McHenry County Blog

Niranjan Shah, the former University of Illinois Board Chairman, has a welcome connection to McHenry County.

I’m told that former McHenry County College Trustee David Murphy of Cary initiated a $500,000 pledge from Shah to help purchase the college’s Shah Center in McHenry.

It is dedicated to his wife Patrima.

Those in the photos are identified from the Fall, 2006, MCC newsletter thusly:

Pratima Shah prepares to cut the ribbon as her husband, Niranjan and members of the MCC Board of Trustees look on, including, L-R: Mr. David Murphy, former trustee; Ms. Donna Kurtz, board chair; Ms. Barbara Walters, and Mrs. Carol Larson.

Foundation Board Members with the Shahs: Bob Cormier Jr., Pratima and Niranjan Shah, Joseph Like, executive director; Sandra Pierce, Todd Bessey, and Monica Heydari.

With his wife, Pratima, at his side, Niranjan Shah introduces himself.

MCC President Walt Packard displays a framed open house invitation from Crystal Lake Chamber ambassador Kathi Etten.

Faced with competing sellers, including perhaps the Crystal Lake Park District and a landowner a mile west in Woodstock, the McHenry County College Board voted unanimously, with Scott Summers absent, to sell 3.67 acres to BMB Communications Management for a solid $6 million.

A 1,500 foot broadcast tower is planned for the property. That will require a special use permit from the City of Crystal Lake.

An additional $1 million could come MCC’s way if the enterprise is successful enough to snag five “subscribers” five years from today.

Although there was no space on the agenda for public comment, it was allowed anyway.

Nunda Township Trustee Kevin Sarnwick, who lives just south of Hillside on the Crystal Lake Blacktop, expressed opposition for perhaps safety and definitely aesthetic reasons.

Given that college officials have released nothing that would indicate any due diligence was performed on the deal, except by a risk manager, I asked,

“Why should anyone in the public think you know what you are doing?”

I pointed out that most governments without expertise in an area where they are making a decision hire a consultant with experience.

Even after the meeting, there is absolutely no indication that MCC talked to any independent expert in the broadcast tower business.

Student Trustee Tom Kedzie asked a really good question. He wanted to know why the five-year limit was in the contract for the receipt of the extra million dollars.

No one came up with a good answer.

Board President Watson Lowe said that he had recently received a call from “a former board member who is an attorney” suggesting that his law firm had broadcast tower expertise and would recommend leasing, rather than selling the land.

Voting on the contract tonight, “We won’t be able to hear him.”

Then, Lowe said, “Right now I am really on the fence.”

Lowe pointed out that BMB originally wanted to lease the land, but one member had been adamantly opposed to leasing. BMB Communications Management Tom Zanck revealed that “over the last 6-9 months Mr. (John) Maguire has been trying to make it (buying, rather than leasing) work for his company.”

Just as with the baseball stadium proposal, a story which McHenry County Blog reported on first, the college kept details of the BMB tower proposal, first advanced and reported upon by McHenry County Blog over a year ago, secret.

And, except for the contract, any thought process used to reach a decision to sell has been kept secret.

It is clear that the major inducement is the money.

And the incentive to act immediately was loss of that money.

“They (BMB) have already signed a back-up contract,” board attorney Sandy Kerrick told the board. “I also dare say the prices of the neighbors are much less,” she added.

“We may get zero unless we get an affirmative vote on this contract, yes or no,” she continued. “We’ve had the contract since December.”

Yet the public had its first chance to see it on February 16th.

“We’re not admitting we know anything about towers,” Trustee Carol Larson said. I, for one, would like to go through with this contract.”

And since the Crystal Lake City Council elections are coming up and the baseball stadium attracted more attention than any other issue in the last two years, let me remind you who killed the stadium with their votes:

Councilmen Ralph Dawson, Brett Hopkins and Jeff Thorsen threw the three strikes with their “No” votes on the proposal to re-zone McHenry County College for a minor league baseball stadium.

Dawson, on the left, and Thorsen, on the right, are up for re-election.

Retiring board member Frances Glosson, who lives in Johnsburg, pointed out that she was in favor of selling the property “will allow us to build more (facilities) and serve all of McHenry County.”

She seemed to be talking about spending the $6 million elsewhere in McHenry County, perhaps an area where the height of the 1,500 foot tower would not be an eyesore.

