McHenry County Blog

Below is the report upon which the old McHenry County College Board voted for 5-2.

Well, it’s not quite what the Board voted on.

The Board did not set President Vicky Smith’s compensation.

Read the report carefully.

Voting in favor were the two longest serving Board members who lost the election–Barbara Walters and Carol Larson. They were joined by holdovers Mary Miller, Linda Liddell and Cynthia Kisser.

Voting against extending MCC President Vicky Smith’s contract through the middle of 2015 were Ron Parrish and Dennis Adams. It was almost Adams’ last vote since he retired from the Board.

Do you see the problem?

Read the recommendation:

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approves extending Dr. Smith’s contract through June 30, 2015 and to set compensation as discussed in Closed Session.

Do you note that the report does not tell the public the salary and benefits?

I surely did and was ready to file complaints with both the McHenry County State’s Attorney and the Illinois Attorney General about the seeming violation of the Open Meetings Act had the Board approved the report as presented in the Board Packet.

But the old members didn’t do that.

After the closed session, undoubtedly upon the advice of their attorneys, the Board considered a motion which excluded compensation

So, the outgoing Board got half of what it wanted.

Smith’s contract has been extended another twelve months after June 30. 2014, but her salary has not been set.

That will be up to the carryover Board members and those newly-elected and now sworn in:

• Molly Walsh
• Chris Jenner
• Tom Welbeck

A new Student Trustee named Michele Lambert was previously sworn in.

There was public comment from 6:30 to 7:45.  Again there was not enough room for the taxpaying public.  Overflow folks were directed to the auditorium way across campus.

But, there were almost a row and half out of the three rows of chairs reserved for MCC employees who certainly could have sat in chairs outside until their turn in the program came.

The commenters were divided into three parts:

• Those supporting an extension of Smith’s contract
• Those opposed to an extension of Smith’s contract
• Those supporting the theater program whose 80-seat Black Box Theater seems destined to become the location of a greatly expanded robotics program

I’d love to give you a blow-by-blow account of the comments, but the new Board didn’t adjourn until 12:10 Friday.

Suffice is to say that both Chris Jenner and Molly Walsh asked the old Board not to extend Smith’s contract.

Jenner pointed out that there were nearing three months for the holdover Board members to explain to the new Trustees why Smith deserved to have her contract extended.

“I don’t believe any of us have passed judgment on Dr. Smith.”

“I really feel strongly that the incoming Board should be making the decision on terms and working conditions,” Walsh added as the last one to provide public comment.

“An action tonight is really disregarding the new Board members.

“Lets work together.”

Their pleas were ignored.

Very shortly after the old Board took its last gasp by voting for Smith’s contract extension, the new Board was sworn in.  That was at 10:45 Thursday night.

Then, the tables were turned.

Jenner nominated Ron Parrish to be the new Board President.  Wilbeck provided the second.

Liddell nominated Kisser.  I believe Miller seconded that nomination.

Three to three.

The deciding vote seemed to belong to newcomer Walsh.

A secret ballot was taken and the vote came out 4-3 in favor of Parrish, who had been very much the minority member on the old Board.

For Vice Chair, it was Wilbeck vs. Liddell.

3-3 with, I presume, Walsh breaking the tie in favor of Liddell.

Wilbeck nominated Jenner for Secretary and no one else wanted the job so he got it.

With someone who takes as many notes as I, it is essential to attend a Business Expo once in a while.

The quality of the giveaway pens is usually pretty good.

I went looking for politicians again at Crystal Lake’s South High School this afternoon after the rush.

The only candidate I found was a GOP candidate for McHenry County Sheriff named Bill Prim.

He is running against Sheriff Keith Nygren favorite Andy Zinke and Jim Harrison.

He was right near the entrance across from the governmental booth of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi (more about his booth later).

I kept walking and finally found another booth with political implications.  It was the Pro-Life booth.

Right at the end of the long hall to the exit, I found State Rep. Barbara Wheeler and State Senator Karen McConnaughay’s Legislative Assistant Jennifer Baustian.

They were standing at under a sign with State Rep. Mike Tryon’s and State Senator Pam Althoff’s name.

