McHenry County Blog

Kishwaukee Post 192 of the American Legion provided the Color Guard for the 2012 Marengo Settlers Day Parade.

I go to parades to see what candidates show up.  And which ones don’t.

Last year, for instance, before Congressman Joe Walsh decided not to run where he lived, but, instead, run in a newly-gerrymandered 8th District which contains none of McHenry County, Walsh worked the parade and his prospective primary opponent Randy Hutlgren did not.

Equipment came from the Marengo, Union and Huntley Fire Protection Districts, the Marengo Rescue Squad and the Northern Illinois Fire Museum, not to mention Tom McDermott’s Dixieland Band.

At Marengo’s Settlers Day Parade there were lots of fire engines and rescue vehicles, but not a lot of candidates.

One who would have been up front right after the fire engines was a no show.

That was Undersheriff Andy Zinke, one of three candidates for Sheriff in 2014, with his taxpayer-financed sign for the side of departmental vehicle.

Instead of having Undersheriff Andy Zinke stand in for Sheriff Keith Nygren, in the Marengo Settlers Day Parade, this female deputy drove a county vehicle.

Instead a female officer was riding in a community relations vehicle with Keith Nygren’s name on its side.  (There was also a motor cycle rider with

Then, Jack showed up.

Not Jack Franks…not yet anyway.

Captain Jack Sparrow made his second appearance at the Marengo Settlers Day Parade.

The first Jack and the one drawing most attention, it seemed to me, was Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean fame.  The impersonator is really good.

The Settlers Day Parade draws lots of bands for a band contest. The parade has more bands than any other in McHenry County.

The first Jack came right after the Marengo High School Band.

Jack Franks Cadillac convertible led his Marengo parade entry.

The contingent for the second, but hometown Jack came next led by the BAC JACK license plated Cadillac convertible Franks drives.

You can see the back of the pro-County Executive leaflet that Jack Franks supporters were distributing to the crowd at the parade.

Supporters were passing out candy, but what caught my attention was the sheets of paper other were distributing, not just to the folks standing or sitting in front of the crowd, but the more casual spectators back along the sidewalks.

Then, along came Jack.

Not the pirate, but the lawyer-politician.

State Rep. Jack Franks runs to catch up with supporters passing out candy.

Even after the trailing edge of the Franks entry passed, volunteers were offering the flyer to people at the edges of the crowd.

Jack Franks’ supporters gave the County Executive referendum “Vote Yes” literature to as many people as possible.

So, what did the Democrat’s campaign piece say?

Take a look below:

The front of the “Vote Yes” flyer says almost the same thing as the yard signs that popped up a week ago. Below the admonition of how to vote is the following: “County Executive = Lower Taxes.”

The message on the front of the flyer is the same as on the yard signs that popped up on highway shoulders and in yards of Jack Franks supporters last weekend.

The message and design on the red, white and blue yard sign are the same as on the black and white flyer for which Jack Franks claims credit. Anyone think he wasn’t behind the yard sign, no matter what its claim of authorship is?

But missing is the

Paid for by McHenry County Republicans for Lower Taxes

Guess that front group doesn’t exist or has gone into hiding.

On the back of Franks’  “Republican” yard sign replication is a pitch for support of the County Executive Franks gathered signatures for.

If passed, Franks argues…

Yes, the broadside admits that it is “Paid for by Supporters of Jack Franks,” the State Representative’s Political Action Committee…Anyway, he argues…

1. Lower property taxes with the government spending less
2. Direct accountability to the voters
3. A popularly elected County Executive
4. Read checks and balances
5. A more transparent government
6. An accountable County Board
7. STOPPING 21-straight years of increase property taxes especially at a time when housing values have dropped 40%

Pretty much everyone knows the saying, “Figures lie and liars figure.” Whether the phrase applies here or not, I don’t know. I do know that Will County has a whale of a lot more industry than McHenry County, which could help explain the differences shown by Franks.  Click to enlarge.

Franks next compares Will County taxes with those levied by the McHenry County Board.

He provides per capita taxes from 2005 through 2011, pointing out that Will county has had a popularly elected County Executive since 1989.

