Irish House Party Slated End of January

Irish music and dance shows often conjure up images of flat caps, waist coats and comely maidens dancing at the cross-roads. The Irish House Party is a welcome antidote to these often cheesy portrayals of Irish music and culture. You’re invited to Raue Center For The Arts on January 27 at 7:30 pm for The Irish House Party.

The show is hosted by All-Ireland champion musicians, dancers and entertaining presenters who create this unique Irish experience in its proper homely setting resulting in an exciting new theatre going experience. This fresh approach has made the show hugely popular with both Irish and international audiences with sell out shows in Dublin. The whole idea is creating an atmosphere where guests can be entertained and educated about the music. There is no distance between the performers and the guests. Just like a proper Irish house party.

The Irish House Party producers, Declan Quinn and Gerry Nolan, also perform, and Declan's father plays the button key accordion in the show. Like many traditional musicians in Ireland they've been to numerous traditional house parties and felt it was time to bring this unique experience to the stage.

Want to get the party started early? Come to the pre-show party featuring authentic Irish fare by Le Petit Marché. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6:00 pm.

Kick off 2012 right—don’t miss the best party in town! Tickets are only $20 and are going quickly!  

 

Be sure to get yours now by visiting www.rauecenter.org or the Box Office at 26 N. Williams Street or by calling 815.356.9212. This show is sponsored by Country Inn and Suites, Exclusively Napa, Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria and Pub, L&V Distributors, Market Financial Group, McHenry County Living Magazine, Northwest Herald and Sage Products, Inc. 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 11 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit www.rauecenter.org,  www.facebook.com/RaueCenter and www.twitter.com/RaueCenter.

January--Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has issued a proclamation recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. 

 McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program would like to remind women of the importance of cervical cancer screenings.  The most preventable cancer, cervical cancer is the only cancer known to be primarily caused by a common virus, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.

Raising public awareness can save lives.  Nearly 4,000 women in America will die this year from cervical cancer which is largely preventable.  According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 12,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year. 

 A simple outpatient screening test, known as a Pap test, can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops, often in a curable stage.  Pap tests are the first line of defense and are recommended for women every three years after the age of 21.  Early detection of these pre-cancers can be effectively treated before they become malignant. Unfortunately, four out of five women do not receive a regular pap test.

To improve your cervical and overall health, get 30 minutes of daily exercise; eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; drink water and limit salt intake; and get vaccinated for HPV.

If you are a McHenry County woman between the ages of 35 and 64 without health insurance, contact the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program at 815-334-0232, located at MCDH’s Crystal Lake facility, to schedule your appointment.  For more information about HPV, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/. 

Words of Wisdom

And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever."

"

--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781

Congressman Manzullo's Remarks On Burma's Release Of Political Prisoners

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia & the Pacific, issued the following statement today in response to Burma’s release of hundreds of political prisoners. Burma also announced it signed a peace treaty with the Karen National union, the largest ethnic minority group fighting the Burmese since the early days of Burma’s independence.

“Today’s release of approximately 600 political prisoners is an important step by the Burmese regime towards real reform. The release includes many high profile prisoners the U.S. Government has long urged Burma to release, such as the leading organizer of the failed Saffron Revolution,” Manzullo said.

“While this is an encouraging step in the right direction, it is too early to discuss the removal of sanctions against the regime. Burma has a long history of taking one positive step forward followed by two negative steps backwards. I urge Burma’s President Thein Sein to move swiftly towards democratic reform by allowing the Burmese people to genuinely participate in the country’s political process.”

In June 2011, Chairman Manzullo held an unprecedented oversight hearing exploring the oppressive nature of the Burmese junta.  The hearing featured testimony from Nobel Peace Prize winner and legendary opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time ever in Congress. Click here to view Ms. Suu Kyi’s 8-minute testimony

Temporary Closure On Rakow Road January 18

Weather permitting, the segment of Rakow Road between Pyott and Virginia will be closed for approximately 15 minutes on Wednesday, January 18th approximately sometime between 10am and 11am to allow for the placement of the bicycle path bridge for the McHenry County Conservation District Bike Trail.  The bridge will pass over Rakow Road just east of Pyott Road.

The bridge is fabricated in three sections. The south section will be placed on Tuesday, January 17th and will require one lane of traffic to be flagged while the segment is lifted from the truck and set in place. 

