McHenry County Blog

Illinois Citizens for Life, a statewide pro-life group, has endorsed Zane Seipler for McHenry County Sheriff.

Seipler is challenging incumbent Sheriff Keith Nygren in the February 2nd Republican primary election.

The organization is also endorsing candidates for county board.

In District 1, ICF is endorsing the only man and only non-incumbent running for one of the two spots. His name is Robert Nowak. He is a Cary resident, as are the two incumbents he is challenging—Anna May Miller and Yvonne Barnes.

In District 2, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and challenger Sandra DePaul are the two getting the group’s nod. Both are from Crystal Lake. Other candidates are incumbent Lyn Orphal and challengers Donna Kurtz, a McHenry County College board member and Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller.

In District 3 the only incumbent running for re-election, Barbara Wheeler is endorsed. Former county board member Nick Provenzano also won the group’s support. The opponents are Karen J Tynis, Veronica Armstrong and Craig Steagall.

In District 5, newcomer Dave Frederick and former county board member John Jung received the pro-life endorsement. Also running is incumbent Tina Hill.

There is no endorsement in District 4, where there is no GOP primary election, or in District 6, where five candidates are vying for the two places on the fall ballot.

State legislative candidates are ranked as well.

Mike Tryon (R-Crystsl Lake) is deemed to be “Fully Pro-Life.” His Democratic Part opponent Bob Kaempfe merited an “Unknown (Did not answer or complete survey).” State Reps. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) and Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills) are rated the same as Kaempfe.

Franks’ Republican opponent, on the other hand, was characterized as “Fully Pro-Life.”

The only other state candidate endorsed is for the 2nd Appellate Court. Mary S. Schostok is endorsed for the Barbara Gilleran-Johnson vacancy.

Maybe it was the $20,000 salary, plus full and generous health coverage, but whatever the motivation, all the incumbents but District 4 incumbents Sandy Salgado and Pete Merkel, both from McHenry, drew challengers.

Twenty-three people are vying for twelve spots on the fall ballot.

Thirteen are women; ten men.

In District 1, incumbents Anna May Miller and Yvonne Barnes are being challenged by Cary’s Bob Nowak.

In District 2, incumbents Ken Koehler and Lyn Orphal will face not only MCC Board member Donna Kurtz, but Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller, but also Sandra DePaul.

Mueller likes to be last on the ballot, but she didn’t wait long enough this afternoon. DePaul gets the coveted spot, worth an extra 5% in a six-person race, probably less in this five-person race.

In District 3, newly energized entrepreneur Craig Steagall, who lives just north of Crystal Lake will take on incumbent Barb Wheeler, former county board member Nick Provenzano and newcomers Veronica Armstrong and Karen Tynis.

Steagall is known for his full-page ads in the Northwest Herald in opposition to Metra’s purchase of 17 acres next to the old 84 Lumber (new Alexander’s Lumber) on Country Club Road.

Those ads have attacked McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. Less well known is that he put together the people who built Prairie Ridge High School’s soccer field.

In District 5, Dave Frederick filed his nominating papers. The veterinarian will be running against incumbent Tina Hill and former county board member John Jung. The announced candidacy of John Vrett did not materialize.

In District 6, incumbent Mary McCann filed her petitions Monday. She joins incumbent Dan Ryan and challengers Richard Draper of Wonder Lake, Dianne Evertsen of Hartland Township and Victor Naursis of Woodstock.

South School parent Paul Greenlee, whose family lives on Bennington, has forwarded my story about the Crystal Lake Police Department’s ticket writing “fenzy” (his word) to Mayor Aaron Shepley, the city council and District 47 board members.

I thought you might find what he said of interest.

Mayor Shepley, City Council and District 47 Members:

Thank you for your time. I am a parent of two children at South Elementary School. My family and I moved to Crystal Lake at the end of September 2008. For your information and background, I cut and paste below an entry from the McHenry County Blog authored by fellow South parent Cal Skinner. (I have eliminated the original story, which you read at the link above.)

First may I express my concern over this ticket-fest perpetrated by the Crystal Lake Police Department on parents at South. On this particular day as he shows, it was for a special child/parent event at the school. Like Mr. Skinner, I wonder what happened at today’s child/mother event.

