"Smoking In Your Car Is Hazardous To Your Friends And Family"

McHenry County College student Jim Anderson’s winning media design can be seen at local gas stations, drive-in and restrooms.  Chosen as one of the winners of the McHenry County Department of Health’s (MCDH) annual Billboard Design Contest, Jim’s design was entitled “Smoking in your car is hazardous to your friends and family”, depicting the damaging effects of second-hand smoke.  Other contest winners were seniors Megan Teresi, Woodstock High School, and Nate Prosser, Johnsburg High School.

The contest sought to highlight local talent while educating the community of the health effects of smoking.  Open to all McHenry County teens, designs were received under the following categories – tobacco prevention, secondhand smoke, and quit smoking.  Entries were judged on originality, peer appeal, and simple, colorful design.  Making the final selection were teens from Reality Illinois Anti-Tobacco Advocacy groups, members of the McHenry County “Tobacco Free” Coalition and MCDH’s Health Promotion staff. 

This project is made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Visit www.mcdh.info for information on smoking cessation classes or call 815-334-4510.

Study of McHenry County Groundwater System

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are providing assistance to the Illinois State Water Survey in a study of the County’s groundwater system.

In the 1990’s the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) conducted a study in which the water level in about 600 McHenry County wells was measured. The wells, mostly residential, were located throughout the county and were individually visited by ISWS staff who measured the water level in each well. This data enabled the ISWS to map the water levels in our sand and gravel aquifers and resulted in the publication, in 1998, of a landmark study titled “Groundwater Studies for Environmental Planning, McHenry County Illinois” by Scott Meyer. This study greatly increased the understanding of the county’s groundwater resources and served as the basis for much of the later research into the County’s groundwater supply, including that used in preparation of the County’s current Water Resources Action Plan.

Now, the County and the ISWS are in the process of updating the Meyer study. This update will show what changes have occurred in groundwater levels during the past 17 –21 years, and will also enable verification of recent groundwater flow modeling techniques.

To develop the new data, ISWS staff must re-measure the water levels in as many of the 600 previously measured wells as possible.  The measurement is free and can be performed with or without the homeowner present, depending on their preference.  It will take about 15 minutes during which ISWS staff will remove the cap of the well, lower a disinfected steel measuring tape, calculate the water depth, reattach the well cap and replace rusted nuts and bolts as needed. 

The ISWS needs to secure permission from well owners, which is a very time consuming process as people have moved and phone numbers have changed. The Environmental Defenders have volunteered to contact well owners to secure permission for ISWS to measure water levels.

Defenders members are telephoning or hand delivering messages to addresses that previously had well levels measured. For more information, please contact the Defenders’ office at 815-338-0393 or at mcdef@owc.org.

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.

Words of Wisdom

Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason."

 --Benjamin Franklin

Nightly Closure of Virginia Road Begins Monday

A reminder-Rakow Road will be closed nightly between Virginia Road and IL 31 beginning Monday for approximately three weeks.

In order to make up for delays due to utility relocations and wet spring weather, nightly closures of Rakow Road between Virginia Road and IL 31 are planned. This segment of Rakow Road will be closed at 8:00 p.m. and will be reopened to traffic by 6:00 a.m. the following morning.

The closures will be restricted to Monday through Friday and will begin on Monday, July 11 lasting for about three weeks.

The marked detour route will be:

Virginia Road at Rakow Road southeast to IL 31

North on IL 31 to Rakow Road.

Access to all businesses will be maintained, and maps showing the closure segment, the marked detour route, and routes to local streets are available on-line at the project website http://www.RakowRoad.com.

Work to be performed during the night closures will be the construction of utility crossings of Rakow Road for sewer and water mains, as well as earth excavation and placement of road embankment. Performing the utility crossings at night will speed their construction and reduce the delay to motorists.