The center and north sections will be set the following day, January 18th, and will require the 15 minute closure while the center section is set across the existing roadway. 

Traffic will be flagged as necessary during the operation to allow the bridge to be set in place.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Congressman Manzullo Opposes President Request For $1.2 Trillion Debt Limit Increase

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) will oppose the President’s latest request for a $1.2 trillion increase in the national debt limit when it comes up for a vote in the House next week.

Manzullo, who wrote to Speaker John Boehner last month urging him to call Congress back into session if necessary to vote down the request, said it is time for the President and Congress to make the tough choices and get serious about cutting spending instead of continuing to borrow money and put America deeper and deeper in debt. The federal government currently borrows 42 cents on each dollar it spends, and the national debt recently surpassed $15 trillion.

Manzullo, who also opposed the President’s request for a $500 billion debt limit increase last September, said he was disappointed in the “super committee’s” failure to agree on significant spending cuts last November. Since he was first elected to office, Manzullo has voted nine times against increasing the debt limit.

“Enough is enough. In these difficult times, Americans have had to tighten their belts and learn to do more with less. Washington has to learn to do the same,” Manzullo said.

Words of Wisdom

"But ambitious encroachments of the federal government, on the authority of the State governments, would not excite the opposition of a single State, or of a few States only. They would be signals of general alarm. ... But what degree of madness could ever drive the federal government to such an extremity."

 --James Madison, Federalist No. 46, 1788

Snow , Snow and More Snow

"The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful,
Let it snow, let is snow, let it snow."
That should be what the weather people are singing.

Rest Of Today ...Widespread snow. Areas of blowing snow in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Much colder. Highs around 30 falling into the 20s this afternoon. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.

Tonight...Widespread snow. Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Total snow accumulation 4 to 8 inches. Lows 11 to 15. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph at times. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.

Friday...Cloudy. Areas of blowing snow early in the morning. A 30 percent chance of light snow in the morning. Highs 17 to 21. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph early in the morning.

Friday Night...Cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows 4 to 8 above. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday...Partly sunny in the morning...then cloudy with a 30 percent chance of light snow in the afternoon. Highs 17 to 21. Light and variable winds.

Saturday Night...Cloudy. A 20 percent chance of light snow in the evening. Lows 10 to 14.

Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

Words of Wisdom

"But ambitious encroachments of the federal government, on the authority of the State governments, would not excite the opposition of a single State, or of a few States only. They would be signals of general alarm. ... But what degree of madness could ever drive the federal government to such an extremity."

 --James Madison, Federalist No. 46, 1788

Government At Work

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

8:30 a.m. – Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee –

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

The Committee is expected to consider State Legislative Update and discuss Federal Legislation Program.

Two Resolutions are scheduled to be considered – one authorizing adoption of the 2012 State Legislation Program and one authorizing an agreement for an Electric Utility Aggregation Consultant.

The latter is in connection with the upcoming referendum on the March 20 ballot on a question of whether the County should have the Authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers. This would apply only to those who have not opted out of such a program.

This program is also being considered by the municipalities of Woodstock, McHenry, Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills as the McHenry Council of Governments.

Winter Weather Advisory For Thursday

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 9:00 a.m. Thursday to 9:00 a.m. Friday.

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow in effect from 9:00 a.m. Thursday to 9:00 a.m. Friday.

The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.

The National Weather Services advises that snow will develop by midday Thursday, and continue into Friday morning. Accumulations of snowfall are expected to total four to eight inches.

In addition to the falling snow, winds will increase to 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 35 mile per hour by Thursday evening, and continue through Thursday night.

The strong winds will cause considerable blowing and drifting snow especially in outlying and open areas. Wind chills are also forecast to drop to near zero.

Accumulating snow will likely make travel difficult for the afternoon commute Thursday with travel conditions possibly becoming treacherous and even dangerous in open areas Thursday night into early Friday morning.

Periods of snow may cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.

NOTE: Could not pass up a reference to a popular song from about 1945, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.” This Christmas song was written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and the composer Jule Styne in 1945. It portrayed the feeling of warmth of Christmas.

We are not too far beyond Christmas.

