Words Of Wisdom

"[A] good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous."

 --George Washington

Walkup Avenue Road Work Update

Traffic has been realigned from the Veteran Acres Park entrance to IL Rte. 176.  Daily lane closures will occur on Walkup Road from Talismon Drive to IL Rte. 176 to allow work to resume on this remaining stretch of Walkup to be completed.  

Pavement removal on Walkup Road from Talismon Drive to IL Rte. 176 began April 4 and will be followed by storm sewer installation approximately April 9. 

Remaining work on Walkup Road includes - the storm sewer installation, stone placement, curb and gutter completion, and asphalt installation.  Curb and gutter and sidewalk installation should also begin on IL Rte. 176 starting within 2 weeks.  

Watch for traffic flaggers, avoid using your cell phone and drive safely through the construction zone.

Walkup Avenue Road Work Alert

Traffic has been realigned from the Veteran Acres Park entrance to IL Rte. 176.  

Daily lane closures will occur on Walkup Road from Talismon Drive to IL Rte. 176 to allow work to resume on this remaining stretch of Walkup to be completed.  Pavement removal on Walkup Road from Talismon Drive to IL Rte. 176 began 4/4/13 and will be followed by storm sewer installation approximately 4/9/13.  

Remaining work on Walkup Road includes - the storm sewer installation, stone placement, curb and gutter completion, and asphalt installation.  Curb and gutter and sidewalk installation should also begin on IL Rte. 176 starting within 2 weeks.  

Watch for traffic flaggers, avoid using your cell phone and drive safely through the construction zone.

Words Of Wisdom

"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of."

 --James Madison, Federalist No. 46, 1788

Not All Fish Caught In Illinois Waters Edible

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced its 2013 consumption advisories for sport fish caught in Illinois waters. 

The Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program screens fish samples from approximately 40 bodies of water each year for contamination from 14 banned pesticides, industrial chemicals and methylmercury.  The program is a joint effort of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the departments of agriculture, natural resources and public health.

The fish are collected by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and tested by IEPA.  IDPH issues an annual consumption advisory based on the IEPA test results. 

Fish can be an important part of a balanced diet and the advisories are not meant to discourage people from eating fish, but should be used as a guideline to help people decide the types of fish to eat, how often and how to prepare the fish to reduce possible contaminants,” said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.  “While nutritious and low in fat, contaminants may make some fish unsafe to eat except in limited quantities, particularly for women of childbearing age and young children.”

The statewide mercury advisory cautions sensitive populations (i.e. women of childbearing age, pregnant women, fetuses, nursing mothers and children younger than 15 years of age) to eat no more than one meal per week of predator fish, which pose a greater risk because they feed on other fish and accumulate higher amounts of methylmercury.  Predator fish include all species of Black Bass, (Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted) Striped Bass, White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Flathead Catfish, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Saugeye, Sauger and Walleye. 

In McHenry County, these advisories include Lake in the Hills and Nippersink Creek.  Mercury is found throughout a fish’s muscle tissue (the edible part of the fish) rather than in the fat and skin.  Therefore, the only way to reduce mercury intake is to reduce the amount of contaminated fish eaten. The advisory can be found on IDPH’s website www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/fishadvisory/illinois_fish_advisory.pdf.

Government At Work

FRIDAY, APRIL 5—

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Continuum of Care for Homelessness-

Meeting in the Planning and Development Conference Room 20, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Several presentations are scheduled from participating groups including Pioneer Center/Pads, Home of the Sparrow, TLS, and Turning Point. Also, New Business includes the ranking of projects for ESG Funding, discussion and action.

Keeping Books Out of Landfills

For several years, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County have raised funds and kept good books out of the landfill through their Green Spot Used Books and more store, located in the Woodstock Square Mall building at 110 S. Johnson Street, Suite 104.  Hours are: Tuesday – Friday 11:00am – 4:00pm and Saturday 11:00am – 3:00pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Now that Spring is finally here, the Green Spot is celebrating with a "Spring Cleaning Sale"!  For every $5 spent on their selection of gently used books, gifts, and green items, choose a FREE book from their sale rack!  Be sure to check out the featured display of gardening and landscaping books, which will be Buy One, Get One FREE in April and May. 