This is the first year of the two-year program to widen Rakow/Randall Road between Ackman Road and Illinois Route 31. The project is scheduled to be substantially complete in the Fall of 2012, and will widen and reconstruct Rakow/Randall Road from two lanes to six lanes between Ackman and Pyott Road, and from two lanes to four lanes between Pyott Road and IL 31. The project will also include the construction of dual left turn lanes at key intersections.

Rakow Road project information and project personnel contact information is available at the project website In addition, a project information mailing list is available on the website to receive up-to-date project information as construction progresses, and project update information is also available.

Congressman Manzullo Wants Fannie and Freddie To Pay Back Losses To Taxpayers

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) introduced legislation today to require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to continue paying annual dividends back to the US Treasury to ensure the “ringleaders” of the housing crisis keep paying off their debt to American taxpayers. 

The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011 (H.R. 2436) prohibits the Treasury Department from reducing the 10 percent dividend payment Fannie and Freddie currently make annually to reimburse taxpayers for the hundreds of billions of bailout dollars the mortgage giants received to date. Fannie and Freddie are considered Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs).

            

Manzullo is a member of the House Financial Services Committee that is scheduled to consider the Manzullo bill as part of its Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform package next week.

“We were irate when the ringleaders of the housing collapse – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – were given a complete pass in the financial reform bill last Congress despite the fact that the taxpayer liability for their losses could reach $1 trillion,” Manzullo said.  “Fannie and Freddie must continue to pay their debts back to taxpayers, and that’s exactly what we expect to accomplish with the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011.”

Since 2000, Manzullo has been fighting Fannie and Freddie for what he considers illegal and unethical practices, such as cooking the books to get higher bonuses for the officers, and fraudulently using lobbyists and fake surveys to fight reform. In 2000, 2003 and 2005, he co-sponsored legislation that would have required higher capital requirements for Fannie and Freddie so the housing crisis would not have occurred, at least not to the current extent. Manzullo exposed some of Fannie and Freddie’s unethical practices during several Financial Services Committee hearings. Click here to view highlights of one of those hearings from 2004.   

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), who chairs the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises, discussed Manzullo’s legislation at a media briefing on Capitol Hill in May along with six other bills the subcommittee is considering to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Manzullo joined Garrett at the media briefing.

 “Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as the Obama administration, all agree that the current trajectory of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is unsustainable,” Garrett said. “These seven bills were carefully designed to tie the hands of Fannie and Freddie so that they are no longer a drag on the American taxpayers, a threat to our economic security, and an impediment to private market growth and development.”

Birthday Anniversary For IOpen Space Protector

 McHenry County Conservation District is celebrating 40 years of protecting open space throughout the county and is hosting a day of appreciation to thank our residents for their continued support.

Come out for a day of Appreciation & Celebration, Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 & Harts Rd., Ringwood.

Schedule of Events:

• Entertainment & Storytelling On the Deck:
   10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Local Musician Will Kruger & Company
   Noon - 1:00 p.m. Local Storyteller Rich Tobiasz - Stories of
   Growing up in McHenry County - “Full Circle”’

• Guided Nature Hikes: 10:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

• Powers-Walker: Living History Open House: Noon - 4 p.m.

• McHenry County Historical Museum Traveling Bus “The James”

• Scavenger Hunt 

• Coloring & Creating a Mural 

• Kids Activities

• Green Solutions for Home & Garden 

• Giveaways and more!

• Picnic on the Patio — Bring your lunch & enjoy the entertainment.

It’s been 40 years in the making and we couldn’t have done it without you! Today McHenry County Conservation District protects over 25,000 acres and has 32 sites open for the public to enjoy a myriad of outdoor recreational activities. 

Take A Walk In A Garden Or Two Or Three Or Four On Saturday

“Water Wow,” a Crystal Lake Garden featured on this year’s annual Garden Walk, a self-guided tour put on by McHenry County Master Gardeners and McHenry County College from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. This garden incorporates a stream and mini waterfalls punctuated with aquatic plants, flowering annuals, perennials and grasses. This year’s event includes eight different private gardens as well as the Master Gardener’s demonstration garden at McHenry County College, where there will also be a plant sale.

