McHenry County Blog

Undoubtedly more people will attend the Illinois Minuteman meeting at Crystal Lake’s Holiday Inn on August 25th than would have otherwise because of Monday’s front page story in the Northwest Herald.

Topics which are hot get a lot of comments.

A letter to the editor about the Crystal Lake Gala 4th of July Parade entry from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) ran up over 250 comments as of Tuesday night.

That’s over 11 days of comments. Most days it was in the top three articles or letters being commented upon and listed on the Northwest Herald’s web site front page.

From the ad the NW Herald is running on its web site, it is actively seeking “eyeballs.”

Pretty much anything that will draw people to its web site is fair game.

The paper has obviously found that homosexuality works.

Now, I guess its editors are willing to find out how hot the immigration issue is.

97 comments as of 10 PM Tuesday night.

For tickets, mail a $10 check made out to the Illinois Minuteman Project to P.O. Box 911, Skokie, IL 60076. For more information, call Illinois Minuteman Project Director Rosanna Pulido at 773-250-3399. Pulido is of Mexican heritage.

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The summary and picture of what happened in Waukegan Monday night comes from the Chicago Sun-Times.

Labels: Illinois Minuteman Project, Northwest Herald, Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, PFLAG

As I read the Chicago papers early this week, I didn’t see any reference to the McHenry County Peace Group’s exclusion from Crystal Lake’s 4th of July Parade.

But it turns out that the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays participation in the Crystal Lake Gala Committee’s parade did merit a story, albeit in a homosexual and lesbian publication.

The Windy City Times published an article, complete with photos and links to even more.

The article was even by Tracy Baim—publisher of the Windy City Times.
It says that the march was inspired by last July 16th’s Gay Games Rowing Regatta.

A woman identified as a Catholic mother from Harvard, “who has a lesbian daughter (who lives in Oregon) and a gay and lesbian niece and nephew,” came up with the idea, “inspired by the visibility in the region caused by the Gay Games controversy,” the article says.

The woman, the article says, is driving the car in front of those walking.

Just as at the Gay Games, a Crystal Lake Police presence was noticeable, although I admit to not noticing it until after I looked at the pictures for this story.

While local police rode all sorts of conveyances at the Gay Games Regatta, here they were represented by a policeman on a bicycle.

There was a sign saying, “Come Walk with Us.” The Windy City Times says 15 joined the original 28 marchers.

One woman with a dog waved at me, but my photo of the dog is not nearly as good as the one at the Windy City Times web site.

In the same photograph can be seen a person carrying a sign saying, “We’re a PFLAG Family.”

I asked the woman holding the web site sign for the group to hold it up toward me so I could get a better picture. As you can see, she obliged.

After a little break in the flow, there next was a couple with multi- colored balloons. And another person pulling a little red wagon with balloons attached.

At the back of the group was a rainbow flag being carried, the article says, by her son, holding up one end and her daughter holding up the other end with one hand and her girlfriend’s hand with the other.

The article points out that the contingent was near the end of the parade.

It does not reveal that PFLAG was in front of a Living Waters Lutheran Church float.

And, lest you think PFLAG was at the very end of the parade, here’s what came after it:

• Living Waters Living Church,
• TLS Massage, Ltd.,
• Immanuel Lutheran Church’s marchers (featuring “Old Time Religion at the Pointe” and its elementary school),
• South Shore Drill of Chicago,
• American Taxi, and
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church’s My Father’s Way Pre-School,

By the way, the two teens leading the Living Waters Lutheran Church contingent were not holding hands.

And, although the back of the church float did have multi-hued bunting, it was in red, white and blue.

One final observation.

The McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee decided to boycott the parade because the McHenry County Peace Group had been banned for carrying some sign that the Gala Parade Committee decided broke its rules last year.

That, of course, did not mean that Democrats were not in the parade. I found a picture of a car with the license plate PFLAG 1 on the Windy City Times gallery of photos from this year’s parade. Its bumper stickers reminded me of those that were on the car most prominently parked in a handicapped parking space at the Main Beach the day of the Gay Games Regatta last year. John Kerry bumper stickers below their license plates.

It may be the same car with a different license plate and with some new bumper stickers. I wonder if last year's had an "I (heart) Womyn" bumper sticker, as this year's did.

All photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: 4th of July Parade, Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake Gala, Living Waters Lutheran Church, Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, PFLAG

As expected, the Gay Games rowing regatta was approved 3-2 on a second vote of the Crystal Lake Park Board. The only change from Thursday’s 2-2 tie was the support of then vacationing Board President Jerry Sullivan

(below center), back from his Mexican vacation.