Donna Kurtz made her decision strictly based on the “educational needs for our county. The other governmental bodies will have to make (decisions based on other factors.)”

“So, you’re going to support it?” Larson asked.

“I thought you could assume it,” Kurtz replied to one of the trustees who was a leader in the effort to censure her and Scott Summers for changing their positions on the minor league baseball stadium.

Senior MCC Trustee Barbara Walters pushed hard for approval. She pointed out this was only the second opportunity “like this,” the first being the baseball stadium.

“There’s always an exercise in futility of how much more we could (have gotten),” she explained, seemingly aiming her comments at Student Trustee Kedzie’s inquiry.

“We as trustees have a great opportunity,” she continued, pointing to potentially using it for nursing school and other facilities, a swimming pool and “for students.”

“What happens to the young students who come behind you 5-7 years from now?” she asked Kedzie. “The recovery will not be completed by then.

“I would ask that you add your voice vote as well.”

Kedzie stood his ground a bit, wondering “why we didn’t go forward” on securing the final $1 million, regardless when the fifth user of the broadcast tower came on line, but ended up voting “Yes” with everyone else.

And Walters seemed more than a little disturbed at the last minute intervention by the unidentified former board member-attorney.

“Had it gone to their firm, they would certainly have handled it differently,” attorney Walters said, suggesting that perhaps the firm might have ended up with a share of the lease income.

“We have competition in our immediate area,” Walters continued. “There’s a very good possibility this could go one mile west in Woodstock.”

And, later, “The (Crystal Lake) Park (District) has new property (Viking Dodge, which has 18 vacant acres out back) the tower could potentially go on.

CPA Mary Miller, who was attending over the phone during this busy income tax season then chimed in.

“I am for selling the land just because of the dollars.

“It will actually bring jobs to the county,” she added. “I think it’s a win-win.”

“I like the idea,” Board President Lowe said. He pointed out that the Capital Development Board (state government) would leverage $6 million to $24 million in new buildings, also citing nursing and its labs.

“They’re not cheap.

“I am troubled by the way this meeting has come about. I don’t know why we had to do this tonight. I don’t know why the regular board meeting (March 26th, wouldn’t be soon enough).

“We were told (the buyer) wanted a delay (at our last meeting).” He pointed out that a vote on the land sale was postponed at BMB’s request.

“This meeting was obviously called in haste,” Lowe, who called the meeting pretty obviously at the request of others, said.

“At the same time, I have to respect other people’s opinions,” referring to the former attorney-board member who suggested the college would fair better under a lease arrangement.

“They came at the last minute. That’s the way things happen sometimes.”

“Mr. Maguire requested a lease,” board attorney Kerrick basically lectured. “You did not want to be responsible (for the liability of owning the tower and potential of having to disassemble it). We also discussed (buying) additional land surrounding it (for a guyed wire) tower.

“Just bear in mind how we got to where we are.”

Kerrick later explained that Maguire’s company had an income tax advantage from purchasing from the college.

“He’ll be able to deduct the contributions (for paying more than market value for the land)…he writes it off and used the other money to build the tower.”

She mentioned the figure $400,000 as the “real value.” I presume she meant the value of the 3.4 acres.

“We know of other suitors out there,” Walters interjected. “The only thing that may happen is that other contracts may be signed.”

BMB is paying $2,500 for the ability to tell the FAA he owns the land over the next six months.

Here are the details of the BMB presentation three weeks ago.

There still is no representation of what this tower will look like with its constantly flashing white and red strobe lights.

= = = = =
Drawings of the towers are seen on top, the one to the left bending under a 40 mile per hour wind and the other in calm weather. Kevin Sarnwick is seen expressing his opposition to the tower in the top photo.

Student Trustee Tom Kedzie is next.

The FM radio coverage area is seen below him.

Trustee Carol Larson is beneath the map.

The Crystal Lake City Councilmen who killed the McHenry County College baseball stadium are identified within their section.

Below is Trustee Frances Glosson and down to the left a bit is Donna Kurtz as she looking right after she voted in favor of selling the land.

Trustee Barbara Walters is below Kurtz.

Viking Dodge, which the Crystal Lake Park District is planning to buy if all the due diligence works out is next.

MCC Board President George Lowe is seen below.

