McHenry County Blog

I headed up to Camp Lakota northwest of Woodstock to be a Cub Scout den parent for summer day camp yesterday, but couldn’t find mosquito repellent before I left Crystal Lake.

Fortunately, Blaine’s Farm & Fleet still had some in its “Seasonal” section.

Checking out, I was behind two concrete guys, who got into a black pickup truck with this sticker on the back window:

Labels: Camp Lakota, Car Window Sticker, Message of the Day

McHenry County Libertarian Party Chair Dave Brady sent this link to a Chicago Tribune article from Monday by Ray Long.

It’s about Governor Rod Blagojevich’s veto of $5.5 million appropriated to make sure the death penalty works fairly.

Hey, why video tape interrogations of suspected murderers like State Rep. Monique Davis championed? (Long gives credit to Barack Obama, but I remember voting for the Davis bill before I left office in 2001.)

What difference does it make that Blagojevich got press for signing the bill to ensure “the integrity of the state's capital punishment process?” as Long puts it.

The Champaign-Springfield Downstate Illinois Innocence Project and its clients are just out of luck.

I guess looking at non-death penalty cases of prisoners is frivolous to Blagojevich.

Now, it’s obvious that the governor is not being investigated for a capital crime, but eventually Blagojevich might run out of campaign money to pay Jim Thompson’s law firm for fending off the Feds.

I’d guess he shouldn’t count on the Downstate Innocence Project as a last resort after any trial is over.

In any event, Libertarian Brady sent this email, which started this train of thought:

“How do I put this?

“Maybe if the prosecutors weren't so interested in their batting average, we wouldn't be in this mess.

“I just don't get it.

“The old line, 'Everyone in jail is innocent' might have some teeth when now we are finding out that there are so many people in jail due to prosecutors inflating their batting average.

“Maybe this is the is a wake up call that we no longer vote for State attorneys and have them appointed.

“Personally, I’d rather have patronage then this criminal trend of sending innocent people to jail just to win the case.”

Brady was building on the opinion piece about the relationship of state’s attorneys’ batting averages and unjust prosecutions.

I reflected on the current situation in McHenry County under Brady's opinion piece yesterday.

A further reflection I sent Brady:

I served on the Prison Reform Committee for the better part of 4 years, two actually as a permanent, rather than replacement member.

That, plus my casework, makes me know that too many are incarcerated who should not be.

Unfortunately, it's only the high profile death penalty cases and those with old DNA that attract attention.

I do not believe that McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi focuses on how many cases his assistants win. It's usually politically ambitious prosecutors who do that.

My impression of Bianchi is that he tries to do the right thing, even if it results in public criticism.

My hypothesis (and I have told him this several times) is that someone who has faced down cancer and managed to live through it owes nothing whatsoever to this world.

And, my impression is that Bianchi would be perfectly happy with an appointive process, to address one of Brady's points.

Labels: Dave Brady, Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, McHenry County State's Attorney, Rod Blagojevich

Tuesday, I put up an article about Phyllis Schlafly’s receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award on Paul Caprio’s Family PAC cruise.

Yesterday, I followed up with the congressional candidates, state senate incumbents and the Republican candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney.

Today, we move onto the challengers.

Running on the North Shore is Brendan Appel. The Glenview resident is emphasizing property tax reform, fighting correction, requiring a two-thirds super majority to raise taxes, “two strikes and you’re out and enforcing immigration laws.

I saw Terri Ann Wintermute early in the evening, but she disappeared to the lower level of the boat. That’s the place to be if it’s raining, but it wasn’t. I finally got a photo of her when she was disembarking. You will remember that I met her in Decatur at the State Republican Convention.

Wintermute has more money than Linda Holmes, the Democratic Party incumbent she is challenging and to whom she lost in 2006 when Republican State Senator Ed Petka retired.

Wintermute had $102,000 at the end June, while Holmes had $49,800.

The final senate candidate (hope I didn't miss any) was Mike Sweeney. I remember him because he is running for the 33rd district seat. The 33rd district was the one I represented in the 1970's

Now it is in the Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village area. Sweeney is Elk Grove Township Clerk. He is an assistant manager of a Walgreen's store.

His palm card stresses he is the only

• lifelong resident of the district,
• one who will refuse to accept pay raises,
• candidate that will protect small business against Gov. Blagojevich's policies of driving jobs and opportunities to surrounding states,
• one that will NOT vote to re-elect Gov. Blagojevich's closest ally as Senate President,
• candidate who will hold the line on taxes by reigning in out-of-control spending,
• one who will demand the state pay existing bills before spending more tax dollars.