However, while taking my daughter to school, I have witnessed such a police action as he reports occurring at South on at least one other occasion. I wish to convey to you the following concerns:

1. Is this REALLY the best use of our police department? Can someone truly answer that question affirmatively and do so with a straight face?

2. What kind of police department do we have in which such glee is expressed in such a feeding frenzy and especially at such an event on its own citizens and neighbors?

3. Is this a tactic to further raise revenue in a community wherein the financial reserve of this city is the equivalent to a full year of its operating budget? Does the Crystal Lake Police Department have a quota system for tickets written?

4. Why is the traffic control in this area such a mess? I don’t refer to parking or stop signs, though Mr. Skinner raises good points about parking. Specifically, I point out that the assigned police traffic guard has been observed present (or not present as the case may be) at erratic and inconsistent times and is frequently off the school premises before 8:50 a.m. So the police department is going to ticket the living daylights out of the school’s parents, yet not provide safe conduct for its students? Just what am I paying for exactly?

5. Why is it that school patrols made up of the responsible students of South 5th graders are limited to walking from the sidewalk across the driveway and that’s it? There are multiple areas where patrols can provide a good service by just walking younger children across Golf and provide other service as well? Why cannot such responsible children be used at other areas as well, presupposing quality and relevant training? Granted it was decades ago, but when I was a patrol at the old Dundee Elementary School, we walked our fellow students across intersections.

6. It is my understanding that at one time, there was a crosswalk painted across Golf and school patrols were utilized to safely conduct children across that street, but the Crystal Lake Police Department demanded this be abandoned. However the police department in turn has failed to provide any additional public safety support on that street, not counting preying upon parked cars of parents.

7. Why is it appropriate to only have a public safety member at the controlled intersection of Golf and Highland, but one not provided at Golf and Nash, which in my experience is busier intersection?

If there is wise and appropriate utilization of police/public safety resources here, I’m not seeing it. I brought this up after a recent PTO/SOS meeting and was advised that decisions regarding crossing guards were controlled by the police department.

I am not privy to any study they may have performed but any such opinion recommending the level of support for South is baseless based upon my own observations.

My feeling and experience is that Mr. Skinner’s characterization of South as an “orphan school” in at least this area has somewhat of a foundation.

Traffic control via a numbering system such as at other schools such as Glacier Ridge and Indian Prairie will not work because of the limited in/out flow in the area. I haven’t seen parents or other vehicles traverse the area in front of the school in a reckless way and believe that such a system would work at South. Personally, I also believe such systems are anti-parent, but that is another topic for another time.

Mr. (Ron) Miller and Dr. (Donn) Mendoza, I have heard excellent things about each of you and D-47’s reputation and results in the district seem to support your respective reputations. I would appreciate it if you would forward this email to members of the School Board, as the D-47 web site did not have an option to send an e-mail to its governing board as did the City’s web site to the Council.

Mr. (Jeff) Thorsen and Ms. (Ellen) Brady Mueller, I would ask the same of you, as you were the only two board members who provided a specific email address for contact. (Others can be emailed, but only to a “comments” email. Presumably, they are forwarded.)

While there are but short weeks left in the current school year, I would hope that by the start of school in August that a more family friendly policy might be adopted for families seeking to support their children at the school and more importantly provide more assurance that children in this school can walk safely to and from South. By copy of this, I am asking the parents for whom I have limited email addresses, to send this to other South parents so they are aware of this issue.

Your kind attention and response will be appreciated.

Paul Greenlee
832 Bennington Dr.

= = = = =
Various photos of parked cars at South Elementary School appear above, plus one of two girls waiting to be picked up. I pick my son up quite late, knowing that if I come before 3:40 PM I won’t be able to find a parking place.

You see the easy way to watch what the Crystal Lake City Council is up to near the bottom, where Mr. Greenlee mentions that only Council members Jeff Thorsen and Ellen Brady Mueller have individual emails on the city’s web site. The photos also show the new seating arrangements after the swearing in of Carolyn Schofield, who can be seen between Councilmen Jeff Thorsen (on the right side of the top photo) and Brett Hopkins on her right.