When faced with the requirement in Robert’s Rules of Order that only someone who had voted on the prevailing side could make the motion to reconsider, Thursday negative voter David Phelps (below) accommodated the majority.

That vote was 4-1, with Sullivan and previous Gay Games supporters Candy Reedy and Michael Zellman (right) joining Phelps. That left Scott Breeden the lone dissenter.

The waves from this issue, however, seem destined to radiate outward toward future elections.

Thirty-year McHenry County resident Andy Larson played the role of the elephant making its presence known:

If you vote for it, I’m going to do the best I can to vote you out of office.

Prior to this closing statement, made next-to-last in the public comment period, Larsen cited the Creator as giving the “us the authority to do what we do.”

“Why did you let this happen?” he asked the board, referring the Bible verse (Luke 17:2) about those causing children to stumble being better off having a millstone hung around their neck and thrown in the sea. “You have a choice,” he said forcefully.

At the other end of the spectrum was James P. Madigan, attorney from Lamda Legal Defense & Education Fund, a gay and lesbian advocacy group. In the Board packets were his letter to park board members, which I shall post later. He asked the park board to follow the rules, which he said required equal access, the right of association and free speech.

(For those who have lived in Crystal Lake long enough to remember the “wake wars,” you’ll understand why Madigan got one of the biggest laughs of the night when he said, “I find it hard to believe there’s so much concern with wake hours.” Commissioner Breeden set him straight after public comments. Breeden remembered twice-a-month meetings for more than a year to figure how to protect every possible user of the lake.)

The ACLU’s Division of Gay and Lesbian Project attorney also spoke, praising the park district’s willingness to re-vote, citing freedom of speech and association reasons.

Emily Koch, an African-American woman, closed the public comment period asking,

If we’re saying we don’t want gay people in the water, how soon will it be until I’m not welcome in the lake?

By far the majority of Crystal Lake residents speaking to the board and the audience opposed allowing the Gay Games rowing contests to take place.

There are a couple thousand words more about what people said at the meeting you can find here.

Or, just read it below.

One representative of that majority viewpoint was Cheri Cribbet, who lives on McHenry Avenue. She chastised the board for bringing the matter back for a second vote.

I’m really disappointed you would bring all of this mess…back up again. This is a community of traditional values.

Accepting for purposes of argument a claim made by one supporter than 10% of Crystal Lake is gay, she asked,

Why do you want to be used by outside groups of 10% of our community?

She rejected the Northwest Herald’s claim that “this is a small part” of the Gay Games.

That’s ludicrous! You think they are not going to come and support it? We will have thousands. I happen to live on McHenry Avenue and we definitely don’t need any more traffic.

I see what’s in this for the gay supporter. If they manage to bring this to Crystal Lake, this will be a major win for them.

Following her was former public school administrator Michael Lukens (didn’t catch his hometown or get the spelling of his name). He pointed out that the

Gay Games are estimated to bring $80 million dollars to Chicago. One-half of one percent would be $400,000, he pointed out.I believe business in our community would welcome the additional revenue.

He also estimated (using a 5% figure for the gay population) that

722 of Crystal Lake’s children are gay, that “22.4% of them will attempt suicide” and that the Gay Games would “present a positive image of gay youth in our community.”

Crystal Lake’s Dave Hammelstock (spelling?) was one commenter who asked how the Gay Games could comport with the park district’s mission statement.

This is about outsiders who have a political agenda,
he said while asking how the Games “would provide a safe leisure environment?”

Another, Mary Elger, also addressed the district’s mission statement “to enhance the quality of life in Crystal Lake.” She wanted to know “how this particular event would fit into that mission statement?”

Julie Billemack of Lakewood expressed support of the Gay Games.

We’re boat owners….I think it’s a great opportunity to (enjoy the lake) to the fullest

Deb Hale of Palatine, a member of PFLAG, a gay and lesbian support group, related how her group had participated in the Palatine parade and “run kiddy games.”

Palatine has not sunken into the earth.

Plainfield resident John Larsen, another PFLAG member was also in town for his second meeting within a week.

It’s about the benefits gay people have about coming out and showing gay people are just like anyone else.

Pastor Joel Anderson, leader of the 900-member Harvest Bible Church said,

The games themselves have really set the agenda. My concern relates to those collateral issues that have nothing to do with the event.’ (I was taking his picture and didn’t get much down on paper.)