Among the candidates for state representative was Anita Forte-Scott, the one who will challenge Paul Froehlich, the Republican incumbent who decided to become a Democrat. She has a healthy resume, which includes the presidency of the Schaumburg Township District Library Board, owner/administrator of the Bright Stars Academy, founder and president of the Poplar Creek Watershed Planning Coalition. She is a member of the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Rotary Club. I can't find a web site.

She has hardly any money in the bank, but House Republicans are pretty incensed about Froehlich’s party switching, so abundant money could flow.

Dan Sugrue, the Lake County man running against super liberal Kathleen Ryg and who attended the Pro-Life Victory Committee’s pig roast at Resurrection Center, was on the boat.

Sugrue’s platform includes property tax relief, eliminating the state sales tax on gasoline, requiring a balanced budget, repairing and rebuilding roads without allowing the money to be diverted to other purposes (as Democrats have done this century), increasing higher education scholarships and “establish(ing) the nation’s toughest ethics laws and root(ing) out government corruption.” I can't find a web site.

Dwight Kay came all the way up from Alton for the cruise. The GOP candidate for the 112th district against Jay Hoffman, one of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s close buddies. In 2004, Kay was finance committee chairman for Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier. That was the race that set the Metro East trial lawyers back on their rear ends.

Kay was the first candidate for state representative to call for impeachment hearings for Blagojevich. He obviously has more courage than incumbent house members, none of whom have introduced such a resolution. Kay is senior vice-president of Cassens Trucking.

The Metro East area is looking more and more like the outer suburbs in Chicagoland. Kay can't pull off an upset with the $17,000 he has on hand, but with an infusion of money he might follow in the footsteps of Frank Watson and Ron Stephens. I hope he is calling all of those Karmeier contributors.

Naperville City Councilman Darlene Senger was another candidate courting conservatives on the boat. She is running to replace retiring Republican State Representative Joe Dunn.

Senger is a financial advisor. If she can translate that into sensible advice on the state budget, her election could be worth the price of admission.

Looking at her web site shows a mix of local concern —opposition to the Canadian Northern’s takeover of the EJ&E Railroad, which will increase suburban congestion along its entire length—and statewide concerns, e.g., fighting political corruption. She has Democratic and Green Party opponents, both women.

Dave McAloon can be seen in the top photo talking to Phyllis Schlafly. He is running for state representative against incumbent Careen Gordon. Gordon's campaign was financing oh so much by Chicago money.

McAloon is from Kankakee County and has been active in conservative causes for years.

The only other candidate I remember meeting was Lawrence Bruckner. He is running against Mike Boland, an ally of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn from the Quad Cities area.

Bruckner was a shot from my past. He reminded me that he had met me when I was the Republican candidate for State Comptroller.

That was 1982.

What a memory.


He must have been at the press conference that then-State Rep. Tim Bell set up for me so we could both pledge to work against an income tax increase which we, incorrectly, it turns out, said was most likely to occur if Adlai Stevenson III beat Jim Thompson for re-election.

Labels: Anita Forte-Scott, Brendan Appel, Dan Sugrue, Darlene Senger, David McAloon, Dwight Kay, Family PAC, Lawrence Bruckner, Mike Sweeney, Paul Caprio, Phyllis Schlafly, Terri Ann Winterrmute

The village board has come to its senses.

No.

That’s probably too strong a statement.

But, the Island Lake village attorney has ended the village vendetta against Viet Nam veteran Greg Kachka.

Just in case you can't remember who started the vendetta, their names are Village Clerk Christie Kaczmarek and Village Trustee Debbie Herrmann.

You will remember Kachka, who is critical of the current administration and not shy about saying so, was making a point while wearing his Marine-themed tee shirt on which a rifle was pointing outward and said,


If you missed what happened, these stories might help bring you up to speed:

Island Lake Tee Shirt Scares Village Board

T-Shirt Wearing Marine Vietnam Veteran Greg Kachka Arrested in Island Lake

Chilling Free Speech in Island Lake

Chicago Tribune Covers Greg Kachka Island Lake Tee Shirt Arrest

Greg Kachka Tee Shirt Arrest Story Goes National

Help for Island Lake Veteran from Thailand

Demonstration Planned for Arrested Tee Shirt Wearing Island Lake Marine on Monday

Island Lake Doesn't Show for First Tee Shirt Veteran Court Day

Would John Kass Get Arrested in Island Lake?

Labels: Christie Kaczmarek, Debbie Herrmann, Greg Kachka, Island Lake, T-Shirt, Tee Shirt

It was a partisan day.

