McHenry County Blog

Yesterday I wrote a too long article about the McHenry County College MAP engaging the community meeting.

I pointed out the history of St. Louis tax hike firm Unicom-ARC, which $137,750 for the ten-month project.

In my headline yesterday, I referred to the “60” community members.

Someone who knows the players tells me that there were less than 25 people without a tie to the college.

A comment that no one in the audience picked up was the lack of growth in college participation by seniors.

With the incredible growth of Sun City (all of which is located in the college district) in the last ten years, one would think McHenry County College would have figured out that giving courses in Huntley would be a way to serve that concentrated population group.

Another relevant question is whether the decline in evening and weekend programming came before or after the decline in adults seeking education.

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I don’t know most of the MCC employees, but in this photo one can see MCC Board Chairman George Lowe standing back left and retiring MCC Trustee Frances Glossen sitting at the right hand side of the table. That’s two out of the five people in the photo with college connections.

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.

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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.

Those wishing to gather together for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, one place is the Conference Center on the south side of the McHenry County College campus.

The event starts at 10:30.

In the photo above, the MCC Board poses with then-U.S. Senator Obama.

While the board was discussing the picture, Trustee Frances Glosson revealed that Trustee Donna Kurtz was absent because she was attending the Inaugural.

The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Those wishing to gather together for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, one place is the Conference Center on the south side of the McHenry County College campus.

The event starts at 10:30.

In the photo above, the MCC Board poses with then-U.S. Senator Obama.

While the board was discussing the picture, Trustee Frances Glosson revealed that Trustee Donna Kurtz was absent because she was attending the Inaugural.

The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

When I was sitting at the Huntley School Board meeting the Thursday before last, the board went into secret session twice.

Teachers were sitting in the audience with visible picket signs.

Both times board member Mike Skala left with his fellow board members.

Of course, I don’t know what was discussed, but, odds are that the teacher negotiations were among the topics.

At McHenry County Board meetings, President George Lowe has been insistent that Centegra employee Frances Glosson leave the room for the entire period when payment of vouchers are considered.

He won’t allow the agenda item to be considered until she is in the hall.

Mike Skala, whose wife is a teacher at Huntley High School, left with the rest of the board both times its members left the board room.

I know he has recused himself from voting on the contract.

That is certainly appropriate.

I don’t know if the board discussed the teachers’ contract negotiations when its members left the room that Thursday.

But, it sure seems likely.

That night I didn’t know if Skala was in the same room with his fellow board members when and if the board discussed the contract.

But, Friday, I asked Superintendent John Burkey and was told that Skala did attend the first part of one of the meetings. Skala made a comment and then left the room where the board was meeting.

Although Skala was not in the room when contract discussions were being held, no one in Thursday’s audience could have figured it out.

Burkey said that Skala could have participated in the teacher salary negotiations this year, as he did last time around, but decided not to.

While it may not be legally a conflict of interest to do so, it would be difficult to explain how a board member married to a Huntley teacher would not have a real conflict of interest.

If Skala wants people who don’t read McHenry County Blog to think otherwise, it would seem to me he should stay in the board room when his colleagues leave to discuss contract negotiations.

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The top photo shows some of the audience at the August 21, 2008, Huntley School Board meeting. The bottom one shows School Board President Shawn Green and school board member Mike Skala returning from the secret meeting before the open meeting began that Thursday night.

When I was sitting at the Huntley School Board meeting the Thursday before last, the board went into secret session twice.

Teachers were sitting in the audience with visible picket signs.

Both times board member Mike Skala left with his fellow board members.

Of course, I don’t know what was discussed, but, odds are that the teacher negotiations were among the topics.

At McHenry County Board meetings, President George Lowe has been insistent that Centegra employee Frances Glosson leave the room for the entire period when payment of vouchers are considered.

He won’t allow the agenda item to be considered until she is in the hall.

Mike Skala, whose wife is a teacher at Huntley High School, left with the rest of the board both times its members left the board room.

I know he has recused himself from voting on the contract.

That is certainly appropriate.

I don’t know if the board discussed the teachers’ contract negotiations when its members left the room that Thursday.

But, it sure seems likely.

That night I didn’t know if Skala was in the same room with his fellow board members when and if the board discussed the contract.

But, Friday, I asked Superintendent John Burkey and was told that Skala did attend the first part of one of the meetings. Skala made a comment and then left the room where the board was meeting.

Although Skala was not in the room when contract discussions were being held, no one in Thursday’s audience could have figured it out.

Burkey said that Skala could have participated in the teacher salary negotiations this year, as he did last time around, but decided not to.

While it may not be legally a conflict of interest to do so, it would be difficult to explain how a board member married to a Huntley teacher would not have a real conflict of interest.

If Skala wants people who don’t read McHenry County Blog to think otherwise, it would seem to me he should stay in the board room when his colleagues leave to discuss contract negotiations.