Congressman Manzullo Honored By Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity (AFP), the premier free market grassroots organization committed to smaller government and free enterprise, today honored Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) with a perfect 100 percent score for his efforts to cut wasteful Washington spending, strengthen our economy, and help put Americans back to work.

Manzullo joined Congressman Joe Walsh (R-McHenry) as the only two Members of Congress from Illinois to receive an “A+” rating from the group. In total, 39 Members out of 435 received a perfect score in AFP’s mid-term legislative scorecard. The scorecard included several critical votes on such issues as repealing President Obama’s new health care law, preempting EPA’s purported authority to regulate greenhouse gases, and several spending votes.

“Americans for Prosperity was glad to see that once again Illinois Congressman Don Manzullo came in with a perfect score on the most important economic votes cast during the first session of the 112th Congress.  Manzullo is among just a handful of representatives who have a lifetime 100% score.  Since AFP began our scorecard in 2007, Manzullo supported the small government, free market position on all 56 House votes we’ve scored,” said AFP Director of Government Affairs James Valvo.

Manzullo has also been honored for his conservative principles by the American Conservative Union, National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, and others. Since 2007, Manzullo has voted more than 700 times to cut more than $2.6 trillion in wasteful Washington spending and shrink the size of the federal government. 

-----------------

Congressman Manzullo is facing a challenger in the newly restructured 16^th District, which does not include McHenry County.

MCC Offers Trip to 2012 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Calling all Ron Santo and baseball fans:

McHenry County College’s Trips and Tours office is offering an extended tour to see the “Perfect 10” Ron Santo inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. 

Join MCC on an exciting motor coach tour to see this once in a lifetime induction of Ron Santo into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Tourists depart on July 19, arrive in Albany on July 20 and return to MCC on July 24. 

This trip includes eight meals (five breakfasts, three dinners), VIP Seating at The Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the Hall of Fame Parade of Legends, engraved collectible mini-bat souvenir, special commemorative collector’s postcard with inductees’ names, a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, $30 Fancy-free Holiday Rewards and more.

Cost per person is $1,919 triple, $1,949 double, and $2,335 single.  Add $146 for trip cancellation/interruption insurance premium.

For more information, contact Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782.  Early registration is recommended.

Words of Wisdom

"I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, not longer susceptible of any definition."

 --Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank, 1791

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11

8:30 a.m. -- Natural and Environmental Resources Committee of McHenry County Board, meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The committee is slated to consider bids for Franchised Residential Solid Waste Removal Services. Five bids were received for the services with Prairieland Disposal & Recycling being recommended as the successful bidder.

Groundwater Task Force 2012 meeting dates are being presented for consideration.

Recycling Event For Electronics, Batteries, Styrofoam

On Saturday, January 14th, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will conduct a recycling collection for fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, electronics, and batteries from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot, 4005 Main Street, in McHenry.

The Defenders expect a “glut” of electronics to be brought to their recycling drives this year. As of January 1, it is no longer legal for individuals to dispose of unwanted electronics in their regular trash. Discarded electronics, including computers, monitors, keyboards, scanners, fax machines and many other electronic devices, must now be taken to a registered recycler for proper management. It will be illegal for the consumer to dispose of them in the trash and it will be illegal for Illinois landfills to accept them.

This newest phase includes individual citizens in the effort to keep electronics, which contain a variety of potentially toxic contaminants, out of the state’s 48 active landfills. The metals, which include gold, cadmium, lead and silver, can threaten groundwater if landfilled. However, when the metals are reused, it eliminates some of the need for mining new supplies and can also be valuable resources when reclaimed. Recycling other metals such as aluminum from scrap or cans has the same benefits. The Defenders recycled over 1.25 tons of aluminum in 2011.

Always ahead of the game and staying on top of recycling issues, the Defenders began recycling electronics years ago. Their monthly drives collected 27,568 pounds in 2011. They also began a successful program of recycling block Styrofoam and collected 14,488 cubic feet of it last year. Another item, car batteries, can leak acid which will effect the environment. The Defenders collected 3500 pounds of them in 2011 and made sure they were safely recycled. 

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts rechargeable batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries. The Defenders also collect fluorescent tubes, clean white Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. A donation is requested for fluorescent bulbs and batteries that are brought in to offset the costs involved in processing these items. Electronics such as computers, phones, printers, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation. At the McHenry collection, the Defenders also accept and pay for aluminum cans.