Family PAC had its annual Lake Michigan cruise Monday night, this time honoring Phyllis Schlafly, and four of us went early so we would not be late…as we had been in two previous years.

We hadn’t eaten lunch, so we went to Riva’s on Navy Pier.

Afterwards, we began the dreaded walk past the shops toward where the boat we were to board was tied.

It cost $40.

Hey,

"Life is Good,"

as merchandise in the store promised.

On the way, however, my wife saw this cardboard picture of Barack Obama.

Forgetting the symbolism of the cardboard, my wife went inside the store and posed behind the large two-dimensional photograph.

Forgetting the two-dimensional symbolism as well, she expressed her opinion of Obama’s presidential candidacy.

Perhaps you can pick out her hand signals despite the reflection of the big yacht docked outside.

And, there's the overweight photographer reflecting his image in the picture, too.

Where are those pro-life Democrats, anyway?

Have those Reagan Democrats all become Republicans?

Labels: Barack Obama, Message of the Day, Navy Pier, Thumbs Down

Talk about forward planning.

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter is already promoting its September 14th McHenry County Memory Walk.

As readers may have noticed, I don’t always put the right words—or even colors—in my stories and my grandmother must have had Alzheimer’s from the way I’ve heard she acted before she died.

So, take a read about a group that might help keep you and me more cogent as we get older. Here is its press release:

Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter

Were on the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s - Save the Date and Join us

McHenry County Memory Walk

Sunday, September, 14 2008

Sunset Park – Lake in the Hills

Many of you have already signed up to join us for the McHenry County Memory Walk – but we still need more teams to join us!!! We are excited to extend you an invitation to register for this year’s McHenry County Memory Walk. Please join us as we continue to MOVE towards a cure! Last year with the help of corporate sponsors and more than 300 walkers we raised $80,000!! This year our goal is to raise $100,000 dollars and we can do it with your support. Proceeds of the Memory Walk go back into the community to provide support, education, and services to people in McHenry County with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers.

Please help us take steps to end Alzheimer’s

Register to walk or Donate today

www.mchenrymemorywalk.kintera.org/2008

We also have corporate sponsorship, volunteer and committee opportunities – contact Kate McEnaney, 815.484.1300 or kate.mcenaney@alz.org

Our Mission: To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Visit www.alz.org/illinois to learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter.

For more information contact: Kate McEnaney, Senior Manager Special Events 815.484.1300
Kate.mcenaney@alz.org

Labels: Alzheimer’s Association, McHenry County Memory Walk

16th district Congressman Don Manzullo, took his campaign against Burma’s military dictatorship a step farther, according to the following press release:

Manzullo Joins President, Colleagues in Oval Office for Burmese Sanctions Bill Signing

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo joined President George W. Bush and several colleagues today at the White House for a ceremony to sign into law a bill that extends and expands sanctions against Burma’s repressive military regime.

Manzullo, senior Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, is a long time champion of freedom and human rights in Burma.

In May 2008, the President signed into law another bill, coauthored by Manzullo, to award Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal. Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the daughter of Burma’s revolutionary hero, has been under house arrest for years as a threat to Burma’s ruling military regime.

"The military junta's unyielding grip on power in Burma is a disgrace. This obsession was on full display most recently when the junta refused repeated offers of assistance in the wake of Cyclone Nargis' terrible destruction,” Manzullo said. “The bills signed into law today will put the necessary pressure on junta leaders and close the loopholes that keep them in power."

Manzullo is also a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China that monitors human rights and rule of law violations in China.

= = = =
16th Congressional District United States Representative Don Manzullo is on the far left.

Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bruma, Don Manzullo, George W. Bush

What else would I say after searching for McHenry County and finding McHenry County Blog second, right after McHenry County – Government Center.

Click to enlarge what I have posted.

Labels: Cuil, McHenry County, McHenry County Blog, Search Engine

The teachers union in Huntley is saying that salaries are not competitive.

The Huntley Education Association points to salaries in Unit District 300, east of Huntley and based in Carpentersville, while ignoring those in Unit District 200, immediately north in Woodstock.

Convenient selection of comparables, I’d say.

Every year the State Board of Education reports on supply and demand for teachers.

So, what’s it say?

Is there a shortage of teachers?

For lots of categories, the answer is “Yes.” Go down to page 20 of the paper version of the report (page 29 of the electronic version).

I have reproduced the top of the table, where the most needed teachers are listed, and the bottom, where there are surpluses:

If the lines are too small to read, click on the images and they will enlarge.

