McHenry County Blog

McHenry County Blog has published over 5,000 articles. Above the masthead is a search engine. Just enter a key word, such as, McHenry County College, Baseball Stadium, Crystal Lake Watershed, TIF, District 158, District 300, developer or a politician’s name and you’ll see articles with that word.

I find that people want to share information. One asked for an email address. It is McHenry County Blog.

"Ask and you shall receive."

Jesus said that, but it’s pretty good advice, regardless of what you want.

It is obvious that if one does not ask, one will not get.

So, when I saw on Capitol Fax Blog that Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Chicago) was attacking State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), I called the governor’s press office.

I asked for the memo.

And I got it.
Daily Herald reporter John Patterson started his story this way:

“On the same day a suburban lawmaker suggested it's time to officially consider whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be impeached, the governor produced a memo showing that lawmaker recommended family and friends for state jobs.”

Let’s remember the high hopes that Democrats statewide had when Blagojevich took office.

He had picked up on Franks’ bulk purchase of prescription drugs campaign. Franks told me at about the same time this memo was sent that he was working closely with the governor’s office on legislative language.

So, it is not surprising at all that Franks would have sent a memo with names of supporters for whom he wanted the governor to give appointments.

I have published above a copy of the memo FAXed to me by the governor’s press office. You can enlarge it by clicking on it.

But, I’ll re-type it to make its contents easier to read.

M E M O

To: Margaret Houlihan

From: St. Rep. Jack D. Franks

RE: Positions with Gov. Blagojevich Administration

DATE: February 27, 2003

The following are individuals who we had requested be considered for jobs with the Blagojevich administration. They are prioritized as follows:

1. Deborah Wolf Franks for a commission;
2. Herbert H. Franks for a commission;
3. David B. Franks, a non-paid position with Boxing Commission;
4. John Bartman, a position with IDOT;
5. Michael Dalessandro, position as Highway Maintainer with IDOT;
6. Judge Erin O’Connell-Diaz, position with the Illinois Commission;
7. Nancy Vazzano, managerial position with any public service department;
8. Fred Shay, management position, primarily Info Technology and IDOT Aviation;
9. Susan Van Weelden, Commission;
10. Bill Clow, any public service department;
11. Mary Kennedy, any public service department

Patterson wrote,

“Franks said three of the 12 were appointed to posts or got a job, including his father, who was named to an unpaid post on the Illinois Courts Commission. Franks' father is the former president of the Illinois State Bar Association and Rep. Franks said he's ‘eminently qualified.’

“Franks was unsuccessful in recommending his wife and brother for state posts.”

Erin O’Connell-Diaz, a Bull Valley resident was appointed and reappointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Former McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman John Bartman got a job with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Click to enlarge the memo's image.

Labels: Bill Clow, Erin O’Connell-Diaz, Fred Shay, Jack Franks, John Bartman, Mary Kennedy, McHenry County Democrats, Michael Dalessandro, Nancy Vazzano, Patronage, Rod Blagojevich, Susan Van Weelden

Elgin’s Daily Courier-News devoted the entire front page of its July 2nd Living section and more to Andy Andresky’s celebration of the “culinary loves,” as Mike Danahey’s article puts it, of Thomas Jefferson.

1776 is our favorite restaurant.

It’s right on Route 14 east of the water tower in the middle of a park.

The “Jefferson’s favorites,” prepared by Chef Santiago Suarez, will be served on July 4th and 5th in honor of the man who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence.

It’s billed as


And, Jefferson had a huge wine cellar, just like Andresky.

$18, for the 3-course "commoner" dinner or the $44 for 6-course "land gentry" offering.

I say, “Splurge!”

You'll never have mac and cheese at a better restaurant.

(Yes, thank Thomas Jefferson for that dish. It's one of my son's favorites. I'll have to pass than along.)

And, if you are looking for a book with a heavy Jefferson overlay, read Brad Thor’s latest—“The Last Patriot.”

You do remember that Jefferson is the first American president who took on the Islamic fundamentalists, don’t you?

“Shores of Tripoli” and all that.

Labels: 1776, Andy Andresky, Crystal Lake, Daily Courier-News

Wonder Lake is a large community, but it is divided as far as school and library districts and townships go, not to mention the lake.

The east side is in McHenry Township and McHenry High School District 156. The west side is in Greenwood Township and Woodstock Unit District 200.

The Woodstock library serves the west side, while the east side pays taxes to the McHenry Library District.

There is little doubt that Wonder Lake is short-changed as far as library services go. The libraries are just too far away.

Jeff Gerhardt is spearheading a campaign to create a new library district that will be centered in Wonder Lake.

He and others are planning to pass petitions to put such a question on the ballot during the water sky show, the 4th of July Parade and the fireworks. He can be reached for details at 630-637-1234.

Gerhardt sent me extensive information on it which I have not posted in a timely manner. If you are interested in details, they will appear in four installments starting today (see below).

Labels: Jeff Gerhardt, McHenry Library District, Wonder Lake, Wonder Lake Library District, Woodstock Library, Woodstock Rural Library District

People in my neighborhood will be able to get to and from home without a detour during this year’s Gala 4th of July Parade. It starts at one and you can fill your tummy by buying hot dogs and other stuff at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake. Proceeds go to the teens, who just returned from a mission trip to Louisiana.