Anderson suggested “blending love and acceptance of all without confusing it with the acceptance of the behavior.”

He said he has been asked by a reporter what Jesus would say tonight to the board.

I think he would say nothing,

he replied and, then, talked about all of us having sinned and needing forgiveness.

There will be those on both sides who will represent their sides (badly). He pledged to be among those who would intervene, if those calling themselves Christians behaved badly.

“Truth without love is brutality. Love without truth is hypocrisy.”

Anderson spoke of God’s will being done.

We are ready to welcome whatever He has for this community.

David Collins urged,

Leave the values out of it. Acceptance of intolerance. Those are my family values.

If this is setting some kind of a precedent, bring them on—Macho Christians (he had other catchy suggestions)—bring ‘em all on.

Withering in his criticism of Gay Games attendance projects was Paul Guymon:

If nothing else, there would probably be over 100 media at the event…It has the potential for bringing thousands of people into Crystal Lake.

Brittani Smith, who identified herself as a Marian (Catholic) Central student and daughter of a Lakewood Village Trustee, spoke in favor of the Gay Games.

She offered thanks to the park board “for the opportunity to salvage our reputation.”

Smith pooh-poohed any potential problems, saying there were as unlikely as someone having “sex on your lawn.”

Your children all belong to a more accepting generation than your own. Set an example for your children of love and compassion. Do away with all the hate in your heart.

“To the young lady who said we do not have to shield our children. I’m sorry but (that’s what I do), rebutted 3-year resident Lisa Hartel.

If it was strictly about rowing, we wouldn’t see gay signs all over.

I’m very tolerant. A friend sent me an email and I was absolutely outraged at what he saw. He literally threw his coat over his children’s heads (to protect them from the indecency he saw at the Gay Pride Parade).

As a faith-based person, I want you to know I’m praying for you,

she said before asking,

Is it really legal to re-vote this?

I followed Hartel to the microphone and, among other things—all related to the rowing contest and the board’s consideration thereof—asked how they could reconsider the motion that had failed without someone on the prevailing side’s making such a motion.
The lawyer from a top-flight municipal law firm, Glick, etc., gave me what I considered a gobble-de-gook answer.

Afterwards, Board President Sullivan and he spent a lot of time conversing before the vote, when they decided to follow Robert’s Rules of Order, which I read out loud. I can’t wait to see any work product the park board attorney produced on the legality to vote a second time without a motion to reconsider.

Terry Leer (spelling?) followed me and announced,

I’m a taxpaying lesbian (with) a right to organize and congregate. She wondered what a traditional family value was and talked of the “absolute nightmares" CABA and the cardboard boat regatta were.

I’ve seen the city annex every conceivable farm parcel,

she added, stepping a bit into city council business.

“Voting ‘No’ on the Gay Games is unconstitutional,” she concluded.

Peter LaBarbera, the executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, cited the advertising on the Gay Games web site by Man’s Country and Steam Works, which he said were 24-hour bath houses.

I don’t think the cardboard regatta would have a bathhouse as a sponsor.

The Gay Games are part of Mayor Daley’s agenda, but it’s not part of your community’s agenda.

LaBarbera’s group is spearheading the gathering of signatures to put an advisory referendum on the ballot asking the state legislature to define marriage as between a man and a women.

Lori Fagan, saying she had lived in Crystal Lake over 13 years, thanked the board for

offering this forum and not shoving this through without hearing our opinion.

I pay taxes, too. There are many more gay people here than who live in Crystal Lake.

If the lake has ever been used by outside groups, you will be risking a law suit. If you discriminate here, you will surely have that lawsuit and in our pockets.

Quoting Martin Luther King on the “arc of justice,” she said, the “eyes of the world are on you. How will you answer them?”

Karen Hopp of Crystal Lake criticized the park board for having no policies on lake use.

If we welcome one group’s request, we have to welcome them all.

She related that the park district was formed 75 years ago to protect the Main Beach.

It was to preserve it for Crystal Lake residents. We don’t have to showcase Crystal Lake to anyone. It showcases itself.

Ann Fredericks of Broadway, a 16-year resident, complained about the quality of the lake.

Let’s stick to the rules and regulations in place to protect the lake.

Twenty-two year gay Jaycee Bob Donolly (probably spelled wrong) said he was a 44-year Crystal Lake resident who had helped out with junior bowling for 21 years.

It upsets me to see the reaction to the rowing (contests).