Those areas with surpluses are

Physical education
English – language arts
Social Science, and
Standard Elementary Instructor

Half of Huntley’s school teachers are elementary school teachers.

Clearly there is no shortage in that market place.

Only 2% of school districts report any shortage of regular grade school teachers.

48% have a surplus, which this report calls an “overage.” (Don’t you love “education speak?”)

And the situation is going to get worse from the teachers' point of view at least until 2011 as enrollments plunge.

From this, anyone who has taken Economics 101 can figure out that the salaries of elementary teachers do not have to be raised. There are many more than enough ready to take those jobs.

On the other hand, all sorts of special education teachers are in short supply.

As are bilingual, Spanish and math, science (near the top of the chart, but not reproduced here).

While the job situation for high school teachers is not as bad as for those who teach elementary school, the downward student trend line is merely delayed a few years.

So what might that mean to Huntley School District Board 158?

I’d suggest it means that grade school teachers should be in a poor negotiating position.

But, since they probably dominate their teachers’ union, they can demand salaries as high as high school teachers, many categories of which are in short supply.

So what is propping up salaries and prices?

It is unions, such as the Huntley Education Association, which is demanding more than 30% raises for all teachers over 3 years and trying to pressure the board of education to cave in.

In other words, a legal monopoly that Springfield has given striking rights to, is artificially propping up prices.

That monopoly in the suburbs is called the Illinois Education Association.

Competitive pricing doesn't exist when one monopoly union determines the prices of a product for virtually all of the suburban Chicago school districts using a “ratchet up the price scheme.”

The IEA and Huntley teachers can't be accused of collusion.

When there is a virtual monopoly, there is no one else to collude with.

The best job of education the IEA teachers’ union is doing in Huntley and McHenry County is teaching taxpayers how a monopoly in the suburbs can enforce its will with the threat to strike.

And monopoly pricing is what the State Board of Education report shows.

In the real world, that is, the private sector, those in professions in oversupply would have lower salaries than those where shortages exist.

Labels: Competition, Huntley Education Association, Huntley School District 158, Illinois State Board of Education, Monopoly, Supply and Demand

Yesterday, I put up an article about Phyllis Schlafly’s receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award on Paul Caprio’s Family PAC cruise.

It was pretty late when I finished it and I promised to do a piece on the candidates working the crowd on the cruise.

There were plenty there.

Schlafly said they were the generation who would reform the Illinois Republican Party.

I know I won’t do them justice, but here goes.

There were two congressional candidates.

Jim Oberweis gave me hope that he might reverse the special election results. He did that by pointing out the extremely low turn out this spring, compared with the numbers who will vote this fall.

Oberweis explained that 100,000 people voted in the special election, while 300,000 will troop to the polls in this traditionally Republican 14th congressional district at this fall’s presidential election.

That is reason for optimism, it seems to me.

Antoine Members, the Republican Party candidate opposing 1st congressional district Congressman Bobby Rush

Republican Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Tony Peraica also was on the cruise, as he has been before.

There were two incumbent state senators, Bill Brady and Randy Hultgen. You can see Brady below, but, unfortunately, my best shot of Hultgren has his tongue out. (No, not like my son likes to do when I take his picture; more a indication of concentration, I think.)

Brady and Oberweis spent a lot of time talking to each other. You’ll remember that they were opponents during the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary election. (Charlie Watts can be seen standing between the two.)

There were three Republican state senators, if you count Carol Pankau, who isn’t a big boat person.

She mingled with people before the Lake Michigan cruise.

As I'm told did former Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz did as well.

More tomorrow.

Labels: Antoine Members, Bill Brady, Carol Pankau, Family PAC, Jim Oberweis, Paul Caprio, Phyllis Schlafly, Randy Hultgren, Tony Peraica

At last Tuesday’s McHenry Marlin’s swim party at Knox Pool, a swim mom brought this splendid 2008-themed Olympics’ cake and cookies.

It looked so professional. most thought she had bought it from a bakery.

But, no.

She made and decorated it herself.

Labels: Cake, Cookies, McHenry Marlins, Message of the Day, Olympics

I just can’t keep up with them.

The articles and editorials pointing out that Huntley school teachers are asking for a 30% increase in compensation over a three year period bounce from one daily newspaper to the other.

Here’s one that appeared in the Daily Herald on Saturday. It's from the internet version, but I saw it on the front page at a newsstand.

Is it just me or do others sense that the teachers’ union is losing the public relations battle?