Instead of following the old railroad track to the Main Beach, the parade will make an acute right turn around my high school classmate Joanna Ladd’s home. Bet they have a lot of visitors Saturday.

No controversy this year about excluding the McHenry County Peace Group’s anti-war float.

It occurs to me that the First Amendment had not been passed on the day our Declaration of Independence was signed. No guarantee of Freedom of Speech on that first 4th of July.

Here’s some of what I saw last year:

As befits an Independence Day Parade, representations of the Statute of Liberty were in the parade.

They weren’t from the McHenry County Peace Group, however.

But the Peace Group were out at 11 o’clock when I was going to church after posting this article on their parked float.

It was banned by the Gala Committee.

There were four little girls with picket signs in front of the float on Dole Avenue at Pierson Street. I got this shot out of the car window, but they weren’t close enough to get them all and the light at Route 14 had just turned green, so I only got one chance.

The girl in the camera’s lens carried a sign that said,

We the People

A friend had a sign saying, “Draft,” with a big “X” through it.

I’m not sure the relevance, since there is no draft.

The committee apparently didn’t want spectators reminded of the number of American service men and woman who have been killed in Iraq.

Before the parade, I saw two women with McHenry County Peace Group tee shirts passing out leaflets informing spectators that they had been banned from the parade. Included was a quiz on Lady Liberty.

There was a Statue of Liberty woman on stilts.

She kindly posed for me so that I could get her crown outlined against the blue sky, rather than the trees under which I was hiding from the sun (having forgotten to bring sun tan lotion).

Another Statue of Liberty was marching in front of the “We Support Our Troops” sign, right beside Uncle Sam.

A man who appeared to be a reporter got in the shot, too.

Most surprising was the District 47 and 155 school bus decked out in a “Support the Troops” mode.

There was an MIA/POW flag attached to the back of the school bus.

One of the men insisted it wasn’t a political statement.

I asked if it were not, what was the point?

In any event, it surprised me to see the school districts seemingly in the middle of the controversy.

Now, I am sure that whoever put the entry together will point out that they were not taking a political stand, and that is certainly one interpretation.

They could point to the hall entryway to South Elementary School, which has a “support the troops” display as evidence that this is not outside the norm for at least Grade School District 47. I believe one or more of the teachers have sons in Iraq.

But, considering the banning of the Peace Group’s float, let me say that I found it, well, interesting.

The Sinful Saints Dixieland Band invoked God’s blessings for Sgt. Ashley Martinez, serving in Iraq. The band was playing atop Tom McDermott’s restored fire engine.

And, guess what I found behind another of the entries.

A guy with a peace tee shirt on, complete with Biblical citation. He was behind the FedEx Truck, accompanied by little girls wrapped in tape which indicated they would be delivered on Saturday.

I thought the parade was on Sunday, but with the 4th of July on Wednesday, I’m pretty mixed up myself as to what day is which.

After the parade finished passing the First United Methodist Church and I had another hot dog with mustard and a Diet Coke, I drove to Pierson Street to get a close-up of the McHenry County Peace Group’s parked Lady Liberty float.

I asked which was the sign that the Gala Parade Committee found so distasteful.

A man pointed toward the one that told the number of casualties.

You can see it at the bottom right of the float, below the Statue of Liberty, as well as in the close-up.

Members of the group had been holding up signs like “Bring Them Home” to the people in the parade.

Since so many participate in the parade, they must have reached a lot of people.

Nelson Borelli managed to keep a kite flying with a dove on it. I was never very good at flying kites, so was a bit envious.

The Peace Group’s Statue of Liberty float didn’t bring tears to my eyes the way some of the military units playing patriotic songs did earlier in the day, but if dissent is not a part of American culture, I don’t have any idea what the Revolutionary War was all about.

I got all sorts of good tee shirts at the relatively small gathering around the Peace Group's float. These will show up periodically at McHenry County Blog’s ‘Message of the Day.”

As usual, all photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: 4th of July Parade, Crystal Lake Gala

An open letter from Wonder Lake Resident Jeff Gerhardt, Wonder Lake Community Tech Center:

To the Citizens of Wonder Lake,

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EMAILS
YOU WILL GET THIS YEAR.

Attached to this email is a very very long "Open Letter" about our (the Wonder Lake CDC) activities in creating a pair of library facilities, one on each side of Wonder Lake. The Open Letter is in fact 17 pages long.

The attached Open Letter is actually a response to a refusal to cooperate by the Executive Director of the McHenry Library District. I am sorry for the length of that letter. I realize to be effective most communications need to be short and concise with the information or people simply will not focus long enough to absorb all the information. In this age of 24-hour news channels we have all become accustomed to 15-second sound bites.

THIS EMAIL you are now reading is going to act as the "synopsis" for the attached letter. And honestly, this is going to 3 or more pages of text in itself.

We will hope that AFTER READING THIS, enough people in the community will then be motivated to read the longer letter to get ALL THE FACTS. At the least, you will have the document to refer to in the future.

If after reading this, you do read the longer form, I am sure that you will feel the same sense of moral outrage as we do, but will also shake your head and say the same things we have said, "so what else is new."

Local Governmental bodies in McHenry County have been taking advantage of the people of Wonder Lake for so many years, that we have gotten used to it.

