McHenry County Board Clips Jack Franks’ Wings – Part 2 Rules

Jack Franks displeased with proposed Rules changes.

The second prong of the McHenry County Board’s effort to regain power it had in the past concerned amending the Board’s Rules. (See changes here.)

But before he allowed consideration, this came out of Jack Franks’ mouth about the previously passed budget procedure revision resolution:

“All the Chair was asking was to be included in the process.

“It’s just a policy.

“I’m just going to ignore it.”

To avoid the Administrative Services Committee, whose jurisdiction includes rules, Franks created yet another ad hoc committee, stacking it with those considered malleable.

The twelve-person committee met a number of times, sometimes with six more members sitting in.

The millionaire Democrat launched into another campaign oration, pointing out that he would continue to represent taxpayer interests as he had in opposing the Cat Tax, the Valley Hi refund, trying to end full-time health care for County Board members and trying to cut county elected officials salaries, “including my own.”

“I’ll continue to be involved.

“I was hoping to be cooperative. [I] see how that works.”

Jack Franks

Franks re-took the floor with this accusation:

“[Jim] Kearns went onto ramrod his own rules.”

Having pointed out that as many as eighteen had attended his ad hoc Rules Committee meetings, Franks continued attacking Kearns, as well as five unnamed members of the ad hoc committee who signed the call for the Special Meeting.

Then he specifically called out Lori Parrish for missing the January meeting.

Parrish said she had a doctor’s appointment that had taken six months to set up and she thought her health was more important than the meeting.

Franks charged that the Rules change effort was “a manufactured political attack before an election.”

[This from the man that brought up cutting salaries and health benefits right before an election.]

McHenry’s Pam Althoff was next allowed to speak, forcefully rebutting Franks.

Pam Althoff

She took “exception” to Franks having scheduled a meeting just five minutes before the first Special Meeting.

She even sent a press release attacking that action to the Northwest Herald, which resulted in one of the few negative stories the NWH has printed.

“We are not cutting you out of the process,” she said.

“The problem is that we, the entire County Board, were completely cut out of the process.

“We’re here.

“We’re acting.

“We are courteous and respectful to our colleagues.

“The idea that everything that happens is a [conspiracy is nonsense].

“You don’t bring them [agenda items] forward because you don’t like them.

“That’s for all of us to do together.

“[You need] to lead by example.”

Franks gave what could have been a campaign speech.

Joe Gottemoller, who served as County Board Chairman before Franks, then spoke.

“We rejected the idea of a County Executive. That Executive would have veto power.

“There is nothing in the law that allows veto power,” he continued, referring to Franks’ choosing no to put matters on agendas.

“We needed to have a discussion on the Board floor and you didn’t allow that.”

Franks then attacked Gottemoller.

“The difference is that you put everything on the agenda.

“You had to go along to get along.”

Democrat Kelli Wegener explained why she was going to vote against the Rules change, although admitting she voted for it in committee.

She said all the ad hoc committee’s “work would be for naught if I voted for this.”

Admitting that the proposal is not as comprehensive as the ad hoc committee’s, Mike Skala pointed out that the Board could put off the vote for fourteen days.

Then he stressed “There are things in here that I know would not have come forward at a regular board meeting.”

Jeff Thorsen pointed out that any member could come to the Administrative Services Committee with suggested rules changes.

He suggested that the resolution’s content was “generally acceptable to at least a majority.

“This is our opportunity to get at least one step.

“We’ve been chasing our tails and not doing what we’re really here for.”

Referring to the work of the ad hoc committee, Parrish revealed, “I don’t feel we ever came to consensus.”

She pointed out that the January meeting that did not achieve a quorum was called “at the last minute. Many had prior appointments.

“We need to more forward with something.”

Democrat Paula Yensen said she “felt very disrespected by the document brought forward.”

She said it “was done for political reasons.”

Yensen specifically mentioned the provision for mileage for County Board members [which is very similar to the mileage for state legislators].

“That’s entitlement.”

“We are not cutting you out of anything.” John Reinert said.

“You’ve blocked a lot of us from putting items on the agenda,” he continued referring to Franks.

“But, Jack, you’ve taken a Board that was so cohesive and got along really well [and you fractured it].”

