MCC’s View of the Power Elite, as Laid Out in it Communications Plan

I’ve falsely promised Sunday and again promised Monday to reveal McHenry County College’s idea of whom the power elite is in McHenry County.

I got off on tangents. Today I really will.

Today’s findings come from the first half of the spread sheet kept by MCC Administrator Deborah Patton, now retired.

Who’s the first person McHenry County College President Walt Packard met with to talk about the baseball stadium and other elements of the planned expansion?

The spread sheet says,

1-7-30 Discussion with Publisher John Rung

You can guess that he is the publisher of the Northwest Herald, can’t you?

Most powerful man in McHenry County, by way of his position, I guess.

Maybe the early meeting led to the inclusion of a minor league baseball stadium in the NW Herald’s list of goals for McHenry County published on February 24th.

Next was McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. Under “Notes” is written, “solicit sources of local funding for building projects.”

1-25-7 Meet with MCEDC (McHenry County Economic Development Corporation) Director Chris Manheim. Packard is a board member.

“Notes” – “solicit sources of alternative funding and project in general.”

1-25-7 January Board Meeting. No “notes.”

2-7-7 is a date over a series of “College Announcements.” There are “notes” for none of the meetings:

1-11-7 Meeting with faculty council president, staff council president and leadership council
1-26-7 Staff Meeting 9:00 am
1-26-7 Podcast
1-26-7 e-mail to campus community
1-26-7 Display of Campus Facilities Master Plani Library
1-30-7 Faculty Meeting
2-7-7 Student Senate

2-26-7 Meet with CL Mayor Aaron Shepley. All the previous meetings have been with Packard. This one includes MCC Board President Donna Kurtz.

“Notes” – “general support of campus master plan and construction project.”

[No wonder Shepley was so angry at Donna Kurtz when she reversed her position the night of the city council zoning vote.]

Week of 1/31/2007 Legislative Updates: Althoff, Franks, Tryon by Packard

“Notes” – “potential sources of state funding for building projects.”

2-22-7 February Board Meeting. No “Notes.”

Under the heading “Media Kit Preparation” is the following (Len) Walker’s name appears beside it (no notes, except where indicated):

2-9-7 Materials from Reynolds, Allerheiligen, Ardito

2-23-7 Bios from Mark (Houser) and Pete (Heitman)

3-26-7 Renderings and Floor Plans

4-23-7 Board Statements (Packard/Patton/Walker)

Date missing Tentative Editorial Press Tour {crossed out)

“Notes” – “cancelled due to early media coverage.”

[McHenry County Blog revealed the existence of the MCC baseball stadium in the master plan on March 12th.]

The bottom half of the Communications Plan spreadsheet tomorrow.


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