off brush or storm debris at Wastewater Treatment Plan #2, located at the intersection of Coventry Lane and Dartmoor Drive.

MCC Board Considering Transitioning to A Law Enforcement Agency For Campus Safety

McHenry County College Board of Trustees is meeting this evening at 7:00 pm in the Board Room of the College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

In addition to the necessary routine matters for the Board's approval, one report for the Board to consider is the transitioning of the College's Public Safety Department to become a Law Enforcement Agency.

This topic has been presented to the Board in the recent meetings, but further information was needed before a decision could be made. Currently the Campus and Public Safety Department members are sworn police officers.

The Illinois Community College Act authorizes districts to appoint both law enforcement and non-law enforcement officers to their security forces. An increase in college campus violence nationally has caused reevaluation of campus safety procedures at most campuses.

Considerable searching was done with other area campus. At a September meeting the Board of Trustees was presented with information on the subject and discussed possibilities as well as costs. The Board instructed administration to prepare a recommendation for the October Board meeting regarding transiting a Campus Public Safety Department to a Law Enforcement Agency.

The Board is expected to consider this recommendation at tonight's Board of Trustees meeting.

Savings Books To Help Consumer and Environmental Defenders

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are now selling the hugely popular 2011 Entertainment® Book, filled with hundreds of coupons worth thousands of dollars in savings on restaurants, shopping, attractions, travel and more.

 For $25, you’ll get a huge assortment of discounts and buy-one-get-one offers, including restaurants, sports, travel and more.  The 2011 Entertainment® Book can save customers hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars over the next 15 months. The coupon books are good through December, 2011, and include discounts at many popular, local-area businesses.

A portion of each purchase goes to support the environmental programs and services of the Environmental Defenders. The books are offered for sale during regular business hours, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Defenders’ office, 124 Cass Street, Ste. 3 in downtown Woodstock.  Interested persons are invited to stop by the office to have a look and pick one up!

 If you want to purchase your Entertainment® Book online, you can also help the Defenders by ordering   at

Shipping costs will be an additional $4.99.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment.   For more information,   visit  or,

phone (815) 338-0393, or email to:  mcdef@owc.net

Crystal Lake Public Library Notices

The Crystal Lake Public Library Planning Committee will meet Tuesday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Director's Office.

On November 5, the Library will be closed from 9:00 a.m to Noon.

Phil Ulmer Retiring As Director of McHenry County Probation and Court Services

Chief Judge Michael J. Sullivan recently announced that Mr. Phillip A. Dailing has been named as the successor Director of the Department of Probation and Court Services of the 22nd Judicial Circuit. The current director, Mr. Phil Ulmer is scheduled to retire after serving the residents of McHenry County for more than 39 years. Mr. Ulmer’s retirement becomes official on December 31, 2010, at which time Mr. Dailing will assume the role as director.

Mr. Dailing has an Associate Degree in Child Development form the College of DuPage and a Bachelor of Science in Family Social Services from Northern Illinois University.

Mr. Dailing began his career as a Youth Counselor in the Kane County Department of Court Services in September of 1981. In addition to his position as a Youth Counselor, Mr. Dailing also served Kane County as a Program Coordinator, Field Supervisor and Assistant Project Manger. Mr. Dailing also has served as the DeKalb County Deputy Director of Court Services from 1986 until 1997.

Mr. Dailing is currently the Chief Managing Officer of the Juvenile Division of the McHenry County Department of Court Services where he has served since May of 1999.

While it is the responsibility of the Chief Judge to appoint the Director of Court Services, at a recent Circuit Judge’s meeting, all of the circuit judges of the Twenty Second Judicial Circuit unanimously agreed that Mr. Dailing was the most qualified applicant for the position.

Applicants were sought utilizing the Administrative Office of the Illinois Court and the National Center for State Courts, which garnered candidates from Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and Arizona.

Family Violence Symposium At MCC Thursday

McHenry County College will host “Child Abuse: Developing a Coordinated Multi-Disciplinary reCommunity Approach,” a family violence symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28 in the college’s conference center, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The program is sponsored through a joint partnership between the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County, Inc. and the college.

The National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC) will present the day-long symposium featuring Victor Veith, executive director of the NCPTC, a state-of-the-art training complex located on the campus of Winona State University, Winona, Minn. Veith  is a former prosecutor and nationally recognized child abuse expert who has provided instruction to thousands of professionals across the country. He wrote “Unto the Third Generation,” a bold initiative that explains how to eliminate child abuse in America in three generations. Also presenting will be Amy Russell, a staff attorney and nationally certified counselor. She has extensive experience in forensic interviewing and working with victims of violence and trauma, including homicide victims.