The photo above shows how Cathy Ferguson has moved to the other side of the dias, where she how sits to the left of Ellen Brady Mueller (sitting in the seat Dave Goss used to occupy) and Ralph Dawson.

Tucked away on the last page of the Crystal Lake Council minutes for May 6, 2008, is the report of a 4-3 vote to re- appoint Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Tom Hayden and outspoken member Jim Batastini.

The council members voting against the two were Ellen Brady Mueller, Cathy Ferguson and Dave Goss.

The council members voting in support of reappointment were Ralph Dawson, Jeff Thorsen, Brett Hopkins.

Breaking the tie was Mayor Aaron Shepley.

Hayden is a former city councilman. Batastini ran for city council against Mueller and Ferguson last time around. The two women and Goss supported bringing a minor league baseball stadium to McHenry County College.

Dawson, Thorsen and Hopkins were on the opposite side of the MCC re-zoning issue, supporting the Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous vote to oppose allowing a baseball stadium at MCC. By their vote, the three voting for re-appointment killed the proposal because the Planning and Zoning Commission’s vote triggered an extraordinary majority vote requirement.

Shepley, of course, led city efforts to bring a minor league baseball team to McHenry County College.

Tucked away on the last page of the Crystal Lake Council minutes for May 6, 2008, is the report of a 4-3 vote to re- appoint Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Tom Hayden and outspoken member Jim Batastini.

The council members voting against the two were Ellen Brady Mueller, Cathy Ferguson and Dave Goss.

The council members voting in support of reappointment were Ralph Dawson, Jeff Thorsen, Brett Hopkins.

Breaking the tie was Mayor Aaron Shepley.

Hayden is a former city councilman. Batastini ran for city council against Mueller and Ferguson last time around. The two women and Goss supported bringing a minor league baseball stadium to McHenry County College.

Dawson, Thorsen and Hopkins were on the opposite side of the MCC re-zoning issue, supporting the Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous vote to oppose allowing a baseball stadium at MCC. By their vote, the three voting for re-appointment killed the proposal because the Planning and Zoning Commission’s vote triggered an extraordinary majority vote requirement.

Shepley, of course, led city efforts to bring a minor league baseball team to McHenry County College.

Yesterday, I wrote about the 75% sales tax hike that the Crystal Lake City Council passed Tuesday night after giving the public only one week’s notice.

You may have missed the article because at midnight Tuesday night, I posted it under the “Message of the Day” for Tuesday, rather than under Wednesday’s (ALAS). It focuses on Mayor Aaron Shepley’s summation of the case for making Crystal Lake’s sales tax rate as high as Algonquin’s.

Today, I’ll lay out what those who voted “Yes” said.

It didn’t take a lot of time, so I was furiously taking notes and didn’t get many photos.

First up was Ralph Dawson.

“This is going to be tough selling this to the public,” Dawson said. “Yes, it is.

“(We) don’t want to ‘fall behind’ on roads.

“What will this do to Crystal Lake? People want a quality of life,” he continued.

“If we can improve our police department…

“The railroad tracks are stopping all development on Main Street.

“Vulcan Lakes. That has been a buzz word. They want Vulcan Lakes as recreation..

“Our lake (Crystal Lake) has become very restrictive. It is at its maximum,” Dawson said, pointing out that many people could make use of Vulcan Lake.

“It’s going to cost us a lot of money.

“Everything in this tells you to say, ‘No.’

“I have to support this to keep this city where it is right now. It’s a great city,” he concluded.

Seat mate Ellen Brady Mueller was second at bat.

Referring to the Vulcan Lakes development, she said, “There is no other way to pay for it.

“If truly it (low) sales taxes (encouraged people) to (come to) town, all the business would be in Crystal Lake,” she continued.

Mueller pointed out that two years ago Algonquin had increased its sales tax to the level in the motion being considered and “they continue to develop. So, I think this is a much better alternative than raising the (property) tax.”

Next, Dave Goss was short and sweet:

”Look forward five years and see what will be requested, the amount of money we’re going to have to put into infrastructure.