This email is one of a series of contacts that will be coming from the Wonder Lake Community Development Council (the WLCDC) and our partners; that we feel will have a dramatic impact on the future of Wonder Lake as a community. Indeed, the actions of the community and in particular some key people in our community over the next six month to a year are going to have a dramatic impact on our future.

The simple truth is that; the die will be cast for our future in the next year or two.

The simple action of a builder annexing a project to Wonder Lake instead of Ringwood, or perhaps a business owner locating a business in Wonder Lake; may seem trivial at the moment, but will have profound implications to our future.

It is the hope of the Wonder Lake Community Development Council to impact the transition we will all go through in a very positive way. The door is open for all who wish to participate in a positive way to join us.

As already stated, this email is about creating a Wonder Lake Library District. Please read this and pass it along to all you know, especially homeowners and voters in Wonder Lake. Also pass along the attached 17 page document whether you read it or not.

Part 2 tomorrow.

Labels: Jeff Gerhardt, McHenry Library District, Wonder Lake, Wonder Lake Community Development Council, Wonder Lake Community Wonder Lake Community Tech Center, Wonder Lake Library District

That’s the bumper sticker that I saw at the new Centegra medical office building behind the Crystal Lake Dominick’s yesterday.

A car loaded with peace bumper stickers was parked next to me.

Befitting the peacefulness of the owner, the windows were open.

Labels: Bumper Sticker, Jesus, Love Your Enemies, Message of the Day

Embedded in the Chicago Sun-Times story about the Lake in the Hills Puffer Fish Poison guy’s motives for ordering enough Tetrodotoxin or TTX to kill upwards of 200 people is this possible motivation:

“Authorities are exploring whether Bachner was targeting his wife. If she died, he could have cashed in her life insurance policy, which was for a ‘substantial amount,’ a source said.”

The information presented to the court by FBI Special Agent Mark R. Mahoney included that the woman that Edward F. Bachner, IV want to have killed was 32 years old.

Here’s the description in Bachner’s encoded email:

“Mark lives in Chicago NW suburb, works in Mount Prospect, IL. Female, 32, no firearms, combat or hand-to-hand training.”

At the time of his arrest Bachner was 35 years old. Three years ago, he would have been 32.

Anyone know how old his wife is?

Meanwhile, the Northwest Herald has started people talking about how voodoo and zombies might be involved.

Can one get a death certificate for a zombie?

Labels: Edward F. Bachner, FBI, Lake In the Hills, Mark R. Mahoney, Murder for Hire, Puffer Fish, Tetrodotoxin, TTX, Zombie

Well, a state representative has finally summoned up the courage to say that Democratic Party Governor Rod Blagojevich should be impeached.

Was it a Republican?

Noooo.

Insufficient guts there.

It's long-time Blagojevich critic and possible primary challenger State Rep. Jack Franks from McHenry County.

His release follows. (I've added some paragraphs to make it easier to read on a screen.)

“The Legislature Should Consider Convening a Committee to Investigate Evidence for Articles of Impeachment against the Governor”

For decades, Illinois governors have been making hard choices when it comes to the state budget. The difference between our current governor and his predecessors is his attitude toward the process. This is all a game to Blagojevich.

He refuses to do his job and has now opened the door for impeachment.

Today, the Governor called for a July 9th special session for the General Assembly to return to Springfield to vote for initiatives that have already failed in the Legislature.

He made no changes to his proposals which failed so miserably last year but now expects the General Assembly to come back for another overtime session, where a much larger three-fifth’s majority is required, to vote on the same exact measures.

The Governor’s proposal to sell or lease the Illinois lottery failed by a whopping 7 to 97 vote in the Illinois House last year. The bill failed because it is not sound public policy to lease a $30 billion revenue generating asset for a one-time $7 billion dollar payout.

We must question the Governor’s motives for pushing the lottery leasing scheme so adamantly.

He continues to advocate for the privatization of the state lottery but refuses to sign pay-to-play legislation that would bar his cronies from enriching themselves from the sale or lease of state assets.

Blagojevich also continues to pressure legislators to pass a capital bill but has made no effort to make any serious proposal.

The Governor changed his estimate for the cost of a capital bill from $27 billion to $34 billion in the span of one week.

He refuses to give a line-itemed account of what the $34 billion would be spent on. Essentially, the Governor is asking the state to write him a $34 billion blank check.

With his long history of using state money to line the pockets of his supporters, can we really trust Blagojevich to administer a capital program without any accountability?

Instead of working on a compromise that will create real solutions for Illinois citizens, the Governor is instead trying to scare Illinois families and state workers. He has repeatedly threatened shut downs and halted some important projects that provide thousands of Illinoisans with jobs. The Governor is using front-line workers who provide vital services throughout the state as a human shield to guard him from compromise.

The projected budget shortfall for this year is only about 2.5% of the total budget.

Governors before him have made tough choices when it came to the budget. This Governor is squandering a perfect opportunity to cut wasteful spending.

During these hard economic times, the Governor has threatened to put at risk Illinois front-line workers, the disabled, our schools and social service providers.

The Governor makes so many threats because he cannot lead. Blagojevich is incapable of doing his job.

These special sessions are a game to the Governor.

I will ask Speaker Madigan today to create a committee to investigate whether there is enough evidence to proceed with articles of impeachment against Governor Blagojevich.

McHenry County Blog called for impeachment on April 23.