Finally, board attorney Sandra Kerrick is shown giving the board advice.

The 1,500 foot broadcast tower will be built to the north of these Commonwealth high power electric lines. And since it was a beautiful sunset tonight, here’s a view of Crystal Lake that will not be despoiled by the proposed 1,500 foot broadcast tower.

Any fuzzy photos are the result of the McHenry County College Board’s refusal to allow any flash photography.

It took three times as long to write this story as it did for the college board to sell the land.

Notice how I am trying to catch up to the lingo of the younger generation in my headline.

McHenry County Board member Scott Summers asked a couple of months ago for MCC staffers to explore and cost out whether th board’s meeting could be live streamed on the internet.

Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting Kathleen Plinske gave the report.

The biggest objection presented was that band width for 6 or 7 o’clock meetings would compete with high student and teacher use of the internet facilities.

The biggest cost cited was the need for a communications technician at meetings. The pay would be $20 an hour.

Big deal, I’m thinking.

As might be expected, “the staff doesn’t recommend video,” she said.

Summers asked about the band width requirements for live stream audio.

“The requirements for ban width would be significantly less,” she observed, but noted it would still “require a technician.”

“I think it’s a good experiment,” Summers said, pointing out that the only equipment cost would be a $200 recorder.

Ally Donna Kurtz suggested it “gives us a proving ground,” but she asked that the audio be indexed by agenda item.

“Let’s break out the agenda items so people have a menu to pick from,” she advocated.

“In terms of splitting up the audio, that’s not something staff had thought about,” Plinske replied. “It would increase the amount of staff time.”

Maybe a bit, but the board secretary could easily note the time when consideration began on new agenda items.

But, whether it was practical or not was irrelevant, the board majority had made up its mind that this would be too much transparency.

“I’m not really for this,” Mary Miller said.

As they went around the room, Summers, who sits next to Miller, expressed his support for a six-month trial.

“Not in favor,” veteran board member Barbara Walters said.

“I’m not in favor. We have an open meeting. Pelple can come,” Frances Glossen, who often votes on the losing side with Summers and Kurtz, said.

“Not in favor,” MCC Board President George Lowe continued.

“Not either,” Carol Larson said.

Arguing for “transparency,” Kurtz said, “The expense is insignificant.”

“I’m in favor of it,” the youngest, student board member Katie Claypool said.

Kurtz asked if it would be voted upon at Thursday’s board meeting.

“Not on the agenda,” was the reply…from Lowe, I believe.

“So, there will be no vote on it,” Kurtz observed.

Face it.

This board does not want anyone to be able to listen to what they have said.

= = = = =
McHenry County Board member Scott Summers is in the top photo. Trustee Donna Kurtz can be seen talking in the one below. Behind her is Trustee Carol Larson. At the bottom can be seen the board and several administrators. Kathleen Plinske is seated to the left at the table in front of the board.

Thanks for the additional information from the person who left a comment. (I have corrected the spelling mistake.)

Notice how I am trying to catch up to the lingo of the younger generation in my headline.

McHenry County Board member Scott Summers asked a couple of months ago for MCC staffers to explore and cost out whether th board’s meeting could be live streamed on the internet.

Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting Kathleen Plinske gave the report.

The biggest objection presented was that band width for 6 or 7 o’clock meetings would compete with high student and teacher use of the internet facilities.

The biggest cost cited was the need for a communications technician at meetings. The pay would be $20 an hour.

Big deal, I’m thinking.

As might be expected, “the staff doesn’t recommend video,” she said.

Summers asked about the band width requirements for live stream audio.

“The requirements for ban width would be significantly less,” she observed, but noted it would still “require a technician.”

“I think it’s a good experiment,” Summers said, pointing out that the only equipment cost would be a $200 recorder.

Ally Donna Kurtz suggested it “gives us a proving ground,” but she asked that the audio be indexed by agenda item.

“Let’s break out the agenda items so people have a menu to pick from,” she advocated.

“In terms of splitting up the audio, that’s not something staff had thought about,” Plinske replied. “It would increase the amount of staff time.”

Maybe a bit, but the board secretary could easily note the time when consideration began on new agenda items.

But, whether it was practical or not was irrelevant, the board majority had made up its mind that this would be too much transparency.

“I’m not really for this,” Mary Miller said.

