McHenry County Blog

Poster from one of the many supporters of the Raue Center grant.

I’m sitting in Crystal Lake City Council Chambers waiting for the passage of the resolution asking McHenry County government to recognize the importance of the city watershed protection ordinance and what should occupy the minds of most in the audience, but distribution of proceeds from the Hotel/Motel Tax.

Mayor Aaron Shepley had a staffer put up a spreadsheet on the overhead projector. It contained last year’s allocations and a row for this year.

$302,000 in the till, it appeared.

Final Crystal Lake Hotel/Motel Tax Distribution (click to enlarge)

Then he started filling in numbers.

• $15,000 for the Independence Day fireworks which the Crystal Lake Gala used to finance after the Crystal Lake Jaycees stopped sponsoring them when a youth found an unexploded one and severely injured his hand. (The Jaycees collected donations at Veterans Acres in bags.)
• $2,000 to the Crystal Lake Babe Ruth League
• $10,000 to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce for the 4th of July Parade.
• $6,000 for the Chamber’s Shopping and Dining Guide.
• $35,000 for Historic Downtown Crystal Lake
• $3,600 for the Music Center
• $50,000 for Youth Sports (the baseball tournament)
• $150,000 for the Raue Center for the Performing Arts
• Volleyball – zero
• McHenry County Convention Bureau – zero at Shepley’s guidance, suggesting the money could be found elsewhere in the city budget
• $25,000 for Lakeside Center with Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller pointing out whatever was allocated was in addition to $8,000 in donated police services
• $2,500 for the Crystal Lake Rowing Club

The total awarded was $299,100.

Audience files out of the council chambers after the cutting up of the Hotel/Motel Tax pie. Most were supporters of the Raue Center's application.

Having received $150,000 the Raue Center supports left satisfied, even though they didn’t get the $44,000 they sought for repairs to the old movie theater.

The money collected from the Hotel/Motel Tax could be spent for any purpose.

Last week, parents and personnel at West Grade School in Crystal Lake had a scare when a guy tried to talk a nine-year old girl into getting into his car.

Yesterday after school, a similar event occurred.

At 11:24 this District 47 parent got another call from Lori Parrish, the school district’s Director of Communications.

The “important message,” also translated into Spanish, follows:

“On Tuesday, February 16th, 2010, at approximately 3:50 a student of Coventry Elementary School was approached in the area of Birkshire Drive near Coventry Lane, Crystal Lake, by two unidentified male subjects driving what was described as a black 2-door older model vehicle with a boxy back and a partial license plate of 646.

“The subjects within the vehicle attempted to engage the child in a conversation; however, the child ran away, notified a parent and was not pursued by the suspicious vehicle.

“Children are reminded not to approach individuals they do not know and report suspicious activity to their parents, school faculty and/or police.

“This matter remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

“Thank you.”

Posted at 11:56 AM.

The resolution that Councilwoman Carolyn Schofield initiated at the election night meeting two weeks ago was passed unanimously Tuesday night.

The most startling information that I discovered listening to the discussion on the matter was Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller’s revelation that county staffers did not realize that the watershed of Crystal Lake extends beyond the city boundaries.

Mayor Aaron Shepley verbalized that opponents of the watershed ordinance’s requirements “may disagree with the parameters of the boundaries of the watershed” being based on the drilling of “four wells.”

City Director of Public Works commented Eric Lecuyer said, ”I think the boundaries are clear with regard to the watershed.”

The rumor during the primary campaign for sheriff was the Keith Nygren would win another term, but not serve it.

His replacement would be Under Sheriff Gene Lowery.

After the primary, the rumors started circulating that Lowery would be named Deputy Chief of the Crystal Lake Police Department.

And, that’s what happened.

At tonight’s city council meeting, Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley followed up on the press release below by saying,

“After a very (extensive) search to replace retired Deputy Police Chief Dennis Harris, we’re happy to announce that Gene Lowery from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department has been selected as Deputy Chief.

“I know Mr. Lowery personally and, frankly, I couldn’t be any happier. I can’t wait for him to start.”

Chief Dave Linder has maximized his pension benefits, but told me he has no plans to retire.

Below is the city’s press release:

New Deputy Police Chief Appointed

Crystal Lake – The Crystal Lake Police Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Eugene E. Lowery to the position of Deputy Police Chief.  Mr. Lowery will fill the position left vacant by Deputy Chief Dennis Harris, who retired on January 29th after 27 years with the Crystal Lake Police Department.

Having served as the Undersheriff of McHenry County since 2003, Mr. Lowery joins the department with a wealth of knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the public safety needs of the McHenry County and Crystal Lake area.

With a strong educational background that includes a Masters degree in Law Enforcement Administration and extensive experience as a law enforcement executive, Deputy Chief Lowery will join the Department on March 29th, 2010.

Chief David R. Linder is pleased to welcome Deputy Chief Lowery to Crystal Lake and he looks forward to the many contributions that he will make to our organization.