Labels: Daily Herald, Huntley Education Association, Huntley School District 158, Teacher Contract, Teacher Negotiations, Teacher Salaries

This press release has been received from Woodstock'a Congregational Unitarian Church:

WOODSTOCK CONGREGATION WILL MEMORIALIZE KNOXVILLE VICTIMS THIS SUNDAY

WOODSTOCK—The Rev. Dan Larsen scrapped plans for a popular annual animal blessing service this Sunday. Instead he will call the Congregational Unitarian Church together in worship to memorialize the victims of the Knoxville church shooting and to affirm the liberal religious values and progressive social causes that evidently enraged the shooter.

Two people were killed and five more seriously or critically injured at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist church Sunday morning. The sacrificial blocking of the shooter by a church usher and the quick action in subduing the assailant prevented even more deaths.

Knoxville police now report that the shooter left behind a four page letter blaming the “liberal movement” for destroying America and ruining his life. The house also contained books by leading right wing television and radio commentators who have routinely inflamed passions against liberals. The Tennessee Valley Church is noted for its progressive stands on many issues and had recently played a leading role in advocating for the Gay and Lesbian communities.

“Unitarian Universalists with our long history standing resolutely for social justice are frequent targets of threats and hate crimes,” Larsen said, “We’ve had our share of nasty calls over the years. This time instead of crude threats or petty vandalism, blood has been shed. But as one commentator pointed out ‘it could be any UU Church in America.’ It could have happened as easily in Woodstock as in Knoxville. Our community needs to reflect on that and what it means.”

The 10:45 worship service will feature a Chalice Lighting by Hannah Rapp. Musical Director Thomas Steffens will present special music. Patrick Murfin will read an original poem. Rev. Larsen will reflect on the lives lost and common purposes for which they lived. The Congregation will be invited to share their thoughts and feelings.

The service is open not just to Unitarian Universalists but to all who value love and compassion and oppose a culture of hate and violence.

For more information call the church at 815 338-0731 or e-mail office@cucw.org.

Labels: Congregational Unitarian Church, Don Larsen

It’s not many times that you get to be at an affair with someone who has changed American history.

Last night was one of those times.

The woman who led the successful fight against the Equal Rights Amendment was on a fund raising cruise for Paul Capiro’s Family PAC.

She also is the reason the Republican Party is a pro-life party, according to Caprio.

I remember reading her 1964 book, "A Choice Not An Echo," and realizing that she had created the new campaign technique for the year--the mass produced political book.

Last night was the first time Schlafly had seen the Chicago lakefront from a boat on Lake Michigan.

The views she saw were certainly worth her trip from the St. Louis area.

After Family PAC Chairman Emeritus Tom Roeser presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, Schlafly spoke to the 180 attendees.

She complemented the candidates present. (More on them in another article.)

Schlafly knew what she was talking about because she ran for office in 1952 in a Democratic district after her husband decided not to run.

She said she was called “the power puff candidate. It was a fun year.”

“I know we’ve had some dismal days in Illinois, but things are looking up.”

I think she said something like “they have to,” suggesting they couldn’t go any lower.

Speaking of the candidates present, the veteran Republican activist said,

“We’re going to get them elected and start over.”

Commenting more generally on campaigning, Schlafly came up with this gem:

“I have run for public office.

“It’s a dog’s life.

“I wouldn’t wish that on Betty Friedan.”

“We’ve been through some tough times,” she continued, then asserting,

“This is no worse than 1976.”

She related how North Carolina’s Jesse Helms came up with a conservative platform which was forced upon President Gerald Ford.

“Helm’s platform prepared the way for Ronald Reagan’s 1980 victory,” she explained.

“I think politics is the best game in town,” the political science major said.

In his introduction of Schlafly, Caprio was effusive in his praise of perhaps the most influential woman in politics in the 20th century.

Attending from McHenry County were the Skinners, Gene and Nancy Brown of Alqonquin and Irene Napier of Crystal Lake. The young lady with Napier and Schlafly in the bottom photo is Napier's granddaughter.

Labels: Betty Friedan, Equal Rights Amendment, Family PAC, Gerald Ford, Irene Napier, Jesse Helms, Paul Capiro, Phyllis Schlafly

I found these at the closed Bennigan’s in a traffic island.

Are they snapdragons?

Whatever these yellow flowers are, they are from a better day, because they were growing in grass, not a flower bed.

Labels: Bennigan's, Flowers, Message of the Day

Before we left on vacation, my son found what appeared to be Zebra mussels at Gate 7 Beach in Lakewood on the south side of Crystal Lake.