The Defenders hold a recycling drive on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables with Defenders’ volunteers, who help to unload and sort the materials.

For more information about the recycling schedule and types of materials accepted at each location, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm or phone 815-338-0393.

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

Hearing On Randall Road Improvements

The McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting a public hearing on the Randall Road Improvements Study :

WHEN:          Tuesday, January 24, 2012

4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:       H.D. Jacobs High School Cafeteria

2601 Bunker Hill Drive

Algonquin, Illinois

The purpose of the public hearing is to present the preferred alternative for improvements to Randall Road.

For more information on the Randall Road Improvements Study, visit the project website at www.randallroad.info.  

Please join the MCDOT at the upcoming Public Hearing and help us “Get Randall Going!”  For more information on MCDOT and the role it serves, please visit www.mchenrycountydot.org. Connect with the Randall Road Improvements Study Facebook page at www.facebook.com/getrandallgoing. 

Project History

The Randall Road Improvements Study is a Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study for Randall Road between County Line Road and Ackman Road. The project was initiated by McHenry County in the spring of 2007. The purpose of the project is to identify transportation system improvements that will enhance mobility and local access while addressing safety issues, community values, and environmental impacts within the study area.

The Study incorporated an expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program based on the principles of a context sensitive solutions (CSS) approach. This approach is an enhanced process that McHenry County used to ultimately develop a transportation solution that best meets the stakeholders’ needs and goals.

The McHenry County Division of Transportation has held meetings with local agencies and stakeholders, as part of the study’s Community Advisory Council (CAC), to help define a Preferred Alternative for the Randall Road corridor through an extensive alternative evaluation process.  After three levels of evaluations, the four resulting alternatives were presented to the CAC for review and comment.

The four alternatives to meet these objectives were presented at a public meeting on September 23, 2008.  Further analyses were conducted to address public comments and refine the four alternatives to the Preferred Alternative. The Preferred Alternative provides a comprehensive solution that addresses stakeholders’ needs and reduces vehicular delay throughout the corridor.  Improvements proposed as part of the Preferred Alternative will be presented at this upcoming Public Hearing. 

In the early 1990s, Randall Road was designated as a Strategic Regional Arterial (SRA). SRAs are a network of highways designed to accommodate long distance regional traffic, to complement a region’s major transit and highway facilities, and to supplement the freeway system. 

Randall Road is a primary north-south arterial in southern McHenry County that many residents use for Interstate 90 (I-90) access through Kane County, since McHenry County does not have direct access to I-90. Over the last five years numerous new developments along the Randall Road corridor have contributed to the congested traffic conditions that motorists are faced with today. McHenry County Division of Transportation recognizes these conditions and began this study to address the situation. 

Help For Returning Adult College Students

Adults who are interested in earning a college degree or certificate, but are hesitant about returning to college, can get their questions answered by attending a “Getting Started” seminar at McHenry County College in Room A103, from 10-11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13 in Room A103.

The “Getting Started” seminar gives returning adults—who have been out of high school for several years or longer and want to find out more about college degrees and admission requirements—a chance to meet other students like themselves.

Attendees will learn about degree and certificate requirements, start the financial aid process and tour the MCC campus. MCC also offers free tutoring and academic advising to students.

Helen Jost, adult recruitment coordinator at McHenry County College, specializes in helping returning adults get started at MCC.

            “Many adult students have jobs and families and worry about getting back into the swing of attending classes, studying and taking tests and being in a classroom with younger students,” Jost said. “These worries can be put to rest by the first day of class, she said.

All “Getting Started” seminars are free of charge and are offered each month. To reserve a seat, call (815) 455-8914 or e-mail hjost@mchenry.edu. Refreshments will be served. For other programs for returning adults, visit www.mchenry.edu/returningadults. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

Words of Wisdom

"A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species."

--James Madison

Congressman Manzullo Voted 79 More Times To Cut Spending Than His New Opponent

Manzullo voted 79 more times to cut $209 billion more than Adam Kinzinger who whill be Manzullo's opponent in the upcoming March election due to redistricting. 

 

An analysis of Congressional votes shows that U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-16) continued his strong conservative record of voting against wasteful Washington spending in 2011 while his opponent voted much more often for big government.

