Next Friends Of MCC Foundation Educational Seminar February 19

The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation continues the MCC Educational Seminar Series at    6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19 with “Planned Giving Options and Opportunities” in Room B166-167 at McHenry County College.

Guest speaker is Andrew W. Holstine, an attorney from Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle law firm. He concentrates his legal practice in the areas of real estate and gift tax planning, legacy planning, estate and trust administration, business transactional work and succession planning.

The next seminar takes place in March and will focus on Critical Legal Documents that everyone should have. The date will be announced later.

The seminars are free and open to the public. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is strongly encouraged. To reserve a seat or to view the full schedule, visit:  www.mchenry.edu/seminarseries. For more information, contact the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation Office at (815)455-8556.

Former U.S. House Speaker Gingrich Highlights Fundraiser For McHenry County Sheriff Candidate

Republican candidate for McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim announces that former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and recent presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista will headline a fund-raiser for Prim in Woodstock on February 18.

Hosted by Gary Rabine, Tom Merryman, Brian Kelly and Lou Bianchi the fund-raiser will kick his campaign for Sheriff into a higher gear as the March 2014 Republican primary election approaches, Prim said.

“I am very grateful to Speaker and Mrs. Gingrich for agreeing to assist me in this way,” Prim Said. “Newt will give a short talk on his views of the current political situation nationally and I can’t be the only one who looks forward to hearing his perspectives. I’ve always admired the Speaker’s principled stands on the issues and more than one of them could be adapted to our own county. For example, he thoroughly understands that tax revenues don’t just magically appear somehow, they come out of the pockets of taxpayers.”

“That’s a view I share without question.”

 Prim added, “I also owe a debt of thanks to Mr. Rabine and the distinguished host committee for putting the pieces together for a memorable evening.”

The fund-raiser will take place at Bull Valley Country Club and attendance is by invitation.

Prim said he intends to use the funds generated to put his campaign on a firmer footing financially and move forward on the task of making his plans for Sheriffs Office better known throughout the County.

Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in 40 years. After he was elected Speaker, he moved power out of Washington and back to the American people, passed the first balanced-budget in a generation, and passed the first tax cut in 16 years. A prolific author, he has published 24  books both fiction and non-fiction, and remains active in Republican Party politics.

Callista Gingrich is the President and CEO of Gingrich Productions, a multimedia company based in Washington, D.C.  Mrs. Gingrich is the author of the New York Times best-selling children’s series featuring Ellis the Elephant. Callista also serves as the President of the Gingrich Foundation, a charitable non-profit foundation, which sponsors scholarships in music and the arts.

Why Worry About The US Constitution?

"By Robert Barnes, Friday, January 25, 12:02 PM

President Obama exceeded his constitutional authority when he named three members of the National Labor Relations Board while the Senate was on a break last year, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

“A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that allowing the president to make such appointments as a way around Senate opposition “would wholly defeat the purpose of the Framers in the careful separation of powers structure” they created.

“The decision flatly rejected the administration’s rationale for appointing the board members, and jeopardizes the separate recess appointment of former Ohio attorney general Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Cordray is the subject of a different lawsuit.

“The ruling acknowledged that it conflicts in parts with what other federal appeals courts have held about recess appointments. The issue is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court.

“The decision came from Circuit judges David B. Sentelle, Karen LeCraft Henderson and Thomas B. Griffith.

“The decision is novel and unprecedented, and it contradicts 150 years of practice by Democratic and Republican administrations,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Friday at the daily briefing. “We respectfully but strongly disagree with the ruling.”

“Senate Republicans and business groups had challenged Obama’s move to appoint Sharon Block, Terence F. Flynn and Richard E. Griffin to the labor relations board, which at the time had only one member. Because the three were not properly appointed, the court said, the board’s decisions over the past year are invalid.

“Obama made the appointments of the board members and Cordray after Senate Republicans had blocked such action and warned the president not to take action while the Senate was on break in January 2012.

“The president was defiant. “I will not stand by while a minority in the Senate puts party ideology ahead of the people they were elected to serve,” Obama said at the time.

“Obama contended that he had the authority under the Constitution’s “Recess Appointments Clause,” which grants power for such appointments “during the Recess of the Senate,” when senators are not in session to fulfill their advise-and-consent responsibilities.

“At the time, the Senate was on a 20-day holiday break.

But senators staged pro forma sessions every three business days, a tactic both Democrats and Republicans have employed in the past to keep presidents from making such interim appointments.

“Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), one of 42 Republican senators who filed an amicus brief in the case, applauded the court for rejecting the administration’s “flimsy” interpretation of the law.