He talked about the distortions by objectors, e.g., how the whole lake would not be closed and how the park district was not ordering Crystal Lake or Lakewood to do anything.

A member of the board said, “Let the courts decide.” I don’t want my money going for that.

Remember the separation of church and state. I’ve heard a lot of Bible thumping here tonight, but it has nothing to do with what you’re being asked to do here tonight.

Crystal Laker Doren Patton (spelling?) said he had moved from California to Crystal Lake after researching towns throughout the Northwest Suburbs.

One thing I’ve learned is that we don’t have very long summers.

He pointed to problems with prior Gay Games, concluding,

I really hope you have done due diligence. I urge a ‘No’ vote.

Crystal Laker Diana Collins supported the Gay Games, saying she had

moved here six years ago hoping this was a diverse community.

Drawing positive reaction, she said,

You guys host what I call the ‘drunkfest.’ The rowing regatta is on a Sunday. Roads will only be closed a few hours in the morning and the evening.

Southside resident Kathy Pribyl disagreed with Commission Michael Zellman’s statement about human rights being at the core of the issue.

I’m a thirty-year resident and you have brought us out of the woodwork.

I’m a boat owner, too. Holding an event like this will take a day away from us.

If the park district wants to sell the use of our lake to others, is it willing to give us a rebate?

I would appeal to you to keep the best interests of the residents in mind and vote against this.

County Club Additions Property Owners Association resident Diane Searles asked whether the park board would grant a regatta permit to the Polish American Union or an Irish ethnic group (her own).

I don’t think so.

Our beaches and our neighborhoods bear the brunt of your decision.

A McHenry woman whose name I did not catch supported the Games, suggesting

Your son or daughter could come up to you and say gut wrenching words. “Mom, Dad. I have something to tell you. I’m gay.”

Brenda Klockenga said

We are worried about public decency. (I have seen) videos of a sex act being performed on a float (in a Gay Pride Parade) on full public view. If we are going to read the law, we should read all of it.

If it’s all about rowing, why not just talk about rowing?

Criticizing some public official who has had media exposure on the issue, Klockenga added,

I am so disappointed at the comments made about opponents, especially by public officials.

She also suggested that people ought to look at what is on the blogs. (I'll post something mild on a blog about Commissioner Scott Breeden, who said that when he got to his computer at six AM Friday.

I found I had made a terrible, terrible mistake. I made my decision based on the activity on the lake. It’s protecting the people who live near me. I believed you when you said it was about rowing.

It is not about rowing,

he concluded after reading his email.

If you want to see me get upset, threaten me.

Check out the blogs for yourself by clicking here.

Sixty-year resident attorney Jim Bishop led off the comments. A participant of “lake wars,” he said,

All I every heard was the lake was too small. Never before has the lake been closed for an event that takes up the whole lake so the people from outside of the Crystal Lake Park District and our community (can use it).

We have had an ordinance for twenty years to prohibit powerboats…(No other) event closes 20% of the lake.

We don’t give a rat’s (next there was a significant pause) about the social issue. I urge you to vote against this proposal so the residents of this community can use the lake.

Joe Edwards made his second presentation on the Games.

To the board I direct not a request, but a demand that the decency laws are followed in Crystal Lake.

He pointed out that the sexual preference anti-discrimination law said that neither actual nor “perceived” orientation could be discriminated against.

If I chose to take a shower in the female shower, that would be protected.

Just because the law is on the books does not make it a wise law,

Edwards concluded.

Pat Pierce of Crystal Lake put a face on those participating in the Gay Games. She will play softball in Chicago.

We just want to have a chance to participate and meet new people.

First to incite the crowd was Woodstock resident Tim Williams.

My concern for you as a board is that you make the right decision.
He then went on to talk of a fruit found in the south side of the Red Sea. When eaten, “it was filled with sulfur,” he said. “If you bite this, I…

and I didn’t catch the rest, but the park district attorney interrupted, saying,

If people are going to get up and shout out, we are going to have to ask people to leave. We have police officers here.

Sue Nushel (spelling?), an 8-year resident, complimented the crowd on its graciousness.

I stand pro the Games. It’s (use of the lake) is a privilege, but it’s something we can offer with conditions. But, I trust the board and its police. If there are problems, they (will take care of them).

New Darlington Court resident Grant Croll (spelling?), who has just moved from Hawaii, said,

I agree the Gay Games is about more than games. It’s to catch attention.

“It’s not about sexuality. It’s about conduct,” added Croll, who said he had attended two Gay Games. “Overall, it was entertaining.”

