Words of Wisdom

Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths."

 --James Madison, Federalist No. 10, 1787

Republican Party County Candidates For March 20 Election

Republican County Office Candidates
(I-Indicates incumbent)
For March 20, 2012 Election

AUDITOR
I-Pamela K. Palmer, Union

CIRCUIT CLERK
I-Katherine M. Keefe, Woodstock

CORONER
Anne L. Majewski, Algonq uin

RECORDER
I-Phyllis K. Walters, Algonquin

REGIONAL SUPERTINDENT OF SCHOOLS
To fill a vacancy
No one is interested in working in this position due to
the lack of funding by the State for a salary

STATES ATTORNEY
I-Louis A. Bianchi, Crystal Lake

No Democratic County Office Candidates

To clarify-- There are no listings for Democratic County Office Candidates since no one filed for the March 20, 2012 Election. That does not mean someone cannot conduct a write-in candidacy.

Democratic County Board Candidates

The following list is for the Democratic Party Ballot: for McHenry County Board.
There are no conflicts with who will be listed first on the ballot.
McHENRY COUNTY BOARD
DISTRICT ONE
Nick Chirikos, Algonquin

DISTRICCT TWO
Kennedy prevously served on the County Board
Jim Roden, Lakewood
James F. Kennedy, Lake-in-the-Hills

DISTRICT THREE
Ms. Began-Schmidt was elected to the County Board four years ago.
I-Kathleen Bergan Schmidt, Crystal Lake
Lori J. McConvlle, Crystal Lake

DISTRICT FOUR
Mary Margaret Maule, Johnsburg

DISTRICT FIVE
Ms. Yensen was elected to the County Board four years ago.
i-Paula Yensen, Lake in the Hills

DISTRICT SIX
Ryan Heuser, Marengo
Scott summers, Harvard
Jayant Kadakia, Huntley

Monday Is Important Day For Some

This is the day --at 10:00 a.m.--when candidates who filed at the same time on the the first day of filing nominating petitions for County offices will be engaged in a lottery to detrmine who will have their name at the top of the ballot for the March 20 Republican or Democratic Party Primary elections slated for March 20. In the case of County Board candidates, this applies to each of the six districts involved.

The following list is for the Republican ballot (i Indicates Incumbent):
McHENRY COUNTY BOARD
DISTRICT ONE
Yvonne M. Barnes-Cary
I-Anna May Miller - Cary
I-Robert "Bob" Bless -Fox River Grove
I-Robert C. (Bob) Nowak - Cary

There are four candidates and four are to be nominated.
Ms. Barnes served on the County Board before, although she is not considered an incumbent. Anna May Miller, Cary; Robert "Bob" Bless, of Fox River Grove and Robert Nowak of Cary, are incumbents. Marc Munaretto, Algonquin, is not seeking re-election.

Barnes and Miller are vying for the number one ballot spot.

DISTRICT TWO
I-James L. Heisler, Crystal lake
Carolyn Schofield- Crystal Lake
I-Kenneth (Ken) D. Koehler- I-Crystal Lake
Thomas W. Wilbeck - Lakewood
I-Donna Kurtz-I- Crystal Lake

Three of the candidates in this district are incumbents including Heisler, Koehler and Kurtz. Heisler and Schofield are seeking the number one spot on the ballot

Current Board member, Scott Breeden of Lakewood, is not seeking re-election.

DISRICT THREE
Mary Alger, Crystal Lake
I-Mary L. Donner, Crystal Lake
Joseph (Joe) Gottemoller, Crystal Lake
Mary McClellan, Holiday Hills
Linda (Lyn) Orphal, Crystal Lake
I-Nick Provenzano, McHenry
Jim Schlader, McHenry
Michael J. Walkup, Crystal Lake

The first six of the eight candidaes for this district filed at the same time on the first day for filing.

Two other incumbents include Barb Wheeler who is not seeking re-election as she is seeking a seat in the State Legislature. The other member, Kathleen Bergan Schmidt, is seeking re-election on the Democratic ballot.