Here's part of what I wrote:

“(Tony) Rezko, carrying the check, ushered the defendant into a conference room where he met with Rezko and Public Official A.

“Rezko placed the envelope containing the defendant's $25,000 check to Public Official A's campaign on the conference room table between himself and Public Official A and stated to Public Official A that the defendant had been a good supporter and a team player and that the defendant would be willing to join Public Official A's administration.

“Public Official A expressed his pleasure and acknowledged that the defendant had been a good supporter and good friend. Public Official A, in defendant's presence, asked Rezko if he (Rezko) had talked to the defendant about positions in the administration, and Rezko responded that he had.”

Rezko solicited and got another $25,000 from Ata.

“Thereafter, the defendant had a conversation with Public Official A at a large fund-raising event at Navy Pier. During this conversation, Public Official A told defendant that he had been a good supporter, indicated that Public Official A was aware that the defendant had made another substantial donation to Public Official A's campaign, and told the defendant that Public Official A understood that he was considering taking a position, and Public Official A stated that it had better be a job where the defendant could make some money.”

Don't tell me that Speaker Mike Madigan doesn't have access to skillful lawyers.

There is no reason to futz around with recall when state representatives can put some of these Rod Blagojevich sleaze bags under oath and replace the “Official A” of the plea agreement with the governor's name.

And Franks gets more publicity in preparation for run for statewide office.

= = = = =
The photo of the adoration of Rod Blagojevich comes from the Chicago Tribune, March 8, 2007.

Labels: Impeachment, Jack Franks, Rod Blagojevich

Further chipping away at his “different kind of politician” image is a Washington Post report that Barack and Michelle Obama received a below market loan from the Northern Trust.

“The Obamas had no prior relationship with Northern Trust when they applied for the loan,” the Post added.

It “could have saved him $300 a month,” the paper reports, “compared with the average terms offered at the time in Chicago.”

“Around the same time, the University of Chicago Hospitals promoted Michelle Obama to a vice president and more than doubled her pay, to $317,000,” the paper noted.

The bank’s political action committee also donated “$71,000 to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics” since 1990.

= = = = =
The photo of U.S. Senator Barack Obama comes from his campaign web site.

Labels: Barack Obama, Home Loan, Northern Trust Bank

No picture of the tree or the “D”-shaped exit hole, the McHenry County Blog has received a note that the ash killing insect has been spotted on Kishwaukee Valley Road west of Woodstock.

Labels: Emerald Ash Borer, Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock

This one was on the back of a truck parked at the Algonquin Pool on July 1st.

It says,

Labels: Algonquin Pool, Boy, Girl, Message of the Day, Pickup Truck, Truck

Not having gone to journalism school, I only have what I have read about how hard stories are to find once summer comes.

Actually, I think it was late summer.

People go on vacations, so there are fewer people to write about the same number of stories. Local news makers go on vacation. Meetings are canceled.

I’m sure the Northwest Herald covered the real story about the Puffer Fish Poison Guy. I read it online yesterday after I wrote my three stories on what was contained in the affidavit of FBI Special Agent Mark R. Mahoney.

It is what was contained in the affidavit of FBI Special Agent Mark R. Mahoney. I worked my fingers to the bone re-typing parts of it yesterday, which you can read here:

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Puffer Fish Toxin Man Seeking Murder of Woman in 2006

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: "I was bored."

But, when I went to the Northwest Herald’s main page this morning this is the featured article I saw about Edward F. Bachner:

Considering it mentions Bachner right at the top of the story, you might think the Lake in the Hills man was buying Tetrodotoxin or TTX to create zombies or to practice voodoo.

Read the article carefully.

There is no connection to the case that I can find, except to chemical.

I think this is the most significant part of the story:

“Authorities declined to comment further…”

Anyone wonder why?

Labels: Edward F. Bachner, Mark R. Mahoney, Northwest Herald, Puffer Fish, Tetrodotoxin, TTX

At the swim meet between the Algonquin Waves and the McHenry Marlins at the Algonquin Pool tonight, I got this shot of a lifeguard just before he went on break.

Obviously, the sun was setting.

Labels: Algonquin, Algonquin Pool, Algonquin Trails, Lifeguard, McHenry Marlins, Message of the Day, Sunset

The next part of FBI agent Mark R. Mahoney’s affidavit relates to what the Knoxville, Tennessee, FBI office learned from a Cooperating Witness (CW).

The section is titled,


The information was that

“...he/she had contact on the internet with an individual who has requested CW’s assistance in a murder.

“CW advised that he/she posted a forum message on certain websites that he/she was interested in obtaining an AK-47 assault rifle.

“Approximately two to three months following the initial forum request, CW received an email message via his/her personal from an unknown individual utilizing orcashrike@hushmail.com.

“The email said, ‘I’ve got a job for you” and within the email was an internet link to another website, Stealth.com. Once inside Stealth.com, CW received an encrypted message which prompted the reader for a password. Once CW provided the password, a new message appeared on the screen.

“The new message stated in summary, there is a woman living in Chicago that the sender of the message wanted killed, and if the reader of the message agreed, the sender would compensate the reader with an AK-47 and $8,000.00."