Carolyn Schofield

At election night’s Crystal Lake City Council meeting, City Councilwoman Carolyn Schofield, elected last year, took the lead in getting a resolution on the agenda at tomorrow night’s meeting asking for recognition of the city’s Watershed Ordinance by county government.

You may remember that both Ellen Brady Mueller and Donna Kurtz made something of that issue during their campaigns for a District 2 slot on the fall county board ballot.

From a resident of the watershed’s perspective, it is so, so difficult to understand that the McHenry County Board has thus far not figured out how important protection of our lake’s watershed is to local residents.

You would think they might have figured that out when a citizen uprising killed the minor league baseball stadium at McHenry County College.

After all, half (that’s right, half) of the entire county board represents parts of Crystal Lake. With all residents of the Crystal Lake Park District having access to the lake, how can one explain why the board has not taken action already.

Ellen Brady Mueller

Donna Kurtz

My prediction is the resolution will pass without dissent Tuesday.

If that doesn’t convince the county board to follow the not-as-strict-as-it-could-be watershed protection ordinance, the next step, it would seem to me would be to invite those twelve county board members to a meeting of the city council.

Who are they?

District 2

• McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler (R)
• McHenry County Board Vice Chairman Jim Heisler (R)
• Lyn Orphal (Lost the primary to Donna Kurtz) Both R’s.
• Former Lakewood Village President and Crystal Lake Park Board President Scott Breeden (R)

Crystal Lake Avenue is the dividing line between District 2 and District 3.

District 3

• Barbara Wheeler (R)
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt (D)
• Ed Dvorak (retiring) (R)
• Mary Donner (R)

District 5

• Tina Hill (R)
• Virginia Peschke (R)
• Jim Kennedy (D)
• Paula Yensen (D)

District 5 comes into the Crystal Lake area from the Northwest (Ridgefield) and the Southeast.

So, what’s the resolution ask for?

“That the Mayor and City Council request the Regional Planning Commission include the Crystal Lake watershed and its regulations in the list of watersheds that exist within McHenry County in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan document.”

The resolution points out that the lake’s watershed is 6.39 square miles of which 3.69 square miles are within the City of Crystal Lake.

West Elementary School, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Parents of District 47 children are receiving phone calls about an attempted abduction of a 9-year old girl at the corner of Briarwood and North Avenue on the west end of Crystal Lake.

The girl was walking to school when a 20-40 year old male with tan skin and dark brown hair asked her if she wanted a ride to school.

She said, “No,” and ran down the street several blocks to West Elementary School.

The intersection of Briarwood and North Avenue long after the 13 police officers, mainly Sheriff's Deputies, had left.

The man, driving a tan 4-door sedan, was described as wearing as clean shaven and wearing not glasses or jewelry.

The abduction attempt occurred between 8:35 and 8:47 AM.

Lori Parrish, the Crystal Lake Grade School Communications Director, made the phone call. She asked that parents discuss with their children the problem of “stranger danger.”

No wonder so many parents insist on driving their children to and from school.

= = = = =
Apparently, the crime took place outside of Crystal Lake’s city limits, because the Crystal Lake Police Department is reporting that the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department has primary jurisdiction.

When I took the photos I measured the distance from North Avenue to the school.  It was two-tenths of a mile.

Crystal Lake City Councilman Jeff Thorsen

Following in the footsteps of Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Carolyn Schofield is her colleague Jeff Thorsen.

He has filed the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water’s ethics form.

You can find it here.

As with Schofield, Thorsen was elected last year.

I wonder if this signifies that something similar to the ALAW ordinance might be considered by the city council. A motion and a second could put the issue on the floor.

Thorsen has emphasized his support of a strong Crystal Lake Watershed Ordinance, voted against allowing McHenry County College to build a minor league baseball stadium and opposed Mayor Aaron Shepley’s 75% city sales tax hike.

Just to keep you up to date on Crystal Lake High School District’s public response to the wrestling team hazing reported this morning, here is the latest statement.

STATEMENT REGARDING ALLEGED HAZING AND INTIMIDATION AT PRAIRIE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

School and Crystal Lake Police Department Investigations Continues

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill., February 4, 2010 — Prairie Ridge High School administration recently received an anonymous tip regarding allegations of hazing and intimidation by members of the wrestling team.

To protect student safety, administration and coaches took direct action to ensure that any such conduct immediately ceased and also ensured that those affected had access to appropriate support mechanisms.

The school administration began a thorough investigation of these allegations which is still continuing.

The Crystal Lake Police Department is conducting an independent investigation and the school district is fully cooperating in the inquiry.

District 155 is committed to the safety of all of our students, whether in the classroom or in any extracurricular activity. The district has and will take proper disciplinary and other corrective action as appropriate to the facts and as provided for in Board of Education Policy and procedure.