DISTRICT FOUR
I-John D. Hammerand, Wonder Lake
I-Sandra Fay Salgado, McHenry
Edward Varga, Richmond
Robert "Bob" M. Martens, Sr., Spring Grove
I-Sue Draffkorn, Wonder Lake
Linda Kvidera Murphy, McHenry

Only the first three of the six candidates are hoping to be in the top spot. One other incumbent, Pete Merkel, is not seeking re-election.

DISTRICT FIVE
I-John Jung Jr., Woodstock
I-Tina Hill, Woodstock
I-Virginia D. Peschke-Bull Valley
Michael Rein, Woodstock
Michael Skala, Huntley
There is no competition for the top spots on the ballot for this district.
A fourt incumbent, Paula Yensen, Lake in the Hills, is seeking re-election on the Democratic Ballot

DISTRICT SIX
I-Diane F. Evertsen, Harvard
Shawn Green, Union
David LaGue, Marengo
I-Mary T. McCann, Woodstock
I-Ersel C. Schuster, Woodstock
Rachel Elizabeth Smith, Wonder Lake
Michele R. Aavang, Woodstock
J. Vincent Ranzino, Marengo
I-Randall Donley, Marengo
Michael Stanard, Woodstocks
Corey Brackmann, Marengo
The first six candidates listed are seeking the top spot on the ballot.

Words of Wisdom

Democracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man's life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few.

 --John Adams, An Essay on Man's Lust for Power, 1763

Congressman Manzullo Has A New Campaign Website

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today unveiled a new campaign website to enhance communications with supporters and share the latest news on campaign activities, events and how to get involved with his campaign.

Supporters can also sign up and receive email updates through the campaign website at www.manzullo.org. The new website also features links to the campaign's social media pages -- he is active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Manzullo’s campaign website also provides readers with an expanded solutions section that features his position and initiatives on issues and his legislative agenda. Rep Manzullo formally announced the start of his re-election campaign in front of a crowd of 500 supporters in Rockford on November 13 and the site features highlights of that event.

“My new campaign website will offer people who live in the 16th District of Illinois the opportunity to become involved with my campaign in many different ways. Freda and I are grateful for the ongoing support of the people of Illinois and I am ready and excited to continue to represent our region in the U.S. Congress. I encourage everyone to visit my website, sign up for my email updates, connect with me on Facebook and Twitter so we can keep you updated on the campaign.”

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Board, meeting in Bolingbrook yesterday, voted to deny the Certificate of Need aplications for two McHenry County hospital proposals before them.

This was a second attempt this year for approval from the State Board for both facility proposals.

Mercy Health Systems sought approval to build a $115 million, 70-bed hospital on property it owns in Crystal Lake, located on the southeast corner of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road. The Board voted 2-6 for the Crystal Lake project. Board members John Hayes and Alan Grieman cast the two positive votes.

Centegra Health System proposed a $233 million 128-bed hospital in Huntley at the corner of Reed and Haligus Roads. The Board split 4-4 on the vote for the Huntley project. The State Board requires five positive votes to approve a Certificate of Need for a facility.

Two other area hospitals welcomd the news. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital welcomd the Review Board's decision, stating "We thank the Review Board for its vote to deny these projects, and believe this supports our position that no new hospitals are needed in McHenry County," says Karen Lambert, president of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.

"We look forward to continuing to serve the residents of northern Kane County and southeastern McHenry," Lambert said.

Sherman Health welcomed the votes by the Review Board. "We support the Review Board's 'no' vote on these projects. The Board's action supports our contention that these projcts would duplicate health care services that already exist for residents of norhtern Kane County and southeastern McHenry County," says Rick Floyd president and CEO of Sherman Health.

State Board member Kathryn Olson explained, "I am still concerned that a new hospital will hurt existing area hospitals and for that reason I reconfirm my no vote from this June."

"Yellow Dot " Program For Illinois Residents

Illinois Departments of Public Health and Transportation Divsion of Traffic Safety, have partnered to offer a life-sa ing program called "Yellow Dot" designed to provide vital meical information on vehicle drivers/passengers in the event of an emergency.