Once unlocked, the message read, in part,

“Mark lives in Chicago NW suburb, works in Mount Prospect, IL. Female, 32, no firearms, combat or hand-to-hand training. Expect project completion time frame within 30 days. More info to follow. Non-targeted causes preferred (i.e. robbery gone wrong instead of a sniper shot) to preserve ‘randomness’ of permanent retirement actions. Please let me know if you are able to take on this project. Thank you.”

On July 10, 2005, the FBI obtained an email which read,

“I can get you a clean AK-47, completely untraceable to you in any way. Instead of having you pay cash for it, though, perhaps you can do a job for me. Please reply if interested so we can discuss further. Thank you.”

An email dated April 26, 2005, said,

“Subject: Project; Message: Subject lives in Algonquin, IL and works in Mount Prospect, IL. Home is pretty secure and non-involvement of friends or other family members is paramount so permanent retirement at either the work or errand locations (i.e. workout club – very early morning opportunities there) is strongly recommended. If we have an agreement, I can send specific info that will get you within 5 yards of mark on (at least) any workday. The rest would be up to you – this is intended as a simple termination, not a defilement of said mark.”

The emails were traced to Bachner’s Lake in the Hills home.

January 25, 2006, the FBI interviewed Bachner. He initially denied the emails, then said,

“I never told them I was Ed Bachner…I was bored. I had no intent.”

Other articles:

Toxin Neighbor in Lake in the Hills

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Puffer Fish Toxin Man Seeking Murder of Woman in 2006

Labels: Edward F. Bachner, Lake In the Hills, Puffer Fish

That’s what the affidavit of FBI agent Mark R. Mahoney says right off the bat:

“…I have learned that Edward F. Bachner, IV has ordered and received large quantities of Tetrodotoxin (‘TTX’), a toxic substance that is a biological agent for purposes of (statute cited) from legitimate United States distributors through the mail using the alias 'Edward Backer' by purporting to be a researcher as part of an Illinois company ‘EB Strategic Research.’

“…Additionally, in 2006, Bachner admitted to sending electronic mail (email) messages to various individuals seeking the murder of an unnamed woman.”

Mahoney relates how on June 12th, from a computer in Bachner’s house, an electronic purchase order was placed for 98 grams of TTX with a New Jersey firm, which is named, but which I shall not identify.

TTX is a neurotoxin, 0.7 to 4 milligrams is estimated to kill a person weighing 132-165 pounds, if taken orally.

The cost was $7,056.

The company asked for more verification of the toxin’s intended use in a return email.

The fake doctor’s reply said,

“Need Tetrodotoxin quickly for marine antitoxin research purposes (our current supplier ran into inventory / supply issues and we are on the verge of a breakthrough). $72 / mg plus $30 overnight courier per your site. For long-term customer relationship, we will comply and forward paperwork. In the meantime, what is your maximum quantity for a single purchase? (We need 25 mg asap, preferably tomorrow but can wait until Monday if absolutely necessary.)

“Please ship today and invoice us, or we can pre-pay by express-sending the payment out to you later today. Please advise soon.

“Dr. Edmund Backer, etc.”

The toxin supply company employee replied on June 12th,

“Since you have purchased TTX from a previous supplier in the past, you know the regulations and you know I cannot ship without the proper forms and valid identification.”

The employee contacted the FBI on June 17th, telling the FBI that typical purchases were 2 milligrams.

At the instruction of the FBI, the employee sent this email to the fake doctor on June 18th:

“I am sorry for the delay in following up on this. I was out of town. I am down to my last 12X1mg Asc-054 TTX. Please let me know if you still need it and if this quantity would be acceptable to start with and I will place it on hold. I am waiting for a reply from our lab as to when we will have more in stock.”

The fake doc took the hook and order the amount offered, asking it be delivered the next morning.

On the 20th, the employee was instructed by the FBI to call a number and left a message. Unfortunately, it was to the wrong number.

Then, this email was sent to the Puffer Fish Poison guy:

“We tried to notify you of a quality control issue with the Tetrodotoxin, but evidently there was a typo with the telephone number.

“We are expecting a new batch of TTX on Tuesday of next week. We will be able to ship Tuesday for Wednesday delivery. However, as is out policy, we need to verify your contact information. Please provide a correct phone number at your earliest convenience.”

On June 24, the employee, now identified as a woman for the first time, sent an email with this included:

“Dear Dr. Backer,

“We have not heard back from you with regards to the email below.

“The new batch of TTX is in stock and we would like to ship your order. However, we need your correct phone number for FedEx.

“Please call customer service…before 2:30 today in order for us to schedule pick-up with FedEx for shipment today.”

The next afternoon, Wednesday, June 25th, he replied:

“Please pardon my absence. I was called out of town on urgent family business and I have just now checked my email. The order status – 25mg is fine, so please ship asap for next day am delivery. Thank you.”

The FBI tracked down the box at the Algonquin UPS Store and got the mail awaiting pick-up. A California company had sent what the FBI thought was a check made out to “EB Strategic Research,” Bachner’s fake company.

When contacted, the California firm said it had done business with the (fake) doctor since November, 2006, through May, 2008, filling multiple orders for TTX totally at least 64 milligrams. A company sales rep became concerned when he placed an order to 100 milligrams and declined to fill the order.

The FBI tracked Bachner’s internet provider to 950 Oak Street in Lake in the Hills. The firm is DLS Internet Services.

Surveillance on Bachner’s home at 5704 McKenzie Drive in Lake in the Hills began on June 23rd. It continued on June 24th and 25th.

