McHenry County Blog

I was listening to some background music while writing and found this appropriately titled song:

“Let’s Get Together”

The alternative might be, as the Northwest Herald editorial title said Wednesday,

“Dissolving Grafton may be best for all”

March 17, 2010, editorial supporting abolition of Grafton Township.

So far, the NW Herald hasn’t picked up on the likely attempt to get township electors to approve purchase of an empty building for conversion into a new township hall at the annual town meeting on April 13th at 7 PM at Huntley High School.  (See Grafton Township Edifice Complex Alive and Well.)

While the NW Herald has editorialized against approval of the judicially-set November referendum about whether Grafton Township voters, no recommendation has been made about buying and remodeling an empty building.  A tie vote at last year’s annual meeting played a key role in Judge Michael Caldwell’s decision.

The township trustees plan to

• put a big ad in the NW Herald (a half-page add cost one candidate $1,500 the Sunday before the primary election),
• send out post cards,
• hold an open house in the current township offices the day of the meeting, presumably to show their inadequacy and
• goodness knows what else.

The NW Herald was speaking in philosophical terms when writing about dissolving Grafton Township. After Wonder Lake’s Bob Anderson’s unsuccessful attempt to abolish township government throughout McHenry County (with township officials coming from other counties to help in the campaign to kill the effort), laws may have been changed.

Then, it was my understanding that individual township could be abolished by referendum vote. I don’t know if that option still exists. If it doesn’t, a countywide vote might be required on an all or nothing basis. Just getting sufficient signatures on petitions to call such a vote would be daunting.

And, it is worth remembering that probably the third largest Political Action committee in McHenry County is Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller’s. He had $58,668.39 before spending for his wife’s re-nomination campaign to the McHenry County Board.

So, those in favor of keeping township government would have money for a campaign, while those on Anderson’s side would be starting from scratch in fund raising, with no individual taxpayer having much to gain from dissolution.

As Grafton Township Trustee Gerry McMahon continues to wonder (out loud in meetings), why would the Coyne Station Road farmers care so much whether Grafton Township spends $5 million (principal, plus interest) for a new township hall when the cost to them individually would be so relatively little.

Accepting that argument, why would ordinary homeowners contribute more than the few dollars they might save, if they had the chance to combine township services with those provided by the county.

There are only three essential services offered by township government:

• assessing property
• maintaining roads and
• providing local welfare

Everything else is optional.

It may be good, but it is optional.

Food pantries, for example, are stand along, not-for-profit enterprises most places.

RTA’s PACE provides dial-a-ride bus service. Townships supplement service, providing subsidies for senior citizens, including, at least in Grafton Township’s case, subsidies to non-township residents.

And, as Woodstock Advocate’s Gus Philpott points out, it might be cheaper just to pay taxis to provide the service.

But, then, the name of the township would not be seen as the bus drives around town.

One of things keeping small newspapers alive is legal advertising.

Think of the publication of real estate assessments. That’s the big one.

It was twenty cents a line way back when I knew such prices.

Now, a legislator has been bold enough to sponsor a bill to cut the size of such required ads for fire protection districts.

The Daily Herald reports such districts would no longer have to pay for the publication of ordinances.

Instead, a smaller ad would direct people to the fire protection district’s web site.

Could this be the beginning of a trend as the influence of newspapers declines?

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It didn’t take long for a blow back to the legislation to appear.  The Joliet Beacon-News ran an editorial with this admission:

“And let’s make one other point about these legal notices, and it’s a point of self-interest.

“Financial problems in newspapers are well-documented. Without these legal notices, The Beacon-News would sustain a significant financial impact. In smaller cities, this loss of revenue may mean hometown newspapers may not survive.

“In those cases, the government taxing bodies would be free to spend your tax dollars free from the watchful eye of the press.”

As if newspapers are the only watchdog of local government.

And, it pointed out that McHenry County’s State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Jack Franks were also sponsors.

I found this T-Shirt at the McHenry Marlins Swim Team Awards Dinner.

Coach Ben Merwin was wearing it.

He’s a member of the Fellowship of Faith on Mason Hill Road just off what Crystal Lakers call the McHenry Blacktop. (It’s the Crystal Lake Blacktop to McHenry residents,)

The church held a retreat in Lake Geneva last year and the

INCITE ‘09
Are you a chocolate milk Christian?

was its theme.