If you believe it’s important to stop and smell the flowers, there’s no better opportunity than the McHenry County Master Gardeners’ annual Garden Walk on Saturday, July 9.

This year’s day-long tour, held rain or shine, will feature not only flowers, but herbs, vines, ground covers, shade plants and more at eight unique, private gardens in the McHenry County area as well as the always-interesting McHenry County Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The MCC Demonstration Garden showcases a variety of garden types including shady nooks, native plantings, a compact vegetable plot, creative container gardening, roses, a butterfly garden and a quilt garden.

Garden Walk participants will also have the opportunity to meet Master Gardeners and ask them questions and purchase plants (while supplies last).

­Co-sponsored by McHenry County College and the McHenry County Master Gardeners with the University of Illinois Extension, the self-guided tour allows participants to view the gardens at their own pace between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Featured gardens will include an Asian-influenced woodland garden with a koi pond; a shady pathway garden through the woods; a sunny hillside garden; and a flower lover’s garden containing more than 120 varieties of daylilies, 65 varieties of antique and heirloom irises, roses, and a variety of annuals and perennials.

Tickets are $12 through June 24 or $17 after June 24. Tickets may be purchased by calling the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588 or at the gardens on the day of the event. Please note, no pets will be allowed on the tour. For more details, visit www.mchenry.edu/gardenwalk.

Ever Wonder How Much Was Paid For That Story On The Screen?

The revelation this week that ABC News paid a second source close to the Casey Anthony murder trial – raising the total price of exclusive coverage to $215,000 – underscores a growing trend of buying news content and it stands to undermine journalistic credibility, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Ethics Committee said today.

ABC News and other networks have paid licensing fees for exclusive information in the past, and those practices have been challenged by SPJ as undermining news legitimacy and creating an environment of “truth-selling.”

In this latest incident, the man who found the body of Caylee Anthony testified this week at the trial that ABC paid him $15,000 for the rights to the picture of a snake similar to those that infest the area in central Florida where the child’s body was found.

Roy Kronk told the jury he knew the reason for the payment.

“I was paid for a licensed picture of a snake, but I knew there would probably be an interview involved,” he said.

Kronk appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” for an “exclusive interview” in January.

Checkbook journalism, the practice of obtaining exclusive interviews by the roundabout method of licensing photos and videos, violates the SPJ Code of Ethics, which advises journalists to “act independently.” That includes being “wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.” Read the full SPJ Code of Ethics.

“This is no longer a developing trend. It’s a habit,” said Kevin Smith, chairman of the SPJ Ethics Committee. “Paying sources for exclusivity, under any name, calls into question the motives of the source and the news outlets.”

This brings to at least $215,000 the amount ABC has paid for exclusive information in the disappearance and death of the two-year-old in June 2008, according to its own accounts. Previous court testimony has disclosed that the network paid $200,000 as a licensing fee for Anthony family photos, money Anthony has used to pay for her legal defense. The network also paid for a three-night hotel stay for the child’s grandparents.

In March 2010, the SPJ Ethics Committee publically condemned this practice and cited examples of exclusive information purchases by ABC, NBC and CNN. Read the statement.

ABC and NBC persist in the discredited practice of checkbook journalism, paying for exclusive interviews, for the right to air photos or videos, and that usually is accompanied by an exclusive interview, as was the case with Kronk.

ABC recently confirmed to CNN’s Howard Kurtz that it had paid $10,000-$15,000 for pictures a woman sent to former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner before she granted Chris Cuomo an exclusive interview about her interaction with the congressman, who sent her provocative pictures of himself.

NBC obtained an exclusive interview in May with a high school student who pretended to be pregnant for her senior project; the network paid license fees for footage from her high school and put the money in a trust fund for the student’s educational expenses. The student had originally planned to talk to ABC but changed her mind.