Among other things found in a public record data base search was that Bachner holds a Firearms Ownership Identification card. Illinois State Police records show Bachner applied to purchase a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer operating out of his home in Lake in the Hills. The FBI also discovered that Bachner purchased a Glock 34, 9 millimeter pistol in November of 2007.

Other articles:

Toxin Neighbor in Lake in the Hills

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: "I was bored."

Labels: Edward F. Bachner, FBI, Lake In the Hills, Mark R. Mahoney, Tetrodotoxin, TTX

When the puffer fish toxin guy, Edward F. Bachner, IV, was arrested by the FBI June 30th in western Lake in the Hills, missing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office was the complaint.

That arrived July 1st in amended form.

Here’s the way the arrest went down, according to FBI Special Agent Curtis L. Hampton, and some of what was found in the search of his home:

“On June 30, 2008, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a special agent of the FBI acting in an undercover capacity called Edward F. Bachner, IV on Bachner’s cellular phone and left a voice mail message that informed Bachner that his Federal Express package arrived at the UPS store in Algonquin, Illinois.

“On June 30, 2008, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Bachner went to the UPS Store located at 2417 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin, Illinois, and opened box #302. Prior to his arrival, the FBI had inserted a notice directing Bachner to sign for his Federal Express package with a store employee at the customer counter.

“When Bachner arrived he opened mail box #302 and then approached the customer service counter and spoke to an undercover FBI agent posing as a UPS store customer service employee. The U/C produced 2 paper forms for Bachner to read and sign indicated, among other things that the package contained hazardous materials.

“Bachner appeared to read the forms and signed one page. The U/C then handed Bachner a styrofoam box that contained 1 milligram of Tetrodotoxin in a sealed vial.

“After Bachner took possession of the box containing Tetrodotoxin, he began to leave the store. Once he left the store, several FBI agents approached Bachner and took him into custody.

“On June 30, 2008, FBI agents began to execute a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. That search is ongoing at the time of presentment complaint and is expected to last an indefinite time.

“At present time, agents have located 6 empty Tetrodotoxin vials and in Bachner’s residence, multiple needles and syringes, and a book that with deals (deals with) the effective doses of poisoning people.”

I guess that last paragraph explains why the FBI were wearing hazardous material suits when they searched Bachner's home.

Labels: Curtis L. Hampton, Edward F. Bachner, FBI, Puffer Fish, Tetrodotoxin

It seems strange to me, but the official announcement of the emerald ash borer’s having invaded McHenry County has come from the Village of Algonquin.

The daisy chain starts with folks who send the collected insect specimen to Brighton, Michigan. There an expert figures out whether the buy is the emerald ash borer or not.

Over a week ago the first insect was sent, after Stan Gladbach noticed his ash trees were dying on the street that divides Kane from McHenry Couunty.

But it had been decapitated, so another specimen was requested.

That was collected Friday.

It was sent overnight FedEX to Brighton.

I would guess that positive identification was passed on to the Illinois Agriculture Department Monday (yesterday).

Today (Tuesday), the Village of Algonquin issued the following press release:

Emerald Ash Borer
Detected in Village

ALGONQUIN, IL - The United States Department of Agriculture, along with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, has announced the detection of Emerald Ash Borer in the Village of Algonquin, east of the Fox River, near Souwanis Trail and Oceola Drive.

Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle that destroys ash trees, and it has been detected for the first time in Algonquin. The Illinois Department of Agriculture has previously enacted quarantines on the movement of ash tree debris within many Illinois counties, including Kane and McHenry Counties.

Now that the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed within our borders, the Village will work with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to activate our response plan and begin the task of managing it.

The Village has already conducted an extensive survey of ash trees in the area to determine the extent of potential damage, and has historically worked to plant alternative tree species so the impact of ash tree loss might be minimized. This highly destructive pest is eliminating the ash species as a viable tree for our area. The Village will work to monitor the progression of the infestation, manage public ash populations, and educate residents as to their management options as it pertains to their privately owned ash stock.

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees and feed upon its vascular tissue, causing the trees to starve and eventually die. While the beetle does not pose any direct risk to public health, it does threaten the tree population. Since the emerald ash borer was first confirmed in the Midwest in the summer of 2002, more than 20 million ash trees are dead or dying.

Background Information on Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer is a newer invasive pest of ash trees.

Much like its predecessor the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, it was likely introduced to this country through wood shipping material.

It has proven to be nearly impossible to stop, resulting in the death of millions of ash trees in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Its current infestation in the State of Illinois is, therefore, very concerning.

The borer thrives on ash species only. The larvae feed on the trees’ vascular systems, causing the trees to starve to death. At this point, most control methods are not very successful and large scale eradication is deemed impossible.

This means that communities, including Algonquin, will be losing their ash tree populations within the next few years. Much like Dutch elm disease eliminated elm species from being a viable tree in our community, most likely the ash tree will become obsolete as well.

The lead agency creating policy relative to this pest is the Illinois Department of Agriculture, whose primary efforts are targeted at slowing the spread. Unlike other communities that are choosing to remove and eliminate perfectly healthy ash trees from their midst, the Village will systematically remove ash trees located on public property only by special request, or as they fail; as this happens, we will work diligently to replace them with alternate tree species as quickly as fiscally possible.

