A Precision March For Special Needs

Crystal Lake is celebrating Fourth of July on the 3rd of July. The day is expected to be filled with lots of things to watch and do.

A parade, beginning at 1:00 p.m. will follow its historical 1.8 mile route from the City Hall at the corner of Woodstock Street and Walkup Avenue, proceeding down Dole Avenue to the Lakeside Festival grounds across from the Main Beach.

Dorothy Heisler has been named the Grand Marshal for this 2011 parade. Mrs. Heisler is a lifelong resident of Crystal Lake and has raised a family in the community along with helping in the family shoe business, now located at 50 North Williams Street.

One of the highlights of the parade is expected to be the Lawn Chair Dads. This precision marching group is a fun loving group that travels to various parades to present their fun-loving precision military marching and handling of lawn chairs, sometimes folded, sometimes opened, and sometimes used for seating. All of this is accomplished in their appropriate dress--boxer shorts, tank tops, black socks and sandals. They have been doing this fun-loving marching since 1994 for the purpose or raising funds for various charities, mostly for children.

The annual festival is taking place after the parade and through the fireworks display planned for dusk at the Crystal Lake Main Beach.

Admission to the beach before 3:00 p.m. will be the regular beach admission prices which area;

Seniors 62 and older -- $6

Adults 16 and older -- $10

Youth 4-15 Years  --     $6

Children 3 and under -- Free

Admission after 3:00 p.m.

$2 per person, maximum $10 per family --immediate family only

Parking

Before 3:00 p.m.

Regular non-resident parking -- $5

Resident parking -- free with City sticker

After 3:00 p.m.

Parking within Main Beach paved lot

Non-resident -- $5

Resident --free with City sticker

No Pesticide Spraying In Lakewood This Year

The Village of Lakewood began mosquito abatement in May, when the Public Works Department began installing mosquito larvicide briquettes in all Village catch basins and standing water in street rights-of-way.

The larvicide prevents mosquito larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes. The larvicide briquettes are to be reapplied as required throughout the season.

The Village will not be spraying pesticides for adult mosquitoes this season due to financial constraints and the minimal benefit provided. Residents are requested to remove all standing water from yards, toys, furniture, play structures, clogged gutters, flower pot saucers, and any items that are not moved regularly. This will prevent breeding ground needed by the mosquitoes.

Residents are also advised that there are numerous mosquito control products available to the public such as yard foggers, insect sprays, barrier sprays, repellents containing DEET, non-DEET repellents recognized by the CDC, along with microbial and chemical larval control for use in standing water.

There are numerous kinds of mosquitoes and in Illinois the most common species is the inland floodwater mosquito, which is not believed to be a significant vector for West Nile virus. The Aedes (flood water) mosquitoes are annoying, aggressive biters that appear shortly after heavy rains.

It is the Culex mosquitoes that are associated with West Nile virus. They breed in stagnant water and thrive in hot, dry weather. Their eggs can be flushed away by heavy rains before they hatch.

July 6th – Green Drinks For McHenry County

On the first Wednesday of each month, environmentally-minded people gather upstairs at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen to network and talk about “greening” the future. Everyone is welcome to attend the McHenry County Green Drinks on July 6, 2011, from 5 pm until 7 pm,

110 N Main Street

in Crystal Lake.

July’s topic is “Toxins in food: Greening up your diet”, presented by Denise Gaskell, owner of Gaskell Healthy Solutions, who is committed to helping people achieve optimal wellness. 

“Did you know there may be cancer-causing chemicals in your food, your cleaning supplies, or the personal products you put on your skin?  Are you familiar with the "Red Light" additives that may be lurking in your diet?  Can you guess how much sugar the average American in consuming? 

With Heart Disease the #1 Killer, and Cancer and Diabetes on the rise, it is important we understand our diet and how to avoid these often deadly concerns.  Most of us know we could benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, but do you know what foods and ingredients you should absolutely avoid?

Join us to learn what food additives, inferior ingredients, and toxins you can simply remove and green up your diet for a healthier you and healthier planet!”

 Additional parking is available at the train station.

For more information or to be added to the Green Drinks email list, send a note to: GreenDrinks@mcdefenders.net or go to: http://www.facebook.com/GreenDrinksMcHenryCounty.