CNN admitted to paying a licensing fee for exclusive photos from a passenger who helped subdue the underwear bomber on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day 2009. After that incident, the passenger, Jasper Schuringa, shopped the photo to the highest bidder, according to sources at CNN and other networks.

Last October, at its national convention, SPJ held a session dedicated specifically to checkbook journalism and invited all of the major networks to participate. No one accepted the offer, though CBS has denounced the practice.

“Money is being asked for more and more of the time,” Jeff Fager, the chairman of CBS News, told The New York Times. “If you’re in the business of having to pay people to get a story, it can’t be worth it,” he said.

Fox News said it would not be involved in the ethics session because it never pays for news.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

(The Town Crier is a long-standing member of SPJ and has served as President of a Chapter once located in Northern Illinois and of one In State College, PA.)

Improvements For MCCD Oldest Site-Comments on Plan Sought

McHenry County Conservation District is accepting public comments on recreational amenities being planned for Harrison Benwell Conservation Area, 7055 McCullom Lake Rd., Wonder Lake. A map of the proposed site improvements can be viewed online Harrison Benwell through July 18 or at the District’s Brookdale Administrative Offices, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

Comments and suggestions are also welcome by email, Planning@MCCDistrict.org. A public viewing of the draft plan will be held Thursday, July 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the District’s Brookdale Administrative Offices. Maps will be displayed and staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Proposed site improvements at Harrison Benwell, a 75 acre site, include a larger 20 space parking lot, improved ADA restroom, two picnic shelters, fire pit and 1.5 - 2 mile looped ADA asphalt/paver trail that winds through upland grasslands, savannas, and oak woodland.

Harrison Benwell is the District’s oldest site. It was one of the first properties acquired and the first site to open to the public in 1973. Recent restoration work in the oak and hickory woodland opened up the view and showcases the small stream that runs through the site. Currently this site is open for hiking, picnicking and cross-country skiing opportunities.

The tentative timeline for this project is to present the final Master Plan at the August 18 board meeting. If approved, plans will be submitted for the 2012-2013 budget and permitting and engineering work will begin. For more information call (815) 338-6223.

Discussion Of McHenry County's Unified Development Ordinance

The Planning and Development Committee of McHenry County Board is scheduled to meet Thursday morning in Conference Room B of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

One individual is scheduled to interview of appointment to the McHenry County Housing Commission. Jerry Monica was unable to interview at the last meeting when other candidates were interviewed.

The committee is also to consider the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Technical Review Memorandum provided by the consultant. This review is to take place Thursday morning as well as at the July 21 committee meeting.

The consultant retained to work on this project found that the current ordinances are difficult to use. Changes are in process.

The committee may also consider other reports as may be necessary.

Training For Those In the Working World

QUICKBOOKS® ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE TRAINING

McHenry County College Shah Center is offering a number of helpful courses including Quickbooks® 2010 accounting software series.  This six-course series is available from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays, July 18 through Aug. 22. QuickBooks is an accounting software for small business financial management and bookkeeping.

This QuickBooks series enables the user to track bills, invoices and estimates and to perform payroll functions in one easy to use accounting software solution. These instructor-led courses allow the software user to become confident and save time and money by eliminating trial and error learning. QuickBooks organizes your accounting system and allows you to get back to business.

Participants can register for individual courses or the entire series. An individual course fee is $95. Cost for the entire series is $485, which includes all materials. These courses are held at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry For more information; contact the Shah Center, at (815)

455-8593 or  shahcenter@mchenry.edu.

FORKLIFT TRAINING AVAILABLE THROUGH MCC

Employers that employ forklift drivers are required to establish and implement a forklift training and certification program, as required by OSHA.

Forklift Operator provides participants with knowledge in powered industrial truck (forklift) operation. They will gain the skills required to operate a lift truck in a correct and professional manner. Forklift is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, Thursday Aug. 11 and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug. 12.

