Woodstock Mosquito Trap Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has reported a mosquito trap in Woodstock has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).  The last positive test for WNV in McHenry County was in 2010.  MCDH has tested 103 mosquito pools as of August 22; all other pools tested negative for WNV. Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) indicates that 12 other counties have reported positive mosquito batches and birds including 2 human cases of WNV.  Last year, there were no human cases reported in McHenry County.

MCDH will continue to collect and test mosquito pools through the remainder of the season, typically mid-October.  The Department of Health will accept a limited number of birds for testing.  It is important to remember that the risk of WNV remains until the first hard frost. Residents should continue to use insect repellent when going out of doors in the evening, with long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection.  Other tips include emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. 

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible.  Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease.  For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.

Words of Wisdom

"A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired."

--Alexander Hamilton, The Farmer Refuted, 1775

Area Progressive Democratic Association Forming

The first official PDA (Progressive Democratiic Association ) meeting will be this Thursday at 7:00 pm at the home of Mr. Kim Kearby.  Please be kind enough to RSVP and feel free to pass this invitation along to others you know who may be interested or to bring a spouse, friend, parent, son or daughter, or neighbor.  Since this is our first official meeting and we are running up against the release of petitions for candidates to circulate in order to run for office, we will have a lot to discuss.  Things on the agenda:

• Monthly peace vigil at the War Memorial
• How to spread the word about PDA
• How to best utilize PDA, Move On, DFA, and other orgs in our area
• Getting involved with the Tenth Dems and the Lake County Democrats
• Fundraisers and events that we should be involved in
• Covering our precincts and becoming committee persons
• Running for office or finding others who can, as well as which offices we need candidates for
• Hosting house parties for local candidates 
• Canvasing and phone banks
• Creating a seminar for property tax assessments and also for consumer advocacy
• Creating a local movie night as an awareness project
• The campaign to end corporate rule through PDA, Move On, and Move to Amend
• Economic and Social Justice Issues campaign

If there is anything else you would like added to our agenda, please let me know beforehand in order to make sure all topics are covered.  Until then, we look forward to seeing you Thursday night.

 MEETING on THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

7:00 pm at the home of Mr. Kim Kearby

Round Lake

For location and directions:

Email:    kearbs@sbcglobal.net 

Or phone  847-764-3644

Government At Work On Tuesday

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23

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

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

A Worker’s Compensation Claim Settlement is being presented to the Committee for approve.

Budget reviews for Employee Benefit Fund, Social Security Fund and IMRF Fund are also being presented for review.

The Human Resources Director Report is also on the agenda.

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

A number of resolutions are being presented for the Committee’s consideration. One is authorizing a Budget Line Item Transfer of $16,000 in the Sheriff’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget for a Capital Expenditure for improved security entrance at one of the back entrances to the government Center.

A Worker’s Compensation Claim is being presented for approval.

The Committee is being requested to authorize acceptance of a modification to the Illinois Department of commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant for a reduction in the Workforce network FY 2011 budget in the amount of $1,886. This is a reduction in the amount received from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is for the Workforce Network. The reduction was the result of a statewide rescission of PY 09 funds and is being “repaid” by a reduction in the PY 10 fund.

6:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake Public Library Board Special Meeting –

Meeting in the Thomas Ames Meeting Room at the Library, 126 W. Paddock Street.

Others to attend this meeting include members of the Community Opinion Group, Crystal Lake City Council; Library Board Trustees and staff meeting with Anders Dahlgren, Library Planning Associates...

A presentation and discussion is planned regarding a draft Crystal Lake Public Library 2011 Needs Assessment.

7:30 p.m.—Lakewood Village Board—

Usually meets the fourth Tuesday of the month. However, this meeting has been cancelled. The next scheduled meeting is September 13 at 7:00 p.m. in RedTail Golf Club, 7900 RedTail Drive, Lakewood.

Words of Wisdom

"The Constitution, which at any time exists, 'till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People, is sacredly obligatory upon all."

 --George Washington, September 19, 1796

Monday Government Meetings

MONDAY, AUGUST 22—

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

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room of the McHenry County Administration Building.

The committee is scheduled to interview two people for appointment to the McHenry County Public Commission. These include Steven L. Finzel at 8:45 a.m. and Daniel A. Bell at 9:00 a.m.

Several resolutions are being presented for approval of the committee. One is authorizing a Budget Line Item Transfer of $16,000 in the Sheriff’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget for a Capital Expenditure.

A second resolution is authorizing a Workers’ Compensation claim, and the third resolution is authorizing contracts with Diebold Services, Brickman Landscaping, Banc Source, and Carmichael Construction, Inc for the waterproofing of the Treasurer’s Office Building.

A number of updates to the Building Use Ordinance are being presented for review and Budget reviews are scheduled to be handled for the following offices: Recorder, Facilities Management, County Administration, County Board and Risk Management.

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

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

Following a number of routine reports to the Board from Evaluation and Policies Committee, Facilities and Planning Committee, and Finance and Negotiations Committee, Illinois Community College Trustees Association, Friends of MCC Foundation, President’s Report, a presentation is scheduled regarding reflection on New Student Convocation, by Ms. Juletta Patrick, Dr. Felecia Thomas, and Ms. Christina Haggerty.

Other communications include the Student Trustee Report, Faculty Report, Adjunct Faculty Report, Staff Council Report and Attorney Report, all as applicable.

In addition to the usual Treasurer’s Report and ratification of voucher payments, the Board will also consider a number of requests to purchase or renew contracts for such as items related to technology including emergency power and serve room study; and other electronic related matters. Also being considered is Natural Gas through Energy Service agreement.

A report is being presented regarding the Construction Management Company Selection for Building B Renovation project.

The Fiscal Year 2012 proposed Budget is being presented to the Board so it may be laced on public display.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board of Health –

Meeting in the Department of Health Building, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock.

A number of contracts and agreements are being presented for approval and include:

Illinois Department of Public Health Protection Grant for $187,808; Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Waste Enforcement Grant in the amount of $41,622.80; Contract with Good Shepherd Hospital for IBCCP Services (Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Protection); a contract with Adult and Child Therapy Services for McHenry County, Inc. and an agreement with Family Health Partnership Clinic.

Another matter being considered for discussion is High Capacity Water Wells

7:00 p.m. -– City of Crystal Lake Ad Hoc Clean Air Counts Advisory Committee—

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

An update on Bike with Your Neighbors Even is to be reviewed, looking at what worked well as well as what did not work so good; Additions as well as deletions for next year’s program.

Several other matters are included on the agenda: Anti-idling update, Rain Barrel Update and Johnny Appleseed Festival.

Words of Wisdom

"[T]he present Constitution is the standard to which we are to cling. Under its banners, bona fide must we combat our political foes -- rejecting all changes but through the channel itself provides for amendments."

 --Alexander Hamilton