Mosquito Abatement In Crystal Lake

There should be less mosquitoes in Crystal Lake since a misting over night Thursday and Friday by Clark Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc. Clark is the City’s mosquito abatement contractor.

Clark applies a synthetic pyrethroid used widely throughout the Chicagoland area for adult mosquito control

In addition to the targeted misting application, Clark will continue larviciding efforts in the City. They regularly examine and treat breeding sites throughout the city, including storm sewer catch basins. This program helps control mosquitoes while they are in the larval stage.

Residents can help control mosquito development by monitoring potential breeding sites in yards and throughout the City and alerting Clarke to the locations by calling a toll-free Mosquito Hotline at 1-800-942-2555. Upon a request by a resident, one application of Altoside XR ® briquette, which lasts for 150 days, will be placed in backyard catch basins. Residents are also asked to call the Mosquito Hotline to make arrangements for the application.

Questions regarding the application or any other part of Crystal Lake’s Mosquito Abatement Program can be directed to the Clark’s Hotline at 1-800-942-2555.

Beach Sampling Results - Good News-Bad News

Some beaches remain closed while a few others were opened following the latest beach water samplings by McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH).

Beach water samplings at 36 licensed beaches on were conducted Thursday, June 30th.

Closed

• North Beach 1, Silver Lake, Cary (re-sampling Friday, July 1st results Saturday, July 2nd)
• Indian Trails Beach, Woods Creek Lake, LITH (re-sampling Friday, July 1st results Saturday, July 2nd)
• Wonder Center, Wonder Lake (re-sampling Friday, July 1st results Saturday, July 2nd)

Opened:

• Highland Shores Beach, Wonder Lake
• Deep Spring Woods 1, Wonder Lake
• Lake Killarney East, Lake Killarney

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.  The Department recommends refraining from swimming at least 2-3 days after heavy rainfall. 

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities.  Beaches that require an advisory or closing are posted with signs by the Department.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the Department’s webpage at www.mcdh.info or by calling (815) 334-4585.

Words From A Well-Known Economist

"[American seniors] want their Social Security and their Medicare to stay the way they are -- and their anger is directed against those who want to change the financial arrangements that pay for these benefits. Their anger should be directed instead against those politicians who were irresponsible enough to set up these costly programs without putting aside enough money to pay for the promises that were made -- promises that now cannot be kept, regardless of which political party controls the government.

“Many retired people remember the money that was taken out of their paychecks for years and feel that they are now entitled to receive Social Security benefits as a right. But the way Social Security was set up was so financially shaky that anyone who set up a similar retirement scheme in the private sector could be sent to federal prison for fraud.

“Despite irresponsible political ads showing an old lady in a wheel chair being dumped over a cliff, the people who are really in danger of being dumped over a cliff are the younger generation, who are paying into Social Security but are unlikely to get back anything like what they are paying in.

“ What needs to be done is to allow younger workers a choice of staying out of a system that is simply running out of money." --economist Thomas Sowell

Public Health and Human Services Committee Meets This Morning

The Public Health and Human Services Committee of the McHenry County Board is meeting at 8:15  this morning in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building,

667 Ware Road, Woodstock

.

An interview is slated for an appointment to the McHenry County Housing Authority of Robert P. Routzahn.

Actions regarding the Workforce Investment Board for consideration include appointment Jeffrey J. Poynter Director of the Board and authorizing budget line item transfers in the Investment Board Fiscal Year 2011 Budgets.

The committee is also to consider entering into a contract with Gavers Excavating for the Demolition of the OLD Valley Hi Nursing Home facility on Nelson and Hartland Roads. This facility is no longer used for McHenry County’s elderly. They are residing in the new facility constructed as the result of voters approving a referendum for that purpose

Words of Wisdom

"The Constitution, which at any time exists, 'till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People, is sacredly obligatory upon all."

 --George Washington, September 19, 1796

Some Beaches Closed Following Testing

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 36 licensed beaches on Wednesday, June 29th. Two beaches are closed due to high bacteria levels –

North Beach 1, Silver Lake, Cary (re-sampling Thursday, June 30th results Friday, July 1st)

Highland Shores Beach, Wonder Lake (re-sampling Thursday, June 30th results Friday, July 1st)

One Beach was opened::

Lehman’s Beach, Lehman’s Lakeside Resort, Marengo

The following beaches are on advisory and re-sampling Thursday, June 30th results Friday, July 1st):

Indian Trails Beach, Woods Creek Lake, LITH

Lake Killarney East, Lake Killarney

Deep Spring Woods 1, Wonder Lake

Wonder Center, Wonder Lake

 

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality. Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found. The Department recommends refraining from swimming at least 2-3 days after heavy rainfall.