“”Today’s ruling reaffirms that the Constitution is above political party or agenda, despite what the Obama administration seems to think,” Hatch said in a statement.

“More stories from The Washington Post:”

Slowed Main Street Traffic Tuesday, January 29

Crystal Lake Public Works Department will be repairing a sewer main on Main Street on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. 

Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. traffic on Main Street, between Woodstock Street and Crystal Lake Avenue, will be slowed around the work zone and may be limited to one lane.

Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route during this time, if possible. 

Mistakes Do Happen

(AP) WASHINGTON — In an embarrassing setback for President Barack Obama, a federal appeals court panel ruled Friday that he violated the Constitution in making certain recess appointments and moved to curtail a chief executive’s ability in the future to circumvent the Senate in such scenarios.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said that Obama did not have the power to make three recess appointments last year to the National Labor Relations Board because the Senate was officially in session — and not in recess — at the time. If the decision stands, it could invalidate hundreds of board decisions.

The court said the president could only fill vacancies with the recess appointment procedure if the openings arise when the Senate is in an official recess, which it defined as the break between sessions of Congress.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/court-obama-recess-appointments-unconstitutional/#WxREYYuth7fxJu96.99 

Words Of Wisdom

"The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse."

--James Madison

Representative Wheeler Seeks Input From Constituents

With the 98th General Assembly scheduled to come back to Springfield in just one week, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is asking her constituents to let her know their opinions on issues expected to come up in the next year.  Wheeler has written a survey using a free electronic service and is asking her constituents to follow the link and let her know how they feel.

“My office has been open for about two weeks now and I already have received people reaching out to me on issues that are important to them,” said Wheeler.  “My email inbox is full with people concerned about hydraulic fracturing and Medicaid funding.  I am asking my constituents to let me know how they feel on these and many other issues.”

Residents of the 64th Legislative District can go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LJLZNLY to fill out the survey.  Rep. Wheeler’s survey focuses on major issues expected to come up in the 98th General Assembly and issues that directly affect the people of Lake and McHenry Counties.  

The 64th Legislative District is composed of Eastern McHenry and Western Lake Counties, including municipalities such as Crystal Lake, McHenry, Spring Grove, Fox Lake, Antioch, and Lake Villa.

Words Of Wisdom

"Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction."

 --Thomas Jefferson, letter to Wilson Nicholas, 1803

Government At Work

 THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 –

7:30 a.m. – McHenry County Stormwater Commission—

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

The Commission is to elect officers and set meeting dates for the coming year before turning to other business.

Discussions are slated regarding municipal membership and a comprehensive revision of the stormwater management ordinance.

Other matters for consideration include an overview of technical advisory committee from the TAC Chairman, Graig Neville and an overview of stormwater program from Chief Stormwater engineer, Cory Horton.

As always, there is time for public comment.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Legislative Committee

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

The Committee is to consider adoption of the 2013 Legislative program which provides ideas of what the County would like to see for state and federal initiatives and programs.

This is expected to be an important meeting and legislators from Lake County have been invited to join in the discussion.

9:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board Technical Advisory Committee –

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

A review of proposed soil erosion and sediment control language is to be held as well as revisions to public road development before turning a discussion on the definition of Hydrologic Disturbance.

1:30 p.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals –

Public hearing being held in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Petitioners are seeking a Conditional Use Permit to allow the outdoor storage of commercial equipment and vehicles on the property by its current tenant, Landscape Services and Management, Inc., and to allow a landscaping and snow removal business and to erect a sign at the entrance/access to the property identifying the current tenant and its business as being operated out of the subject property.

Additionally, the Petitioners request a variance allowing the parking area for employees/public on the subject property to remain as gravel, subject to the handicap space requirement of Section 405.5(1) of the McHenry County Zoning Ordinance.

Also, the Petitioners request a variance to allow the driveway to be 12.8 feet in width instead of the 24-foot minimum required.

6:30 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees –

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

In addition to paying all the necessary bills and handling other routine matters connected with the operation of the community college, one sizeable expenditure is being considered.

This project is to include THE RECONSTRUCTIN OF PARKING LOTS b AND d, RESURFACING OF MOST OF THE Ring Road, refurbishing the storm sewer draining of parking lots B and D, completing the sanitary sewer line from the recently installed line to buildings C and D, installation of LED parking lot lights for parking lots B and D, installation of a basic plaza at the entrance to Building B, putting in the conduit to install electric vehicular charging stations in the future, basic landscaping, constructing a drop-off area in parking lot C in front of C Building, installing a water hydrant to the athletic playing fields and other aspects associated wit the reconstruction of parking lots B & D. In order to meet the target of commencing the project during spring/summer 2013, it is necessary to now seek approval for the project.