As they went around the room, Summers, who sits next to Miller, expressed his support for a six-month trial.

“Not in favor,” veteran board member Barbara Walters said.

“I’m not in favor. We have an open meeting. Pelple can come,” Frances Glossen, who often votes on the losing side with Summers and Kurtz, said.

“Not in favor,” MCC Board President George Lowe continued.

“Not either,” Carol Larson said.

Arguing for “transparency,” Kurtz said, “The expense is insignificant.”

“I’m in favor of it,” the youngest, student board member Katie Claypool said.

Kurtz asked if it would be voted upon at Thursday’s board meeting.

“Not on the agenda,” was the reply…from Lowe, I believe.

“So, there will be no vote on it,” Kurtz observed.

Face it.

This board does not want anyone to be able to listen to what they have said.

= = = = =
McHenry County Board member Scott Summers is in the top photo. Trustee Donna Kurtz can be seen talking in the one below. Behind her is Trustee Carol Larson. At the bottom can be seen the board and several administrators. Kathleen Plinske is seated to the left at the table in front of the board.

Thanks for the additional information from the person who left a comment. (I have corrected the spelling mistake.)

It looked as if the “do it our way or we’ll hit the highway” members of the McHenry County College Board were finally outnumbered in a meeting within a meeting Tuesday night at Crystal Lake City Hall.

Councilman Dave Goss came up with language that would specify the maximum impervious coverage would be 50%.

That set off MCC Board President George Lowe and Trustee Barbara Walters when the group retired to a council chamber side room to discuss his proposal.

“That isn’t what we asked for. It still doesn’t guarantee we’ll get 50%,” attorney Sandy Kerrick observed, seeming to side with the two hardliners.

Kerrick later added something I found quite interesting and perhaps indicative of a hidden agenda:

“We want to be able to build on as much of the land as if we bought it anywhere else,” which she said would be “50-70%.”

“If we don’t gt 50%, I don’t want to buy it,” Lowe said. Later, “I want more than pie in the sky.”

“We’re no farther ahead than we were six months ago,” added Walter.

Carol Larson, usually an ally of Lowe and Walters, pointed out, “This doesn’t limit us…Everything we’ve done has been much less than that.”

An impassioned plea from MCC President Walt Packard to the five members present—Lowe, Walters, Larson, Frances Glosson and Donna Kurtz—stressed

• that the college’s $100 million campus could not be moved,
• that expanding the Crystal Lake would be most efficient,
• that it fits the traffic pattern and the population pattern,
• that the $67,000 an acre price would never be lower,
• that the Gilger property owners would not agree to another extension and
• that the property was perfectly sited to take advantage of a future Ridgefield Metra station maybe 20 years away.

In other words, the college could not do better than buying and expanding on the Gilger property.

Trustees Donna Kurtz and Frances Glosson seemed ready to accept Goss’ modification of the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous recommendation.

Carol Larson, who sides with Lowe and Walters on most matters, was willing to compromise and accept the Goss language, if that was necessary to gain zoning approval.

After an impassioned discussion in the back room, which was open to the public with reporters from four publications attending, Kurtz proposed a compromise motion which would have Packard tell the council they the board wanted the original planning and zoning language, with the unmentioned agreement to agree to the Goss fall back position, if that vote failed.

I missed some of the subsequent council discussion, but the original recommendation was approved 5-2.

One of the dissenters, Ralph Dawson, said it was not because of the specifics of the college proposal, but because of the precedent it set.

How please was Lowe at getting his way?

Take a look at his smile.

The MCC Board then went back in the side room and voted unanimously( 5-0) to purchase the 57-acre Gilger property for $67,000 per acre or about $3.8 million.

It looked as if the “do it our way or we’ll hit the highway” members of the McHenry County College Board were finally outnumbered in a meeting within a meeting Tuesday night at Crystal Lake City Hall.

Councilman Dave Goss came up with language that would specify the maximum impervious coverage would be 50%.

That set off MCC Board President George Lowe and Trustee Barbara Walters when the group retired to a council chamber side room to discuss his proposal.

“That isn’t what we asked for. It still doesn’t guarantee we’ll get 50%,” attorney Sandy Kerrick observed, seeming to side with the two hardliners.

Kerrick later added something I found quite interesting and perhaps indicative of a hidden agenda:

“We want to be able to build on as much of the land as if we bought it anywhere else,” which she said would be “50-70%.”