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. Beaches that require an advisory or closing are posted with signs by the Department. All beach water results and locations are readily available at the Department’s webpage at www.mcdh.info or by calling (815) 334-4585.1

Changes For Senior RTA Riders

The current RTA senior ride free holders will be issued either a new senior circuit ride free or a reduced fare permit beginning August 1, 2011.

Effective June 1, 2011, the RTA will begin means testing all senior applications for the ride free program. Those not enrolled in the State of Illinois Department on Aging Circuit Breaker program will be issued a reduced fare permit.

Senior Center employees are requested to advise any customers making application at the Center that they may receive a reduced fare permit if not currently a circuit breaker enrollee.

On July 1, 2011, the RTA will no longer issue replacement permits for any lost, stolen, or damaged permits. Customers should be directed to contact RTA customer service department at (312) 913-3110 for assistance.

Questions should be directed to Lucy Romo at (312) 913-3117 or email at romol@rtachicago.org.

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

Words of Wisdom

"The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position."

--George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

MCC Committee Meeting Wednesday Morning

The Finance and Negotiations Committee of the McHenry County College Board of Trustees is meeting at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday primarily in closed session. There is no indication that there will be an open session prior to adjournment.

Another Reason For Opposing Proposed Hospitals In McHenry County

Another area hospital opposing the two proposals turned down today by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board for McHenry County Hospitals is also hopeful that the IHFSRB will defer any decision on the proposals until the state establishes a Center for Comprehensive Health Planning, which was created by recent legislation.

Sherman Health, which opened a replacement hospital in 2009 to serve northern Kane and southern McHenry counties is another of the several health systems opposing the planned McHenry County facilities.

Representatives of Sherman, like their counterparts of Good Shepherd, point out that existing regional medical centers are providing comprehensive care for residents of northern Kane and southeastern McHenry County.

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Supports State Hospital Board Decision

Although the two proposed hospital plans before the State Health Facilities and Services Review Board today were turned down, this is not necessarily the end of the matter. Both proposals could be before the State Board later this year.

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital welcomed the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board’s votes today to give an “intent to deny” to both Certificate of Need (CON) applications from Centegra Health System and Mercy Health System to build additional hospitals in McHenry County.

“We thank the Review Board for its intention to deny these projects, and believe this supports our contention that no new hospitals are needed in McHenry County,” said Karen Lambert, president of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital.

Centegra asked for approval to build a $233 million, 128-bed hospital in Huntley on its campus at Reed and Haligus roads. Mercy’s application was for a $200 million, 128-bed hospital in Crystal Lake on property it owns at Route 31 and Three Oaks Road. The Review Board’s vote took place at its meeting in Joliet.

“We know the board will consider these projects again, and are confident that members will see that residents of northern Kane County and southeastern McHenry County are already well served by Good Shepherd and several other regional medical centers,” Lambert said.

These projects could be back on the agenda as early as August 16, 2011, or they could be added to the agenda for the meeting October 4, 2011.

No Hospital For Huntley--State Facilities and Planning Board

The State Board of Health Facilities and services Review Board also turned down the proposal of Centegra to locate a new hospital on the east side of Haligus Road between Algonquin Road and Reed Road in Huntley.

The Board report on this facility included three State Board Standards Not Met including,

Planning Area Need –“The applicants have requested beds in excess of the calculated need and there are existing facilities in the planning area operating below target occupancy.”

Unnecessary Duplication of Service/Maldistribution—There are existing faculties within 30 minutes operating below the State Board’s target occupancy.

Clinical service areas other than categories of services—“The proposed clinical services other than categories of service will impact other area providers that are not operating at target occupancy.”

This was the second proposal being considered today by the Board. The first was the proposal of Mercy Hospital for locating a hospital in Crystal Lake.

State Board Rejects Mercy Proposal For Crystal Lake Hospital

As expected, it is reported that the Mercy Hospital proposal to locate a facility at the southeast corner of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road, Crystal Lake failed to garner the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approval. The vote of the board was 8-1 against the proposal.