A naturalist friend was over for dinner and I gave her samples to verify his identification.

The day after my son’s 11th birthday, we went to the beach and I found this shovel handle (no shovel, just the handle).

I called Crystal Lake Park District Director Kirk Reimer to ask if they had been found before.

He told me that Dick Vogelman had found them on his Shore Station two years ago. Vogelman lives at Gate 7 right next to the Country Club Property Owners boat launching ramp.

So, a plausible hypothesis might be that some CCAPOA boater was in Lake Michigan and didn’t clean the mussels off his boat before launching it in Crystal Lake.

As usual, the photo can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Labels: CCAPOA, Crystal Lake, Gate 7, Lakewood, Zebra Mussels

First a Thursday Northwest Herald article unfavorable to the Huntley Education Association’s 30% compensation.

Sunday a scathing editorial calling the teachers’ union position “ludicrous.”

Northwest Herald calls position of Huntley teachers "ludicrous."

Ludicrous” is a strong word. So is the word "certain." Here's a complete NW Herald quote from Sunday (with input from a reader serving temporarily on the editorial board):

"One thing is for certain: The current fiscal health of the district has no bearing on what kind of teachers’ contract should be approved.

”To suggest that there is a significant reserve and therefore the money should be spent on salary increases is ludicrous."

What is the next sentence?

"Sadly, this perspective seems lost on union leaders..."

And another excerpt:

"If you have it, spend it. And if you run out of money later, you can always seek to increase taxes.

”That’s irresponsible…

“The justification of teacher pay has little to do with how much money the school district has on hand.

“Bu that logic, every time a school district begins to deficit spend, teachers should voluntarily take pay cuts.

“Try and work that in to the next contract."

Has the IEA and its local teachers union begun a public fight it wishes it hadn't?

You bet!

It is one thing to get away with privately making this argument to suburban school boards and getting them to cave. It is another to have a very public debate about it.


That’s my prediction.

Labels: Huntley Education Association, Huntley School District 158, Northwest Herald, Teacher Contract, Teacher Negotiations, Teacher Salaries

It was an article about Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley and discussion at the city council about holding property owners responsible for what their renters do.

Published July 7th, it took until this weekend to reach my house through the magic of the Google search engine.

Mark Shuman, labeled a “Colaborador” of the Chicago Tribune, apparently wrote the story.

Here’s what my translator and former legislative assistant Pete Castillo found:

“…the Police could designate a property as a place of ‘chronic disturbances to Public Order,’ if Police agents have been called to that address at least 3-times in 3-months, and complaints such as disturbing the peace, games of hazardous conditions or illegal possession of drugs. Throwing trash on the streets could be subject to a City Judicial Citation under the proposed ordinance as well.“

$1,000 fine and apparently the tenants could be kicked out.

Police Chief David Lindner said that Algonquin, Elgin, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, and Round Lake Beach already have such ordinances.

Shepley expressed support, if it was found to be constitutional.

Reaction on the council was generally favorable, the article reports.

Defending the rights of property owners was Councilman Ralph Dawson:

“Council member, Ralph Dawson said the measure would serve transfer undesireable activities in a new direction. ‘It disgusting to me,’ said Dawson, about holding property owners responsible for the actions of others. ‘I am crossing a line which I believe I should not be crossing.’"

So, would I be out of line to suggest that the folks that the Crystal Lake Police Chief is having problems with are renters who speak Spanish?

It reminds me of what I heard a teen group from the Spanish speaking Methodist Church in Elgin told their pastor after they had canvassed the apartment complex across from the old Crystal Lake Police Station.

"Why did you send us into a slum, Pastor?" one asked.

The kids found 23 men in one apartment, prostitution, drugs. If it was illegal, it was there...right across from the police station.

= = = = =
The photo of Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley was taken at Saturday's Grand Opening of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee Headquarters on Route 14 across from Target (where Pauly Toyota used to be). Shepley has been named by McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon as Vice Chairman of Community Outreach.

= = = = =
A reader writes about his town where a similar law might be used to help him cope with his next door neighbor:

"white trash, living, unfettered to sell drugs, and commit felonys right next door to me.. to a point where I had to move my family out for the summer...and law enforcement does nothing."

Labels: Aaron Shepley, Dave Lindner, McHenry County Republican Central Committee, Mike Tryon, Ralph Dawson

I didn’t notice but Kurt Begalka of the Business Journal did.

The July 2nd issue reported that Bennigan’s had closed its doors.

I'm sure its closing about the time that Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% city sales tax took effect was not a factor.

Here’s what the 7-year old restaurant looks like now.

