Sixth District Republican primary county board candidate Ersel Schuster has issued the following statement about a meeting held Wednesday morning to consider co-siting the county fair, a minor league baseball stadium and a convention center and hotel:

“Once again, it appears our McHenry County Board is looking for new ways to pick the taxpayers pockets. They’ve now convened an initial meeting to discuss ‘a potential multi-purpose venue to be located somewhere in the county.’

“The meeting was billed as a ‘brainstorming/roundtable’ session of McHenry County business, governmental, agricultural and tourism leaders. This planning process was to begin looking at alternatives to the ill-advised, and thus far defeated, baseball stadium and fitness center at the McHenry County College (MCC) campus which, by all indications, is definitely not a dead issue.

“General consensus coming out of the meeting was that the “venue” could include a baseball/sports stadium, outdoor concert venue, exposition hall & hotel for special events, and of course, at the top of the list, the McHenry County fair grounds. Two locations were suggested, the IL Rte 47 corridor or property near MCC, between the campus and Ridgefield Rd.

“It was suggested that such an undertaking might be funded by an ‘authority’ or some such bonding process; backed of course, by the lowly taxpayer. Most of this could be funneled through the Fair Associations to get the thing in place. Once accomplished, one might wonder just how long the county fair would be tolerated as a part of this grandiose scheme.

“Supporters scoffed at those who had objected to the MCC proposal saying they were a ‘vocal minority’ simply objecting out of ignorance. It was suggested that somehow those assembled knew better than those who would ultimately foot the bill. It was also suggested that there were methods of easing the opposition into supporting the concept. They would work on that.

“One bright spot was listening to two gentlemen who represented a project scheduled to be built in the City of Harvard. The project includes a baseball stadium and other components to accommodate conferences and antique type shows.

“The project is fully funded by a developer willing to put up $2 million dollars to do the job. The project is purported to include a rubberized surface that handicapped (NISRA) persons will even be able to use. What more could a community or county hope for? Public officials smart enough to stay out of private business and no tax dollars requested!

“For a small community, Harvard is the only public entity that has it right.

“As to our county board, made up of what they tell us are conservatives, they certainly have lost their way.

“This bunch has not seen a big-bucks project they can’t refuse. Public officials with deep pockets arrogantly believe everyone else is financially capable of withstanding the tax impact their projects impose on everyone.”

Here’s what Northwest Herald reporter Regan Foster wrote.