Vehicles identified by the yellow decal on thd rear windshield will alert first resonders (e.g. fire fightes, paramedics, police officers) that a yellow medical card containing vital personal and medical information is in the vehicle's glove compartment.

Materials are free to all Illinois citizens and include a pamphlet, yellow dot decal, and yellow medical information card to provide current photo and personal information (name, emergency contact, personal physician, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies and current medications).

Residents can pick up these materials at Mchenry County Department of Health's (MDH) offices in Woodstocak --2200 N. Seminary Avenue-- and at the Crystal Lake office --100 N. Virginia Street

The first sixty minutes following a crash are the most critical. Having this vital information available immdiately can save lives. For additonal information, contact MCDH at 815-334-4510.

Words of Wisdom

"Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition."

 --Thomas Jefferson

Manzullo Wants Public Hearing Regarding Planned Closure Of Rockford Mail Processing Center

 Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) is demanding to see the data the U.S. Postal Service is using to support the closure of the Rockford mail processing center and its move to Madison, WI. 

Manzullo also wants the public hearing – required as part of the consolidation study – to be postponed from Dec. 8 to early January to give local officials time to analyze the data and offer alternatives to shuttering the local facility and sending nearly 200 jobs north to Wisconsin. Such a move would also cause delays in mail delivery to homes and businesses in the eight northern Illinois counties (Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, JoDaviess, Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle and Lee counties) currently served by Rockford.

In a letter to Postmaster General Pat Donahoe, Manzullo explained how he worked with Rockford postal officials during the last consolidation study in 2006 to present alternative information that convinced the Postal Service to abandon its plan to move Rockford mail processing operations to the Chicago suburbs. 

Local officials again need to see the USPS data comparing operations in Rockford with Madison so they can correct it if necessary. And once they get the information, they need time to analyze it. That’s why Manzullo is requesting that the public hearing scheduled for next week at the Clock Tower Resort be moved to early January.

“The Rockford processing center was under a similar review six years ago and we found that the data in the previous USPS was incorrect, and resulted in keeping the Rockford facility open,” Manzullo said. “It is impossible to effectively offer comment on a proposal without knowing the assumptions and information that underlie the proposal.”

The Rockford mail processing center is consistently rated among the most efficient centers in the nation, and Rockford workers provide excellent overnight delivery service to their customers in zip codes starting with 610 and 611. 

Manzullo is working with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) to keep the jobs and overnight delivery service in northern Illinois. Manzullo, Durbin and Kirk met with Postmaster General Pat Donahoe on Nov. 1 to share their concerns with the potential move of operations to Wisconsin and the damage it would cause to northern Illinois. During the meeting, Donahoe said he would share the study data with the Members of Congress.

Click here to view Manzullo’s letter to Donahoe.

Anti-Tobacco Media Design Contest Deadline Extended To January 6

The deadline for submitting an entry for the McHenry County Department of Health’s 8th annual Anti-Tobacco Media Design Contest has been extended to Friday, January 6, 2012. 

The new deadline will encourage more participation and accommodate shortened school days because of the holidays.  Since 2004, the contest has sought to highlight the talents of local high school and college students while educating the community of the ill health effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. 

 Students can work as individuals or as partners.  The theme this year is secondhand smoke, with a focus on “smoke-free parks”.  Contest rules and entry forms are available on the MCDH website (www.mcdh.info). 

Entries are judged on originality, peer appeal, and simple, colorful design.  Making the final selection are teens from McHenry County Reality Illinois Anti-Tobacco Advocacy groups, and MCDH’s Health Promotion staff. 

 Three designs will be chosen.  Winning entries will have the student’s name, design and school name displayed on billboards and community posters throughout McHenry County. 

 Past winners include students from Woodstock High School, Johnsburg High School, Marengo Community High School, Crystal Lake Central High School, Cary Grove High School, McHenry County College and Crystal Lake South High School. 