“I expect to be able to all of that with the sales tax.”

Cathy Ferguson spoke after Jeff Thorsen’s negative comments.

“No decision has come (harder) for this council. (It’s) different when (you) look at…things as a whole.

“We had a strategic planning meeting. It took a long time for that plan to reach fruition.”

She went on to explain what the council had “explored.”

“We did have discussions with the Conservation District about Vulcan and they turned us down.”

(I have to say that I never got wind that the city was talking to MCCD. )

Ferguson went on to talk about “private-public partnerships.”

“People are saying why should government subsidize private business.

“I think we need this tax to keep moving. We need to keep our amenities so people will continue to want to live in Crystal Lake.

“I am reluctantly, but I am in agreement with this proposal,” she concluded.

Brett Hopkins, the newest member, was last to speak before Mayor Aaron Shepley (whose comments appeared in yesterday’s story).

He keyed in on three topics:

1- Public safety,

2- Roads and infrastructure, and

3- Economic Development.

I caught part of a thought only about the Tax Increment Financing districts: “I think if we took the TIF money…”

“Maybe part of the problem is that we’ve been doing nothing.

“(Time to) take some of that money and invest it in Crystal Lake.”

Hopkins reported getting several quite hostile emails.

“You have every right to be angry at me personally,” he said. “Don’t be angry at the merchants in Crystal Lake.”

Next up was Shepley, who started off by saying,

“Don’t take all that on yourself”

to Hopkins.

= = = = =
The city council members who supported the tax increase are seen on top of the article. On the first line are Dave Goss, Ellen Brady Mueller and Ralph Dawson. Below them are Brett Hopkins and Cathy Ferguson.

One of the sales tax hike justification slides about Vulcan Lakes is shown at the top of Ellen Brady Mueller comments.

There is a map of the McHenry County Conservation District’s sites above Ferguson’s comment about Crystal Lake’s having approached the MCCD. You will note there is nothing but a bike trail in or near Crystal Lake. Read about the $90,000 that Crystal Lake got from the $68.5 million bond issue of the early 2000′s. Ask them how much of the $73 million bond issue passed last year will make it to Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 territory.

Yesterday, I wrote about the 75% sales tax hike that the Crystal Lake City Council passed Tuesday night after giving the public only one week’s notice.

You may have missed the article because at midnight Tuesday night, I posted it under the “Message of the Day” for Tuesday, rather than under Wednesday’s (ALAS). It focuses on Mayor Aaron Shepley’s summation of the case for making Crystal Lake’s sales tax rate as high as Algonquin’s.

Today, I’ll lay out what those who voted “Yes” said.

It didn’t take a lot of time, so I was furiously taking notes and didn’t get many photos.

First up was Ralph Dawson.

“This is going to be tough selling this to the public,” Dawson said. “Yes, it is.

“(We) don’t want to ‘fall behind’ on roads.

“What will this do to Crystal Lake? People want a quality of life,” he continued.

“If we can improve our police department…

“The railroad tracks are stopping all development on Main Street.

“Vulcan Lakes. That has been a buzz word. They want Vulcan Lakes as recreation..

“Our lake (Crystal Lake) has become very restrictive. It is at its maximum,” Dawson said, pointing out that many people could make use of Vulcan Lake.

“It’s going to cost us a lot of money.

“Everything in this tells you to say, ‘No.’

“I have to support this to keep this city where it is right now. It’s a great city,” he concluded.

Seat mate Ellen Brady Mueller was second at bat.

Referring to the Vulcan Lakes development, she said, “There is no other way to pay for it.

“If truly it (low) sales taxes (encouraged people) to (come to) town, all the business would be in Crystal Lake,” she continued.

Mueller pointed out that two years ago Algonquin had increased its sales tax to the level in the motion being considered and “they continue to develop. So, I think this is a much better alternative than raising the (property) tax.”

Next, Dave Goss was short and sweet:

”Look forward five years and see what will be requested, the amount of money we’re going to have to put into infrastructure.

“I expect to be able to all of that with the sales tax.”

Cathy Ferguson spoke after Jeff Thorsen’s negative comments.