This comprehensive two and one-half days “Train-the-Trainer” class will prepare the company’s trainer, safety department staff, human resource department, or supervisors to present the one-day Powered Industrial Truck (Forklift) training class.

The fee for this course is $1,000 which includes materials and lunch. This training is held at Nissan Forklift Corp. NA in Marengo.  Nissan presents participants with a certificate of completion at the end of the course.  The participant's employer must evaluate their driving ability on the employers forklift. The employer must then certify that the employee may drive forklifts for that company.

To register, contact (815) 455-8588. For more information, contact the McHenry County College Shah Center at (815) 455-8593 or shahcenter@mchenry.edu. 

Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting This Evening

The Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting at 7:30 this evening in the Crystal Lake City Hall, 100 Woodstock Street.

Two matters are included on the agenda for the Commission’s consideration. One is the Erick Street Commons, located at the southeast corner of Erick Street and Route 176.  The multi-tenant commercial buildings and adjacent funeral home were approved as part of the Erick Street Commons PUD in 2006. In addition to the Funeral Home there are four other businesses located in the building.

The request is for the addition of four additional parking spaces since one of the tenants plans to conduct seminars at this location and may need added parking.

The other item for consideration is a discussion on architectural terminology with examples.

Manzullo Hails WTO Ruling Against China’s Illegal Export Restraints on Raw Materials

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today hailed a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against China’s practice of placing restraints on US and other foreign companies that purchase certain raw materials from companies in China. 

The WTO ruled that China’s export restrictions on nine basic “building blocks” of manufacturing – bauxite, coke, fluorspar, magnesium, manganese, silicon carbide, silicon metal, yellow phosphorus, and zinc – are a violation of international trade rules. These nine raw materials are widely used in the steel, aluminum, and chemical industries.

Manufacturers in northern Illinois that use steel, aluminum, and chemicals in their final product face higher prices and loss of business to China because of China’s export restraints on these raw materials. China’s export restraints include export quotas and export duties, as well as minimum export price, export licensing, and export quota administration requirements. Click here for more information from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on the WTO ruling.

Manzullo, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and co-Chair and co-Founder of the House Manufacturing Caucus, has been working for many years to get China to play by the rules of fair trade and to level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers competing with Chinese companies. He sent a letter to USTR last fall urging them to pursue a case against China for its illegal export “tax” on rare earth minerals, which are vital to aerospace, electronics, automotive, and wind turbine manufacturing in the United States. Manzullo praised the WTO decision as another condemnation on China’s illegal trade activities.

“This ruling will force China to end its illegal export restrictions on raw materials that put American companies at a cost disadvantage and threaten American jobs,” Manzullo said. “This is an ongoing effort to crack down on China’s illegal trade practices, including currency manipulation, illegal subsidies, and lax enforcement of intellectual property protections, that harm American manufacturers and cost U.S. jobs. American workers can compete and win in the global marketplace as long as they are on a level playing field.  

“The WTO decision also sets the precedent to halt China’s other export restraints on rare earth minerals. And it underscores the need for the United States to develop more of its own resources so we no longer have to be reliant on the Chinese to provide our building blocks for manufacturing,” Manzullo added.

In the northern Illinois Congressional district Manzullo represents, there are more than 1,400 manufacturers that support more than 51,000 jobs, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Manzullo continually hears from manufacturers in northern Illinois and throughout the country about their difficulties trying to compete on a level playing field with manufacturers in China

AARP Driver Safety Program Class

Sponsored by and to take place at Grafton Township Offices

10109 Vine Street, Huntley,

Tues., July 19 and Wednesday, July 20

OR

Tues., August 23 and Wednesday, August 24

From 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM each day

A comprehensive driver safety course, designed especially for drivers 50 and above, is being offered at the Grafton Township Offices, July 19 and July 20 as well as August 23 and August 24. Although designed for drivers over the age of 50, all drivers are welcome to participate. 