Reinert concluded,

“It doesn’t take us out.

“It just puts us back in.”

“No one stopped anybody ever,” Franks said disingenuously.

“My idea is not to have information silos.”

Jim Kearns

Kearns was given the floor next.

“They’re really not Jim Kearns’ rules.

“Sixteen members signed the petition fifteen days ago.”

Referring to charges that the action was “political,” a clearly irritated Kearns looked at Franks and said, “I can walk into any governmental building in this state. I don’t bully people on things.”

Yensen interjected something to which Kearns replied, “I did ask for your signature and you did not [sign it].

“I have heard your partisan politics and I am sick of your doing this.”

Kearns added that he had not taken mileage since the ad committee reached a consensus that County Board members should not.

He re-iterated what Thorsen had pointed out, that members could being suggested changes to the Administrative Services Committee should the resolution pass.

He added that much of the resolution’s content had been brought up in the ad hoc committee, but rejected.

They were “member suggestions that were ignored.”

Severely limiting the use of ad hoc committees would be the Board’s choice, if a majority supported the resolution.

The proposed changes, he concluded, were “not mine. It is ours.”

Franks again interjected himself in the debate.

Jack Franks

“We parked a few things.

“ou mis-characterize completely what…happened.

“The process is only being devalued by you,” he said before making an appeal to the members he had appointed to the ad hoc committee.

“To claim it is not political, I think the true colors are there.”

Thorsen pointed out that he could not find the 2018 rules revision on the County web site.

“If we really passed them, I have a problem with transparency.”

The Crystal Laker said he had attended a lot of the meetings [of the ad hoc committee].

“The rules are for this County Board.

“This is not a negotiation with the Chairman.

“We’re trying to take care of some housekeeping here.”

“Take off your tinfoil hat,” Franks retorted.

The resolution passed 14-4 with the four Democrats supporting Franks’ position.

Roll call on changing County Board Rules.

Before adjourning the meeting, Franks observed, “You spent more time on the rules than on the budget last year.”


Comments

McHenry County Board Clips Jack Franks’ Wings – Part 2 Rules — 21 Comments

  1. Who bought the Board some backbones?

    Was there a sale at Walgreen’s?

    The Board ought to have taken this action years ago.

    With the exception of MAYBE Thorsen, Kearns, Skala and Wheeler, the Board has been lazy, stupid, slow acting and out maneuvered at every turn.

    When Wilcox departed, the collective IQ of the Board fell by 50%

    Although Buehler is an excellent candidate and just what the County now needs, he will not win bc of the demographic changes wrought in McH Co. which nobody on the Board ever exposed or fought.

    And is just now dimly comprehending.

    People like Tirio scramble around, but the election software is rigged.

    Buehler needs 65% (at least) to win ‘officially’ and he’ll never get that.

    So many posturing RINOs on the Board.

    They presided over a fiasco.

    A solid Republican county wrecked in 20 years.

    That’s why the property taxes here are so oppressive.

    But the GOP couldn’t effectively organize anything to counter the demographic juggernaut because to do so “wouldn’t be politically correct” and country club set wouldn’t ‘like’ a grass roots political reaction.

    Message to Board: it’s too little, way too late. Go blow!

  2. You really can’t make this low level democrat idiocy up, to wit:

    Democrat Kelli Wegener explained why she was going to vote against the Rules change, although admitting she voted for it in committee.

    She said all the ad hoc committee’s “work would be for naught if I voted for this.”

    Democrat Paula Yensen said she “felt very disrespected by the document brought forward.”

    She said it “was done for political reasons.”

    Yensen specifically mentioned the provision for mileage for County Board members [which is very similar to the mileage for state legislators].

    “That’s entitlement.”

    “Take off your tinfoil hat,” Franks retorted.

    The resolution passed 14-4 with the four Democrats supporting Franks’ position.

  3. Could i listen to the meeting?

    I can’t get the media button to work on the meeting portal.

  4. ABOUT TIME!

    Thank you for beginning the process of taking back control of the county board.

    Hats off the members Thorsen, Kearns, Wheeler, Skala and those who finally decided to represent the public rather than continuing to let the emperor run ruff-shod over you.