Donations of gently used books can be dropped off while the Green Spot is open, or any time in the book drop-box in front of the mall building.

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.

Working Toward A Fantastic Summer At Crystal Lake Beaches

The Crystal Lake Park District is hard at work preparing for opening day at Main and West Beaches on Saturday, May 26. In order to make this an enjoyable beach season for everyone and to plan ahead for the future, park district staff is asking for the public’s input via an online survey.

Anyone who completes a survey can elect to be entered into our drawing for a Beach Cooler packed with summertime fun. The survey, https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CLParkDistrictBeachSurvey, will be available through the end of June. From there, park district staff will analyze results and solicit additional input from individuals who have expressed interest in being a part of a Beach Focus Group.

 The Crystal Lake Park District Beach Survey is just one small part of how park district staff is planning for a great 2013 beach season. Plans are already underway for new drop-in activities and events during the week and enhancing exciting special events that are already part of the Crystal Lake Park District schedule.

Check out the Summer 2013 Crystal Lake Park District program brochure (delivery begins May 15)  for details on the new Crazy Craft Tuesdays and Wet and Wild Thursdays in addition to the schedules for the 2013 Concert in the Park and Movies in the Park/Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Eating Contest. 

The 2013 Beach Season will come to a close on a high note with the BMO Harris Blast on the Beach Festival that will be bigger and better than ever this year. With free admission provided by BMO Harris Bank, food vendors, beer & wine garden, fun fair and treasure hunt in the sand, an art and craft show, the Blast on the Beach is the festival not to miss in August.

For questions about the Crystal Lake Park District Beach Survey or to be a part of the Beach Focus Group without taking a survey, contact Kim Buscemi, Superintendent of Recreation Services at (815) 459-0680, ext. 217 or via email at kbuscemi@crystallakeparks.org.

Crystal Lake Watershed And McHenry County College

A debate about what Mother Nature did or did not provide for the Crystal Lake area has been ongoing for many years. This has to do with what is known as the Crystal Lake watershed, which feeds the body of water know as the Crystal Lake.

Most recently it involves the McHenry County College’s plans to repair and upgrade a parking lot located on the south side of the building which is located on US Route 14.

The MCC property is located in the Crystal Lake watershed, something that was not considered when the property was acquired and the building constructed over 40 years ago. Consideration for a watershed at that time was not a worry.

Recently a citizen expressed concern on the matter, noting to the MCC Board that the construction was not following the Crystal Lake watershed requirements. 

We questioned MCC officials and were told they were following what Crystal Lake City Planning and Development Department officials required and the engineers hired by the College are working with the City.

We also checked with the City Planning Department on the matter and found that the statement is true. Just this past week, the matter was noted during the City Council meeting. The Planning Department publicly stated that MCC is following the City’s requirements regarding the watershed and the work to be accomplished on the parking lot.

So it appears the Crystal Lake Watershed is not being ignored in the upgrading of McHenry County College.

Words Of Wisdom

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

--Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788

Government At Work

THURSDAY, APRIL 4—

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee-Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee will be interviewing Jacqueline Kaufman for membership on the McHenry County Housing Commission. This will be followed by deliberation and selection of a candidate as a voting member for term to expire April 30, 2016, with the recommendation for appointment being made to the County Board Chairwoman for same.