This project was made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health.   For more information about the contest, visit MCDH’s webpage www.mcdh.info or call 815-334-4525.

McHenry Parkland Middle School PTO Assits Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) wishes to recognize McHenry’s Parkland Middle School PTO’s generous donation of 32 gas gift cards totaling $800 to its Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer program.

 Parkland hosted several fundraising events in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Jackie Manssen, Parkland PTO representative, presented the gift cards to MCDH’s Patrick J. McNulty, Public Health Administrator, on November 14. 

“Parkland’s contribution will help facilitate screenings, diagnostic tests and/or treatment for low-income women who lack the resources to get regular screenings,” says McNulty.  “For many women, the inability to afford gas for a car becomes a barrier to accessing care.  PTO’s generosity is greatly appreciated.”

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program has made a significant impact on the lives of many low income, uninsured or underinsured women in McHenry County.  The program is provided at no cost to those who qualify (i.e., women aged 35-64 years old with no insurance). 

Since 2008, 2,835 women with 476 breast and 98 cervical abnormalities have received services through this program.  Additional tests found breast cancers in 6% of cases with 9% diagnosed with cervical cancer; all were linked for treatment.

For more information on McHenry County’s breast and cervical cancer program, contact MCDH at 815-334-0232 or visit www.mcdh.info. 

Words of Wisdom

"The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is to discover the meaning of those who made it."

 --James Wilson, Of the Study of Law in the United States, 1790

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Transportation Committee of McHenry County Board, regularly scheduled for this Wednesday, has been cancelled.

10:00 a.m.—Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board—

Meeting at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook, IL

Mercy Hospital

Desires to establish a 70-bed Acute Care Hospital for location on the southeast corner of Illinois Route 31 and Three Oaks Road, Crystal Lake.

This is a return application for this proposal. A hearing before the Board was held in Crystal Lake last October when the Board turned down the proposal.

This proposal is for 70 hospital beds, multi-specialty physicians and services; technologically advanced intensive care unit; emergency care center/ spa-like labor and delivery suites; senior health care; integrated health care from birth through end-of life and convenient location with ample parking

This is the third attempt to obtain the necessary state license for this facility. The first request earlier in this decade was thwarted due to actions of individuals close to State political individuals who attempted to bribe the State Board. They were caught and dealt with appropriately.

Centegra Hospital

Also being considered Wednesday is a request by Centegra Hospital to construct a 128-bed Acute Care Hospital at Huntley. This is a second attempt by Centegra to build a hospital at Huntley. The first request was also considered by the Board last October at the Crystal Lake hearing. That request was also denied. 

Environmental Documentary "Bag It" At MCC Thursday

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and McHenry County Transition are sponsoring a free screening of the award-winning environmental documentary "Bag It" at MCC’s Conference Center at 7 pm on Thursday, December 8th.

"Bag It" follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. Although his quest starts out small, Jeb soon learns that the problem extends past landfills to oceans, rivers and ultimately human health.

The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about twelve minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas.

The film explores these issues and identifies how our daily reliance on plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too. Two of the most common plastic additives are endocrine disruptors, which have been shown to link to cancer, diabetes, autism, attention deficit disorder, obesity and infertility.

Jeb looks beyond plastic bags and discovers that virtually everything in modern society—from baby bottles, to sports equipment, to dental sealants, to personal care products—is made with plastic or contains potentially harmful chemical additives used in the plastic-making process. When Jeb’s journey takes a personal twist, we see how our crazy-for-plastic world has finally caught up with us and what we can do about it. Today. Right now.

Sponsored by the Defenders and McHenry County Transition. Hosted by Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC.

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 www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

Screening Date: Thursday, December 8

Screening Time: 7 pm

Screening Location: MCC Conference Center, 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake, IL

Admission is free, but donations are accepted!

This event is open to the public.

Words of Wisdom

"No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm."