    Now, get on with the real issues on these board rules.

    You cannot honestly represent the public on one committee meeting, overseeing several departments, when you are dealing with hundreds of millions of our tax dollars.

  5. “[Jim] Kearns went onto ramrod his own rules.”

    ou mean by usurping yours

    Do as I say not as I do.

    Jack you are transparently a fool.

  6. “Democrat Paula Yensen said she “felt very disrespected by the document brought forward.””

    Well so what.

    Start a movement.

  7. Franks is blamed as ‘the cause’ of everything wrong around here, but he’s just an opportunistic microbe.

    A mere symptom of the area GOP’s long decay and degeneration.

    Serwatka has it all pegged: the GOP are real losers and won’t put up any fight or real resistance to the onslaught of the soulless, abnormal dems like Franks, Vijuk, Wagner, Acosta and the truly evil Yensen.

    Althoff is not the answer.

    She is part of the causation of decay.

  8. “Before adjourning the meeting, Franks observed, “You spent more time on the rules than on the budget last year.””

    Jack then quit trying to force your agenda on everyone else.

    Allegations of Sexual Harassment, now political harassment, there seems to be a pattern in your life.

    They even teach children in schools at an early age not to bully.

    Were you home schooled?

  9. Franks is an embarrassment!

    Where is our protection from him in regards to his sexual misconduct allegations?

    He’s a bully and the only ones wearing tinfoil hats are the nutty Democrats.

    Speaking of, why is Acosta still on the board?

    If a child can’t count on him, how can our County citizens?

  10. Vijuk read word for word everything Franks prepared for him, like the weak stupid tool he is.

    Wegner voted for it in committees but then makes the statement that she ‘cannot vote for this!’

    Franks got to her-she is easily intimidated and brainless.

    And Yensen claims this is political when all she does and is motivated by is 100% political.

    HYPOCRITE!

    Acosta is just glad the spotlight is off him and his negligence and inhumane treatment of an abused 5 yr old.

  11. To Percy Faith.

    You seem to have observed the County Board and County activity on a regular basis; your post was interesting in your initial first observations.

    But when you threw in the towel, you took the easy way out as though Frank’s demise was impossible.

    I challenge you to use your background and what I believe is a loyalty to good government and generate strong support for Mike Buehler

    This election is certainly not a pushover for Jack Franks; do you not remember when Keith Nygren was defeated soundly by Bill Primm?

    Mike Buehler’s election will become reality when all of the people like you and me and many many more who want something better for our County, contact our friends neighbors, co-workers and make sure they get out to vote for Mike Buehler.

    Are you with us Percy?

  12. Ah Yes lets not give them any transparency… oh no its my way or the highway… i call BS! Your being Paid by TAXPAYERS YOU WILL CONFORM… to the RULES… does not work like your hiring practices..

  13. Percy Faith, are you related to the bandleader of the same name? 😁

  14. Buehler better get a hold of some cash or he’s going to be outspent by moneybags Franks 20:1…. or more!

    I can’t believe Tirio is OK with cheat by mail.

    What’s wrong with him?

    County Board finally takes action against Franks.

    Yippie!

    What took so long?

    Who woke them up?

  15. Sweet ‘lil Kay Bates. Creepy Aavang.

    Jung the turncoat.

    Get rid of these stinking RINOs!

  16. I stand corrected Cal.

    Perhaps when I made this post, I saw too much of Nygren in Andy Zinke.

    Bill Prim was new to the political scene in McHenry County.

    It didn’t keep Bill Prim from being elected Sheriff, and it won’t keep Mike Buehler from being elected as our next McHenry County Board Chairman.

  17. Pam Althoff is responsible for Jack Franks’ power.

    She got him elected early.

    Now she has to deal with him.

    If she acted like a Republican early on, she wouldn’t have this problem.

  18. ‘Referring to charges that the action was “political,” a clearly irritated Kearns looked at Franks and said,

    “I can walk into any governmental building in this state. I don’t bully people on things.”’

    Of course, Jack Franks CANNOT walk into any governmental building in this state; because of the sexual assault allegations against him, Franks can only enter the Legislature under State Police escort.

    Think anyone will remind voters of this between now and November..?

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