The ice disappeared from Crystal Lake on Friday, March 19th.

Here’s the paragraph under the Fire Dog Lake headline above:

“UPDATE: Melissa Bean will vote yes, as well. So will Baron Hill, but I already counted him as a Yes based on other statements. So it’s 204-206, 11 undecided, 10 Stupak bloc.”

If you have called or faxed her office, it’s probably time to do so again.

Phone 202-225-3711, Fax 202-225-7830.  Politicians like Bean are notoriously nervous.  No one likes to fall off the constituent tight rope on which she is walking.

Of course, you could also volunteer for opponent Joe Walsh’s campaign.

I found this paragraph on Politico.

It says Bean is a “Yes” vote, but that she might be vulnerable in a “wave election.”

Others in this category are “yes” votes who might be reconsidering. The trick with this group — which includes Democratic Reps. Melissa Bean and Bill Foster of Illinois, Bobby Etheridge of North Carolina, Chris Carney and Paul Kanjorski of Pennsylvania, Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, and Alan Mollohan of West Virginia — is for leadership to persuade them to stay on board despite the deteriorating conditions in many of their races, and figure out a way to assuage those who oppose abortion.

Bean, of course, would have no problem if an abortion clinic were on every corner. She is endorsed by the most pro-abortion folks in the political arena.

But with calls on the health care bill running 3-4 to 1 against her position (source), even she might be having second thoughts.

And calls are undoubtedly still coming into Bean’s Washington office. Phone 202-225-3711, Fax 202-225-7830.  Foster’s phone number is (202) 225-2976.

This is from a participant in the Tuesday demonstration in front of 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s Schaumburg office near Woodfield. Photos of the event were also shared. I am pleased to publish both the letter and the pictures.

You can still contact Bean’s Washington office.  Phone 202-225-3711 or Fax 202-225-7830.

As an indication of the importance of the Congresswoman’s vote is my Google search for her name is that there were 28 references to her on the web at 1:31 this afternoon.

March 17, 2010

Dear Ms. Bean,

I spent my day yesterday driving the hour from my home in Spring Grove to your office in Schaumburg to stand side by side with voters from your district.

We came hoping we could voice our opinions on the healthcare bill that is currently being forced upon the country despite the vast number of polls showing America neither wants nor appreciates having our Constitution destroyed for the whims of an administration filled with narcissists.
We understand that Mr. Obama, Ms Pelosi, and Mr. Reid feel that America has a population of numbskulls full of mush who have never had to balance a budget, have a connection with reality and believe that fairy tales do come true.

Oddly, after centuries of history to look back on, we somehow feel it is a pretty good indication of what to expect when governments become too large and no longer serve the people but try to dictate to them.

I guess, perhaps, some of us grew up at a time when our school system really taught history and did not rewrite, whitewash, delete or alter the truth.

We know that this bill will destroy our high quality healthcare system we now enjoy.

We know the polls show that our doctors will drop out of their profession in numbers reaching 50 to 60%.  They currently have to deal with the government run Medicare and Medicaid and they know they will no longer be able to be productive and treat an additional 30 million people. It is an impossibility.

We know that history has shown us that government run programs NEVER function efficiently or on budget.

Let’s face it; there is no incentive for them to do so.

With the push of a button they can vote for another tax increase and once again America looses.

Not only does this healthcare bill not affect the very ones who vote for it, but it appears to us that many in your party are under the impression that the tax laws do not apply to them.

They then turn and lecture and threaten those in our country who work hard and achieve through blood, sweat and tears a successful life independent of government handouts.

Our Founding Fathers and every soldier who gave their life to preserve this great country would not understand what you have done to it.

The Constitution is now just a document, yellowed with age and ignored by the current government.  You no longer feel the need to vote on bills for passage but “deem” them into law.

How perfect for it to be called “Slaughter.”

We stood there, along with others thru out the country, begging to be heard.

We went up to your office to fill out your forms so you understand you MUST vote NO on this bill.

I heard the calls coming in as we sat there.

It was plain by your staff’s voices and responses your constituents are angry.

I asked the young man behind the counter if they really keep a tabulation of those calls. He told me they did enter them in on the computers.