“If we don’t gt 50%, I don’t want to buy it,” Lowe said. Later, “I want more than pie in the sky.”

“We’re no farther ahead than we were six months ago,” added Walter.

Carol Larson, usually an ally of Lowe and Walters, pointed out, “This doesn’t limit us…Everything we’ve done has been much less than that.”

An impassioned plea from MCC President Walt Packard to the five members present—Lowe, Walters, Larson, Frances Glosson and Donna Kurtz—stressed

• that the college’s $100 million campus could not be moved,
• that expanding the Crystal Lake would be most efficient,
• that it fits the traffic pattern and the population pattern,
• that the $67,000 an acre price would never be lower,
• that the Gilger property owners would not agree to another extension and
• that the property was perfectly sited to take advantage of a future Ridgefield Metra station maybe 20 years away.

In other words, the college could not do better than buying and expanding on the Gilger property.

Trustees Donna Kurtz and Frances Glosson seemed ready to accept Goss’ modification of the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous recommendation.

Carol Larson, who sides with Lowe and Walters on most matters, was willing to compromise and accept the Goss language, if that was necessary to gain zoning approval.

After an impassioned discussion in the back room, which was open to the public with reporters from four publications attending, Kurtz proposed a compromise motion which would have Packard tell the council they the board wanted the original planning and zoning language, with the unmentioned agreement to agree to the Goss fall back position, if that vote failed.

I missed some of the subsequent council discussion, but the original recommendation was approved 5-2.

One of the dissenters, Ralph Dawson, said it was not because of the specifics of the college proposal, but because of the precedent it set.

How please was Lowe at getting his way?

Take a look at his smile.

The MCC Board then went back in the side room and voted unanimously( 5-0) to purchase the 57-acre Gilger property for $67,000 per acre or about $3.8 million.

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog started a little dance about which all of us are familiar.

It’s the one step forward, two steps back.

It’s an attempt to make the public think there is progress.

This was a transparency dance.

I was reminded of the dress with wings that Queen Elizabeth wore in the recent motion picture about her. My son thought she looked like an angel.

A public body will do something good, then, as in the case of McHenry County College, immediately take action in the opposite direction.

Today we continue with our story with the first step backwards.

Later in last Thursday’s meeting, Trustee Scott Summers pressed for a decision to be made on appealing denials to the whole board at Thursday’s meeting.

Sometime after the discussion following my handing over my FOI denial appeal, the board decided to take a vote on his idea for an “informal appeals mechanism” from presidential FOI denials.

“We sometimes run them by our attorneys,” Trustee Carol Larson pointed out.

“We always run them by them,” Walt Packard corrected.

“We are the policy people,” Summers interjected.

“I think it’s incumbent for us…to permit the public to have…a safety valve.”

“They are acting in accordance with the law,” Barbara Walters stated.

“You’re not allowing the president to run the college.”

And then came this affirmation:

There may even have been an exclamation mark.

Needless to say, Walters announced she was “not in favor of any changes.”

Following Walters’ lead was board member Mary Miller:

“My comment would be it isn’t necessary.”

Frances Glosson disagreed:

“I think it enhances our transparency.”

“We don’t take any responsibility for the community,” Donna Kurtz observed, supporting Summer’s move.

That and more that Kurtz said prompted Walters to weigh in again:

”With regard to openness…(this board) has been very open in our executive session meetings.”

She intimated that documents circulated in such meetings had been revealed to outsiders.

I would note that there would be nothing illegal in doing so, as the Crystal Lake Park Board’s attorneys agreed during the suit by censured board member Leona Nelson several years ago.

“We have a real problem with ethics with some members of this board,” Walters continued. “Here, take a look at this…you might want to file a Freedom of Information request on this.”

At some point Lowe weighed in with the opposition.

The motion failed with only Summers, Kurtz and Glosson voting in favor. Walters, Lowe, Larsen, Miller and student trustee Katie Claypool voted to continue President Packard’s carte blanch power to deny Freedom of Information requests.

Tomorrow: “MCC – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – Part 3″

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog started a little dance about which all of us are familiar.

It’s the one step forward, two steps back.

It’s an attempt to make the public think there is progress.

This was a transparency dance.