The Village has taken steps over the last ten years to provide species diversity so that instances such as this do not dramatically affect our tree populations.

Unfortunately, back when the elm trees started failing, developers started installing mostly ash trees. Therefore, some of our neighborhoods host large populations of ash trees and will see some very dramatic changes.

In an effort to stem some of the impact, the Village has identified areas of dense ash populations and has worked to plant new trees in currently available planting sites in these areas. Hopefully, this will help us get a jump on some of our pending losses.

Please visit www.emeraldashborer.info or www.agr.state.il.us/eab in order to become familiar with this pest and to help us keep a look out for additional emerald ash borers.

Please note that the most problematic spreading of the pest comes from the movement of failed ash tree debris, firewood, or nursery stock from a quarantined area (Kane and McHenry Counties have been under quarantine for quite some time).

We ask that you please work to prevent the spread of this pest. Additionally, because of the potential destruction of ash trees by this new invasive species, the price of ash trees has come down dramatically. It is our recommendation that you do not buy ash trees as you will most likely lose them before they reach maturity.

If you already own an ash tree, there are chemicals and companies that will make a valiant effort to preserve and protect your trees. Some of the treatments have proven promising, but there are no guarantees, especially when ash populations become low and the pest becomes desperate. These treatments are costly and must be used as indicated, without fail, for the life of the tree. Even so, there is still no promise that the species will survive.

The Village will continue to monitor the presence of the emerald ash borer very closely, and appreciates cooperation from residents in addressing the situation. If any additional information on our infestation becomes available, it will be posted on www.algonquin.org.

For information about this press release, please contact Steve Ludwig, Parks and Forestry Superintendent, at (847) 658-2754.

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All images can be enlarged. Obviously, the map will be updated to contain a new red dot in Algonquin.

Labels: Algonquin, Emerald Ash Borer, Stan Gladbach, Steve Ludwig

It’s July 1st, so it must be

This is the day that Crystal Lake Piraty Captain, er, Mayor Aaron Shepley's decision to raise the city sales tax goes into effect.


Read the appropriate verses to the tune of Steve Goodman's "Lincoln Park Pirates" in memory of the yesterdays when Crystal Lake’s sales tax was three-quarters of a percent cheaper.

If Crystal Lake falls into decline, this day will be the turning point.

The day the city sales tax went from 1% to 1.75%.

People won’t be throwing parades in honor of this act by the Shepley-led Crystal Lake City Council.

I doubt the Northwest Herald will give the tax hike much play.

Certainly not as much as the Chicago Tribune is giving what it calls “Your Stroger-Daley Tax.”

Who’s going to be helped by the sales tax hike?

Mainly developers.

The Main Street Tax Increment Financing district and the Vulcan Lakes TIF weren’t enough of a tax hike for everyone in McHenry County to help the developers of those properties.

There was and is still an alternative to the hiking of the city sales tax to make Vulcan Lakes usable for recreation.

Don't believe me?

Read this article:
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The sales tax rates for June and July are from the Illinois Department of Revenue web site.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Sales Tax Hike

In western Lake in the Hills, the FBI arrested Edward F. Bachner, age 35, Monday afternoon.

Special FBI Agent Curtis L. Hampton swore that Bachner of 5704 McKenzie Drive

“knowingly possessed a biological agent, toxin or delivery system, namely, Tetrodotoxin, of a type or in a quantity that, under the circumstances is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, prospective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation press release said,

“Bachner was arrested earlier today, without incident by the members of the Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Algonquin, Illinois as he was attempting to take delivery of a supposed shipment of Tetrodotoxin, which is commonly known as TTX. Bachner was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Rockford with Illinois Possession of a Toxin, which is a felony offense.”

The complaint, which has not yet been released, according to the press release says,

“Bachner, using the alias of Edmond Backer, attempted to purchase 98 milligrams of TTX through a New Jersey chemical company with an internet purchase order. Bachner claimed that he was a doctor doing research for an Illinois company ‘EB Strategic Research.’

“An alert employee of the chemical supplier, whose suspicions were raised due to the large quantity of TTX ordered, notified the FBI in New Jersey, who in turn contacted the Chicago office. Subsequent investigation determined that ‘EB Strategic Research’ was a fictitious company and there was no Doctor Edmond Backer licensed to practice medicine in the State of Illinois.

“Backer was arrested after taking possession of a small quantity of TTX from a Joint Terrorism Task Force member, who was acting in an undercover capacity, while staging a controlled delivery. All of the TTX was recovered and there was no danger to the public.”

Bachner appeared before Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney in Rockford and “ordered held without bond.”

Channel 5 showed a Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Truck and men in hazmat suits entering a cordoned off house.

Other articles:

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Puffer Fish Toxin Man Seeking Murder of Woman in 2006

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: "I was bored."

Labels: Curtis L. Hampton, FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Lake In the Hills, Puffer Fish, Tetrodotoxin, TTX

An email from Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck:

It's Parade Time - support our slate and get some exercise too!!

Please plan to walk in the Crystal Lake Fourth of July parade this Saturday!

Come join the fun and walk with many candidates including Mike Tryon and Pam Althoff.

Balloons to be blown up from 10:30 on and then staging for the parade at 12:00. Bring your kids too, looks like we have about (number withheld so as not to aid the Democrats too much) lined up so far which is GREAT with the Dems out in full force this year.

