McHenry County Blog

In the face of opposition from two park board commissioners, plus candidate Bernie Van Ham, the three-vote bloc of Candy Reedy, Michael Zellman and Jerry Sullivan won a 3-2 vote to hire Williams Architects to do $93,000 more in design work on a proposed community center.

Reedy and Zellman are running for re-election.

Van Ham asked for a delay, pointing to the “possibility of five new board members.”

Van Ham pointed out that he didn’t think every possible architectural design had been considered, pointing out that a retractable outdoor dome would cost $10-12 per square foot, while the current plan could cost $200 to $250 per square foot.

While no site has been selected, the architect assured the board that the work proposed would not be a waste.

David Phelps moved to table the motion to approve the architectural contract, but he and Park Board President Scott Breeden were outvoted.

Phelps has previously failed to get a second to his motion to table the proposal until “we get some contributions from some other municipal agencies.”

Phelps had argued that it was past time to admit that “there is going to be no contribution from the city.”

Phelps’ wife Lori is running for mayor of Crystal Lake against incumbent Aaron Shepley.

In mid-2005, Shepley made a big “to-do” about bringing a recreation center to Crystal Lake, so Dave Phelps’ announcement that the city was not about to assist came as quite a surprise to me.

“We’re going to have to come to grips that we’re going to be going ahead on this alone,” he said.

Previously, Phelps pointed out the overwhelming referendum losses when outdoor pools were put on the ballot.

“Fifteen years ago,” Reedy observed. I don't know at what point, perhaps here, Reedy called Phelps, "Eeyour," referring to his pessimism.

Zellman seemed to take offense at how Phelps was writing off the city and the school districts, pointing out that the city, school district and college were “involved.”

Phelps reiterated,

We’re the only one that is footing the bill. I’d like to know if there’s a reasonable opportunity that a referendum could pass.

Sullivan tried to play the role of intermediary, pointing out, “That’s just a fact that he is saying.”

“Glad handing and a “job well done” doesn’t pay the bills,” Phelps added, estimating, “We’re probably already exceeded $100,000.”

Sullivan suggested the “only way to pass a referendum is education and with our partners.”

“We haven’t exactly addressed District 155,” Reedy said. “Would you be willing to pay the cost for two more lanes?”

Characterizing himself as “the individual who hates to spend money,” Breeden said, “I personally feel the community we live in is going to require that we have a facility like this…in the next 10-15 years. The $93,000 is not wasted. We can use it in the future.”

“We’ve talked about a health quality component,” Reedy added.
Then Breeden said,

I agree with Dave to a certain extent. The park district is limited in our ability to raise funds. The city does have the ability…to be quite helpful not only initially, but on a continuing (basis with) operating expenses.

Zellman pressed his objection that Phelps’ verbiage might result “in isolating us.”

Prior to the vote on the issue, I asked if the park board were talking with McHenry County College, which is planning to build a new recreation center next to the minor league baseball stadium.

I’m not sure of Reedy’s exact words, but they were close to “If we told you, we’d have to kill you.”

It brought smiles all around.

I assure the board that talking about what they had discussed in secret was not a capital offense and they actually could legally the public know what they knew.

I also asked if they had talked to EquityOne, the firm MCC had hired for $70,000 to develop its sports proposal. Breeden said they had not.

Visiting was Dave Emanuelson’s graduate class in recreational administration from Aurora University, which usually meets in Lake Geneva. Several of the students were from McHenry County, two women (front row left) working for the City of McHenry. The people standing in the audience are the students.

Also attending the meeting was park board candidate Bud Schmauss.

= = = = =
Top left is park board candidate Bernie Van Ham. Next, on the left as well, is park board commissioner Dave Phelps. On the right, below, is the almost smiling face of commissioner Michael Zellman. On the left facing Zellman is commissioner Candy Reedy. The man leaning back in his chair is Park Board President Scott Breeden. Professor Dave Emanuelson's class are standing in the shot of the audience. Finally is a photograph of Bud Schmauss, who sat right next to me on the front row.

Labels: Bernie Van Ham, Bud Schmauss, Candy Reedy, Dave Phelps, Jerry Sullivan, Lori Phelps, Michael Zellman, Scott Breeden