--George Washington, letter to James Madison, 1786

Small Business Hearing Monday Morning In Woodstock

Congressman Joe Walsh, R-8th, will hold a Small Business Committee subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital access field hearing on Monday, December 12, 10:00 to noon, in the Woodstock City Hall, 121 West Calhoun Street. Congressman Walsh says the hearing is about what Washington can and should be doing to help small business grow, get access to capital, and create jobs.

Government At Work

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011

8:00 a.m. – McHenry County College Board Facilities and Planning Committee—

Meeting in the Board Room of the College, 8900 US. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

The architectural firm, RuckPate will be providing a presentation on Building B Renovations.

Ms. Laura Brown will be providing a presentation regarding the Foundation Efforts for Kitchen Equipment.

Wright and Company will provide a presentation regarding the facility Master Plan.

Student Affairs Reorganization is to be presented for discussion.

9:00 a.m.—McHenry County Board—

Meeting in the County Board Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Following opening of he meeting a presentation is to be provided regarding the McHenry County Strategic Plan.

Public Comment time follows this presentation, along with the consideration of accepting any standing committee chairman updates.

Eleven recommendations regarding finance and audit matters are being presented for Board approval. Included are Resolutions:

Authorizing an annual maintenance and support contract with Hyland Software for the OnBase Document Imaging System

Authorizing the Renewal of the IFMS Performance Series Accounting Software Maintenance Contract with Cogsdale Holdings for Fiscal Year 2012;

 Authorizing Renewal of a Multi-Function Peripheral Service and Supply Maintenance Contract with Stan’s Office Technologies;

Authorizing a Telephone Switch Maintenance Agreement with MAC Source Communications, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2012;

Authorizing a Contract with RKON Technologies for Websense Enterprise Internet Access Support;

Authorizing the Issuance of a Call Notice Letter for the Maturities of Debt Certificates Series 2003B Dated December 1, 2003;

Authorizing the purchase of fuel tank Gauge and Monitoring System for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Garage;

Authorizing the Purchase of Two Tahoes and Seven Police Pursuit Vehicles from the General Fund Non-Department fiscal Year 2011 Budget;

Authorizing a Budget Line Item Transfer in the General Fund Non-Departmental Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

Authorizing a Contract for Stormwater Engineering Services with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. Vernon Hills.

Under Planning and Development matters, two resolutions are being presented for approval including:

Adoption of an Amendment to the Bylaws of the McHenry County Community Development Block Grant Commission

Adoption of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program Community Housing Development Organization  Reserve Funding Recommendation and Administration Allocation and Amendment of the Action Plan for the 2011 Program Year.

Under transportation matters, six resolutions are being presented for approval including,

Approving an Engineering Services Agreement and Appropriation of Funds for the Noe Road township bridge project;

Regarding the Noe Road Bridge is to provide for an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Illinois for work on the project;

Regarding Snow and Ice Control are being presented including adoption of the McHenry County Snow and Ice Control police and to appropriate funds for Ice Control Maintenance Materials.

Regarding approving an intergovernmental agreement with the State, along with appropriating funds, for the modernization and maintenance of Traffic Signals for various County/State Route intersections.

Motor fuel tax funds are to be appropriated under the Illinois Highway Code.

Several county ordinances are being presented for amendments including:

Ordinance Amending Building Use,

Ordinance amending a prior ordinance adopting the McHenry County Statement of Economic Interests Addendum Ordinance.

Ordinance amending McHenry County Building, Zoning, Stormwater, Subdivision, and Motel License Fee Schedule.

7:30 p.m.—Crystal Lake City Council

Nine items are listed to be handled on a consent agenda, which means they are approved with one motion, unless a council member requests any to be considered separately.

These include:

Resolution to designate certain financial institutions as depositories of the City of Crystal Lake;

Five abatement ordinances--four related to Bond Issues including a 2004 multi-purpose General Obligation Bond Issue, 2009 Taxable General Obligation Bond Issues; a 2009 General Obligation Refunding Bond Issue; two for properties within Special Service Area Numbers 43 and 44, Crystal Heights Subdivision and Tracy Trail Subdivision.