The report of the State Agency going into today’s meeting had five standards the report listed as not being met by the proposed hospital. This was the second attempt by Mercy to build a facility at this location. The first one was thwarted due to criminal aspects of the makeup of the State Board at that time, which resulted in serious criminal charges against those attempting to benefit from seeing that the proposal was approved. It was strongly stated at the time that Mercy had nothing to do with the criminal aspects.

Health Facilities and Services Review Board Comments

Reasons listed in the Health Facilities and Services Review Board report included:

Size of Project—“The applicants do not meet Obstetric bed size per room and recovery stations per station.”

Planning Area Need--“Applicants have requested beds in excess of the calculated need and there are existing facilities in the planning area operating below target occupancy.”

Unnecessary Duplication of Service/Maldistribution--“There are existing facilities within 30 minutes operating below the State Board’s target occupancy.”

Clinical services area other than categories of service--“Based upon the physician referrals submitted by the applicants the proposed project will lessen the utilization of existing providers.”

Reasonableness of Project Costs--“The A & E fees exceed the State Board standard by 1.51% or $1,024,287.”

These are the criteria the Board was to consider when making a decision.

Medical Field Decision Day

Today is the day the situation regarding new hospitals in the McHenry County should be resolved. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board is meeting in Springfield to consider the applications of Centegra Health System’s proposal for a hospital in Huntley and Mercy Alliance proposal for a Mercy Hospital in Crystal Lake.

Public hearings were held on both proposals with proponents and opponents providing their input. The rest is up to the Review Board.

Centegra proposes a 128-bed acute care facility located at the eastside of Haligus Road, between Algonquin Road and Reed Road for an estimated cost of $233,160,352.

Mercy Crystal Lake Hospital and Medical Center, Inc. proposes a 128 bed acute care hospital and multi-specialty physician clinic on the southeast corner of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road for an estimated cost of $199,344,433.

Public hearings were held on both of the proposals, with proponents and opponents providing their input.

The final decision is up to the board consisting of nine voting members and four ex-officio non-voting members.

Info On Government For Tuesday

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

The usual fourth Tuesday of the month meeting of the Lakewood Village Board has been cancelled. The next scheduled meeting is July 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the RedTail Golf Club,

7900 RedTail Drive, Lakewood

.

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

Meets in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building,

667 Ware Road, Woodstock

.

The Committee will hear the FY 2010 Financial Reports by Baker, Tilly Virchow, Krause, LLP, the county’s outside auditors.

The County is to receive $1,841,614 in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding for the year July 1, 20qq through June 30, 2012. These funds include a WIA Program grant of $551,289, Dislocated Workers Program grant of $660,860; and WIA Youth Program Grant of $639,465.

Words of Wisdom

"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression."
--Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, 1801

Monday--National HIV Testing Day

According to the CDC, over 1 million Americans are living with HIV. One in 5 is unaware of their infection and may be spreading it to others.  The best way to protect yourself is to know your HIV status and that of your partners.  In observance of National HIV Testing Day (June 27), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering free, confidential or anonymous rapid HIV testing for at-risk individuals.  The test consists of a small finger-stick blood sample and results are available in less than 30 minutes.  Individuals are also assessed for risk factors and provided educational material. 

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of December 31, 2010, there are 124 people in McHenry County living with HIV; 74 of whom have advanced to AIDS.

This month marks 30 years since the first AIDS case was reported in the United States.  Twenty-one percent (21%) of those infected are unaware of their status and are at risk of transmitting the virus to others. People who engage in certain behaviors are at an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV. Those who may be at risk include men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, people with 2 or more STD’s in the past 12 months, people who exchange sex for something they need, people who average 6 or more partners a month, or anyone who has had unprotected sex with any of the above.

For more information, visit http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics or make an appointment at MCDH at 815-334-4500

Mad Chickens At MCC

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, and McHenry County Transition invite you to a screening of the documentary Mad City Chickens On Tuesday, June 28^th , 7:00 pm, at the McHenry County College Conference Center. 

Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge-and even a mad professor and giant hen taking to the streets-it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.

Join others interested in this renewed trend for the screening and follow-up discussion.  Free to the public, donations to help offset costs are encouraged.

To see trailers of the film, go to

For more information, contact the Defenders at 815-338-0393 or mcdef@owc.net

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit or call 815-338-0393.