Participants learn how to operate their vehicles more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment and receive a thorough review of the “rules of the road,” with an emphasis on safety strategies of defensive driving. Participants will also find out how to safely adjust their driving to compensate for age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

After absorbing all this necessary information, a certificate of completion is provided that, under Illinois law, entitles a 55+ years age driver to a reduction in auto insurance premiums for three years (please check with your insurance company for the exact discount and the correct procedure to obtain it).

It is a two-day course--participants must attend both classes. Available in a classroom setting, the course is open to AARP members and non-members of all ages, and there are no tests. All participants must pre-register. To register for the class mail a check made out to AARP for $14 (AARP members get a $2 discount) to Grafton Township Supervisor, Linda Moore, PO Box 37, Huntley, IL  60142.

For more information, please contact Township Office at 847-669-3328. This program is coordinated by the Grafton Township Supervisor. Snacks and drinks during the class are sponsored by LMR Healthcare.

Words of Wisdom

"The Constitution ... is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary which they may twist and shape into any form they please."

--Thomas Jefferson

Three Beaches ReOpened

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water re-sampling at three closed beaches.  Three beaches have opened based upon the re-samples:

• North Beach 1, Silver Lake, Oakwood Hills
• Indian Trails Beach, Woods Creek Lake, LITH
• 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.

Crystal Lake City Council Meeting This Evening

630 p.m.—Crystal Lake City Council

Meeting in the Council Chambers, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, the following items will be considered:

An executive session regarding discussion of matter of pending and probable litigation, the sale, purchase or lease of real property, collective bargaining and personnel. Any or all of these may be discussed.

7:30—City Council  will reconvene for the regular Council meeting.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of minutes of June 21 meeting, accounts payable, the time for public presentations to the Council the following agenda items include:

Sage YMCA of Metro Chicago, 701 Manor Road, is requesting a Temporary Use Permit for a Special Promotion to allow a 30 foot by 50 foot tent to remain up during summer camp and a request for the waiver of the Temporary Use Permit Application Fee.

A Special use Permit to allow an accessory structure over 600 square feet, to add a 100-square foot deck to a 572-square foot garage is being requested by residents at 811 Dover Court.

An amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding Electronic Message Center Signs is being presented to the Council for approval. Due to the number of requests for these types of signs, the Council referred a proposed UDO Text Amendment regarding them to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The history on these signs begins prior to 2007, when EMC signs were prohibited except for time and temperature signs.

From June 2007 to July 2009, until the adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), EMCs were permitted, subject to certain restrictions. Seven of them were requested during this period—including 2 gas station pricing signs, 1 free-standing EMC on Route 176 which was denied. Following the adoption of the UDO, EMCs are a prohibited sign type. City Council has reviewed the variation requests for 6 EMCs (including 1 gas station sign), all of which have been approved.

There are several options for the Council to consider: EMCs to remain prohibited requiring a sign variation approved by the City Council, as is the current practice.

A sign variation could be added to the UDO. Any sign variation request would be reviewed by the PZC based on the criteria and the recommendation made to the City Council for a final decision.

EMCs permitted as a Special Use Permit and would be added as a land use to the land use table. The signs would be permitted as a Special Use Permit in certain districts with specific criteria listed in the UDO.

A fourth option would allow EMCs permitted as a limited use in certain districts with specific criteria listed in the UDO. If the criteria cannot be met, then a Special Use Permit would be required. If the proposed sign met the criteria, the permit would be issued.

Award and resolution authorizing execution of a service agreement for the engineering services for the McCormick Water Tower Painting and Maintenance with contingencies up to 10% of the contract price.

A resolution is being presented authorizing execution of an agreement with the Illinois Department of Revenue enabling participation by the Crystal Lake Police Department in the FY 2012 Tobacco Enforcement Program.