Other resolutions include:

Approval of the City Investment Policy; Authorizing the continued implementation of the City’s Personnel Information Protection Act Procedures and Red Flag Policy;

Resolution appointing community members to the Crystal Lake Centennial Committee and amending the Enabling Resolution to increase the number of City Council members permitted on the Committee and appointing Council members to the Crystal Lake Centennial Committee

The Council is to consider a Temporary Use Permit request for a Special Promotion to allow tow outdoor ice rinks at 320 E. Prairie Street;

A final planned Unit Development Amendment for an electronic message center sign for the Sage YMCA, 701 Manor Road;

Bid award and resolution authorizing execution of a purchase agreement for the provision of Liquid Chlorine, Liquid Hydrofluosilic Acid and Ortho Poly Phosphate;

Bid award and resolution authorizing execution of an agreement for the purchase of Liquid aluminum sulfate;

A resolution designating Fire Engine 340 as surplus equipment and authorizing execution of an agreement for the sale of the fire engine

Authorization of an intergovernmental agreement with McHenry County regarding the South Main Street Improvement. Also authorizing execution of an agreement for the South Main Street for Phase II Design Engineering and right of Way acquisition Services; and appropriation of$680,062 in MFT funds for the improvement.

Regarding North shore Drive Flooding Improvements, a proposal award and resolution authorizing Phase II Design Engineering and approval of changes in scope by 10 percent of the original price.

A proposal for awarding and resolution authorization the execution of a contract for Radio Communications system Upgrade.

An Ordinance is to be presented for approval establishing Retail Theft in the City Code.

An ordinance providing for the submission to the electors of the City the question of whether the City of Crystal Lake should have the authority under Public Act 096-0176 to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such a program.’’

Tax Levy Ordinance

A property tax Ordinance is to be presented during Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.

It should be noted that a resolution was adopted by the City Council at its November 15 meeting which was a procedural requirement deterring the maximum 2011 tax levy..

Determining the actual tax levy is a difficult task since the taxes collected from the 2011 tax levy are not received until 2012-2013 and a budget for that time frame has not yet been considered.

The City of Crystal Lake has not levied a property tax for the General Fund since 1997. The tax levy to be determined provides for the following funds:

City of Crystal Lake Tax Levy Fiscal Year 2011-2012
Fire Rescue Fund	$ 5,432,500
School Crossing Guard Fund	$      35,000
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund	$ 1,410,475
Police Pension Fund	$ 1,837,308
Fire Pension Fund	$ 1,544,269
Library Operating Fund	$ 3,686,752
Library Pension Fund	$    461,344
TOTAL	$14,407,648

Overzealous Federal Regulators Stifle Bank Loans To Credit Worthy Americans

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today urged federal bank regulators to remove roadblocks that are preventing Illinois banks from making loans to credit-worthy business owners and home buyers and delaying America’s economic recovery. 

Manzullo, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, joined his colleagues this morning at a Congressional field hearing in Chicago entitled, “Regulatory Reform: Examining How New Regulations are Impacting Financial Institutions, Small Businesses and Consumers in Illinois.” After making his opening statement, Manzullo heard from several representatives of Illinois’ banking, small business, and housing industries who spoke of difficulties securing the credit they need to expand and put Americans back to work.

During the hearing, Manzullo told of a constituent owner of a precision machining company in northern Illinois who had been denied credit from eight different banks even though he had orders in hand to cover the loan.  In each instance, the loan request was denied because the bank feared the response by federal regulators during examinations, not because the company was a risky investment.

“It is troubling that federal bureaucrats continue to hamstring our recovery.  Credit in this country is being held hostage by overzealous bank examiners, and banks are too overwhelmed by the examination process to authorize loans to credit-worthy borrowers,” Manzullo said. 

“Our economic recovery is dependent on credit-worthy Americans getting the capital they need to expand their businesses and buy homes again. Unfortunately, that will not happen until the bank regulators start easing the grip their examiners have on the banking industry,” says Manzullo. 

Words of Wisdom

"If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws -- the first growing out of the last. ... A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government."