“No decision has come (harder) for this council. (It’s) different when (you) look at…things as a whole.

“We had a strategic planning meeting. It took a long time for that plan to reach fruition.”

She went on to explain what the council had “explored.”

“We did have discussions with the Conservation District about Vulcan and they turned us down.”

(I have to say that I never got wind that the city was talking to MCCD. )

Ferguson went on to talk about “private-public partnerships.”

“People are saying why should government subsidize private business.

“I think we need this tax to keep moving. We need to keep our amenities so people will continue to want to live in Crystal Lake.

“I am reluctantly, but I am in agreement with this proposal,” she concluded.

Brett Hopkins, the newest member, was last to speak before Mayor Aaron Shepley (whose comments appeared in yesterday’s story).

He keyed in on three topics:

1- Public safety,

2- Roads and infrastructure, and

3- Economic Development.

I caught part of a thought only about the Tax Increment Financing districts: “I think if we took the TIF money…”

“Maybe part of the problem is that we’ve been doing nothing.

“(Time to) take some of that money and invest it in Crystal Lake.”

Hopkins reported getting several quite hostile emails.

“You have every right to be angry at me personally,” he said. “Don’t be angry at the merchants in Crystal Lake.”

Next up was Shepley, who started off by saying,

“Don’t take all that on yourself”

to Hopkins.

= = = = =
The city council members who supported the tax increase are seen on top of the article. On the first line are Dave Goss, Ellen Brady Mueller and Ralph Dawson. Below them are Brett Hopkins and Cathy Ferguson.

One of the sales tax hike justification slides about Vulcan Lakes is shown at the top of Ellen Brady Mueller comments.

There is a map of the McHenry County Conservation District’s sites above Ferguson’s comment about Crystal Lake’s having approached the MCCD. You will note there is nothing but a bike trail in or near Crystal Lake. Read about the $90,000 that Crystal Lake got from the $68.5 million bond issue of the early 2000′s. Ask them how much of the $73 million bond issue passed last year will make it to Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 territory.

Nothing new about the Crystal Lake Park District wanting a vote on the Crystal Lake Lake Safety Committee.

Board President Mike
Zellman appeared at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday with the request that discussions begin on the topic of making the two-member board a three-member board.

After Councilman Ralph Dawson said, “I see no problem,” Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller cut right to the heart of the matter:

“I am opposed.

“I think the agreement works fine.

“There was a time when the park district had control and it didn’t work.

“It’s working.

“The thought is the park district conspiracy theory is to remove the power boats from the lake.”

”Ive heard that,” Zellman observed.

“It’s true,” Mueller shot back.

“There were buoys in the middle of the lake,” she remembered.

“I whole heartedly agree with what you are requesting,” Dave Goss said.

“I think the flooding and the agreement to shut down the lake shows it’s not working. The lake is park district property. (The park district police police) every piece of property except this.

“We were in high school,” Brett Hopkins pointed out in reference to the time when buoys divided the Crystal Lake side of the lake from the majority of the usable part of the lake, which is located within the Village of Lakewood’s boundaries.

“For me, I think it would be prudent to discuss it,” he continued.

“I’m not opposed to discussion,” Cathy Ferguson said. “I am opposed to making you part of the agreement. I believe the City of Crystal Lake and the Village of Lakewood have rights vested by matter of ordinance.

Councilman Jeff Thorsen said he was “not opposed to discussing (the issue),” that it “may call for a seat at the table.

“We have been operating on a very fragile day time (use) of the lake. We don’t want to upset that. I think it’s almost counter intuitive to cut any of (the the three out),” he added.

“I don’t think there is a person in Crystal Lake that wants to get back…to the feud,” Mayor Aaron Shepley said. “I think a lot of the issues at the time were personality driven.

“I believe they have a right to be a part of that lake safety agreement.”

Then, Shepley tried to dispel the long-standing fear of Country Club Property Owners Association residents in both Crystal Lake and Lakewood that the Crystal Lake City Council and the park district would gang up on Lakewood to the detriment of the people who have paid big money to live where they can dock or anchor their boats on Crystal Lake.

