Words Of Wisdom

"Is it reasonable to expect wisdom from the ignorant? Fidelity from the profligate? Assiduity and application to public business from men of a dissipated life? Is it reasonable to commit the management of public revenue to one who has wasted his own patrimony? Those, therefore, who pay no regard to religion and sobriety in the persons whom they send to the legislature of any State are guilty of the greatest absurdity and will soon pay dear for their folly."

 --John Witherspoon, A Sermon Delivered at Public Thanksgiving after Peace

Cash Contributions For Schools In Unincorporated McHenry County

Effective immediately, cash contributions in lieu  of school site donation, which are required for new home developments in unincorporated McHenry County, have been significantly reduced.

As a result, the payment required to affected school districts for a detached single family residence is now as follows:

Two Bedroom Residence: $642.89

Three Bedroom Residence: $2,234.10

Four-or Five Bedroom Residence: $2,733.50

These amounts represent a reduction of 58% to applicants for new residences, over the previously required contributions.

 This change is due to an amendment to the McHenry County Subdivision Ordinance passed by the McHenry County Board on May 7, 2013

.The amendment states that “fair market value will be established through an annual market analysis conducted by the Chief County Assessment Officer.and approved by the Planning and Development Committee.”

Fair market value is the figure used to calculate the amount of a cash contribution (in lieu of land donation) required to be made to affected school districts at the time of application for a new residence permit.

With the adoption of the ordinance amendment, the fair market value was established to be $55,000, which was the figure put forth in a market analysis by the Chief County Assessment Officer to the Planning and Development Committee and approved at their meeting on March 21, 2013.

The 2013 McHenry County School Donation Formula, which contains the required cash contribution amounts listed above as well as those for attached single family residences and multifamily residences, is available on the Department of Planning and Development webpage found at
www.mchenrycountyil.gov

.

Return To 1992 Spending Level Would Allow Balanced Budget And End Income Tax

The presidential administrations of Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and, now, Barack Obama have all been caught using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to target political enemies.

As long as we have the IRS — and the income tax — we should expect more presidents to use their power to silence and intimidate free voices. No IRS investigation or firing of a few scapegoats will change that.

"We must abolish the IRS and end any need for a regulatory agency that snoops into people's private lives," said Libertarian Party Executive Director Carla Howell. "We must draw back total federal spending to the level of 1992, which is more than enough to fulfill the government's constitutional duties to protect our life, liberty, and property. This will allow us to balance the budget immediately, end the federal income tax completely, and give back an average of more than $12,000 to every family in America."

"We don't need an income tax, and we certainly don't need the IRS," Howell said.

The Libertarian Party is the only political party in America calling for both dismantling the IRS altogether and dramatically and immediately downsizing Big Government.

"The Libertarian Party is running candidates to dramatically downsize the federal government," Howell said. "We can cut federal spending by 50 percent, or even 90 percent, and Americans will be better for it. We can end the personal income tax, the corporate income tax, the death tax, and all federal payroll taxes. There will be no need for the IRS, nor any substitute agency."

"Ending the income tax, abolishing the IRS, and cutting federal spending to the level of 1992 means no more deficit spending," Howell said. "This will stop inflation and stabilize prices. Even more importantly, it will transfer wealth out of the wasteful, dysfunctional and destructive government sector and into the productive private sector, resulting in a bounty of new jobs and prosperity for Americans."

"We will make living in America and doing business in America much better," Howell said. "Individuals, businesses, and political organizations will all be safe from government interrogation and free to express their political views. It will dramatically increase the wealth of the private sector and inspire hundreds of billions of dollars in investment in small businesses and American jobs."

Another benefit of abolishing the IRS is that it would become far more difficult to fund massive interventionist military presence and warfare around the globe.

"It will also require our massive military budgets to go down, which currently encourage overseas meddling and war," Howell said. "We get rid of the IRS, we get rid of the income tax, we dramatically downsize federal spending and taxation, and America and the world will be better for it."

Walkup Road Construction Update

 South Section:.

·        Asphalt binder course placement is complete on the west side of Walkup Road from north of Talismon Drive to south of Crystal Ridge Drive. Final surface course will be installed within the next several weeks.

