McHenry County Blog

The following email was sent to members of the Fleming Road Alliance, who managed to convince McHenry County Board members to support their position of improving the road within the current footprint:

“Please allow me to thank you for your efforts to preserve our picturesque McHenry County rural roadways.

“Over time, we have lost a great many scenic routes in the name of ‘progress’; what we seem to have gained is a new phenomena called ‘road rage.’

“It would be my hope that those of us who recognize the value of pleasant, rolling country roads can continue to work together to preserve our roads and our lifestyle.

“I had emails from so many residents that I simply could not believe it! Thank you so much for your time and effort.

“Every email had an impact; each was heartfelt and made a point very well.

“Please know that each of these emails had significance – together they mounted to be an overwhelming critique of a segment of government that had stopped listening to us as residents and taxpayers.

“They have no excuse not to listen now – I believe the voices of Fleming and Alden Roads’ residents and friends have been heard loud and clear. This would not have happened if you had not spent the time to get your email out and let your values and opinions be known.

“Congratulations on our success in being heard! I hope you’ll feel free to keep me posted if you see or hear of anything that causes you concern.

“I will continue to watch the development of the new plans to fix Fleming Road and Alden Road – each within it’s current footprint!”

Again, my sincere thanks for your input!

Diane Evertsen

dfevertsen@yahoo.com

The following newsletter was received from the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water. It talks about

• the 2030 Plan planners ignoring citizen comments
• the “Fair Map” Reapportionment Amendments
• the ALAW Conflict of Interest ordinance
• Mike Tryon’s bill to prevent Water Authorities
• the Fleming Road Alliance

NEW INFORMATION: Send an email to FlemingRoadAlliance@gmail.com

if you want to be added to their mailing list for updates.

Hello All:
Just an update on several issues ALAW is working on.  More information about each project is available on our web site.

2030 plan

The Planning and Development Committee of the County Board last week demonstrated the ultimate disrespect for its constituents when it did NOT review any of your comments after they held meetings on your dime to solicit them. They accepted the staff prepared map changes to reflect the population reduction, and asked staff to prepare a resolution for their April 1 meeting to accept the plan as it is and send on to county board for a full vote on April 20.  On April 20 there can still be amendments from the floor.  Please call your county board members and pass your comments on to them.  The list is attached, as well as a district map.

Fair Map Amendment

After the 2010 census our county and state districts will be realigned. ALAW supports the Illinois Fair Map Amendment and asks that you sign a petition to get this amendment on the November 2010 ballot for the voters. Whats wrong with the current method of drawing districts?  Go to our web site and click on Illinois Fair Map Amendment for more information and to download a petition.

ALAW’s Conflicts Disclosure Ordinance

It was presented to the County Board for consideration on December 3, 2009, is posted on the web site.  You will remember that 27 county board candidates voluntarily filed the form after the ordinance was delivered, primarily by candidates in the primary election for county board. The ordinance is under consideration by the county’s Management Services Committee at this time, and will be up for another session on April 6 at 8:30 a.m.

“WE DON’T NEED NO — WATER AUTHORITIES!”

Representative Mike Tryon has introduced a bill in the General Assembly, HB4757, that will ban water authorities, taking away the only tool the average citizen has to protect against overwithdrawal and damage by large users.  We have been in touch with Mike (as well as Jack Franks and Pam Althoff). We would like to see Mike kill this bill and replace it with something that genuinely provides fair protection for all. Mike is working with “several entities” according to Senator Pam Althoff (but not us). We can only hope. Details on our web site under NO MORE WATER AUTHORITIES.

WE SUPPORT THE FLEMING ROAD ALLIANCE

Watch for a link soon on the ALAW web site for the Fleming Road Alliance.  Meanwhile send an email to FlemingRoadAlliance@gmail.com to be added to their mailing list for updates. The County Transportation Division held an Open House last week to divide and conquer the residents regarding their plans to “rehabilitate” and improve Fleming Rd.  What that really entails was pretty vague.

The neighbors are rallying to ask questions and there is a neighborhood meeting in the works.

The Alden Road Alliance is still waiting for further information on their road after McDOT agreed to go back to the drawing board with the plans. Neither road needs the extent of work that is proposed.

As always we appreciate your support.  Please feel free to email us back.

In one of the first county board fund raisers of the year, McHenry County College Board member Donna Kurtz gathered supporters at The Cottage at the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Brink Street Thursday night.

Kurtz is running to replace either incumbent County Board Chairman Ken Koehler or member Lyn Orphal in the early February Republican primary election.

Crystal Lake City Councilman Jeff Thorsen introduced the candidate.

“I am very, very, very enthusiastic supporter of Donna Kurtz,” he said. “We need someone with her honesty and integrity in county board government.”

Kurtz said she was inspired by her mother former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz’ concern for environmental protection and former State Rep. Cal Skinner’s fiscal conservativeness. Rep. Kurtz defeated Rep. Skinner in the 2000 GOP primary election.

“As many of you know, the world goes full circle.”

Kurtz said she running for the board of directors of a $260 million organization, McHenry County government.

Reflecting on her service on the McHenry County College Board, Kurtz said it had taught her this lesson:

“You gotta do your own research. Everyone’s got their own agenda.”

She didn’t say she was reflecting on her support of building a minor league baseball stadium on college property and, then, changing her mind with the announcement being at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting the night re-zoning was being discussed, but that might be a good guess.

“My courage was driven by my thought I couldn’t stand not to do the right thing,” she stated.

Besides Thorsen, City Council members Carolyn Schofield and Brett Hopkins were in attendance, as were park board members Mike Walkup and Richard Sexton.

McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters, who actually lives in District 2 in the tiny bit of Algonquin in the district was also in attendance, as was Nunda Township Supervisor John Heisler.

Members of A-LAW, the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water were in attendance. The group recently proposed strict potential conflict disclosure rules for county elected and appointed officials.  The Alden Road Alliance was also represented. District 3 county board candidate Craig Steagall, who actively opposes the location of the proposed Ridgefield Metra station on Country Club Road, also was present.

Touchdown Sponsor

• Tamara Kurtz

Field Goal Sponsors

• Erv & Louise Lecoque
• Dr. Robert & Carol Minkus

Safety Sponsors

• Jeannine Thoms
• Connie Zukowski
• Scott Summers
• Jewel Hahn
• Jill Hartman

Extra Point Sponsors

• Keith & Marge Nygren
• Phyllis Walters
• Bill & Alice Howenstine
• James & Diane Gesler
• Lou Ann & Jerome Majewski
• Jean Plews
• Patricia Floeter
• Brett & Tina Hopkins