Looks like a good site for a campaign headquarters.

Labels: Bennigan's, Crystal Lake

While what is printed below was written by Dave Brady, chair of the McHenry County Libertarian Party, it has content.

I want you to think of the last time the local power parties presented anything on their web sites advancing much more than slogans. (Corrections from partisans welcomed. I have not studied either power party site.)

If you are one who thinks issues matter in politics, the re-emergence of a local Libertarian Party might prove interesting.

The following is from the party’s blog (as usual, I have inserted a lot more paragraphs than in the original to make it easirer to read):

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Part 1 of 2: United States - Highest Incarceration Rate

Two studies have come out recently:

1. “The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate and total documented prison population in the world.” &

1. “The United States has the most restrictive and unequal ballot access laws in the world.” Though funny enough most people barely give notice.

The answer is easy for the first one. Justice has been turned into a baseball game.

The higher my conviction ratio the better chance I have to get promoted or elected / re-elected.

It’s the batting average that counts, not justice.

So what’s it take to get the judicial batting up, making sure non-violent offenders are convicted and jailed as well as pushing things to trial that shouldn’t even be there such as iffy or false evidence?

Jailed?

Yes jailed!

They can keep the batting average high by pleading out all the time but then they will be called cowards to court rooms or soft so yes we MUST put in jail that shows “I’m” a serious prosecutor.

McHenry County knows this game well.

Whatever it takes to get promoted or elected / re-elected is what we’ll do.

Is justice really what’s on the mind as they work at 2200 North Seminary Avenue?

As you pass the jail ask yourself this:

How many people are in there to increase someone’s judicial batting average? (Btw, multiply that by every county in the US).

Dave Brady
Chair
McHenry County Libertarian Party

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I would note how impressed I was when former McHenry County State's Attorney Tom Baker gave his first talk about taking office. He told the McHenry County Republican Women's Club that his goal was not convictions, but justice. He was defeated by Gary Pack, a state's attorney whom I'd bet kept score.

Current State's Attorney Lou Bianchi is surely more in Baker's than Pack's tradition. I have never heard Bianchi brag about conviction rates. One of the reasons he engenders such opposition in the Republican primary and now in the general is because he refused to cut the kind of plea agreements his predecessor Pack did.

Labels: Dave Brady, Gary Pack, Lou Bianchi, McHenry County Libertarian Party, Tom Baker

The Huntley School Board seems to have drawn a line in the sand for how much its members are willing to spend on increased teacher compensation.

Tom Musick of the Northwest Herald reported Thursday and the district “will not dip into its $16.9 million operating balance to pay for a new teachers’ contract.”

Increasing pressure on the Huntley Education Association is the front page placement of his article.

The balance allows the district to avoid borrowing (issuing anticipation warrants) before property tax dollars start arriving each summer.

And for a district that has seen significant strife and board disagreement resulting from the 55-cent referendum passed based on false information, the following quote from Superintendent John Burkey is significant:

“As long as we have fund balances like that, we’ll never have to go for an education-fund referendum. It’s a very financially sound thing to do.”

Labels: Huntley Education Association, Huntley School District 158, Teacher Contract, Teacher Negotiations

7DEEZ, the 70's band with big hair, was playing at Algonquin Founders Day Friday night and the ladies in the serving line for the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Rotary Fish Fry were making letters to the song.






The band will be in Hampshire for Coon Creek Country Days next Saturday night from 8-11.

Labels: Algonquin Founders Day, Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Rotary, YMCA

Oakwood Hills’ artist Robert Stewart is holding an open house this Saturday in Cary from 11-4 to show off his new work and personal collection.


Stewart specializes in crystal boxes.

Maybe ten years ago, I saw some of his big crystal boxes and they are spectacular.


A photo just cannot do them justice.

Two designs resulted from special requests from yours truly.

One was for a heart-shaped box to give my future wife way back in 1990.

Another was the cross box.

If you want to see his splendid work, the address is 115 Cary Street in Cary.

If you are looking for a spectacular gift, here's a place to look.

It’s too bad that I can’t stop over.

That’s the day for my son’s 11th birthday party.

Drive down Lakewood’s Lake Avenue and you won’t be able to miss it.

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The boxes on the window sill are in our price range. Unfortunately, there was only intermittent sun as I was taking the pictures. When the sun strikes Stewart's boxes rainbows show up on the ceiling. The ones shown here were in our price range.