·        Installation of the concrete handholes in the left turn lanes for signal wiring is complete. Mast arms (traffic signal poles) are currently being installed.  Temporary pavement markings have been placed to help guide you through the intersection, please drive carefully and watch for intermittent lane closures at the intersection to facilitate signal pole installation. 

·        Manhole final adjustments will occur next week.  Use caution while driving through the area as construction barrels will be placed on some manholes that you will need to avoid while the concrete used for adjustments is curing.

·        The temporary traffic signal at IL Route 176 and Walkup Road will be deactivated and the newly installed permanent traffic signal will be activated on June 6^th.

·        Multi-use path installation is complete along the east side of Walkup Road.

·        Sidewalk installation along IL Route 176 and Walkup Road is ongoing.

·        Landscaping will start next week.

North Section:

·        Paving of the final lift of asphalt is scheduled to be completed today.

·        Shoulder stone will be placed next week. 

·        Permanent pavement striping is scheduled to occur next week.

·        Please be aware: the new traffic signal installed at Mason Hill Road and Crystal Lake Road is scheduled to be activated June 6^th. 

·        Temporary lane closures and flagger operations may be required at times so please slow down and proceed with caution.

Jacobs High School Student Places Seventh In National Investment Challenge

Hari Manikandan, a Jacobs High School  student will be honored Monday for placing seventh in the national InvestWrite Challenge, sponsored by Sifma Foundation for investor education.

Hari will receive a $50 gift card and national recognition for the essay he wrote on how news/events can affect the stock market. He had to choose one stock, find an event that could have a positive effect on the value of the stock and an event that could have a negative effect. Then he had to recommend if the stock should be bought given the current conditions in our nation and around the world.

This nationally ranked, 7th place essay is a shining moment in Hari’s career at Jacobs and hopefully will be a model for future students who enter academic essay contests

Words Of Wisdom

"[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society."

 --John Adams

"Laugh For The Health Of It"

As part of its Life Smart for Women series, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer presentations to explore the benefits of laughter and how to bring exercise into your daily life.  Held at the Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill Street, Huntley, today, Thursday, May 16, from 9:30am-11am, the Life Smart series is designed for women over 50 years of age. Free gifts will be given to the first 50 people who register at 847-669-3180.

“Laugh for the Health of It” explores the physiological and psychological changes experienced when we laugh.  Lead by Shira Greenfield, a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor from Centegra Health System’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, the presentation will also show the effects of humor on relationships.

 Ms Greenfield has previously held classes and seminars on stress reduction, relaxation techniques and mind/body medicine at local venues such as Health Bridge Fitness Center, McHenry County College and DelWebb’s Sun City.

 Presenter Cheryl Moffett, DScPT, CMPT, will show participants how easy it is to incorporate exercise to improve flexibility, mobility and strength.  Ms Moffett is owner of Moffett Physical Therapy and has been practicing physical therapy for the past twelve years.

Funding for the Life Smart series is provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health.  For more information, call MCDH’s Lila Keller at 815-334-4510 or visit www.mcdh.info.

Government At Work

THURSDAY, May 16, 2013

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 is to consider two resolutions—one authorizing remaining program year 2011 HOME Investment Partnership Act Grant allocations. The other resolution is requesting that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant McHenry County a waiver to allow the County to allocate HOME funding to Bravo Properties L.L.C. for the Deer Path of Huntley Supportive Living Facility.

The Committee is also to be presented a summary of Planning and Development Staff participation and activities at the American Planning Association 2013 Conference held April 13-17.

7:00 p.m. – Crystal Lake Park Board Annual Meeting

Meeting in the Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue.

First Session

In addition to approving minutes of the most recent meeting of the board, approving the Executive Director’s Contract, then select a president pro-Tem and adjourn the first session.

In the Second Session, the swearing in of new commissioners Thomas Aquilina, Caroline Bachour-Chemaly, Angel Collins, Michelle Hartwig, Debbie Gallagher are to be held as well as appointing a commissioner for a two-year term, followed by the nomination and election of officers and appointment of secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer and legal counsel

Appointments to five different committees will also take place followed by other necessary business of the board including approving five requests for use of park facilities for various events.