Funding for the project is budgeted in the Deferred Maintenance FCA account in the Operations and Maintenance Fund.

The Board is being asked to approve moving forward on the plan which is expected to have a cost of not to exceed $2,332,834.

Certified Inventory Management Courses At MCC

 McHenry County College Workforce, Community and Business Programs Department is offering APICS Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification preparation courses beginning with the Basics of Supply Chain  Management. This course will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Jan. 29 through Feb. 19, 2013.

APICS, the Association for Operations Management, is the leader in membership, certification, and education programs for operations and supply chain management professionals. This series is being facilitated by Marty Gartner, certified APICS instructor with over 30 years of materials, supply chain and project management experience.

The Basics of the Supply Chain Management module is the foundation/gateway to the APICS Body of Knowledge. Participants will learn the processes necessary in managing the complete flow of materials, information, and dollars in a supply chain from suppliers to customers. Supply chain concepts are introduced and basic principles emphasized, as are relationships among activities in the supply chain.

APICS certification programs are recognized worldwide as the standard of professional excellence in operations management. By defining common terminology, practices, and knowledge, APICS certifications improve performance of individuals and organizations.

APICS certification enables participants to gain leadership expertise that leads to greater confidence, recognition, and professional success. A CPIM education is essential for professionals involved in any of the following areas: production and inventory management, operations, supply chain management, procurement, materials management, purchasing, and distribution/logistics.

Cost of the Basic of Supply Chain Management course is $930.  Use course ID: NTE S23 001.  Future certification prep courses offered at the Shah Center include: Master Planning of Resources, in April;  Detailed Scheduling and Planning, in June, Execution and Control of Operations, in September and Strategic Management of Resources, in November.  All of the APICS CPIM courses have a half-day of test preparation included in the schedule.

The Workforce, Community and Business courses are available to bring to a company's facility and customizable for each company’s needs. This program will be held at the Shah Center at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry. To register, call (815) 455-8588.  For more information, contact the Shah Center at (815) 455-8593 or shahcenter@mchenry.edu.

Words Of Wisdom

"There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the public engagements; that our appropriations should ever go hand in hand with our promises. To say that the United States should be answerable for twenty-five millions of dollars without knowing whether the ways and means can be provided, and without knowing whether those who are to succeed us will think with us on the subject, would be rash and unjustifiable. Sir, in my opinion, it would be hazarding the public faith in a manner contrary to every idea of prudence."

 --James Madison, Speech in Congress, 1790

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 –

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Community Development Block Grant Commission –

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

The Commission is expected to hold a CDBG Applicant Project Discussion.

8:30 a.m. –McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee –

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

An overview of the Department of Health is to be provided for committee members.

The Committee is to consider acceptance of a $9,000 Children’s Dental Education and Access Improvement Grant from Delta Dental and to authorize an emergency appropriation to the Dental Care Clinic’s FY 2013 Budget.

Additionally, the Committee is to consider interview strategies for the Mental Health Board Candidates.

7:00 p,m. – Crystal Lake Public Library Board Personnel Committee –

The Personnel Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees will meet in the Library Director’s Office at the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

7:00 p.m. – Valley Hi Nursing Home Board –

Meeting at Valley Hi Nursing Home, 2406 Hartland Road, Woodstock.

A number of important matters are to be considered including:

• Medicare Part B Pre-Pay Probe Update and New Probe initiated
• State Money – Follows the person program expansion
• State Bed Buy/Sell Program
• Community influenza activity
• Medicare Payment Reductions
• Proposed IGT Program Changes
• Medicaid Reimbursement and Program Changes
• Resolution Authorizing Entering Into A Contract with Dr. Egekeze for Medical Director Services.

Words Of Wisdom

"All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated office. To me there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity."

 --George Washington

Grafton Township Taxes

Following is an explanation regarding Grafton Township taxes as provided by Township Supervisor Linda Moore.

"At the January meeting of the Grafton Township Board, Supervisor Linda Moore proposed keeping taxes constant, but Trustees LaPorta, Murphy and Zirk did not second the motion to discuss the Resolution to authorize the Supervisor to amend the Levy to last year’s extension. Trustee Zirk however launched into discussion alluding to a risk that would be great if the township were not to collect the maximum tax dollars possible.

"When asked to identify the risk, none could be explained.

"In order for a local government to collect about the same as last year, its levy must be pretty close to the amount collected last year. That figure is called the “extension.”