That was it, unless you want to include McHenry County College Board member Dennis Adams, who was promoting his collusion repair business.

But, if you think anything paid for with tax dollars is political, there were booths that fit that criterion.

I mentioned the State’s Attorney’s booth, presumably financed by county tax dollar.

The Crystal Lake Public Library, celebrating its centennial, had a booth staffed with ladies in period dresses.

Next in that category was McHenry County College.

I have heard those who staffed the MCC booth in years past discussing costs and opportunities with parents and high schoolers.

A big comfy chair that reminded me of a Public Television show my son used to watch sometimes was part of the Crystal Lake Park District’s presence at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.

I ask who got up in the chair and was offered the opportunity…which I declined.

The next governmental entry was the City of Crystal Lake.

I thought I might find some elected officials there, but I didn’t.  I was told that the Council held a budget hearing Saturday morning.

Right next to the legislative entry was one from the McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Office.

Along the way, I noted a couple of other things.

Along the way, I saw a guy having fun.

And, I ran into Phyllis Mueller, founder of Home of the Sparrow, now retired from being Presbyterian minister in Marengo.

She’s now working with the diaper group.

I also ran into Robin Pendergast, who has joined with other talented photographers to create Shuttergice,com.  A portion of the price of any photo, starting at $12 will go to the charity of the photographer’s choice.  Pendergast’s is Turning Point.

You can see the front page of the web site below:

The question of whether it is a conflict of interest for Power Wellness to be paid $50,000 to determine if a health club should be built at McHenry County College which Power Wellness might end up operating surfaced at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

The impetus was a call from an unnamed Chicago Tribune reporter to Ron Parrish, the Board’s designated representative on a committee considering that idea, as well as two other related ones:

1. Health education
2. Clinical services center

Concerning how to finance the project, Parrish said, “Frankly, Vicki and I are on opposite ends of how we’re going to do it.”

Parrish did not enunciate his financing preference.

Parrish praised the two Northwest Herald articles the Sunday and Monday before last.

He called the “report well balanced.”

Most of the information seems to have come from MCC President Vicki Smith, MCC Board President Mary Miller and Parish’s having visited the Northwest Herald at its offices.

A discussion followed about whether there was a conflict of interest existed in the hiring of Power Wellness to do a feasibility study.

“Are you comfortable with that?” Parrish asked.

“I’ve only found good reports about Power Wellness[but] they might be soliciting proposals which they might be [competing] against.

Cynthia Kisser asked if there were other potential partners which were as good.

“[If so,] at that pint we’d have to have some other resource to help us evaluate [the proposals].

“I think that’s a bridge we’ll have to cross.

“We’re not in a conflict yet. It’s more their conflict than ours.”

“Right now we haven’t hired a partner,” President Miller observed. “For now I don’t see any conflict.”

“I’m prepared to step forward and stop it,” Parrish said.

At that point there was a chorus of “Oh no’s.”

Chairing the Committee of the Whole meeting was Dennis Adams who observed, “Right now we’re all nodding up and down.”

Summing up the attitude of most members, Carol Larson said, “I don’t know [that] the board has a concern right now. I don’t think anyone’s having a problem.

And to Parrish, “I know you do.”

“I do,” Parrish affirmed.

He then talked about a letter from “a concerned citizen.”

“I’ve only seen negative comments.”

“Are the letters you get signed?” Larson asked.

Yes,” replied Parrish.

“I get comments [that are] positive, but I don’t have it in writing,” the Alden Township resident observed.

Addressing one complaint was Kisser.

“We are not seeking to become a four-year institution,” she said referring to “a well written letter.”

Then Parrish moved into the question of public perception.

“I believe public perception is just as important as reality.”

“What are we doing to correct the record?” Adams asked, referring to what I think was a letter to the NWH which contained what he characterized as “misinformation.”

“It’s in print,” he stated, perhaps inadvertently showing the power of letters to the editor read by “everybody in this county.”

He referred to a “public relations lie, wrong data, wrong class utilization data. What do we do about that?”

“Maybe Dr. Smith could address those in her column,” Miller suggested.

“Building a fitness center is so far from the truth. That’s not the truth and it not [just] a fitness center,” pointing out that it would be used to train people for jobs.