I was reminded of the dress with wings that Queen Elizabeth wore in the recent motion picture about her. My son thought she looked like an angel.

A public body will do something good, then, as in the case of McHenry County College, immediately take action in the opposite direction.

Today we continue with our story with the first step backwards.

Later in last Thursday’s meeting, Trustee Scott Summers pressed for a decision to be made on appealing denials to the whole board at Thursday’s meeting.

Sometime after the discussion following my handing over my FOI denial appeal, the board decided to take a vote on his idea for an “informal appeals mechanism” from presidential FOI denials.

“We sometimes run them by our attorneys,” Trustee Carol Larson pointed out.

“We always run them by them,” Walt Packard corrected.

“We are the policy people,” Summers interjected.

“I think it’s incumbent for us…to permit the public to have…a safety valve.”

“They are acting in accordance with the law,” Barbara Walters stated.

“You’re not allowing the president to run the college.”

And then came this affirmation:

There may even have been an exclamation mark.

Needless to say, Walters announced she was “not in favor of any changes.”

Following Walters’ lead was board member Mary Miller:

“My comment would be it isn’t necessary.”

Frances Glosson disagreed:

“I think it enhances our transparency.”

“We don’t take any responsibility for the community,” Donna Kurtz observed, supporting Summer’s move.

That and more that Kurtz said prompted Walters to weigh in again:

”With regard to openness…(this board) has been very open in our executive session meetings.”

She intimated that documents circulated in such meetings had been revealed to outsiders.

I would note that there would be nothing illegal in doing so, as the Crystal Lake Park Board’s attorneys agreed during the suit by censured board member Leona Nelson several years ago.

“We have a real problem with ethics with some members of this board,” Walters continued. “Here, take a look at this…you might want to file a Freedom of Information request on this.”

At some point Lowe weighed in with the opposition.

The motion failed with only Summers, Kurtz and Glosson voting in favor. Walters, Lowe, Larsen, Miller and student trustee Katie Claypool voted to continue President Packard’s carte blanch power to deny Freedom of Information requests.

Tomorrow: “MCC – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – Part 3″

Thursday I wrote my praise of McHenry County College’s posting of the items in its board packet and the second Economics Research Associates’ rather feeble attempt to justify a baseball stadium.

It was a long overdue move toward transparency.

But, then, during that very night’s meeting the board majority—

George Lowe, Barbara alters, Carol Larsen and Mary Miller and student trustee Katie Claypool—

turned thumbs down on a proposal by Trustee Scott Summers to allow those with Freedom of Information requests rejected by the Freedom of Information officer,(which really means MCC President Walt Packard) and, then (again) on appeal to President Packard, to appeal to the college board before going to court.

During public comment time at Monday’s meeting, I praised the administration for posting the board packets so soon after a board consensus was reached on Monday. I also filed my first appeal of a Freedom of Information request denial.

When Mark Maguire, real estate agent Cindi McDonald and attorney Mark Saladin appeared before the college board in secret session, it was pretty obvious that something serious was being discussed.

A document was passed around, pictures of which were posted on McHenry County Blog.

When I got my denial, I wrote of how lacking in credibility it was.

After presenting my appeal to the board, Trustee Scott Summers revealed he had read the article in the above link and observed,

“There were materials and had we redacted them (we could have provided it to Mr. Skinner). I will pass them around.”

“Has that been completely redacted?” interjected Attorney Sandi Kerrick.

“This is about waiver of what we considered (confidential). We should have accurately reported that we had documents.”

Board member Barbara Walters looked at the mainly black lines on the paper and said that she could read the letters through the blacked out portions.

“When we’re in underlying negotiations, the document (is confidential),” Kerrick continued. “There is at least one confidential document. I think we should not (release it). They came here only under (its being) confidential…We can acknowledge there is at least one document.”

“The denial said there were no documents,” Summers pointed out.

“It is my understanding that the documents were collected and returned,” controller of MCC document releases Packard said.

”It was my understanding that we could keep the biography,” Summers replied.

“I have no documents in my possession,” Packard added. “(There are none) in the president’s office. I don’t believe the president’s office has these documents.”

As the one who made the request, I would point out that the location of any records concerning John Maguire, Cindi McDonald or Mark Saladin is irrelevant. A Freedom of Information request calls for a search of all records at the junior college, making Packard’s limited statement that had no documents in his office of marginal importance.