Business matters for consideration include approval of grant applications and expenditure of funds; an ordinance annexing a parcel of property at on Raymond Drive into the District; Full Time Employee Guidelines for Annul Pay Rates and Pay Ranges; Brochure Bid Approval for the printing of the Brochures.

MCC Community Forum May 22

McHenry County College will host its next community forum at the Crystal Lake School District 47 C.O.R.E. Center, 300 Commerce Drive in Crystal Lake, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22. The forum will be in conference rooms A and B
.

This is the second in a series of nine forums throughout the county through December to feature the College’s key initiatives and programming toward contributing to a vital community. The forum will feature a panel discussion from MCC representatives to discuss college goals and strategies to move higher education forward to benefit the community. A question and answer session and an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions will be included.

For more forum dates and locations, visit www.mchenry.edu/forum.

Words Of Wisdom

"[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society."

 --John Adams

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15—

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

Meeting in the Transportation Department Main Conference Room, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to consider a couple resolutions, one approving an agreement with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for the Provision of Planning Services to the McHenry County Council of Mayors.

A second resolution is to establish a non-dedicated subdivision road maintenance program.

A proclamation is being presented for the committee approval recognizing Mark Dammyer for 25 years of public service with the McHenry County Division of Transportation.

1:00 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 is to review a draft of the Unified Development Ordinance.

New Company Welcomed To Cary Area

M.J. Munaretto & Co., Inc., exclusive broker for Chirch Global Manufacturing, LLC, a metal stamping and fabrication company, announced today that Chirch Global Manufacturing LLC signed a long term lease for industrial space at 320 Cary Point Dr. in the Cary Point Industrial Park, Cary, IL.  Marc Munaretto, President of M.J. Munaretto & Co., Inc. was the broker for Chirch Global and negotiated the lease with the Landlord on behalf of his client.

Chirch Global Manufacturing, LLC, after an exhaustive search within Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties,   chose 320 Cary Point Dr.  This property in Cary, IL was deemed to provide the best long term match for Chirch Global's rapidly expanding manufacturing requirements and in a geographic location that strategically serves its global business operations and employment needs.

M.J. Munaretto & Co., Inc., a 24 year old full service commercial and industrial real estate services firm, serves industrial, retail, office and hospitality clients throughout the 6 county Chicago metro area.  For more information, contact Marc J. Munaretto, President at:

M.J. Munaretto & Co., Inc.

Commercial Real Estate Group

PO Box 7744

Algonquin IL 60102

www.MJMunaretto.com

815 245 2117    Marc

847 344 1935    Robert

The Crystal Lake Will Be Getting A Weed Treatment On Thursday

Hey and Associates, the company working with the Crystal Lake Park District on the management of Crystal Lake, will be applying Navigate herbicide treatment for Eurasian Milfoil around  the West Bay and both Main and West Beach areas of Crystal Lake on Thursday, May 16.

Approximately 20 acres around the Main Beach and West Bay areas are to be treated with Navigate™, a granular form of a selective aquatic herbicide.  The West Beach area will be treated with a granular formulation of Cutrine Plus™, an algaecide to treat the chara growing on the lake bed. Fishing will not be restricted after application.  Please do not use lake water for irrigating plants and do not use water from treated areas for drinking water (human or pet) until concentration <.07ppm, or mixing sprays for agricultural or ornamental plants.

Eurasian Milfoil is an aggressive, non-native water weed that chokes out native plants and can become so dense it restricts boating, fishing and swimming.  It has been determined through lake studies that Water milfoil presents an ecological and recreational nuisance on the West Bay and eastern shoreline of the lake.  For more information contact Hey and Associates, Inc. at 414-327-0440.

Cannabis Sativa Plants Seized From Hebron Wooded Area

McHenry County Sheriffs Office announced today the seizure of approximately 2,000 cannabis sativa plants from a wooded area in unincorporated Hebron, On May 11, 2013, Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the area of Nichols Rd. and Hillside Rd., Hebron for a trespassing complaint. A concerned citizen had stumbled upon a campsite in the middle of the woods and startled two unidentified Hispanic males who then fled the area on foot.