--Alexander Hamilton, Essay in the American Daily Advertiser, 1794

Tax Revenge

India: Angry farmers dump deadly cobras on tax office floor
USA Today
"Two farmers, including a snake charmer, were so angry at tax
officials in northern India that they dumped dozens of snakes,
including four deadly cobras, on the floor of the tax office, The
Guardian reports. The snake charmer says the farmers on Tuesday were
protesting alleged demands for bribes by officials in exchange for tax
records in Basti, 185 miles southeast of Lucknow, the British
newspaper says." [editor's note: An Indian custom definitely worthy of
American adoption! - TLK] (12/01/11)

http://tinyurl.com/7o6hvrw

This is an article I received from a friend.

Last Day To File Nominating Petitions

Today is the final day for filing of nominating petitions for offices to be considered by voters in the Tuesday, March 20 Primaries.

Katherine C. Schultz, McHenry County Clerk has issued notice that a Simultaneous Filing Lottery will be conducted Monday, December 12 at 10 a.m. in her office located at the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The lottery is being held to determine ballot placement for the candidates to be listed on the Republican ballot for the March 20, 2012 Primary election.

All the candidates involved filed at the same time on the first day for filing nominating petitions in hopes of being listed first on the ballot.

In District One – Yvonne M. Barnes and Anna May Miller.

District Two -- James L. Heisler and Carolyn Schofield

District Three -– Mary R. Alger, Mary L. Donner, Joseph (Joe) Gottemoller, Mary McClellan, Linda (Lyn) Orphal, and Nick Provenzano

District Four —John D. Hammerand, Sandra Fay Salgado, and Edward Varga

District Six –- Diane F. Evertsen, Shawn Green, David LaGue, Mary T. McCann, Ersel C. Schuster and Rachel Elizabeth Smith. 

McHenry County Petition Filings

DEMOCRATIC PETITION FILING FOR MARCH 20, 2012 PRIMARY

DEMOCRATIC COUNTY BOARD SEATS

DISTRICT ONE

Nick Chirikos, 10075 N. River Road, Algonquin

DISTRICT TWO

DISTRICT THREE

Kathleen Bergan Schmidt --4713 Timberland Road --Crystal Lake, IL 60014

DISTRICT FOUR

DISTRICT FIVE

DISTRICT SIX

DEMOCRATIC COUNTY OFFICE CANDIDATES

AUDITOR

CIRCUIT CLERK

CORONER

RECORDER

REG. SUPT. OF SCHOOLS

(To Fill Vacancy)

STATES ATTORNEY

DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEEMEN CANDIDATES

Grafton 18 -- Denise Barreto – 5525 Alexandria Drive- Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Dorr 3 – Robert E. Gibson – 835 Clay Street-Woodstock, Il 60098

Dorr 4 - Ann Legg, 855 Washington Street, Woodstock

Greenwood 6 – Brian D. Meyers –801 Bach Court – Woodstock, IL 60098

Burton 1 – Jeff S. Thirtyacre-- 7518 Cuneo Drive, Spring Grove

McHenry 1 – Martha B. “Marti” Swanson-- 5615 N. Ridgeway Road, Ringwood

McHenry 12 – Irene Wolff Raven--4420 Lakewood Road—McHenry, IL 60050

McHenry 25 – Brian Peters -701 Morris Court-Lakemoor, IL 60051

McHenry 28 – Herbert Hassinger—103 Augusta Drive--McHenry, Il 60050

Nunda 1 – Kathleen Bergan Schmidt-4713 Timberlane Road-Crystal Lake, Il 60014

Nunda 5 – Patrick Murfin--522 W. Terra Cotta Avenue--Crystal Lake

Nunda 10 – Kevin L. Klopfenstein – 635 Arrowhead Lane – Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Nunda 15 – Mitchell J. Wissumierski-6715 W. Hillside – Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Algonquin 29 – Katherine M. Tremont—3104 Killarney Drive—Cary, IL 60013