I asked why you would not release the numbers of calls and the numbers for and against as Mr. Manzullo did.

He told me that it would be revealing private information about callers.

“How so?” I asked, you wouldn’t be giving out their names.

He stammered and said they received many calls about many issues. I heard that you reported to the Northwest Herald that your numbers were 2 to 1 in favor of the bill.

Oddly as I talked to the young man I looked at a yellow sticky pad next to his computer with the headers NO and YES and tabulations underneath.

Do you know the NO side had, at my best guess, 3 to 4 times the numbers of tabulations as the YES side?

When I called your office I was told you had not decided and were currently reading the bill.

You must be the ONLY person to have the bill because as far as the public is being told it is not even finished or released.

Are you REALLY undecided Ms Bean?

I have heard this from you before and you always seem to have decided to vote in line with Pelosi and her “Destroy America” agenda.

Do you really think you will be re-elected after saddling us with a bankrupt country and giving future generations no hope for a life free of extreme tax burdens?

Is this the future you want for your family?

I understand you will leave office with pensions and healthcare and perks none of us can have.

Does that seem reasonable?

Obama doesn’t want executives form private companies given payment for causing financial chaos yet he has no problem throwing Economics 101 out the window himself.

As we stood out there, 500 strong, we stood next to a group of people who someone had bused in from Chicago.

I did not know your district included the city of Chicago!

I spoke to a number of them and quite frankly all I could conclude is that they are in favor of a socialist country where population is controlled and have no understanding that they themselves if they are lucky enough to still have a job are the ones paying for this boondoggle.

Exaggerations?

They cheered at the word “socialism.”

I was told we needed population control because there aren’t enough jobs, and many told me “government “ should pay for healthcare.

This is a very sad point in America’s history.

I didn’t think my heart could break anymore than it did after 911.

Looking back, at least America was united back then.

You and your fellow Democrats have in very short time managed to rip the seams right out of our beautiful flag.

You will all go down in shame, if history is correctly written.

That is a very big “IF”.

God Bless America, she is in deep trouble,

Name  Withheld

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You can find more information about the rally here.

The following was written by my former colleague Penny Pullen. She serves as state president for Eagle Forum of Illinois and is active in Republicans of Wheeling Township.

“No man’s life, liberty or property is safe while the legislature is in session.”

These true words were written in a 19th-century New York court decision, and they are still true today.

It is of some comfort that we have reached the midpoint in the General Assembly’s election-year session without yet being clobbered by a tax increase.

But no Illinois citizen can afford to assume our lawmakers will not yet commit what would appear to us as a rash act of political suicide. A lot of factors go into the collective decisions that beset us from Springfield.

Here are some realities that “we the people” do not automatically grasp:

• The hallways, chambers and offices of a Capitol building are constructed with a unique brand of highly resistant insulation. (It’s only a façade, but it’s convincing to those who enter the cocoon of a legislative session, and too seldom is it penetrated by an aroused citizenry.)
• Lobbyists not only have access to lawmakers to present the unique point of view they are paid to offer; they also have built relationships with the senators and representatives over sometimes years or even decades. (How many ordinary citizens have even bothered to meet their elected lawmakers, let alone developed a relationship?)
• Special interest groups dominate the campaign fundraising for those who hold the power to aid, abet or hinder their particular interest. (Have ordinary citizens shown themselves helpful when the going gets rough, or have they sat out the necessary process of offering financial backing to a candidate who’s doing the right thing?) Campaign contributions are no guarantee that a lawmaker will vote in line with the contributor, but they certainly and understandably open the door to friendly conversation, which can be just one step away from persuasion.
• Gov. Quinn is determined to raise our taxes, and he can wield power to get what he wants. (It’s up to “we the people,” for whom he has always claimed to be speaking, to make clear that this year, on this question, Pat Quinn does not speak for us!)
• Unique tactics are available to the governor, and he is using them: Never before have legislators’ landlords been stiffed by the state for legislative office rent, making the legislators themselves logical participants in the “Enough-already – let’s-raise-taxes-to-ease-the-pain” coalition. (Yes, that looks to the ordinary person like an oxymoron, but the governor is inflicting pain on certain segments – like the government schools lobby – for the express purpose of getting them to beg for a tax increase.)