Labels: Box, Crystal, Heart, Oakwood Hills, Robert Stewart, StewArt

Neither the Huntley teachers union nor the school board of Huntley Unit District 158 are willing to share details of their revised proposals, but Friday the school board a five sentence statement concerning negotiation with the union. It follows:

Press Release From: Board of Education
Date: July 25, 2008
Re: Union Negotiations

The Huntley Education Association’s (HEA) latest counter proposal was made on July 14 and included a three-year raise in the areas of salary, TRS, and insurance of over 30%.

The Board of Education made a counter economic proposal to the HEA on July 16 and has yet to receive a counter proposal. The Board continues to await a counterproposal from the HEA so that the negotiating process, relative to the big three money items, can continue.

Discussion on contract language continues. The HEA language proposals contain a number of other economically significant items (several with open ended costs) that are not covered by salary, TRS, and insurance.

Labels: Huntley Education Association, Huntley School District 158, Teacher Contract, Teacher Negotiations, Teacher Salaries

Based on narcotics being left in the house after his mother died, Dave Bachmann, Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner. came up with the idea that deputy coroners could pick up unused pills after people passed away. (Some are outright illegal to possess after a patient’s death.)

He floated this idea on McHenry County Blog last September.

Since then, the Fox Rive Grove Police have started the practice and the Chicago Tribune had an article by Ray Hood on the idea last Thursday.

The headline:

To avoid water contamination, officials hold medicine-collection drives
Flushing old pills no longer considered safe

“On Saturday, Cook County will hold its first medicine collection drive in the south suburb of Midlothian, joining Will, Kendall and other counties in the Chicago region in providing a safe way for residents to toss out their old prescription drugs,” the story said.

Continuing,

“Chicago officials reacted swiftly in April after testing performed for the Chicago Tribune showed trace amounts of many common household medicines in the water supply, which serves 7 million people in the city and suburbs.”

The Illinois EPA is encouraging such efforts.

Labels: Dave Bachmann, Drugs, McHenry County Coroner

16th district Congressman Don Manzullo has issued the following press release about the Draft Environmental Impact Study by the Surface Transportation Board:

Manzullo: Taxpayers Should Not be Burdened with Costs to Mitigate Problems Created by CN Rail Purchase

[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo issued the following statement reacting to the Draft Environmental Impact Study issued today by the Surface Transportation Board regarding the planned purchase of the EJ&E Rail line by the Canadian National Railway. CN plans to run an extra 15 to 20 freight trains each day on the line through Barrington, which would create significant traffic and safety hazards for McHenry County motorists:

“I’m very disappointed in the Surface Transportation Board’s response and the problems it will create for McHenry County motorists who drive through Barrington each day.

"The STB clearly states that motorists will face significant delays and safety hazards if Canadian National is allowed to purchase the EJ&E line and run an extra 15-20 freight trains through already congested Barrington each day.

"But then the STB washes its hands of any solutions, stating the overall plan will improve rail congestion throughout Chicagoland and the Canadian National should only have to pay 5 to 10 percent of the cost to mitigate the problem areas.

“As a result, taxpayers will be required to fund the hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements needed to mitigate the public problems caused by this private transaction.

"It’s ridiculous, and I will continue to work closely with my Congressional colleagues to ensure the taxpayers of McHenry County are not burdened by this deal.”

Labels: Canadian Northern, CN, EJ and E, Surface Transportation Board

With United States Congressman Don Manzullo already scheduled to be in Algonquin for the Founders Day Parade, the McHenry County Republican Party has prevailed upon him to speak at a rally to be held at the new party headquarters on Route 14 where Pauly Toyota used to be.

If you are free at two in the afternoon, stop over. Looks like there will be free food until 7 PM.

You won't see me because it's the day of my now 11-year old son's big birthday bash.

Here is a press release which has been received from the McHenry County Republican Central Committee:


(CRYSTAL LAKE) The McHenry County Republican Party will hold a rally and open house Saturday afternoon to dedicate its new Crystal Lake campaign headquarters that will serve Republican candidates through the November elections.

The open house will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at the new GOP campaign headquarters, 5501 Northwest Highway (Route 14), Crystal Lake. The new campaign headquarters is located next to the old Pauly Toyota building on the south side of Route 14 across the street from Barnes & Noble bookstore.

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Egan), McHenry County GOP Chairman and State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-CL) and others will officially dedicate the new campaign headquarters at 2:30 p.m. The open house will be held in conjunction with the newly forming McHenry County Young Republicans picnic and rally, which runs from 2 to 7 p.m. at the campaign headquarters.

Labels: Don Manzullo, McHenry County Republican Central Committee, McHenry County Young Republicans, Mike Tryon