Following the Franks contingent was a dog dresses as a shark.

Following Jack Franks entry were dogs in costumes. One was dressed as a shark.

Whether having a pirate in front of Jack Franks and a shark-costumed dog behind has any significance, I don’t know.

Tully, the lost Maltese poddle was reunited with its owner on Drive-in Lane in the Crystal Lake Manor subdivision. Area residents had put out food and water for the poodle.

There’s a happy ending to the little lost dog story that first ran on Saturday.

Here’s today’s message:

“Tully was found just minutes ago!

“He is now safe in his owners arms.

“Yes he is a bit dirty, and hungry, but safe and on his way home.

“Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and a special thanks for all those who took some time to search for him.”

= = = = =
Based on my brother-in-law’s experience in Lake Zurich, I was pessimistic for the Maltese’s chances for survival in the wild:

Coyotes Among Us – Small Leashed Dog Attacked Just Outside Lake Zurich Garage Door

Lost dog seen today on Pingree Road near the Crystal Lake Manor.

If you are in the Crystal Lake Manor, the owner of this little dog is looking for a miracle worker.

Here is her message:

Tully was sighted at the area of Pingree Rd and Drive in Lane in Crystal Lake Illinois.

Anyone in the area please keep a look out.

He loves hotdogs and carrots.

He will flatten to the ground if you can get close to him.

Please do not chase him if sighted, call me at 262-633-9371.

Mary

I am informed that there is now a $400 reward.

If you see the little lost Maltese dog below somewhere between Route 14 and West Crystal Lake Avenue or nearby, its owners would like you to give her a call.

Anyone seen Tully?

Mary writes,

“Tully’s last sighting was mid afternoon today in the area of Pingree Rd.

“He was running from the train station toward Pingree Rd.

“If sighted, please call, he will run as he is frightened of people.

“Please call me at 262-633-9371 if you see him. Thank you all for your concern and special thinks to all who are out looking to find this frightened little one.”

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog reported on the complaint filed by McHenry County Deputy Sheriff Eric Woods concerning his shooting range injury.

With the exception of a vicious dog image on the front target, this is what Eric Woods saw when he entered the firing range room.

In the suit against the frangible ammunition’s manufacturer, Pennsylvania’s International Cartridge Corporation, Woods blamed defects in the bullets for his ricochet injury.

The Sheriff’s Department was not named as a defendant by the injured employee.

This is the vicious dog target said to have been used, but it has no bullet holes. That's because the Sheriff's Department did not produce the copy used in the exercise when McHenry County Blog filed a Freedom of Information Act request for it.

In its response, ICC denied all of the allegations in Deputy Woods suit and offers the following affirmative defenses:

• Woods was taking part in a multi-person SWAT live fire exercise at the Hartland Shooting Range.
• After Woods entered the live fire room, he bypassed, and did not engage or shoot a reactive, steel or other form of metal target which contained the picture of a dog, instead stood near the dog reactive target.
• Then, other members of the SWAT team entered behind Woods.  Michael Hart came last and seeing that the dog had not been shot, did so and “material then struck Woods.”
• Department employees arranged the targets and “were responsible for monitoring and ensuring the safe live fire exercise.”
• The motion says it is believed that “the Range Officers were not in a position to fully observe the live fire room or all the actions of participants, including Woods.”
• Departmental employees decided where to place the targets and “the minimum lateral safety distance to maintain between participants and reactive targets.”
• Continuing their scenario, ICC’s attorney argues Sheriff’s Department Deputies “decided to not use a failsafe line on the ground in the training room to ensure that participants did not come to a stopped position too close to reactive targets.”

As I read International Cartridge Corporations outline of the facts as it sees them, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for any injury that Woods received.

Affirmative defenses follow.

The first argues that any damages that occurred were “caused by the negligence, wonton and willful, intentional or other culpable conduct of third parties over which this Defendant had no control, duty or right to exercise such control.”

The second argues that the causes of “Woods’ alleged damages were acts of negligence, wanton and willful, intentional and/or other culpable conduct by Plaintiff and/or other parties.”