The symposium is intended for judges, counselors, prosecuting attorneys, victim advocates, health care providers, educators, social workers, clergy, law enforcement, probation officers, governmental officials, and paramedics and EMTs.

Cost is $20 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch, which has been partially funded by the VOICE Sexual Assault Program. Various types of continuing education credits are available for an additional fee of $10, payable the day of the event.

 To register, contact the Shah Center at (815) 455-8593 and reference symposium ID: NTL S99 001. For general information, contact Bev Thomas, local coordinator of 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, at (815) 479-7792 or email her at bthomas@mchenry.edu.

Celebrate Hallowee At The Adoption Fest Wednesday

McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center (MCAC) is planning something big to celebrate Halloween.  An adoption fest, “Trick or Treat, Adopt Four Feet”, will be held on Wednesday October 27 from 11am-6pm. 

 It’s a thriller of a deal with no tricks but plenty of treats as we try to find forever homes for our SUPER natural black and orange adult cats.   Thanks to the generous support of Friends of MCAC, a 501(c)3 organization, Animal Control will treat new cat owners to spooktacular low adoption rates of $13 to $31.  Nail trimmings are available for a $5 donation from 5:00pm-6:00pm; microchips are $15.  Participating vendors include Invisible Fence, Charlie’s Dog House Day Care and Overnight Care, Let Me Out Pet Sitting, Yuppy Puppy Grooming. 

For more information, contact MCAC at 815-459-6222.  To view MCAC animals for adoption, tvisit 

Halloween Is Coming

Night of the Living Dead, A Tribute to Elvis and Michael Jackson

Friday, October 29 and Saturday, 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Raue Center For The Arts

The stage is set, for a tribute to and celebration of  two  legends that changed the nation! Starring Matt Lewis, dubbed "The Best Elvis Impersonator in the World" by Bick Magazine, and Edward Moss, Michael Jackson's own stand-in double!

Solo or group, costume or not this is where you want to be.

More information

PACE Bus Division of RTA Budget Hearing Wednesday

Pace, the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, is holding public hearings on its proposed program and budget for the year 2011 (January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011), the operating financial plan for 2012-2013, and the capital plan for 2011-2015.

People wishing to comment on the proposed budget may present views orally at the public hearings or by submitting written material on or before the last date of the hearings, which is Thursday, October 28, 2010.

They may also accessing the PACE website at www.pacebus.com and go to the "Public Hearing Comment Form" area. Copies of the proposed program and budget are available for public inspection at:

Pace

550 West Algonquin Road

Arlington Heights, Illinois

60005-4412

Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend these hearings and who require accommodations, other than transportation, in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in these meetings, are requested to contact Pace at (847) 364-7223 option 3 (voice) or (847) 364-5093 (TTY) ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Budget information will be available at most public libraries, as well as townships, city and village offices in the six-county Pace region. You can also view the document via the Internet at www.pacebus.com by clicking on "About Pace" and selecting the link "Annual Budget," followed by "2011 Annual Budget Document."

PUBLIC HEARING LOCATION FOR MCHENRY COUNTY :

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

McHenry County Budget Public Hearing

Crystal Lake Municipal Complex

Council Chambers

100 Municipal Complex (W. Woodstock Street)

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Hearings On Metra Budget

The Metra Board of Directors approved the release of the agency’s proposed 2011 Program proposed 2011 Program and Budget booknd Budget book for public hearing and comment.

Metra’s proposed 2011 budget includes $634.2 million for operations and a $407.5 million capital program. No fare increase is planned in 2011.

Lower than projected ridership and sales tax receipts coupled with higher insurance and maintenance costs will force Metra to transfer $35 million from its 2010 capital program and $25 million from its 2011 capital program to operations for use on preventive maintenance in 2011. The agency also proposes to continue to delay filling vacancies and to combine job functions to reduce costs in 2011.

The proposed 2011-2015 capital program includes the allocation of $585 million in State of Illinois bond program proceeds to replace 160 Highliner cars on the Metra Electric District. State bond proceeds and other capital funding will be allocated in the amount of $175.8 million to complete a number of station and parking improvements across the Metra system.

Public hearings on Metra’s 2011 budget will be held on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 at locations throughout the six-county region. A list of the dates, times and locations of these hearings accompanies this news release. Copies of the budget will be available for review online at www.metrarail.com and will be distributed to municipalities and libraries across the region.

Following the public comment period, the Metra Board will vote on a final budget at its Nov. 19 meeting. The budget will then be forwarded to the Regional Transportation Authority, which will vote on the region’s transportation budget in December.