McHenry County Board Committee Meeting Monday

MONDAY, JUNE 27

8:30 a.m.—Management Services Committee of McHenry County Board—

Meeting in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building,

667 Ware Road, Woodstock

The Committee is to interview five individuals who have expressed an interest to serve on the County Ethics Commission. These include William Hauck, Scott S. Logan, Cheri R. Rickert, Thomas B. Spencer, John J. Donahue. A sixth individual, Connee Meschini is unable to attend for the interview.

A number of resolutions are to be considered by the Committee. Two of these relate to the IT Department and involves an agreement with Symantec for Software Maintenance and Support. The other concerns a five-year Network Server Lease with Cisco Capital Leasing for Cisco Network Services.

A salary adjustment is to be considered for a network engineer in the IT Department and a

Contract is to be considered with Gavers Excavating for the Demolition of the Old Valley Hi Nursing Home Facility.

Additionally, there could be a discussion regarding Open Meetings Act, and a demonstration is scheduled for an iPad demonstration.

Discussion by the Committee is slated regarding a future tour of the jail.

Demolition of Former Valley Hi Nursing Home Building

Requests for Proposals were solicited for asbestos removal and demolition of the abandoned Valley Hi facility that served to house the elderly for many years until the voters approved a referendum for a new building in 2000. This new facility is located on the southeast corner of Nelson and Hartland Roads and is also on county-owned property that had been acquired many years ago when caring for the elderly was accomplished on the "poor farm."

That was a farm where the elderly could live when they no longer could do the farming to support themselves. Everyone that was able to do some chores pitched in to keep the farm going and at the same time had a place to reside.

Since nursing home patients moved into their new home, the facility located on the west side of

Hartland Road

has been utilized for storage. That is becoming a problem due to the age of the building and the decision was made to demolish it.

Eighteen Years Out of Society For Armed Robbery

A 36-year-old Spring Grove man was sentenced this past week to 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the Class X felony offense of Armed Robbery following a negotiated plea.

Defendant Kozik admitted to robbing the Payday Loan Store in McHenry in December of 2006. He is currently serving a sentence in the Federal Penitentiary for bank robbery which occurred near the time of the instant offense.

His projected federal parole date is January 30, 2029. This case was investigated by Detective John Birk of the McHenry Police Department. There was further cooperation with police departments from Crystal Lake, Fox Lake, and Antioch. The case was prosecuted for the State by Assistant State’s Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein.

"Summertime When the Goin' Is Easy"

And No Open Burning

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents that year-round burning restrictions are in effect for the proper disposal of landscape waste on their property. Landscape waste consists of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs.  The “McHenry County Public Health Ordinance: Open Burning of Landscape Waste” permits residents to burn landscape waste on weekend days (Saturdays and Sundays) during April, May, October and November if the burn area meets the setback requirements of at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house; 50 feet from a barn, shed or detached garage. Most municipalities have ordinances which restrict or prohibit the burning of yard waste. In areas where there is not a ban or more restrictive ordinance, the County ordinance, which is in effect year round, must be followed. 

But There Are Alternatives

Reduce/Reuse - Use a mulching mower for grass and leaves or a chipper for branches. Native landscaping will also reduce the need for yard waste. 

Recycle - Composting landscape waste can reduce material volume by 70 - 80% and act as a soil conditioner to improve plant growth.

Licensed municipal waste haulers in McHenry County are required to provide pick up of landscape waste from residential customers; an additional fee may apply.  Some waste haulers contract with municipalities, neighbors and homeowner associations to provide collection of landscape waste. Residents are encouraged to work collectively with neighbors and associations for the most economical solution for their neighborhood. Residents may also drop off landscape waste at a local facility that composts these materials into organic compounds for reuse. A listing of these services is available at

Health Department, Other Alternatives --go to Open Burning under Quick Links and then to Other Alternatives

Communities with ordinances that meet or exceed County standards, as well as those with total bans on burning are also listed. Call local police, fire or MCDH non-emergency number for enforcement of open burning issues. If reporting an emergency complaint that is life threatening or is a fire safety issue, call 911. Residents may also call the health department’s after-hours phone number 815-344-7421 for assistance.

Complete details about the Ordinance and suggested alternatives are available online the Department’s webpage or by calling 815-334-4585.