As a matter of both federal and state law, and recognizing the privacy rights of all involved, the district cannot and will not comment on individual student disciplinary matters. The district can state, however, that intimidation and hazing are not tolerated. This situation has provided an opportunity to review our policies and practices in a manner that assures our students are able to participate in athletics in a climate that is positive and safe. We are committed absolutely to providing the students of this school district with a learning environment free from intimidation or hazing whether during the regular school day or at any extracurricular activity.

About Community High School District 155:
Community High School District 155 is comprised of four high schools including Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, and Prairie Ridge, and an alternative education center, Haber Oaks. The district serves more than 7,000 students from several cities including Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, and Prairie Grove. Nearly 90% of its class of 2009 continued their education beyond high school. For each of the past six years, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has recognized District 155 with its highest financial rating.

District 155’s Mission:
For each student, we will inspire a love for learning, empower the pursuit of personal aspirations, and nurture a desire to contribute to the world.

For more information: www.d155.org

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Also of possible interest, the Crystal Lake Police Department’s press release on its investigation.

Somehow WMAQ-TV broke the story of a wresting hazing investigation at Crystal Lake's Prairie Ridge High School on Wednesday and updated it with precious new information on Thursday night at its ten o'clock broadcast.

Dated today, the following letter has been posted on the District 155 web site about the WMAQ-TV’s Ten O’Clock hazing story:

February 4, 2010

Dear Prairie Ridge Community:

We would like to share information pertaining to recent events surrounding the Prairie Ridge High School wrestling team and subsequent actions taken on behalf of our students.

On Thursday, our principal Mr. Paul Humpa, became aware of alleged incidents of hazing and intimidation occurring within the wrestling program. Both actions, of course, are prohibited by board policy (Board of Education Policy No. 4375 and 4380; visit www.d155.org/boardpolicies.htm to view the policy).

Accordingly, Mr. Humpa and his team immediately took steps to ensure that these activities were not continuing, and began a thorough investigation.

Since potential criminal acts were involved, the Crystal Lake Police Department joined our investigation. Both school and police investigations are currently ongoing.

No arrests have been made at this time.

The district’s administration will take appropriate disciplinary action against students who violated either the intimidation or hazing policy or any other district policies governing student conduct.

Under the guidelines mandated by the Illinois Student Records Act, we will treat all matters concerning student discipline privately. All students and parents have the right to have their child’s privacy protected.

Please be assured that our administration and the Crystal Lake Police Department are fully investigating every aspect of our students’ well-being and safety. Again, be assured that our actions and decisions will be based on facts resulting from this investigation.

While the disposition of any pending disciplinary matter must and shall remain confidential, please understand the administration’s position regarding hazing and intimidation. We will not tolerate behaviors that clearly violate our policy guidelines.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jill Hawk
Superintendent

Most local candidates think campaigning time is over the Sunday before the election.

It’s not over, of course, until the polls close at 7 PM.

Zane Seipler, candidate for McHenry County Sheriff, greets Lakewood's Jane Rule before she votes at the Crystal Lake Park District's Main Beach House. Next to Rule is Eileen Marhoeffer, a pillar in the Seipler campaign.

Today, standing out in front of my Crystal Lake Park District Main Beach polling place was McHenry County Sheriff’s candidate Zane Seipler.

With so few people voting, that may not have been a good use of his time, but at least those coming through the gate were pretty sure to be people on the way to vote.

Pre-school kids play soccer in Crystal Lake's Main Beach House where voters from the precinct north and south of the lake regularly voted until the park board banished them to a back room.

Of course, they could have been on the way to pre-school soccer in the room where I dearly wish the Park Board would allow the polling place to be located.

I just can’t understand how elected officials can think that a handful of kids playing soccer is more important than an election.

Where voters are forced to vote if they live north or south of Crystal Lake in Algonquin Township.

Above is the backroom into which voters must go. It does not show that the park board members value the democratic process, does it?

Algonquin Precinct 19 voters line up to cast their ballots in the cramped room where the Crystal Lake Park Board allows two polling places to operate.

While you see the room virtually empty, there were voters lined up at one point to cast their ballots in the cramped facility.

A snowy Meridian Street (Gate 12) on Election Day.

Turnout was low, which would be expected on a snowy day picked deliberately by the Chicago Democrats who set the date in order to keep voter turnout low so Establishment candidates (mainly incumbents) would have the best chance of winning.

Prairie Ridge High School student Taylor Humm is the election judge handling electronic voting. At 10:30 she had only processed five ballots. Four were Republican and one was for a Democrat.

Handling the electronic voting in Algonquin 7 was Prairie Ridge High School student Taylor Humm.

One final word.

Park District employees remove signs about 10 AM from the Main Beach parking lot.

For those candidates who noticed their signs are missing from the Main Beach, above you can see where they went.  Frankly, I do not understand why such signs are not allowed on election day.  I got so angry the first time my candidates’ signs were removed I went to court and got an injunction entered preventing the district’s employees from removing them.  The district does have an ordinance preventing such political signs.