We have a big float complete with an elephant so great visibility this year!

Meet at the Crystal Lake Municipal Center, Woodstock Street near Dole.
Parking the train station is best for walkers!

Please let Cheryl Meyer cmeyer5266@gmail.com know if you can make it.

We will have additional opportunities for Parades later in the summer too.

Hope to see you there!!

The photos are from last year's parade.

Labels: Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee, Cheryl Meyer, Karla Dobbeck

When I got to the hearing on State Rep. Mary Flowers bill to impose a single payer medical delivery system for Illinois and to increase individual income tax rates 67%, State Rep. Mike Tryon and his Democratic Party challenger Bob Kaempfe were talking in the hall.

I wasn’t close enough to hear was they were discussing.

Maybe it was debates or joint appearances.

I asked them to pose together and this was the best shot I got.

Later in the hearing, Kaempfe took Tryon to task for opposing Flowers’ bill, just as he said he would in his press release.

Kaempfe supported the Flowers' proposal, as did Democratic Party activist Rich Garling, anIsland Lake village trustee challenging State Rep. Mark Beaubien.

Labels: Harmony, Mary Flowers, Message of the Day, Mike Tryon, Robert Kaempfe

Last week traffic was jammed on Crystal Lake’s Route 14 because Illinois Department of Transportation road crews were patching and repaving the road.

First day of the work week and IDOT employees are out again.

This picture was taken ab out 9 AM looking East where Dole Avenue intersects with Northwest Highway.

Factoid of the day: This intersection had the first traffic light in McHenry County, according to my father.

Labels: Crystal Lake, Dole Avenue, IDOT, Illinois Department of Transportation, Route 14

You can tell from blog comments that the Huntley teachers union wants to make the argument they are underpaid.

For a unit school district with K-12 grades, this is a strange argument.

Here's the two words that explain why:

There is a huge oversupply of regular class room elementary teachers in this suburban area.

For every opening there are dozens of qualified certified teachers who can't get one of these jobs.

In a normal market this huge oversupply would drive market salaries down.

It is likely that Huntley could hire as many regular classroom elementary teachers it wants if it were paying $3,000 or 5% less in salary for these jobs.

What props up the salaries for these teachers?

A union that negotiates salaries from school district to school district that are the same for these elementary school teachers as they are for higher demand special education and high school math and science teachers.

More than half the teachers in Huntley District 158 are elementary teachers. Given this fact, their unions' "underpaid" argument doesn't hold water.
n
Or, as I'm told Huntley School District 158 Superintendent John Burkey once described the situation at a public meeting, elementary school teachers are "a dime a dozen."

More tomorrow.

Labels: Huntley School District 158, John Burkey

Not only did McHenry County Democrats get more votes in this spring’s primary election than Republicans, but they have begun marking their territory.

The mark is in code, just like other gangs, but, with proper manipulation, one can clearly see that it represents the Democratic Party.

And, it is not benign.

Not only does the Democratic Party want to destroy the hegemony Republicans have enjoyed in McHenry County since the party was created in the mid-1800’s, but it is out to leave its mark on the landscape.

They aren’t doing the dirty work themselves any more than donkey droppings at mislabeled "pony rides" can be directly attributed to volunteers going door-to-door in Lake in the Hills last weekend.

Oh, no.

Their little agents don’t leave harmless, if misleading, leaflets about party candidates.

See if you can decode the sign that the Democrats’ latest messengers have begun leaving in very unlikely places.

OK.

Let me make it easy for you.

Look at this mark on Stan Gladbach’s ash tree.

It’s in the shape of a “D.”

And, when was it discovered?

This year.

And how long had it been there before anyone noticed?

A state employee told me 2000, but, he did get his current job about the time Governor Rod Blagojevich took office, so we’ll take everything he says with a grain of salt.

And, speaking of salt, didn’t the Republican Party turn into a pillar of salt about that time?

Still can’t see the “D?”

We know those Democrats are sneaky.

They don’t want Republicans to know what they are doing until after the votes are counted and they have won a county board seat here, maybe a coroner’s or state’s attorney’s race there.

But, in an attempt to provide early warning to Republicans who are interesting in reforming the local party, published here is the exit hole of the emerald ash borer.

It is clearly shaped like a “D.”

So, Republicans, be forewarned.

The first ash trees were just across the street from Kane County.

We know what happened there two years ago.

The Democratic Party candidate for sheriff beat the Republican.

Forewarned is forearmed.

Labels: Emerald Ash Borer, McHenry County Democrats

The same Chicago Sun-Times reporter, Chris Fusco, who wrote an end of May Saturday story about an FBI search of Operating Engineers Local 150 Union President Bill Dugan’s Maryland buffalo farm, had one Saturday about Dugan’s retirement.

Dugan attributes his retirement to his wife’s fight with cancer.

Dugan is of interest because his union is the only Chicago-area local that regularly supports Republicans.

The local leader is Wauconda’s Chuck August and I’m wondering if he might become Dugan’s successor. Probably more likely Vice President James Sweeney will step into the post.

August and former McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman Al Jourdan worked closely together to locate 150’s union and banquet hall in McHenry County, but couldn’t find a suitable location. The result was the union/banquet hall being built on Route 120 just over the McHenry/Lake County line in Lakemoor.

Union local members were quite active in Dan Regna’s campaign to unseat McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi during the prima