The third argues that even if the ammunition played a role in the injury, damages should be reduced in proportion to the negligence can be attributed to Woods and others.

Finally, the ammo company’s attorney argues, and let me quote it completely:

“Plaintiff Woods assumed the risk of injury from participating in a live fire exercise and voluntarily deciding to stop at a position in close proximity to a non-engaged reactive, steel or other metal target with knowledge that other SWAT team would enter behind him and engage targets Woods, or others, had not engaged.

“Woods knew of the damages associated with standing in close proximity to a reactive target and understood and appreciated the risk he could be struck with debris when a reactive target was engaged by another SWAT team member.

“Nevertheless, Woods voluntarily chose to accept the risk and subject himself to the danger of which he now complains.”

= = = = =

What could be seen from the door to the live fire exercise room after the incident is below:

Targets that could be seen from the door of the entrance to the shooting range. Note the missing vicious dog target.

What you see below is an enlargement of a photo showing two male targets at the back of the range on the day of the exercise. Note that there are bullet holes in the paper targets.

Close-ups of two targets that could be seen from the door of the entrance to the shooting range. The Sheriff's Department could not find the threatening paper dog target used in the exercise in which Eric Woods was shot. It would presumably have similar bullet holes.

A press release from State Senator Pam Althoff:

Althoff animal ID bill signed into law

CHICAGO – Legislation aimed at helping owners reunite with their lost pets has been signed by the Governor, according to State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), the sponsor of the bill.

Senate Bill 1637, which passed the General Assembly without opposition, encourages animal control facilities to adopt “best practices” that go beyond simply scanning a pet for microchips in order to identify the animal’s owner.

Under current law, when a dog or cat is impounded they must be scanned for the presence of a microchip.

McHenry County's Animal Control Shelter on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

Althoff’s legislation requires animal control facilities to also examine pets for other methods of identification, including ID tags, tattoos, and rabies license tags. The bill also requires the scan and examination to occur within 24 hours after the dog or cat is impounded.

A cat that was at the McHenry County Animal Control Shelter the last time I visited.

“For many households, pets are like members of our family,” Althoff said. “When one of our furry companions is lost, we want to make sure everything possible is being done to bring them home. Unfortunately, many families have a false sense of security that microchipping their pet guarantees it will be found, when it’s far more complicated then that.”

Althoff noted that Illinois counties use a variety of scanner to scan the chips, which are made by various manufacturers and may use different frequencies. This means a pet microchipped in one area might not be identified when it’s scanned in a different region, which makes checking them through other methods even more crucial.

“Fortunately, we have some county animal control facilities who are already taking these extra steps to get pets back home. We pushed for this bill to ensure that all counties adopt these best practices, and commend Sen. Althoff and Rep. David Reis for their leadership on this issue.” said Steve Hayden, president of the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners.

Under Senate Bill 1637, animal control facilities would also be required to try to reach owners by telephone and email, in addition to mailed notices as they are currently obligated. If the animal has been microchipped and the primary contact cannot be located or refuses to claim the animal, the facility’s administrator should then attempt to contact any secondary contacts listed by the chip manufacturer prior to adoption, transfer, or euthanization.

The measure also encourages the facilities to scan and examine pets a second time for the presence of a microchip and other identifying characteristics prior to any transfer or euthanizing of the animal.

“The fact is, by taking some very easy and common-sense steps, animal control facilities can really increase their success rate at reuniting lost pets with their owners and save their lives in the process,” Althoff said. “As anyone who’s lost a pet can tell you, it can be a very traumatic experience for families, and children in particular. They should be comforted knowing that the animal control facilities in their area are doing everything they can to reunite them with their pets.”

In addition to passing the legislation, Sen. Althoff and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners are working with groups such the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery to continue the fight to ensure lost pets are reunited with their owners. The organizations have agreed to donate 10 scanners for animal control facilities in need to minimize the financial burden facing them.

The story about drug dogs in Thursday's Chicago Tribune reached into McHenry County's Sheriff's Department.

The story was a front page one Thursday.

The part it played in the article follows:
“The McHenry County’s sheriff’s department had the most dog alerts, finding drugs or paraphernalia in 32 percent of 103 searches. In the eight searches on Hispanic drivers, officers reported finding drugs just once.