Algonquin 33 – Debbie Chinkos, 10075 N. River Road, Algonquin

Algonquin 41—Robert  R. Waddell –1192 Holly Lane – Algonquin, IL 60102

                                                    ###                                          

GREEN PETITION FILING FOR MARCH 20, 2012 PRIMARY

GREEN COUNTY BOARD CANDIDATES

DISTRICT ONE

DISTRICT TWO

DISTRICT THREE

DISTRICT FOUR

DISTRICT FIVE

Frank Wedig, 722 Dean Street, Woodstock, IL 60098

DISTRICT SIX

GREEN COUNTY OFFICE CANDIDATES

GREENPRECINCT COMMITTEEMEN CANDIDATES

Dorr 7 – Franks Wedig, 722 Dean Street, Woodstock, Il 60098

                                                 ###

 

REPUBLICAN PETITION FILING FOR MARCH 20, 2012 PRIMARY

REPUBLICAN COUNTY BOARD SEATS

DISTRICT ONE

Yvonne M. Barnes--335 Claire Lane—Cary, Il 60013

Anna May Miller – 1415 E. Main Street Road—Cary, IL 60013

Robert “Bob” Bless – 709 Hunters Way – Fox River Grove, IL 60021

Robert C. (Bob) Nowak—7400 Nighthawk Way – Cary, Il 60031

DISTRICT TWO

James L. Heisler – 131 Baldwin Avenue – Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Carolyn Schofield – 1580 W. Crandon Court- Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Kenneth (Ken) D. Koehler – 320 Douglas Avenue – Crystal Lake, IL 60014

DISTRICT THREE

Mary R. Alger – 7452 Foxfire Drive—Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Mary L. Donner – 7350 Greathill Road—Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Joseph (Joe) Gottemoller—453 Spring Ridge Drive—Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Mary McClellan—3014 S. Bergman—Holiday Hills, IL 60051

Linda (Lyn) Orphal—4525 David Lane—Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Nick Provenzano—316 Brookwood Trail—McHenry, IL 60050

Jim Schlader—2123 Colby Drive—McHenry, IL 60050

DISTRICT FOUR

John D. Hammerand—4601 W. Wonder Lake Driver—Wonder Lake, IL 60097

Sandra ay Salgado—3711 Maple Avenue—McHenry, IL 60050

Edward Varga—3800 IL Route 173—Richmond, IL 60071

Robert “Bob” M. Martens, Sr.—3709 Prairie Driver—Spring Grove, IL 60081

DISTRICT FIVE

John P. Jung—8902 Robin Hill Drive—Woodstock, IL 60098

Tina R. Hill—13234 Hickory Lane—Woodstock, IL 60098

DISTRICT SIX

Diane F. Evertsen—4709 Countryside Lane-Harvard, IL 60033

Shawn Green—9611 Stacy Lane—Union, IL 60180

David LaGue—2544 Cox Road—Marengo, IL 60152

Mary T. McCann—18110 Kishwaukee Valley Road—Woodstock, IL 60098

Ersel C. Schuster—15214 Kishwaukee Valley Road—Woodstock, IL 60098

Rachel Elizabeth Smith—3760 Whitehall Drive—Wonder Lake, IL 60097

Michele R. Aavang—9615 Barber Lane—Woodstock, IL 60098

J. Vincent Ranzino—2106 W. Grant Highway-Marengo, IL 60152

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REPUBLICAN COUNTY OFFICE CANDIDATES

AUDITOR

Pamela K. Palmer—7511  Dunham Road—Union, IL 60180

CIRCUIT CLERK

Katherine M. Keefe—335 S. Tryon Street—Woodstock, IL 60098

CORNER

Anne L. Majewski—10481 Haegers Bend Road—Algonquin, IL 60102 (Barr Hills)

RECORDER

Phyllis K. Walters—1653 Lowe Drive—Algonquin, IL 60102

REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

(To Fill Vacancy)

STATES ATTORNEY

Louis A. Bianchi—1115 E. Palmer Court—Crystal Lake, IL 60014

REPUBLICAN PRECINCT COMMITTEEMEN CANDIDATES

Marengo 4