• The Committee is to consider an ordinance extending a temporary moratorium for electronic off-premise commercial advertising signs.
• Also to be considered are a number other matters including:
• Resolution authorizing additional 2012 Community Development Block Grant funding allocations.
• Resolution authorizing the program year 2012 HOME Investment Partnership Program allocations
• Resolution requesting an exception from a potential conflict of interest involving the PY2013 Community Development Block Grant Program funding between Pioneer Center for Human Services and McHenry County Board Member Sandra Fay Salgado.
• Resolution Requesting an Exception From a  Potential Conflict of Interest Involving the PY2013 HOME Investment Partnership Program Funding Between Home of the Sparrow and McHenry County Housing Commission Member Mary Anne Weltch.
• Resolution Requesting an Exception From a Potential Conflict of Interest Involving the PY2013 HOME Investment Partnership Program Funding Between the McHenry County Housing Authority and McHenry County Housing Commission Member Julie Biel Claussen
• Resolution Requesting an Exception From a Potential Conflict of Interest Involving the PY2013 HOME Investment Partnership Program Funding Between the McHenry County Housing Authority and McHenry County Housing Commission Member Preston Rea
• Review of Subdivision Extension Policies

1:30 p.m. – McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee—

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

The Committee will be reviewing a draft of the Unified Development Ordinance.

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals is also meeting at the same time for the same purpose.

Ugliest Yard Contest Winner

The Crystal Lake Park District would like to extend hearty congratulations to the winner of the Ugliest Yard Contest. Entry #5, the Lausche family of Crystal Lake was the top vote-getter after 1, 534 votes were tallied.  We can't wait to see the after-makeover photos! The Lausche family and all other entries will receive their Main Beach burr oak seedling in late May. Thanks to everyone who entered and everyone who voted.

Landscape Architect and Crystal Lake Park District Park Planner, Ann Viger is already at work preparing a landscape plan and coordinating the implementation of the plan with Two Amigos Landscaping, Inc. Two Amigos Landscaping, Inc. donated $500 worth of landscape labor in order to complete the design prepared by Ann Viger.

The Ugliest Yard Contest was developed in order to share a piece of Crystal Lake Main Beach history.  In July 2011, a powerful storm swept through Crystal Lake and brought down a beautiful 125 year-old burr oak tree at Main Beach. The Glacier Oaks Nursery assisted the Park District with the harvest and cultivation of 170 acorns from that tree. In the spring, the park district will plant over 100 Main Beach burr oak seedlings in park district parks this spring. All Ugliest Yard Contest entrants will also receive their Main Beach burr oak seedlings in late May.

After-makeover pictures will be available on the park district website at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/2013UgliestYardContest.htm, when all work is complete.

Words Of Wisdom

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

--Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788

SEWER MAIN WORK ON ROUTE 14 ON WEDNESDAY

The Crystal Lake Public Works Department will be making improvements to a sewer main on Route 14 on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Traffic on Route 14 at Lakeshore Drive will be slowed around the work zone, and will be limited to one lane of traffic in each direction.  Lakeshore Drive will be inaccessible from Route 14.  Motorists who would like to access Lakeshore Drive will be detoured one block south to Dole Avenue.

In addition, northbound Route 14 will be reduced to one lane at Pine Street.  Pine Street will be inaccessible at this intersection during the work.  Motorists will be detoured east on Crystal Lake Avenue, then south on Oriole Trail to access Pine Street.   

All motorists are encouraged to exercise extreme caution while workers are present on Route 14, and to utilize alternate routes if possible.

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3—

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Transportation Committee –

Meeting at the Division of Transportation Main Conference Room, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to consider approval of a volunteer group, Griebl’s Lawn Maintenance Gang to clean debris from Maple Street from Coral Road to Beck Road. In the same category a long list of volunteer groups which have kept highway clean will be recognized for their efforts.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Housing Commission Education Committee—

Meeting in the Planning and Development Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to continue in the Fair Housing Training.

12:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake Public Library Board Facilities Committee—

Meeting in the Library Directors Office, Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

6:30 p.m. McHenry County Historic Preservation –

Meeting in the County Planning and Development Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Candidates for the Commission are to be interviewed and appointments made.

Committee reports, as applicable, will be provided

Other matters to be considered include:

Review of Historical Landmark Calendars for 2014

Possible Expenditure(s) for Annual Web Site Host / Maintenance Fee

Possible Expenditure - Adjustment to the Landmarks Illinois Membership

7:00 p.m. McHenry County Animal Control Advisory Committee—

Meeting at the Crystal Lake facility, 100 North Virginia Street.

Dangerous dog update and the matter of externship are two items of old business which may be considered.