A couple matters for discussion only – a private sanitary sewer, and Private Parking vehicle Immobilization

Another resolution is being presented for approval authorizing payment for annual NPDES permit fees and the addition of an equal amount to the Accounts Payable list. As in past years the city plans to pay the fees under protest.

It’s time for the City to pay the annual National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) fees. This year’s fees are $48,500, which is the State’s attempt to overcome a huge budget deficit. All holders of the NPDES permits are assessed these fees.

Prior to 2003, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which has oversight of the NPDES holders operations, did not need to collect annual fees.

The fees are based on the average flows for the facilities. Additionally, the State collects $2,500 per year for the City’s Sludge Generator Land Application permit.

The City’s municipality owned and operated separate storm sewer system is assessed $1,000 annually for this permit.

The City Council has voted to pay the fees under protest since 2003. A total of $389,000 has been paid in NPDES fees since then.

2012 Tobacco Enforcement Program

The Police Chief is again to execute a Contractual Agreement with the Illinois Department of Revenue to enable the Crystal Lake Police Department to participate in the FY 2012 Tobacco Enforcement Program.

This permits the police department to partner with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to coordinate tobacco enforcement activities, such as “Kids Can’t

Buy ‘Em Here” campaign. Through this campaign the Police Department is able to assist retailers with conformity strategies and initiate activities that promote awareness of compliance with minimum-age tobacco laws.

The Police Department is seeking to continue the relationship with the Department of Revenue as well as resume their own tobacco education and enforcement activities in the community.

Cost Sharing

Private Sanitary Sewer cost sharing discussion is expected to take place by the Council. Although a common sewer system is maintained for all residents and businesses in the City. Private sewer laterals are connected to the common main to benefit each individual parcel. One of these has collapsed and is located approximately 15 feet below Barlina Road.

The Council is expected to discuss the assisting of residents in such a situation and to what monetary expenditure the resident should expect and whether there is a potential source of funding.

Private Parking Vehicle Immobilization

Another matter slated for discussion is private parking vehicle immobilization. Some instances of vehicle mobilization (use of a boot) have been used to render an illegal vehicle immobile rather than tow it. Apparently, the business has been very competitive with the levying of high charges for release of the vehicle.

Although the City considers it important to allow private parking lot owners to set their own standards, some regulations and statutory requirement are necessary to prevent predatory practices.

It may be necessary for the City to adopt an ordinance to incorporate regulations for the immobilization of vehicles on private property. The matter is being presented for Council discussion and action if desired.

Training for Elected Officials

This is for National Incident Management System Training which was published by the Department of Homeland Security in March 2004.The Fire Rescue Chief and Police Chief are to conduct the training for elected officials during the Council meeting.

Words of Wisdom

"This balance between the National and State governments ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people. If one encroaches on their rights they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed, they will both be prevented from overpassing their constitutional limits by a certain rivalship, which will ever subsist between them." 

--Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788

Busy Tuesday Morning For McHenry County Board

The McHenry County Board is meeting Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the County Board room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Recognition for Bill Dwyer

A special recognition is being presented for approval, for former County Board member Bill Dwyer who served on the Board from December 1992 to December 2000. Dwyer, as Chairman of the Transportation Committee, was instrumental in the development of the Rakow Road project.

He was also co-founder of the Crystal Lake Gala, a leader in the formation of the McHenry County Better Road Coalition, the group of concerned McHenry County leaders organized to insure that McHenry County receives its fair share of State and Federal road construction funding.

Dwyer also received the Crystal Lake Jaycees Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service and the Carl Wehde Community Service Award.

Appointments

A number of appointments are being presented for approval, including James P. Kennedy and Jodi A. Borck to the Valley Hi Operating Board with terms expiring June 2013 and 2012 respectively

Board of Health Appointments

Five people are to be appointed to the McHenry County Board of Health including Aurel E. Goglin, Mary J. Foszcz, William A. Stinson, and David R. Banaszynski, with terms to expire June 30, 2014. William E. McNerney is being appointed for a term to expire June 30, 2012.

