McHenry County Blog

Shame on me.

I didn't find this $30,000 contribution from the Illinois Association of Realtors before A-LAW, the folks promoting the formation of the Kishwaukee Valley Water Authority did.

It was reported over a week ago on March 22nd by the Citizens Against the Water Authority. Steven Vidmar of DeKalb is Chairman, while Bernard Suppeland of Cortland is Treasurer. The committee was formed on March 20th.

Suppeland ran for mayor of Cortland two years ago and lost by over 2-1. Vidmar is a real estate agent in DeKalb.

It is unclear how this committee is related to the committee that can be reached at the internet address www.watertaxvoteno.org on the blue and white sign below.

There should be little surprise that those who see their interests as negatively affected would spent big money to protect them. A-LAW itself predicted that its opponents would spend $200-$300,000 to defeat the referendum.

Anyway, the organization's press release about it follows:

Woodstock, IL. First it was municipalities, builders and large property owners who fought the creation of the Kishwaukee Valley Water (KVWA), but now supporters of the KVWA have learned that the Realtors have also joined the opposition.

The Illinois Association of Realtors in Springfield, Illinois has contributed $30,000 to the newly formed PAC, Citizens Against Water Authority.

These opponents obviously are concerned about how responsible groundwater management may affect their business interests and resulting profits. This shortsighted view will hurt everyone’s quality of life in the end.

A long-term plan to protect our groundwater against overuse is the only way we can continue to protect our future. These opponents have spent mega dollars on placing huge opposition signs all over the three county area.

Rather than attempt to destroy the water authority, we hoped that the developers, builders and realtors would consider the needs of the residents and not their pocket books.

As usual, it’s easier to destroy something than to work toward the greater good. The only ones who will truly suffer as a result will be the innocent citizens of our area whose water will be sucked dry by growth that does not consider adequate water supplies.

Our residents must understand the true facts. We challenge the public media to live up to their obligation to report fairly and fully and begin to analyze the intentional twisting of the truth by these opponents. Negative claims about the proposed water authority are simply not true and do a disfavor to the public.

Ordinary citizens began this initiative, as enabled by state law, and are being prevented by these vested interest groups from exercising their constitutional right to participate in their own governance.

The Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water (A-LAW), a not-for-profit corporation, began the initiative seeking passage of the referendum creating the KVWA on April 17th. A-LAW is coordinating its efforts with other alliance partners and the Citizens for the Formation of the Kishwaukee Valley Water Authority.

Labels: A-LAW, Alliance for Land Agriculture and Water, Bernard Suppeland, Illinois Association of Realtors, Kishwaukee Valley Water Authority, Steven Vidmar