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The top photo shows some of the audience at the August 21, 2008, Huntley School Board meeting. The bottom one shows School Board President Shawn Green and school board member Mike Skala returning from the secret meeting before the open meeting began that Thursday night.

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.

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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.

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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.)

For the second meeting in less than a month, I left the room whistling,

“Ding, dong the witch is dead. Which old witch? The wicked witch…”

And, this time I even came up with appropriate words before I got home from the McHenry County College Board meeting.

The reason that minor league baseball promoter Pete Heitman’s pitch was dead?

After an embarrassingly inadequate 3rd party analysis by Dave Stone of Economics Research Associates of Heitman’s and his buddy Mark Houser’s projected figures and probing questions by MCC Trustee Donna Kurtz, MCC President Walt Packard read the following statement:

“The presentation we just heard makes a case that this project was put forward on a sound basis. It suggests that if the Board choose to move forward with just the Health Wellness and Athletic building it has potential for supporting itself.

“That being said, I am recommending that we not move forward with this project in its current form.

“Furthermore, I would propose that we take formal action to sunset this specific project at our April Board meeting.

“The Board should be proud of the fact that it has successful(ly) taken action that will allow us to purchase the Gilger property. It should not be lost on any one that this is a major step for our college. And the Board should be applauded for having made an historic, forward thinking sound business decision.

“The Board also took our Facilities Master Plan and made a valiant attempt at implementing a portion of it in a manner that we believed might very well have allowed us to add much needed facilities to our campus without going to the tax payers as the source for funding.

“For a variety of reasons, this does not appear to be a time when we can bring that plan to fruition.

“Therefore, I am recommending that we

• terminate the combined HWAC stadium project;
• take a fresh look at our Facilities plan and
• aggressively commit ourselves to identifying a sound fiscal approach for making needed facilities become a reality.”

The statement was evidently put together at the last minute. President Packard was kind enough to provide copies after the meeting. I tried to correct the typographic errors.

It was evident long ago, of course, that the Frontier League baseball stadium proposal was melting, just like the wicked witch.

The unanimous rejection of MCC’s re-zoning proposal by the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission during our supremely wet summer gave a clue.

So did the public defection of two articulate board members—Donna Kurtz and Scott Summers–at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting.

And the subsequent rejection by the Crystal Lake’s City Council of Mayor Aaron Shepley strongly stated support.

Plus, the public reaction of the MCC Board majority’s 4-3 censure of the two trustees who announced their change of opinion at the re-zoning meeting.

Then, Geraldine Cowlin made known that she thought the junior college had gone so far off target by involving itself in minor league baseball that she withdrew a $1 million pledge of scholarship money.

After the statement, several trustees made comments.

“For a number of months,” Summers said, “I have had misgivings and anxieties about this project. I will spare the public (my reasons, considering President Packard’s announcement). Candidly, (I remember) with bitterness six months ago (when) two trustees were censured for taking a position not dissimilar from the recommendation (by our own) president.”

“I take umbrage with Mr. Summers (remarks),” MCC Board President George Lowe interjected. “You had an opportunity to vote on this and you did. Then, you changed your opinion at the last minute.”

Committee of the Whole Chairwoman Frances Glosson said that the lesson to be learned was to get community input first.

“Thank you for all of your passions,” she said to those in the audience who had taken part in the debate.

“I think we need to prove ourselves to the public when it comes to the HWAC,” Kurtz added. “To try to get it done without community input (won’t work),”

“I’m glad you’re coming to this late to the table,” Lowe said with a raised voice.

“I want respectful comments,” Glosson chided Lowe.

“Do you want me to leave?” Lowe replied. “I’m fed up!”

The next item on the board agency was “non-violent communication,” which Glosson thought was appropriate.

I stood up, turned around and shook Rosemary Kurtz’ hand. Then, I went out to talk to the Harvard baseball team promoter, whose stadium will be privately financed.

The pitch had melted.

Oh, yes.

The other meeting where I left whistling, “Ding dong the witch is dead,” was the McHenry County Republican Central Committee convention. The analogy was not as good a fit as last night, but I assure you it wasn’t completely irrelevant.

= = = = =
On top, the man taking a picture of me taking a picture of him is baseball promoter Pete Heitman. Next comes Economics Research Associates analyst Dave Stone explaining how ERA agrees with Heitman’s projections. Dr. Walt Packard is the man with his left arm outstretched. Under his picture are EquityOne’s Mark Houser, Pete Heitman and Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee being led from Packard’s office last spring to a secret meeting. The three Crystal Lake City Councilmen who put the kabosh on the McHenry County College’s appear next. From left to right, they are Ralph Dawson, Brett Hopkins and Jeff Thorsen. Below, in descending order, are MCC Trustees Scott Summers, George Lowe and Donna Kurtz.

And, who should show up after the meeting but my father.