Sheriff’s Deputies were unable to locate the offenders, but did locate two cleared out areas in the dense woods that were being prepared for the planting of this illicit crop. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit was called in to process the scene and recovered approximately 2,000 cannabis sativa Seedlings, fertilizer, soil, hoses, food, water, and camping equipment.

Undersheriff Andrew Zinke estimates the street value of the plants at  $1,000,000 (if harvested).The Undersheriff would like to inform residents that as summer approaches, persons involved in growing cannabis head into rural areas to tend to crops of cannabis plants. In recent years the Narcotics Unit has recovered over 20,000 cannabis plants from outdoor cannabis grow operations. Typically these illicit crops are located in areas such as: swamps, corn fields, wooded areas, along rivers, and on rural rental properties with large acreages. Cannabis

Crops can be harvested as early as August and as late as the beginning of October. Common indicators of outdoor cannabis grow operations include:

Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails

People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason

Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote areas

Well trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas

Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas or corn fields

Numerous signs appear out of nowhere indicating “No Trespassing

Be aware that in some cases outdoor cannabis grows are guarded or protected by “booby” traps. If discovered, contact law enforcement immediately. Do not enter the grow location, turn around and immediately leave the area the same way you came in.

Residents are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement to report suspected narcotic activity and other suspicious activity. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact McHenry County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-762-7867 (STOP)

Words Of Wisdom

"[I]f the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted. ... If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."

--Noah Webster, History of the United State

Government At Work

TUESDAY, MAY 14—

8:15 a.m.-- McHenry County Board Human Resources Committee—

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

The Committee is to be provided an update presentation on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Two Workers’ Compensation Claim Settlement cases are being presented the Committee for approval.

A resolution authorizing Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois as the provider of Administrative Services including Stop Loss Coverage and Employee Medical and Dental Insurance for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

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

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

The Committee is to consider seven Resolutions including:

Purchase of seven police Pursuit Doge Charger Vehicles for the County Sheriff’s Department

Authorization for the acceptance of a McHenry County Community Foundation Grant

Authorizing the Purchase of Seven Police Pursuit Dodge Charger Vehicles for the McHenry County Sheriff's Department

Authorizing the Acceptance of a McHenry County Community Foundation Grant and an Emergency Appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network Fiscal Year 2012-2013

Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation in the McHenry County Mental Health Board IDHS Child Initiative Grant Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

Authorizing an Appropriation for McHenry County Mental Health Board's FY14 Continuation Funding Agreements

Authorizing the Acceptance of a McHenry County Community Foundation Grant and an Emergency Appropriation to the Veterans Assistance Commission's Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

Authorizing two Workers' Compensation Claim Settlement in Cases

Discussion - FY14 Budget Policy

11:30 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

The Committee is to deliberate and select a candidate for recommendation to the County Board Chairwoman for the McHenry County Mental Health Board with a term to expire January 1, 2015.

6:00 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees Committee of the Whole—

Meeting in the College Board Room, McHenry County College, 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake.

In addition to approval of minutes of prior meeting, the Board is to discuss Preliminary April Financial Reports,

Selection of a Board Retreat Date and Topic;

Discussion regarding the Black Box Theater and Three General Classroom Addition and Manufacturing Space Remodeling;

Discussion of College’s Custodial Services

Presentation of Children’s Learning Center Request for Proposal Results and Business Plan

Discussion of Administrative Compensation, which no doubt will be in executive session.

7:00 p.m. Village of Lakewood Board

Meeting in Red Tail Golf Club, 7900 Red Tail Drive, Lakewood.

The Board is to consider a request from Kurt and Annette Johnson for an Extension of a Variance of an Inground Swimming Poll at 7y101 Marsh Drive.

A motion is being presented for approval honoring John Burton for service on the Village Board.

Oaths of Office re to be administered to Mary Erin Smith, Eugene Furey, Jeffrey Iden and Beverly Thomas.

Words Of Wisdom

"The power of making war often prevents it, and in our case would give efficacy to our desire of peace." --Thomas Jefferson, letter to George Washington, 1788

Words Of Wisdom

"The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern, some of them in our country and under our own eyes."

 --George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796