The thinking is that since the vast majority of Crystal Lake residents are not boat owners and rarely use the lake that an “envy” factor might lead to banning boats, as previous park boards favored in the 1970′s.

If you sense my family has a stake in the issue, you are correct. My parents moved us to Crystal Lake in 1958 in order to be able to have a motor boat on the lake.

“It could cut against us,” Shepley said.

“It can’t be a bad thing to have to have them at the table,” he continued.

“I am deeply disappointed at the way the lake safety ordinance has been enforced,” he said pointing to “160 warning tickets,” including ones for reckless operation of a watercraft.

“Do you want to ban power boats?” someone asked.

“That has never once been discussed,” Zellman replied.

“You don’t say things like that out loud,” Mueller interjected.

“It makes sense to have three parties on the committee,” Zellman continued.

“Has there been discussion of limiting (power boats),” Ferguson asked.

“One commissioner may have discussed limiting,” Zellman replied.

Referring to the institution of a no wake rule during August’s high water period, she askld, “If you were part of that agreement, how would that have changed that?“

She pointed out that there would have had to been three meetings, instead of two.

“They were driving water from the streets back into the lake,” Zellman said.

“Are you talking about what we (the city) was doing?” Mueller asked.

“That may have been illegal,” Thorsen added. “As far as no wake, we’ve addressed that already.”

“We did it,” Mueller agreed.

In what could only be interpreted as a veiled threat of a law suit from the park district, if it didn’t get its way on this issue, Shepley said, “Or the park district would have to evaluate their options.”

Remember, earlier in the meeting Shepley, an attorney, said he thought the park district had a right to be on the lake safety agreement board.

Commenting on Lakewood’s pivotal role, Shepley added, “If they’re not willing to sit down, I don’t know where we go.”

Nothing new about the Crystal Lake Park District wanting a vote on the Crystal Lake Lake Safety Committee.

Board President Mike
Zellman appeared at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday with the request that discussions begin on the topic of making the two-member board a three-member board.

After Councilman Ralph Dawson said, “I see no problem,” Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller cut right to the heart of the matter:

“I am opposed.

“I think the agreement works fine.

“There was a time when the park district had control and it didn’t work.

“It’s working.

“The thought is the park district conspiracy theory is to remove the power boats from the lake.”

”Ive heard that,” Zellman observed.

“It’s true,” Mueller shot back.

“There were buoys in the middle of the lake,” she remembered.

“I whole heartedly agree with what you are requesting,” Dave Goss said.

“I think the flooding and the agreement to shut down the lake shows it’s not working. The lake is park district property. (The park district police police) every piece of property except this.

“We were in high school,” Brett Hopkins pointed out in reference to the time when buoys divided the Crystal Lake side of the lake from the majority of the usable part of the lake, which is located within the Village of Lakewood’s boundaries.

“For me, I think it would be prudent to discuss it,” he continued.

“I’m not opposed to discussion,” Cathy Ferguson said. “I am opposed to making you part of the agreement. I believe the City of Crystal Lake and the Village of Lakewood have rights vested by matter of ordinance.

Councilman Jeff Thorsen said he was “not opposed to discussing (the issue),” that it “may call for a seat at the table.

“We have been operating on a very fragile day time (use) of the lake. We don’t want to upset that. I think it’s almost counter intuitive to cut any of (the the three out),” he added.

“I don’t think there is a person in Crystal Lake that wants to get back…to the feud,” Mayor Aaron Shepley said. “I think a lot of the issues at the time were personality driven.

“I believe they have a right to be a part of that lake safety agreement.”

Then, Shepley tried to dispel the long-standing fear of Country Club Property Owners Association residents in both Crystal Lake and Lakewood that the Crystal Lake City Council and the park district would gang up on Lakewood to the detriment of the people who have paid big money to live where they can dock or anchor their boats on Crystal Lake.

The thinking is that since the vast majority of Crystal Lake residents are not boat owners and rarely use the lake that an “envy” factor might lead to banning boats, as previous park boards favored in the 1970′s.

If you sense my family has a stake in the issue, you are correct. My parents moved us to Crystal Lake in 1958 in order to be able to have a motor boat on the lake.