“Since September 2008, Deputy Jeremy Bruketta has handled Sage, one of the McHenry County department’s two drug-sniffing German shepherds.

“Officers sometimes come up empty-handed in searches of vehicles that clearly once contained drugs, he said, recalling a traffic stop in which a man, reeking of pot, had a marijuana stem stuck to his shirt but no drugs were found in the car.”

Alex Rothacker, who is identified as someone who has trained dogs from the Sheriff’s Department, said, “The dogs are only as good as the handlers.”

Crystal Lake also makes the story in the context that most searches take about a half an hour:

“One Crystal Lake search led to a three-hour stop for a Hispanic man in 2007. He was stopped for a license plate/registration violation, according to the data.”

= = = = =

Recent stories mentioned Deputy Bruketta follow:

• 11-16-10 A Day in Zane Seipler’s Court Case Against Sheriff Keith Nygren – Part 1
• 12-24-10 Transcript in Last Zane Seipler Wrongful Termination Court Hearing – Part 1
• 12-25-10 Transcript in Last Zane Seipler Wrongful Termination Court Hearing – Part 2
• 12-27-10 Transcript in Last Zane Seipler Wrongful Termination Court Hearing – Part 4
• 12-29-10 Transcript in Last Zane Seipler Wrongful Termination Court Hearing – Part 6
• 12-30-10 Transcript in Last Zane Seipler Wrongful Termination Court Hearing – Part 7
• 1-1-11 Transcript in Zane Seipler Wrongful Termination Court Hearing – Part 9

What you see above is the series of messages on the electronic sign on Route 47 in front of the McHenry County Treasurer’s Office.

They promote the Crystal Lake Animal Control facility, which, apparently, can provide not only pets, but rabies shots and electronic chips so that lost cats and dogs can be returned to their owners.

The contract number is 815-459-6222 or, if you want to speak to the woman who showed me the dog and cats below, call Kara Plonczynski at 815-334-4946.

This playful American Bulldog had knee operations, but is so playful.

A fifteen second video is what is really needed to show the energy his American bulldog has. An $80 adoption fee brings him home.

American bulldog playing with Kara Plonxynski.

And, now for the kitties.

There were four in the room I toured.

This satin black cat seems to be saying, "I'm too good for you."

While the black cat was still lying lazily in its carpet-lined log, this black and white one was on the move.

As the black and white cat sat looking at me, the brown tabby that was sharing its bed turned its head to see what all of the fuss was about.

The black and white cat knows what suckers we humans are for cats that brush against our legs. The black cat seems to realize it has been upstaged.

With all the camera clicking going on this feline decided it was time to wake up and see what was going on.

Here’s the press release from the State’s Attorney’s Office:

KIRK LOCHER FOUND GUILTY FOR SHOOTING FAMILY DOG

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Kirk Locher was found guilty yesterday by a jury for the offenses of Aggravated Cruelty and Reckless Discharge
of a Firearm, resulting from the shooting death of his yellow Labrador Retriever, “Breeze”.

The evidence at trial revealed that the defendant had been drinking alcohol throughout the afternoon at his Woodstock home on May 30, 2008.

Later that night, the defendant woke-up his wife complaining that the dog had bit him. His wife got out of bed and sat at the kitchen table with the Labrador Retriever resting approximately four feet away on the kitchen floor.

The defendant brought a revolver out of his bedroom, leaned over the kitchen table, and shot
the retriever in the head.

Two investigating officers testified that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol when they arrived at the scene.

Both offenses are class four felonies and the defendant faces a possible sentence of probation or conditional discharge or between one to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

This case was investigated by Ofc. Harmon, Det. Spitzer and Sgt. Amati of the Woodstock Police Department, and prosecuted for the State by Assistant State’s Attorneys Sharyl Eisenstein and Ryan Blackney.

I saw this tee shirt at Andy’s Family Restaurant at my Saturday morning Emmaus Reunion group.

It has a dog passing gas.

It says,

Not surprisingly, it was worn by a man. I HAD to go out to the car and get my camera.