"Because there is some growth, a tax district could actually raise its levy a (the county assessor says about one-quarter of one percent for the county as a whole) tiny bit without raising bills on last year’s taxpayers.

"Last year the extension for the combination of the Grafton Town Fund and the General Assistance Fund was $1,070,637.00.

"The levy passed in December 2012 for this coming year was $1,102,142.00.

"Because nothing was done, Grafton Township taxpayers will have to come up with an extra $31,505.00 in taxes.

"As I understand the process, there is a short window of opportunity after the County Clerk’s Office decides what the tax rate will be and how much taxes will be extracted from taxpayers’ pockets. In that perhaps less than a week’s time frame, a district may make a last minute change.

"The maximum that a tax district can increase its tax bill this year under the tax cap is 3%. By making the levy 4% higher than last year's tax collections, the township trustees have decided to extract as much property taxes out of your pocket as is allowed by law.

"For the last three years, I have voted to keep next year's real estate tax collections equal to the year before.”  said Supervisor Moore.

"Supervisor Linda Moore posted a separate agenda.  This agenda gave Trustees Zirk, LaPorta, McMahon and Murphy another opportunity to adopt last year’s taxes to match the amount received last year.

"Grafton Township taxpayers could actually have seen a small tax cut if Trustee Zirk would have favored this resolution. Zirk is the only trustee who is running for re-election.

"Supervisor Linda Moore is on the ballot for the February 26th Republican Primary facing two opponents.  She would like the opportunity to work with a fresh board and reduce your taxes.  Please visit http://www.electlindamoore.com."

Government At Work

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 –

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Community Development Block Grant –

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

The Committee is expected to elect a Vice Chairperson, and then conduct the 2013 CDBG Applicant Hearings before a staff review of procedures.

9:30 a.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals—

Voting Meeting regarding Archos zoning reclassification from B-2 Liquor Business District to the R-2 Two-Family residential district with a variation to allow the lot size to be .0.9 instead of the one acre minimum.

Other business to be considered includes a Unified Development Ordinance Status report including the distribution of draft1.5.

The Committee is also to hear a presentation by Cory Horton, Chief Stormwater Engineer regarding Snow, Ice and Salt.

7:00 p.m. – Lakewood Village Board –

Meeting in Turnberry Country Club, 9600 Turnberry Trail, Lakewood

In addition to paying bills and considering financial statements the Board is expected to consider an Ordinance amending the Liquor Control and Licensing Ordinance regarding Liquor License classification.

Additionally, the Board is to discuss Strategic Plan Initiatives and approve the 2-13/2014 Vehicle Sticker Rates.

How To Build A More Sustainable World

Find out by attending the free Great Lakes Beaming Bioneers Speaker Series at 7 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. The four-part series continues on Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, 2013

Experts in local and global issues facing our planet today will present information about building the local food network, quantifying the value of natural areas, Loyola University’s path to sustainability, and what is on the horizon for fracking in Illinois. The speaker series is co-sponsored by McHenry County College, Loyola University Retreat Ecology Campus and McHenry County Conservation District.

The first lecture on Jan. 22 will feature "Towards an Economics of Shared Prosperity in a Finite World," presented by Dr. Jon Erickson, professor of ecological economics and the interim dean of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont.

His presentation will help recognize and understand the direct economic benefits of many of the activities we are already beginning to pursue here in McHenry County. Everything from green building and infrastructure, ecological restoration to conservation easements, provide direct economic benefits that are not currently understood or valued. As we direct the future of McHenry County, it is vital that we become more adept at recognizing, understanding and incorporating these benefits into our processes. 

How Do We Build A More Sustainable World?

Find out by attending the free Great Lakes Beaming Bioneers Speaker Series at 7 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. The four-part series continues on Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, 2013

Experts in local and global issues facing our planet today will present information about building the local food network, quantifying the value of natural areas, Loyola University’s path to sustainability, and what is on the horizon for fracking in Illinois. The speaker series is co-sponsored by McHenry County College, Loyola University Retreat Ecology Campus and McHenry County Conservation District.

The first lecture on Jan. 22 will feature "Towards an Economics of Shared Prosperity in a Finite World," presented by Dr. Jon Erickson, professor of ecological economics and the interim dean of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont.

His presentation will help recognize and understand the direct economic benefits of many of the activities we are already beginning to pursue here in McHenry County. Everything from green building and infrastructure, ecological restoration to conservation easements, provide direct economic benefits that are not currently understood or valued. As we direct the future of McHenry County, it is vital that we become more adept at recognizing, understanding and incorporating these benefits into our processes.

Words Of Wisdom

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

--Nathan Hale, before being hanged by the British, 1776