True he was only on a plaque, but the new Board Secretary found his picture in a drawer and brought it out for me to see. He was elected to the original MCC Board and served from 1967-70.

For the second meeting in less than a month, I left the room whistling,

“Ding, dong the witch is dead. Which old witch? The wicked witch…”

And, this time I even came up with appropriate words before I got home from the McHenry County College Board meeting.

The reason that minor league baseball promoter Pete Heitman’s pitch was dead?

After an embarrassingly inadequate 3rd party analysis by Dave Stone of Economics Research Associates of Heitman’s and his buddy Mark Houser’s projected figures and probing questions by MCC Trustee Donna Kurtz, MCC President Walt Packard read the following statement:

“The presentation we just heard makes a case that this project was put forward on a sound basis. It suggests that if the Board choose to move forward with just the Health Wellness and Athletic building it has potential for supporting itself.

“That being said, I am recommending that we not move forward with this project in its current form.

“Furthermore, I would propose that we take formal action to sunset this specific project at our April Board meeting.

“The Board should be proud of the fact that it has successful(ly) taken action that will allow us to purchase the Gilger property. It should not be lost on any one that this is a major step for our college. And the Board should be applauded for having made an historic, forward thinking sound business decision.

“The Board also took our Facilities Master Plan and made a valiant attempt at implementing a portion of it in a manner that we believed might very well have allowed us to add much needed facilities to our campus without going to the tax payers as the source for funding.

“For a variety of reasons, this does not appear to be a time when we can bring that plan to fruition.

“Therefore, I am recommending that we

• terminate the combined HWAC stadium project;
• take a fresh look at our Facilities plan and
• aggressively commit ourselves to identifying a sound fiscal approach for making needed facilities become a reality.”

The statement was evidently put together at the last minute. President Packard was kind enough to provide copies after the meeting. I tried to correct the typographic errors.

It was evident long ago, of course, that the Frontier League baseball stadium proposal was melting, just like the wicked witch.

The unanimous rejection of MCC’s re-zoning proposal by the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission during our supremely wet summer gave a clue.

So did the public defection of two articulate board members—Donna Kurtz and Scott Summers–at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting.

And the subsequent rejection by the Crystal Lake’s City Council of Mayor Aaron Shepley strongly stated support.

Plus, the public reaction of the MCC Board majority’s 4-3 censure of the two trustees who announced their change of opinion at the re-zoning meeting.

Then, Geraldine Cowlin made known that she thought the junior college had gone so far off target by involving itself in minor league baseball that she withdrew a $1 million pledge of scholarship money.

After the statement, several trustees made comments.

“For a number of months,” Summers said, “I have had misgivings and anxieties about this project. I will spare the public (my reasons, considering President Packard’s announcement). Candidly, (I remember) with bitterness six months ago (when) two trustees were censured for taking a position not dissimilar from the recommendation (by our own) president.”

“I take umbrage with Mr. Summers (remarks),” MCC Board President George Lowe interjected. “You had an opportunity to vote on this and you did. Then, you changed your opinion at the last minute.”

Committee of the Whole Chairwoman Frances Glosson said that the lesson to be learned was to get community input first.

“Thank you for all of your passions,” she said to those in the audience who had taken part in the debate.

“I think we need to prove ourselves to the public when it comes to the HWAC,” Kurtz added. “To try to get it done without community input (won’t work),”

“I’m glad you’re coming to this late to the table,” Lowe said with a raised voice.

“I want respectful comments,” Glosson chided Lowe.

“Do you want me to leave?” Lowe replied. “I’m fed up!”

The next item on the board agency was “non-violent communication,” which Glosson thought was appropriate.

I stood up, turned around and shook Rosemary Kurtz’ hand. Then, I went out to talk to the Harvard baseball team promoter, whose stadium will be privately financed.

The pitch had melted.

Oh, yes.

The other meeting where I left whistling, “Ding dong the witch is dead,” was the McHenry County Republican Central Committee convention. The analogy was not as good a fit as last night, but I assure you it wasn’t completely irrelevant.

= = = = =
On top, the man taking a picture of me taking a picture of him is baseball promoter Pete Heitman. Next comes Economics Research Associates analyst Dave Stone explaining how ERA agrees with Heitman’s projections. Dr. Walt Packard is the man with his left arm outstretched. Under his picture are EquityOne’s Mark Houser, Pete Heitman and Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee being led from Packard’s office last spring to a secret meeting. The three Crystal Lake City Councilmen who put the kabosh on the McHenry County College’s appear next. From left to right, they are Ralph Dawson, Brett Hopkins and Jeff Thorsen. Below, in descending order, are MCC Trustees Scott Summers, George Lowe and Donna Kurtz.

And, who should show up after the meeting but my father.

True he was only on a plaque, but the new Board Secretary found his picture in a drawer and brought it out for me to see. He was elected to the original MCC Board and served from 1967-70.