Grafton Township New Assessor Working On Assessments Through State Legislation

Alan Zielinski, humbly and gratefully accepts the voters’ directive to be their new Grafton Township Assessor.
Alan Zielinski, Grafton Township’s Assessor-Elect, was humbled by the voters’ choice in the recent election and is extremely grateful.

“My sole purpose in running for office was leveraging my education, experience and empathy to serve the people of Grafton Township. The voters have given me that opportunity to serve.” said Zielinski.

Although he doesn’t take office until January 1, 2014, Zielinski is not planning to stand idly by.

“Representative Tryon invited my help bringing a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights to the floor of the Illinois legislature so I’ve contacted other appraisers and assessors to gain their ideas.

By the end of May, I’ll have contacted the Grafton Food Pantry to see how best we can utilize the contributions starting next year.

Later this year, I’ll be seeking the incumbent’s and staff's guidance as to how we can have a completely seamless transition.” said Zielinski.

Zielinski continued: “It’s not just about valuation; it’s also about helping Grafton Township heal and move forward. I’ve already set aside party labels and contacted the newly-elected Supervisor and Board offering whatever assistance I can to help them navigate the troubled financial waters ahead. We share a common goal: putting the past behind us and doing our best to serve all of our residents and taxpayers.”

Assessor-elect Zielinski plans to keep his web site active so residents can keep abreast of the developments that occur between now and the end of the year: www.Al-for-Assessor.com

Zielinski concluded by thanking those who helped. “I was blessed with a tireless campaign manager and an extremely insightful and helpful campaign committee. In addition, I was fortunate to gain the backing and friendship of those taxpayers who stood-up and said ‘How can I help?’ Those new friendships were an astonishing and fortuitous benefit of my campaign that I’ll always cherish.”

Win A Picnic Cooler

Beach Visitors Invited to Complete Survey for a chance to win a Picnic Cooler Filled with Summer Fun

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 Public Library Closed For Mother's Day - Sunday

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed on Sunday, May 12, 2013 for Mother’s Day.  The Library will re-open to the public at 9:00 am Monday, May 13, 2013.

Collection Of Unusual Recyclables

Recycling Drive accepts fluorescent tubes, electronics, Styrofoam™, more!

On Saturday, May 11th, 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. They continue to collect certain items which are not usually accepted by curbside programs, and which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill.

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts household batteries, car batteries, lithium and button batteries. The Defenders also collect fluorescent tubes, clean 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, clean microwaves, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation of $10-$35. Become a new member of the Defenders at the recycling drive, at the Basic or higher level, and get two coupons to recycle a television or monitor for FREE!

At the McHenry collection, the Defenders will 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, or find them on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders.

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 the community 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.

Annual Crystal Lake Park District Used Bike Sale Saturday

The Crystal Lake Park District is hosting its Annual Used Bike Sale on Saturday, May 11! This is a good chance to find some bargains for the whole family.

Location: Rotary Building at Veteran Acres, 431 N. Walkup, Crystal Lake

Sale:times  -- Saturday, May 11      10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Government At Work

THURSDAY, MAY 9,

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 will consider any Federal and State legislative updates available.

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

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

A hearing is scheduled before Zoning Board to reclassify property in Chemung Township with an address of 25303 State Line Road, Harvard, from A1 to A2.

Graduation Saturday For 650 MCC Students

McHenry County College has more than 650 graduation candidates this spring who have applied for over 700 degrees/certificates (466 degrees and 241 certificates).

A new highlight this year will be a Distinguished Alumnus presentation by Mary Beth Siddons of McHenry, Class of 1983. She is president of ITW Food Equipment Group-Service in Ohio. Siddons is a recipient of MCC’s inaugural 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award, along with Andrew Zinke of Woodstock, undersheriff of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office; Kimberly Keefe of Rockford, real estate broker, RE/MAX Plaza in McHenry; Steve Rankins of McHenry, senior vice president of corporate lending at First Midwest Bank in McHenry; and Matthew Lemke of Lakewood, owner of Summit Wealth Strategies in Crystal Lake.

Ryan McReynolds, 24, of Spring Grove, has been selected as the student speaker for the commencement ceremony. He will graduate May 11 with an Associate in Fine Arts degree and Associate in Science degree. His goal is to become a professional artist and show and sell his work in galleries.

Also speaking will be MCC president Vicky Smith, Ed.D. In addition, Lindsay Carson, instructor of Spanish, will lead the faculty charge speech. She is MCC’s nominee for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) 2013 Outstanding Full-time Faculty Member of the Year.

Twins Joseph Ferguson and James Ferguson, both of McHenry, are graduating from MCC with Associate in Science degrees. They both were two-year starters for the soccer team and they helped MCC reach Region IV Premiership Division. Both are recipients of MCC’s Soccer teams’ Sportsmanship and Ethics Award and each received an Academic Athlete of the Year Award for earning a GPA of 3.00 or higher. Joseph will transfer to the University of Cincinnati to study philosophy. He also plans to attend law school and his career goal is to become a health care attorney. James plans to pursue a career in teaching and will transfer to Illinois State University this fall to major in education.

Other noteworthy students are Joe Bilodeau of Woodstock, distinguished chapter officer for Phi Theta Kappa, who is earning an Associate in Applied Science degree in Manufacturing Management and Laura Arboleda of Crystal Lake, who will earn her Associate in Arts degree two weeks before receiving her high school diploma. She also received the Academic Excellence as a Non-Traditional Student Award from MCC.