“It could cut against us,” Shepley said.

“It can’t be a bad thing to have to have them at the table,” he continued.

“I am deeply disappointed at the way the lake safety ordinance has been enforced,” he said pointing to “160 warning tickets,” including ones for reckless operation of a watercraft.

“Do you want to ban power boats?” someone asked.

“That has never once been discussed,” Zellman replied.

“You don’t say things like that out loud,” Mueller interjected.

“It makes sense to have three parties on the committee,” Zellman continued.

“Has there been discussion of limiting (power boats),” Ferguson asked.

“One commissioner may have discussed limiting,” Zellman replied.

Referring to the institution of a no wake rule during August’s high water period, she askld, “If you were part of that agreement, how would that have changed that?“

She pointed out that there would have had to been three meetings, instead of two.

“They were driving water from the streets back into the lake,” Zellman said.

“Are you talking about what we (the city) was doing?” Mueller asked.

“That may have been illegal,” Thorsen added. “As far as no wake, we’ve addressed that already.”

“We did it,” Mueller agreed.

In what could only be interpreted as a veiled threat of a law suit from the park district, if it didn’t get its way on this issue, Shepley said, “Or the park district would have to evaluate their options.”

Remember, earlier in the meeting Shepley, an attorney, said he thought the park district had a right to be on the lake safety agreement board.

Commenting on Lakewood’s pivotal role, Shepley added, “If they’re not willing to sit down, I don’t know where we go.”

At the last Crystal Lake City Council meeting, Craig Gaska of Nash Road made the following statement below on behalf of himself and his wife Linda.

I think it’s worth sharing.

In that piece I urged the council majority to do the honorable thing and not bring the measure back for a vote without its going through the entire process again.

Here is the Gaskas’ message:

Good evening Mayor Shepley, City Council Members, and Crystal Lake Staff!

As you have probably surmised from previous public statements that I have made, I am very concerned that the City of Crystal Lake’s democratic processes and procedures are followed. My public statement today is no exception.

For the public record, I would like to summarize two certified parliamentarians’ comments regarding the Motion to Reconsider, which was made after the MCC Special Use Permit vote was taken on October 16th.

The two parliamentarians that I and other concerned parties had contacted were:

• an attorney and professor at the John Marshall Law School who was a parliamentarian for the 1972 Illinois Constitutional Convention; and,
• Jason Akai, a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

There were several breaches of parliamentary procedures during the motion to reconsider on October 16th; however, I am only going to address the two main mistakes in which both parliamentarians have commented as the major breaches.

First, a motion to reconsider needs to specify exactly what needs to be reconsidered.

Secondly, the prevailing side did not make the motion.

[Councilmen Ralph Dawson, Brett Hopkins and Jeff Thorsen, seen below, comprised the prevailing side with their “No” votes on the proposal to re-zone McHenry County College for a minor league baseball stadium.]

The prevailing side is that side which determines the outcome of the vote.

Jason Akai states,

“If the prevailing side did not make the motion, the motion is out of order and the parliamentarian should have immediately notified the chair of such. It is equally out of order to immediately call for a reconsider motion without some substantial change to the motion’s language or change in the number of voting members present.”

As a citizen of Crystal Lake, I am asking the City Council to seriously consider the following two suggestions.

• First, train and certify one of the city council members or village staff as a parliamentarian; or, place a National Association of Parliamentarians certified parliamentarian on retainer.
• Secondly, since the motion to reconsider was improper and an invalid motion and, since it was also a breach of parliamentary procedures as set forth by the City Council bylaws, that it be declared null and void and that the original vote on whether or not to grant a special use permit to MCC stand un-amended.

Thank you

= = = = =
Ellen Brady Mueller, the maker of the motion to reconsider at the Crystal Lake City Council is seen above left. Mayor Aaron Shepley, the lawyer who accepted the inappropriate motion and allowed an illegal vote, is seen above right.

The trio who killed the baseball stadium re-zoning are seen in the middle of the article. From right to left, they are Councilman Ralph Dawson, Brett Hopkins and Jeff Thorsen.