Having been an elected State Representative for 16 years, I can tell you this: Anything can happen when the legislature is in session; it doesn’t have to make sense to “we the people.”

But, an aroused, engaged citizenry – even if only for these critical days and weeks (though sustained engagement is so much better!) – can produce enough angst in a re-election-driven legislator to bring him to his senses.

The single worst thing a citizen can do right now, though, is to assume that, this being an election year, we’re safe from legislators doing dumb things.

That New York judge knew what he was talking about.

Pressure will fill the House and Senate chambers in Springfield all the way to adjournment, be that May 31 or July 15; the real question is, whose pressure?

Will pressure from the voters exceed pressure from the usual sources of power?

It’s up to “we the people.”

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Penny Pullen served in Springfield from 1977-1993 as an elected State Representative and was a member of the House Republican Leadership from 1983-1993. She authored the legislation which, in 1983, repealed the state inheritance tax and was the leading Springfield lawmaker on pro-life reforms and on public health strategies to contain the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

For one term and one term only I was allowed to be on the higher education appropriations committee.

I asked every college president what percentage of his students graduated in four years.

That was after I discovered–to my great surpries–that most students took five years to graduate.

The reason?

Turns out that the students couldn’t schedule the required courses during the four years most of my generation took to get through undergraduate school.

I figured that was because state universities exist as much to employ people as to educated students.

Now comes Interim and Past President and chief income tax hike advocate for former Governor Jim Edgar Stanley Ikenberry saying that 20% of University of Illinois students could graduate in three years.

“Time is money,” he accurately points out. “One of the hidden costs of college is forgone income.”

Full-time college. No summer breaks. Advance placement credit. Online courses.

Put them all together and one out of five might get out in three years.

As I read the article, I see there is a catch:

Tuition costs wouldn’t necessarily drop.

I guess where something seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.

Just when I thought there might be some relief to the way-over-the-cost-of-living increases in college tuition costs, my hopes are dashed.

A Message From Illinois State Representative Michael W. Tryon  |  District 64
March 19, 2010

Dear friends,

With an unprecedented budget deficit of $13 billion facing Illinois, it’s no secret that things need to change in Springfield.

The wrong solution is to propose a tax increase. Gov. Quinn’s proposal would increase the income tax by 33 percent and would result in an, on average, a $1,000 tax increase per household.

To saddle the families of Illinois with an even greater tax burden, when many are struggling to make ends-meet, would be irresponsible.

The fact is, this crisis was created by years of irresponsible spending and complete financial incompetence. If we are serious about addressing the deficit, and erasing the mistakes of the past 10 years, we must immediately enact a number of responsible, reasonable budget cuts and reforms.

For example, I have proposed legislation called the Truth in Accounting Act of 2010 which will move Illinois to full accrual accounting standards. This will put everyone involved in the budget process on the same page by offering a real look at the fiscal condition of the state.

I’m also supporting efforts to reform the Medicaid system which will result in more than $2 billion in savings to the state.

Under Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Medicaid spending alone increased by almost 50 percent, from $9.5 billion to $14 billion, in only four years. We need to repeal some of those expansions, and include other reforms, such as residency requirements and a renewal process for Medicaid recipients.

Unfortunately, for reasons that I cannot understand, House Speaker Mike Madigan has refused to allow these bills and others like them, to be heard for a vote. These are common sense, bipartisan approaches to reforming state government.

I urge you to contact both Gov. Pat Quinn and Speaker Mike Madigan to ask them to support responsible budget cuts and reforms to reduce the deficit and move our state forward.

Governor Pat Quinn                Speaker Mike Madigan
207 State House                   300 State House
Springfield, IL 62706              Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0244                     (217) 782-5350

Looking for Volunteers

Groups and individuals throughout the state are already feeling the affects of the state’s budget crisis, and many have contacted my office directly to ask for help. It is our hope to respond to these questions and requests as quickly as possible. To help us accomplish this we are looking for volunteers to help us work through all the correspondence we have received.

If you are interested in helping or know someone who is, such as a high school or college student looking for an internship, please contact my office at mike@miketryon.com or 815.459.6453.

As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding state issues.  It is an honor to serve you in Springfield.
Sincerely,

Michael Tryon
State Representative – 64th District