And of the three additions being considered, Kisser said, “The fitne4ss center may not be there.”

Parrish observed that it was being explored because “there’s a funding mechanism.”

“It’s not like we’re going to be competing with HealthBridge,” Miller said.

Kisser mentioned physical therapy as a use for the fitness center.

In answer to the question of what the college was going to do to counter the bad publicity, Smith told the Trustees, “We do have a communications plan.”

She said, “They have FOIed [filed Freedom of Information request) and drawn their own conclusions [which] don’t have much relationship to what the data says.”

The 2012 Labor Report was referenced which shows health careers going up through 2015.

“What can we use besides the newspaper?” someone asked.

Parrish said, “Pushing forward a $42 million building–that, as I see it, is not on the table.

“We are looking to justify that.”

The new Vice President of Institutional Advancement Laura Brown gave some areas where she and her staff were “looking at what else we can do creatively.”

The internet was specifically referenced.

Dateline April 17, 2012. Finance and Negotiations Committee, McHenry County College.

Trustees Dennis Adams, Ron Parrish, Carol Larson present, Barbara Walters absent.

President Vicky Smith and Chief Financial Officer Larry West.

The minutes tell of West explaining that “the College went out for a levy representing a 9.9% increase, but the actual levy, once figured by the County, came out to a modest levy increase of 1.97%.”

Of course, it was the Real Estate Tax Cap that saved McHenry County Taxpayers from the 10% tax hike approved by the College Board.

The Board Taxed to the Max, as most other governmental entities in McHenry County did.

A press release from McHenry County College:

MCC BOARD WELCOMES NEW TRUSTEES

[May 2, 2011.Crystal Lake, IL] The McHenry County College Board of Trustees welcomed newly-elected trustees Cynthia Kisser of Wonder Lake, Linda Liddell of Crystal Lake and Dennis Adams of McHenry, as well as student trustee Taylor Irish Morrobel of Crystal Lake, at their monthly board meeting on April 27.

Ms. Kisser and Ms. Liddell both were elected to six-year terms. Mr. Adams, who was appointed to the board in November 2010, was elected to a two-year term. Mr. Morrobel was elected by student peers to a one-year term.

“McHenry County College impacts the lives of thousands of people daily, whether these people are students, faculty, staff, or members of the public who support and benefit from its services,” Kisser stated. “It is an honor to serve as trustee and to help MCC stay true to its mission.”

According to Liddell, “We are entering a time when community colleges will play a bigger role across the country. Enrollments are up nationwide, and MCC has an excellent staff and the right resources in place to move forward and support community and workforce needs. I am excited to be part of the College’s growth and look forward to helping MCC meet new heights and demands over the coming years,” Liddell said.

Board Chair, Mary Miller, installed all trustees and shared her perspective. “I am very pleased to welcome Linda Liddell and Cynthia Kisser to the McHenry County College Board of Trustees. Both bring a wealth of experience to the office, and I look forward to working with them to move the College forward.” Miller added, “I am also happy that Dennis Adams will continue on the Board. I know that his business skills will be a valuable asset in his new capacity as vice chair of the Board.”

Trustee Adams has a strong interest in the future success of the College. “As a parent of two students who attend MCC, I am very happy to be able to volunteer my time to the institution,” he said.

“The Board is also excited to welcome Taylor Irish Morrobel as our student trustee, and I feel confident that he will represent the student body well in our discussions,” Chair Miller concluded.

Student Trustee Morrobel said that “having the opportunity to serve as the MCC student trustee is a great privilege. Everyone on the Board was very welcoming, and I look forward to working with them. I will try my best to serve the students of MCC well and am excited to be their voice.”

The Board also elected officers at the April meeting; Mary Miller was re-elected as chair, Dennis Adams was elected as vice chair, and Barbara Walters was elected as secretary.

For a schedule of upcoming MCC Board meetings, visit www.mchenry.edu/board; all meetings are open to the public. If you have questions or feedback for the MCC Board of Trustees, please email mcctrustees@mchenry.edu.

I’ve been harping for years about how women have an advantage at the ballot box.

The election results from the most recent McHenry County College Board election add some evidence.