New business includes the topic of low census and a transfer summit and ASPCA

Crystal Lake Construction Open House

Please join Crystal Lake City staff for the 2013 Road Construction Open House on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The open house will be held at City Hall, located at 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

Feel free to come at any time during these hours to view information regarding the upcoming construction projects throughout the City.  City staff will be available to answer any questions.

If you are unable to attend the open house, please feel free to visit the City’s construction webpage at www.crystallake.org – click Departments, Engineering, Construction and Development Services.

Please forward any questions, comments, or concerns via email to construction@crystallake.org or phone at 815-356-3615

Words Of Wisdom

 "An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.

 --John Marshall

Government At Work

TUESDAY, APRIL 2—

9:00 a.m. – McHenry County Board-

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

In addition to the routine matters of paying bills, the Board will be recognizing Fair Housing Poster Contest winners.

Most of the business before the Board entails handling routine matters.

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake City Council

Meeting in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

Among matters to be handled by the Council is placing the budget for the coming fiscal year on public display. The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 16.

A number of bid awards are to be made for

• Fire Rescue Department Equipment pricing
• Execution of an agreement for Fire Rescue Department uniform pricing
• Bid award and resolution authorizing execution of contract for the 2013 Downtown Sidewalk Replacement Project
• Bid award and resolution authorizing a contract for the purchase of unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel along with generator diesel fuel.
• Bid award and resolution authorizing execution of an agreement for the public Works Garage Concrete Floor Repair and Seal Coating

Education Other Than Academics

In 2011, only 29 percent of high school students surveyed nationwide took part in the recommended-60 minutes per day of physical activity and only 31 percent attended a daily PE class

What To Do

Speak up about the importance of physical education in school

Every day nearly 4,000 young people try their first cigarette and about 1,000 will become daily smokers

What To Do

Volunteer for school health-education efforts that teach kids to say no to tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

Advocate for smoke-and tobacco free policies at schools.

This Is National Public Health Week

Everyday, every one of us benefits from public health – whether it’s from fluoride in the water, food inspections at your local restaurant, the licensed plumber fixing your sink or hundreds of other programs.  Public health touches us all.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), in conjunction with 96 certified health departments across the state, works every day to control infectious diseases, ensure food safety, conduct newborn screenings, provide immunizations, regulate hospitals and nursing homes, compile birth, death and other statistics, and educate communities on how to live healthier lives.

 “National Public Health Week is an opportunity for you to look around your community and see how you can make it healthier – like starting a community garden, working with local parks and recreational facilities to increase access to safe places to be physically active, or work with local authorities to initiate violence prevention efforts,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.

Each day you can focus on a different aspect of public health by identifying some of the problems, and learning what you can do to eliminate them.

A Safe and Healthy Home – April 1

PROBLEM
Nine our of every 10 childhood poison exposures happens at home, with medications being among the top culprits.

 WHAT YOU CAN DO
Keep potentially dangerous household products, such as cleaning products, cosmetics and prescription medications, locked up and out of children's reach
 1-800-222-1222 will automatically connect you to your regional poison control center.

Also, gather the family to create an emergency stockpile kit, such as having a 3-day supply of water and develop written evacuation and emergency communication plans

Words Of Wisdom

"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.

 --John Marshall

Government At Work

MONDAY, APRIL 1—

8:15 A.M –McHenry County Board Law and Justice Committee—

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

Dave Christiansen of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency will provide a presentation to the Committee.

Four individuals are to be interviewed for positions with four Fire Protection Districts including:

James J. Carbonetti Harvard Fire Protection District

Robert Seegers, Sr., Crystal Lake Fire Protection District

Christopher J. Bennett, McHenry Township Fire Protection District

Michael Kunz, Fox River Grove Fire Protection District

All are to be recommended to the County Board for terms to expire May 1, 2016.

Several resolutions regarding Uniforms and accessories contract for the Sheriff’s Department are being presented for consideration.

Words Of Wisdom

"Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it."

 --Thomas Paine (The American Crisis, No. 1, 1776)