Kevin Coles, a Crystal Lake resident since 1991 was brief.

I’m opposed. I think the board has done a lack of due diligence. I would suggest the off-calendar meeting is suspect…

He did not finish his sentence. He just let it hang there.

Dan Diamond, a 22-year resident expressed his opposition.

Under my perception Crystal Lake was owned by the park district, Crystal Lake and Lakewood. To bring a boat to Crystal Lake, you have to be a resident.

If you start breaking those rules, anyone could come and say, "You’ve done it before, (why not do it again)?"

Twenty-year resident Jeff Beebe, from the West End of the lake walked to the microphone wearing a black western hat.

I don’t think it’s a good idea for anybody. I’m against it.

Lakewood resident John Tuohy couldn’t understand why a special meeting should be held because one member

opted not to come to a meeting. I don’t care if he was on vacation or not…It was a done deal last week. But, because one guy who was down in Mexico didn’t like the results, we’ll here tonight.

This is BS!

Wife Martha was next up.

I’m with him.

She wanted to know how a man from Channel Two had gotten her letter to Board President Jerry Sullivan, but got no answer.

I planned a family part that weekend. Now am I supposed to change my plans? Aren’t we residents supposed to have preference?

“The last two individuals must have looked into my pockets,” said George Staziak (spelling?). “I feel the Gay Games are offensive because of the name. They want to be separate and want to be gay. I think it does nothing for the City of Crystal Lake.”

28-year resident Ann Benard said,

I’ve never heard of the lake being loaned out to anyone. What benefit are we going to get from this group?

West End resident Tony Buonauro brought the most laughs of the night.

This is about rowing for God’s sake. It’s not about sex. It’s not about AIDS. It’s not religion. It’s about rowing. My family has lived here since 1946. I was conceived in 1946 when my parents summered here. It’s not about making blacks leave town at 5 PM,

he said to cheers.

Linda Rogen got off one of the most humorous comments,

Who knew there was so much interest in rowing?

One person I didn’t identify said,

You’ve had a lot of time to mull this over. Is it easiest just to vote ‘Yes’ and put it on someone else’s plate?

No way are you going to get three governmental bodies to say, ‘Yes.’

Perhaps the strangest appearance was by an employee of the Illinois Department of Public Health, whose name I did not catch. He was sent in case there were any health questions.

“I’ve never done an infectious disease consult on a rowing contest,” he said.

Resident Charles Biederman (spelling?) proposed an alternative use of the lake the weekend of July 15th and 16th—Family Fest 2006.

He asked that his proposal be considered before a second vote on the Gay Games. His request was ignored.

Also asking about a second vote was Andrew Weld.

I don’t understand. Why will you re-vote? This isn’t Chicago.

After the attorney tried to explain why a second vote was perfectly normal (my characterization), Welk said,

I would like to suggest you keep the vote as is.

As people were leaving Park Place, which was virtually packed with many forced to stand, self-identified street preacher Rick Barnes was handing out “The God Test.” He had previously said that, if the proposal received approval,

I’ll be at the Gay Games not as a participant, but as a street preacher.

The event is intended to promote an agenda. I belong to a Christian Motorcycle Association. We have an agenda.

When he said,

Will you be blameless when you stand before God?

there were catcalls from some.

“See. That’s the hate, the hate I spoke of.”

After the attorney tried to explain why a second vote was perfectly normal (my characterization), Welk said,

I would like to suggest you keep the vote as is.

As people were leaving Park Place, which was virtually packed with many forced to stand, self-identified street preacher Rick Barnes was handing out “The God Test.” He had previously said that, if the proposal received approval,

I’ll be at the Gay Games not as a participant, but as a street preacher.

The event is intended to promote an agenda. I belong to a Christian Motorcycle Association. We have an agenda.

When he said,

Will you be blameless when you stand before God?

there were catcalls from some.

“See. That’s the hate, the hate I spoke of.”

As people were leaving Park Place, which was virtually packed with many forced to stand, self-identified street preacher Rick Barnes was handing out “The God Test.”

He had previously said that, if the proposal received approval,

I’ll be at the Gay Games not as a participant, but as a street preacher.

Labels: ACLU, Brenda Klockenga, Candy Reedy, Dave Phelps, Gay Games, Harvest Bible Church, Jerry Sullivan, Joe Edwards, Lamda Legal Defense Fund, Michael Zellman, Peter LaBarbera, PFLAG, Scott Breeden