Manzullo, who maintains a lifetime 96 percent rating with the American Conservative Union, voted 79 more times to cut spending in 2011 than Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-11), who says he came to Washington in 2010 to cut spending. An analysis of all 949 roll call votes cast in 2011 shows Kinzinger voted to spend $209 billion more than Manzullo. Click here to view the full analysis.

In addition, Manzullo voted in 2011 for an alternative budget bill that would have cut $9.1 trillion over 10 years, reformed and saved Social Security and Medicare, kept taxes low, funded defense sufficiently, and eliminated the budget deficit in 9 years. Kinzinger voted against the conservative Republican Study Committee’s budget alternative, supported by the 60 Plus Association, Citizens Against Government Waste, Heritage Action, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, and many other conservative organizations. Instead, Kinzinger voted for Rep. Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity that cut $5.8 trillion over 10 years. Manzullo also supported Ryan’s plan.

“An analysis of last year’s Congressional votes clearly shows that Congressman Manzullo is much more serious than his opponent when it comes to cutting wasteful spending, reducing America’s debt and strengthening our economy,” said Manzullo spokesman Rich Carter. “In 2011, Congressman Manzullo voted 79 more times to cut $209 billion more in spending than Congressman Kinzinger. When presented with a clear choice, Kinzinger voted to fully fund dozens of government agencies and programs. In addition, Manzullo supported a budget alternative that would have cut $3.3 trillion more over 10 years than the legislation his opponent supported. It’s easy to see why Manzullo is getting so much support from those who want to see Congress get serious about cutting wasteful spending.”

Manzullo was recently endorsed by the Illinois Conservatives, a statewide organization of about 4,000 young conservatives under 35. He was endorsed last month by Family PAC-Federal, Illinois’ leading pro-family political action committee, and he is consistently recognized for his efforts to cut wasteful spending by many national conservative organizations.

Heritage Action, the sister organization of the conservative Heritage Foundation, shows a wide disparity in conservative rating in its Legislative Scorecard, with Manzullo receiving an 83 percent rating and Kinzinger receiving a 60 percent rating. 

Manzullo, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the co-Chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus, is running for re-election to continue his mission to cut wasteful Washington spending, reduce the deficit, strengthen our economy, and help put Americans back to work. Under the Democrats' redistricting gerrymander last year, the 16th District changes dramatically. It will now include the counties of Boone, Ogle, Lee, Bureau, Putnam, La Salle, Grundy, Livingston, Iroquois, and parts of Winnebago, DeKalb, Stark, Will and Ford counties.

To learn more about Manzullo, visit www.manzullo.org.

Government At Work

Tuesday, January 10 –

8:30 a.m. – Human Resources Committee of McHenry County Board –

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

A presentation is scheduled regarding the Wellness Program Update: Past, Present and Future.

A report is also scheduled from the Human Resources Director.

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

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

A presentation is slated to be provided by the County’s Auditing firm, Baker, Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Six resolutions will be presented to the committee for consideration. One is to authorize the increase of salaries for the Board of Review for the fiscal Budget Year. The Board of Review is comprised of three members, Jan G. Hervert, Chairman, and regular members, Mark Ruda and Clifton A. Houghton.

Since the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget includes a portion for the increase of salaries for the Board members, the Finance Committee is planning to recommend that the salaries be increased by 3% as follows: Regular members (2) to $30,025.02 each and for the Chairman, $30,904.12. These are to be retroactive to December 1, 2010. The Chairman’s salary is to be increased to $30,904.12 retroactive to December 1, 2011.

The Committee is also to consider a contract with VMWare Software to virtualize servers, storage and networks. This is t provide high availability of server resources increased security, and improved disaster recovery.

A resolution authorizing the execution of a $30,778 contract is proposed for a period through December 20, 2012.

A third resolution is to authorize the monthly transactions for the delinquent tax program. Two parcels were purchased for $1,300 with a net to the County of $600 including $175.68 for County Clerk fees, $100 for Recorder/Secretary of State Fees and $324.32 to the County Treasurer.

A fourth resolution for consideration is to authorize acceptance of a modification to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant to the County for additional $128,904 to be used for Dislocated Workers Vocational Training and overhead costs associated with operating the program.