In tomorrow’s “MCC – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – Part 2″ the junior college board has an opportunity to build upon the expansion of transparency by allowing the board to overrule the president’s Freedom of Information denials, but can’t bring themselves to take that teeny, tiny step forward in limiting President Packard’s power.

= = = = =
In the top picture, McHenry County College Trustee Scott Summers speaks about how the college does possess at least one document requested in my Freedom of Information request about Cindi McDonald, John Maguire and Mark Saladin’s secret presentation to a previous board meeting. Trustee Barbara Walters can be seen in front of the American Flag used in the subsequent secret meeting with Maguire, et al, to block my view of McGuire’s power point presentation. Attorney Sandy Kerrick’s head is in the foreground. Saladin can be seen making his presentation at a previous secret meeting. John Maguire and Cindi McDonald sit beside him. The redacted biography of John Maguire can be seen and enlarged by clicking on it, as can all the pictures. Attorney Sandy Kerrick is seen to the left of the document. MCC President Walt Packard is in the next photograph.

Thursday I wrote my praise of McHenry County College’s posting of the items in its board packet and the second Economics Research Associates’ rather feeble attempt to justify a baseball stadium.

It was a long overdue move toward transparency.

But, then, during that very night’s meeting the board majority—

George Lowe, Barbara alters, Carol Larsen and Mary Miller and student trustee Katie Claypool—

turned thumbs down on a proposal by Trustee Scott Summers to allow those with Freedom of Information requests rejected by the Freedom of Information officer,(which really means MCC President Walt Packard) and, then (again) on appeal to President Packard, to appeal to the college board before going to court.

During public comment time at Monday’s meeting, I praised the administration for posting the board packets so soon after a board consensus was reached on Monday. I also filed my first appeal of a Freedom of Information request denial.

When Mark Maguire, real estate agent Cindi McDonald and attorney Mark Saladin appeared before the college board in secret session, it was pretty obvious that something serious was being discussed.

A document was passed around, pictures of which were posted on McHenry County Blog.

When I got my denial, I wrote of how lacking in credibility it was.

After presenting my appeal to the board, Trustee Scott Summers revealed he had read the article in the above link and observed,

“There were materials and had we redacted them (we could have provided it to Mr. Skinner). I will pass them around.”

“Has that been completely redacted?” interjected Attorney Sandi Kerrick.

“This is about waiver of what we considered (confidential). We should have accurately reported that we had documents.”

Board member Barbara Walters looked at the mainly black lines on the paper and said that she could read the letters through the blacked out portions.

“When we’re in underlying negotiations, the document (is confidential),” Kerrick continued. “There is at least one confidential document. I think we should not (release it). They came here only under (its being) confidential…We can acknowledge there is at least one document.”

“The denial said there were no documents,” Summers pointed out.

“It is my understanding that the documents were collected and returned,” controller of MCC document releases Packard said.

”It was my understanding that we could keep the biography,” Summers replied.

“I have no documents in my possession,” Packard added. “(There are none) in the president’s office. I don’t believe the president’s office has these documents.”

As the one who made the request, I would point out that the location of any records concerning John Maguire, Cindi McDonald or Mark Saladin is irrelevant. A Freedom of Information request calls for a search of all records at the junior college, making Packard’s limited statement that had no documents in his office of marginal importance.

In tomorrow’s “MCC – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – Part 2″ the junior college board has an opportunity to build upon the expansion of transparency by allowing the board to overrule the president’s Freedom of Information denials, but can’t bring themselves to take that teeny, tiny step forward in limiting President Packard’s power.

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In the top picture, McHenry County College Trustee Scott Summers speaks about how the college does possess at least one document requested in my Freedom of Information request about Cindi McDonald, John Maguire and Mark Saladin’s secret presentation to a previous board meeting. Trustee Barbara Walters can be seen in front of the American Flag used in the subsequent secret meeting with Maguire, et al, to block my view of McGuire’s power point presentation. Attorney Sandy Kerrick’s head is in the foreground. Saladin can be seen making his presentation at a previous secret meeting. John Maguire and Cindi McDonald sit beside him. The redacted biography of John Maguire can be seen and enlarged by clicking on it, as can all the pictures. Attorney Sandy Kerrick is seen to the left of the document. MCC President Walt Packard is in the next photograph.