Metra Proposed 2011 Budget Public Hearing Schedule

METRA PROOSED BUDGET HEARINGS
NOVEMBER 3, 2010
LAKE COUNTY	McHenry County
Grayslake Village Hall	Woodstock City Hall
Village Board Room	City Council Chambers
10 S. Seymour	121 W. Calhous St.
Grayslake, IL	Woodstock IL
Suburban Cook (N)	Suburban Cook (S)
Arlington Heights Village Hall	Homewood Village Hall
Hanson Room – 3rd  Floor	Village Board Room
33 S. Arlington Heights Rd.	2020 Chestnut Road
Arlington Heights, IL	Homewood, IL
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 4
City of Chicago	DuPage County
METRA	Clarendon Village Hall
547 W. Jackson	Village Board Room
13th Floor Board Room	1 North Prospect Ave.
Chicago, IL	Clarendon, IL
	Will County
	Joliet City Hall
	Conference Room #1
	150 W. Jefferson St.
	Joliet, IL

Governments At Work On Tuesday

9:30 a.m.-Finance and Audit Committee of McHenry County Board

When the Finance and Audit Committee of the McHenry County Board meets Tuesday morning for its regular meeting, ten resolutions will be considered. Most are related to necessary items to authorize purchases such as a snow plow truck to clear the County campus parking lots, or reclassifying positions from full-time to two part-time positions

Two resolutions on the agenda relate to the two Recovery Zone Volume Cap projects in progress. One is the rescission of a prior resolution for Equity One Development Corporation, because it cannot be used by the recipient in the required timeframe. Therefore, it reverts to the County for possible future use.

The second resolution is for the Lakewood Sportsplex LLC. The County is being requested to transfer this recovery bond allocation cap to the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority.

2:00 p.m.-McHenry County College Planning Committee

This committee of the McHenry County College Board is meeting to consider matters related to the master plan for the campus, a discussion on the facility condition analysis and other matters related to the possible future need for expansion.

7:00 p.m.—Lakewood Village Board

The official ordinance conveying the "triangle" property from Crystal Lake Park District to the Village of Lakewood is being considered. This was conveyed from the Park District to the Village in connection with the Village's plans to construct a bike path along Huntley Road.

A number of items are included on the agenda regarding Red Tail Golf Club including discussion with the Red Tail Golf Committee about the Clubhouse and the contribution from Redtail for SSA#1, and discussion concerning bunker reconfiguration.

.Introductory and Advanced Welding Classes At MCC

McHenry County College’s Continuing Education Department is offering introductory and advanced welding classes beginning in November.

The introductory Welding Boot Camp program is a 40-hour course designed to provide students with a basic understanding of and hands-on experience in the welding profession.  Training will include instruction in basic welding technology and terminology, blueprint reading, basic math used in the welding trade, basic welding skills and plant safety. 

All classes are held at the Woodstock Center at 912 Track Lane in Woodstock.  Class size is limited and early registration is recommended.  Please note: No class on Nov. 24 or 25.

The introductory level courses are offered from 6-9:20 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday from Nov. 1 through Dec. 13 or from 6-9:20 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday from Nov 2 through Dec. 14. Cost for the introductory course is $1,000.

An advanced welding course will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13 through Dec. 11. Cost is $500.

To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.  For more information, call Dori Smith at (815) 455-8559 or Tracy Berry at (815) 455-8758.

Watersheds--Learn About Them and Their Part In Our Every Day Living

The public is invited to participate in new watershed planning projects developed to protect water resources in two eastern McHenry County watersheds. The planning areas are the Sleepy Hollow Creek and Silver Creek watersheds in eastern McHenry County (see maps below). Communities within the watersheds include Oakwood Hills, Prairie Grove, and portions of Bull Valley, Cary, Crystal Lake, McHenry, and nearby areas of unincorporated McHenry County. Community members who live or work in these watersheds are invited to provide input towards developing goals for these watershed planning projects.

A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common receiving body or outlet such as a stream. The watershed planning areas include streams called the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek. These watersheds are home to significant natural resources, including dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, rare wetlands, and several lakes enjoyed by community members as a source of recreation. The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds drain to the Fox River, an important source of drinking water, community recreation, and wildlife habitat. Working to protect the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds will support local communities and help restore Fox River water quality and natural habitat.

Watershed planning is a collaborative, locally supported approach to improving water quality, considering groundwater protection, and restoring healthy aquatic habitat.  Input from the meetings will be considered in the development of goals for the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watershed plans, said Lynn Rotunno, EDMC Watershed Coordinator.

One purpose of this collaborative effort is to identify priority project and planning recommendations to improve water quality.  Projects identified in these plans can become eligible for state and federal grants.