Ethics Commission Appointment

Two appointments to the McHenry County Ethics Commission include Cherie R. Rickert, and Thomas B. Spencer, with both terms to expire February 1, 2013.

Grant For County Workforce Investment Area

The Board is to consider acceptance of an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant of $1,841,614 for the County Workforce Investment Area to be allocated among three programs including $551,289 for Adult programs; $650,860 for dislocated workers program and $639,465 designated for Youth programs.

Low Cost Housing

The Housing Commission is recommending a reserve of $125,000 for McHenry County Habitat for Humanity. This along with the authorization for the County Board Chairman to execute an agreement with the McHenry County Habitat for Humanity for the purchase of land and construction of a single family residence in the county which will provide low cost hosing.

Continued Mental Health Funding Agreements

McHenry County Mental Health Board receives various continuation funding agreements, however, they have various fiscal year dates that do not coincide with the county’s fiscal year. A routine acceptance of an “emergency appropriation” is required in order to use the grants totaling $2,515,559.  This funding provides for teen programs, community services, child mental health, DCFS programs, AmeriCorps, and ISBE.

“Kids Can’t Buy “Em Here” Program

A $6050 grant is being received from the Illinois Liquor Commission for a “Kids Can’t Buy ‘em Here” Tobacco Program. The funding is being provided the Health Department to be used for educating tobacco retailers on minimum-age tobacco laws and how to enforce those laws through compliance checks with underage teenagers.

This grant allows for an educational opportunity between retail vendors, high school students and the Woodstock/McHenry Police Department on the availability of tobacco to the underage population in the County.

The grant has an enforcement component, but there is also a strong educational activity with the retail vendor prior to the compliance check. This is the third year for this program and has been expanded from the  City of Woodstock to include the City of McHenry with 55 retailers of tobacco product overall.

Funding for Veterans Dental and Eye Care

The County Board is being requested by the Veterans Assistance Commission of the County to accept a Veterans Lottery Grant of $35,000. This will be used for the continuation of the Veterans Dental care and restorative eye care programs for low income veterans in the County.

Grant Acceptance To Provide Mobile Veterans Office

The County Board is also being asked to approve acceptance of a $7,228.96 grant from the McHenry County Community Foundation. This is being applied to the costs of renovating the VAC High Top Van into a mobile office to assist those veterans unable to travel to the Woodstock VAC office.

Software Backup

The County Board is being requested to approve an expenditure of $42,803 for Symantec Software Maintenance and Support for another year. This is a necessary item in order to keep the county’s computerized systems functioning.

County Audit for Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2010

The county audit has been completed by the audit firm of Baker, Tilly, Virchow, Krause, LLP and the CAFR presented to the County. The County Board is being requested to act on the request of the Finance and Audit Committee to accept the audit and file a copy with the Illinois State Comptroller and the County Clerk.

New Director of Workforce Investment Board (WIB)

Director of the Workforce Investment Board, Carl Marten, retired last year. Concurrent with this retirement there was discussions regarding the possible reorganization by folding the WIB board into the States. This was occurring on the Federal level. As a result, McHenry reclassified the WIB Director as a part time position until further clarity was available. In the Interim, Marten agreed to a contractual part-time position.

The Federal agency is now focusing on funding rather than structural change in the organization. As a result, the County is reclassifying the position of the Director of the WIB to a full time position at a pay grade of 12E rather than the previous Grade of 13E.

The 12E grade classification has a minimum salary of $57,450 which would be the salary for a new director. The salary and all benefits are funding from the available proceed s of the Federal Workforce Investment funds. There is no local funding required for this position.

Old Valley Hi Building

A contract with Gavers Excavating for the demolition of the OLD Valley Hi Nursing Home is also to be approved by the Board.