Now readers with retentive memories will also remember than being first on a long ballot is worth about an extra 10% at the ballot box. Second and last place are worth an extra 5%.

So one could argue that being first on the ballot helpd Linda Liddell come in first.

And, maybe you can see an extra 5% for incumbent George Lowe, who was last on the ballot.

But, you can’t see it for the second incumbent, an appointed one, Robert DeWitt, who didn’t equal Lowe in votes.

Of course, Low put up signs and DeWitt did not.  And Lowe has won election many times.

But, how to explain Cynthia Kisser’s victory with her ballot position right in the middle of all the candidates’ names?

She was endorsed by the Northwest Herald.

But so was Robert Jackson and Gordon Tebo.  Jackson came in next to last. Tebo was fifth out of eight.

But she is also a woman.

I would welcome your analysis in the comment section.

= = = = =
In an earlier article, I noted Dennis Adams’ commanding lead for the two-year slot, but let me show you the final results here:

I’ve often wondered why candidates don’t finance their campaign pieces with ads from local businesses.

After all, businesses don’t need a large segment of the market to be successful and linking oneself to even a candidate who loses would win good will among his or her supporters.

But, most business people aren’t even willing to put up a posted in their front window (a real change from 1966 when I ran for County Treasurer).

Now comes a letter from Adams Collision Center on Pyott Road in Lake in the Hills.

It’s from Dennis Adams, one of the two people appointed to fill a vacancy on the McHenry County College Board.

He writes me as a Republican Precinct Committeeman, having served in the same post for twenty years.

“The homeowners cannot solely should the financial burden,” he writes, noting the decline in state and federal funding for community colleges.

“As owner of Adams Collusion Center Lake in the Hills and Harvard, I bring a professional business philosophy to the board, when will enable a good balance between the needs of the college, and the taxpayers, while providing an excellent education for the students.”

The letter is on his business stationery.

And, here’s what I find exciting: He has an ad for Adams Collision Center on both sides of his handout.

That’s a savvy businessman.

McHenry County College has sent out the following press release about its Board having selected Dennis Adams to fill the vacancy created when Donna Kurtz resigned after being elected to the McHenry County Board.

Adams has long been active in the Republican Party and the former McHenry Alderman once ran for Mayor of McHenry.

MCC Trustees Select New Board Member

At a special Board meeting on November 15, 2010, the McHenry County College Board of Trustees voted to appoint Dennis Adams to fill the position vacated by Donna Kurtz, who resigned earlier in the month after being elected to serve on the McHenry County Board.

As a lifetime resident of McHenry County, a local business owner, former McHenry Alderman, and having been involved for many years in a number of civic organizations, including Crystal Lake, Harvard and Huntley Chambers of Commerce, McHenry Police Commission, and the Zoning Board, Adams will bring a unique perspective to the group as he works closely with other trustees to help move the College forward.

“I’m really looking forward to serving on this Board,” Adams stated. “My interest in this position wasn’t due to any one factor. But I have two children approaching college age, and college selection is a hot topic in our household right now. I think I have a good sense of how this age group makes decisions,” he said.

Adams currently owns Adams Collision Center, with locations in Lake in the Hills and Harvard.

As a small business owner, he has personally taken advantage of MCC’s many corporate training and development opportunities, as well as sent his employees through a variety of the College’s training programs.

“I have been a student at MCC and have experienced the great education that the College provides,” Adams said.

“But I can also see the College’s value from a taxpayer perspective, which provides a good balance when looking at the issues.”After Adams’ appointment, MCC Board of Trustees chairperson, Mary Miller, stated,

“On behalf of the Board, we are very excited that Trustee Adams will be working with us. He is genuinely proud of MCC’s quality programs and the value the College provides in these challenging economic times, especially through our professional training opportunities. His input will be very beneficial as we continue to set the vision for the College,” Miller added.

Adams earned his Baccalaureate Degree (B.A.) in political science and economics from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. He lives in McHenry with his wife and two sons, and enjoys playing golf and riding motorcycles.

He will take his formal oath on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the regular Board Meeting, and he plans to run in the April 2011 election to keep his position as MCC trustee.