 “Input from watershed community members is very valuable, in order to create watershed plans that consider local environmental concerns and priorities,” Rotunno said.

For more information, visit http://foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm. You can also contact the Watershed Coordinator, Lynn Rotunno, at watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or call the EDMC office at (815) 338-0393.

These planning projects are funded by Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act by way of a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water, to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Watershed planning oversight is the responsibility of CMAP. Planning Partners include the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, and the Fox River Study Group.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment.   For information about programs and membership, visit www.mcdef.org or email to mcdef.outreach@gmail.com.

Scheduled Planning Meetings 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
3p.m. – 5p.m.
Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake.  Meeting participants will provide input towards developing goals and objectives for the planning projects.

Evening Meeting: Planning Projects Overview, 7p.m. - 8p.m.

Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake. Community members that are not able to attend the daytime meetings can participate in an evening meeting. An overview of the watershed planning projects will be presented and participants are encouraged to provide input related to community priorities and concerns. All persons interested in learning more about the planning projects and how watershed planning can benefit communities are welcome to attend. RSVP is requested by October 26 to watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net. 

Additional day and evening meetings will be held in the watersheds through December of 2011. All meetings are open to the public.

Governments At Work

Monday, October 25
8:15 a.m.---
The Human Resources Committee of the McHenry County Board will meet in the conference rooms of the McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock to handle several reclassification of positions along with a discussion on wage increase options and arbitration process for Public Safety Employees.

10:00 a.m.—
Crystal Lake Park District Board Finance Committee is meeting at in the Park District Administrative Office to discuss the tax levy as well as other related matters.

5:30 p.m.—
McHenry County College Board Finance and Audit Committee is meeting in the Board Room of the College, 7900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake. The agenda Includes: a status report regarding internal controls review; annual audit presentation by the College's audit firm Sikich, LLC; and an update regarding the search for a chief financial officer.

7:00 p.m.--
The Village of Lakewood's Economic Development Committee will be meeting Monday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Red Tail Golf Club, 7900 Red Trail Drive, Lakewood.

McHenry County Board of Health meets in the Department of Health facilities Annex A of the McHenry County Government Complex, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock. In addition to the necessary business matters regarding contracts with other agencies, the program highlight is the Consolidated School Health Program.

McHenry County Mental Health Board is scheduled to meet in the Mental Health Board facilities, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

A Committee of the Whole of the MCC Board is meeting in the College Board Room. In addition to the review of the Board Packet for the October 28 meeting, the agenda also lists discussion on a board retreat, requests for proposals for attorney services, report on the Planning and Facilities Committee, and comments from Board members.

First Hand Stories About Middle East Peacemakers

Approximately 75 people, including a large student presence, gathered in the McHenry County College Conference Center on a recent Wednesday night.. The student organized event featured MCC instructor Todd Culp in a presentation entitled "Friends Whose Names I'll Never Know." The talk focused on Culp's personal stories about Middle East peacemakers from his recently published book by the same name.


Culp opened the night with a short story from his book in which a student asked him why he only visits the "ugly" places. His response resonated throughout the night. Culp has been traveling to the Middle East, specifically Gaza and the West Bank, for the last 17 years. Culp started his work in the Middle East interviewing the combatants and studying terrorism. The reason for his frequent trips to Gaza and the West Bank are attributed to the great beauty he witnessed in the acts of courage and selflessness within the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. He found in these human acts of kindness a greater majesty than in the scenic beauty of a mountain.


The audience sat in rapt silence as they listened to his many stories of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists. Culp spoke of weekly nonviolent protests where Israelis, Palestinians, and internationals lock arms and sing songs of solidarity which never make the US news. These happen every Friday night but what is reported in the US press are suicide bombers, although there has been no suicide bombings in the last two years. Personal photographs were shown of these demonstrations including soldiers firing tear gas and rubber bullets into crowds of unarmed civilians. One photo in particular showed a water cannon using blue died water which would stain the skin making it easy to find the protesters later.


Enthusiastic history and international relations students asked questions long after the program was scheduled to end ranging in topic from the chance of a two state solution to Culp's feelings on human nature.


Todd Culp is available as a speaker for organizations or classrooms. For more information about MCC's history department programs, contact Todd Culp at (815) 479-7724 or email him at tculp@mchenry.edu.


The event was sponsored by the MCC Student Peace Action Network. SPAN's mission is to "promote peace on a local and national level through education and action." Monday, November 15th SPAN will show the film "The People Speak" at 7:00pm in the Conference Center. For more information about this event and others contact SPAN at mccspan@gmail.com.