A McHenry County Workforce Network grant application with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity has been approved awarding $58,897 to be used to provide case management services to dislocated workers from Intermatic in Spring Grove, AllState in South Barrington, AllState in Northbrook, Caps visual in Chicago, Panasonic Corporation in Rolling Meadows,

Precision Dormer in Crystal Lake, Quad Graphics/World color in Schaumburg and Wells Manufacturing Dura-Bar Division in Woodstock. The Committee is expected to approve acceptance of this grant.

A resolution is also being presented for approval accepting an additional Grant of $134,097 to provide additional vocational training to McHenry County laid off workers from the above-mentioned companies.

A $7,816 grant is also being presented to the County through the Workforce Network Department through the modification to a prior grant.

7:00 p.m. – Lakewood Village Board—

Meeting in Turnberry Country Club, 9600 Turnberry Trail, Lakewood.

It should be noted this is a change from the usual meeting location of Red Tail Golf Club.

In addition to considering approval of minutes, bills, and minutes of prior meeting, the Board will consider a development Agreement between the Village and BFJ Ex-Land, LLC regarding the Highlands at RedTail.

Various Building Codes are being updated with an Ordinance Amending two sections of the Lakewood Municipal Code.

A discussion regarding RedTail Golf Club House Renovation is also to be considered.

Recycling Collection Of Fluorescent Tubes, Styrofoam, Electronics, Batteries

On Saturday, January 14^th,  from 9 a.m. until noon at the Metra Station parking lot, 4005 Main Street, in McHenry.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County expect a “glut” of electronics to be brought to their recycling drives this year. As of January 1, it is no longer legal for individuals to dispose of unwanted electronics in their regular trash. Discarded electronics, including computers, monitors, keyboards, scanners, fax machines and many other electronic devices, must now be taken to a registered recycler for proper management. It will be illegal for the consumer to dispose of them in the trash and it will be illegal for Illinois landfills to accept them.

This newest phase includes individual citizens in the effort to keep electronics, which contain a variety of potentially toxic contaminants, out of the state’s 48 active landfills. The metals, which include gold, cadmium, lead and silver, can threaten groundwater if landfilled. However, when the metals are reused, it eliminates some of the need for mining new supplies and can also be valuable resources when reclaimed. Recycling other metals such as aluminum from scrap or cans has the same benefits. The Defenders recycled over 1.25 tons of aluminum in 2011.

Always ahead of the game and staying on top of recycling issues, the Defenders began recycling electronics years ago. Their monthly drives collected 27,568 pounds in 2011. They also began a successful program of recycling block Styrofoam and collected 14,488 cubic feet of it last year. Another item, car batteries, can leak acid which will effect the environment. The Defenders collected 3500 pounds of them in 2011 and made sure they were safely recycled. 

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts rechargeable batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries. The Defenders also collect fluorescent tubes, clean white Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. A donation is requested for fluorescent bulbs and batteries that are brought in to offset the costs involved in processing these items. Electronics such as computers, phones, printers, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation. At the McHenry collection, the Defenders also accept and pay for aluminum cans.

The Defenders hold a recycling drive on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables with Defenders’ volunteers, who help to unload and sort the materials.

For more information about the recycling schedule and types of materials accepted at each location, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm or phone 815-338-0393.

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.

Bicycle Bridge Building Over Rakow Road

The segment of Rakow Road between Pyott and Virginia will be closed for 15 minutes during the week of January 16th to allow for the placement of the bicycle path bridge for the McHenry County Conservation District Trail.  The bridge will pass over Rakow Road just east of Pyott Road.

The bridge is fabricated in three sections. The south section will be placed one day, requiring one lane of traffic to be flagged while the segment is lifted from the truck and set in place.  The center and north sections will be set the following day and will require the 15 minute closure while the center section is set across the existing roadway.  Traffic will be flagged as necessary during the operation to allow the bridge to be set in place.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during this time.

Words of Wisdom

"When you assemble from your several counties in the Legislature, were every member to be guided only by the apparent interest of his county, government would be impracticable. There must be a perpetual accommodation and sacrifice of local advantage to general expediency."

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

Government At Work

MONDAY, JANUARY 9-

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

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A resolution is to be considered authorizing a support contract with VMWare Software

A discussion is slated regarding a McHenry County Video TourBook and another discussion about Webstreaming services.

Also to be considered are the recommendations of the committee on Management Services Committee Agenda items.