The McHenry County Board will make appointments to the boards of three fire protection districts at its next meeting. All terms will expire in 2015.
The details follow:
FOX RIVER GROVE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
CRYSTAL LAKE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
McHENRY TOWNSHIP FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Thanks to a friend of McHenry County Blog, I can offer the following take on what happened at Nunda Township’s Annual Town Meeting:
I thought I’d fill you in on the outcome of the Nunda Township Annual Meeting.
Aside from the formalities of the standard Annual Meeting Agenda (there were some interesting comments from Supervisor John Heisler at the beginning of the meeting relative to general assistance funds… mainly they will likely be depleted by October), the big question on the agenda was with regard to the Nunda Open Space Plan and a question put forth as to whether or not to put an advisory question on the November Ballot which would allow the voters to express whether or not they favored repealing the Nunda Open Space Plan.
I wish I had brought my digital recorder or had taken better notes, however below is a quick summation of a couple of key points made during the meeting:
The "Vote Yes" people mustered more of their people to the Nunda Township Annual Town Meeting than the opponents.
Douglas Mann put the motion forward to discuss the question and admitted that while the question was advisory he called the plan a plan to tax the residents of Nunda Township.
In his remarks he referred to page 13 of the Standards and Procedures which indicates that “Cost, availability and willingness of the seller will be the standards that guide the Township Board in acquisition” and that references to Hydric Soils or other water related issues would not be guiding factors when purchasing properties.
Former Nunda Trustee, Kevin Sarnwick, asked a series of questions of Supervisor John Heisler relative to the Open Space Plan. Among the answers, it was revealed out that the township could not accept land donations without an Open Space Plan.
Several homeowners indicated that their wells had run dry and they had been forced to dig a deeper well as the aquifers had been reduced as a result of development.
Democrat Candidate for County Board Lori McConville, who also serves on the Nunda Township Planning Commission and is President and Chairman of Nunda Neighbors for Open Space spoke against having the question on the ballot.
Gerry Walsh, one of the advisory question proponents, questioned Ms. McConville’s credibility, noting that he was scheduled to appear in front of the Illinois Election Commission with regard to an infraction related to campaign finance filing against Nunda Neighbors tomorrow. McConville’s argument was that her involvement was based out of concern for the quantity and quality of water available to township residents.
Also speaking in support of the Open Space Plan among others were County Board Member Kathy Bergen Schmidt and Nunda Township Planning Commission Chairman Ders Anderson.
Among the supporters many discussed the failed tax referendums and how they would, eventually, when the timing is right, win approval.
During one of her Remarks, Kathy Bergen Schmidt identified as the same Gerry Walsh who served as a Trustee in Roselle back in the 90′s.
Debate lasted for nearly an hour and the final vote was 31 in favor of letting the voters voice their opinion and 47 against. I did note that there were many people that chose to abstain from the vote.
I voted in favor of putting the question on the ballot; while the referendum was advisory, it would have given the voters another chance to express their opinion on the document that they approved of, but not enough to fund, and it would have given the proponents that would want to see taxes raised on Nunda residents the opportunity to promote the value of the plan and build their case for their next attempt at the tax increase.
No winners or losers here, I guess.
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.”
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.
= = = = =
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.
Two incumbent township trustees were dumped by Republican voters in Nunda Township.
One, Kevin Sarnwick, was an appointed incumbent.
The other Richard Meyers was also an appointed incumbent.
Taking them out were newcomer Joni Smith and rejected appointed trustee aspirant Kevin Jennings.
The results follow:
Notice the fall off of votes for Team Nunda candidates as folks proceeded down the ballot. Their order is the same as on the Team Nunda signs.
Results for the two who lost follow:
Filing for the five Republican township primaries in McHenry County has ended and the major Nunda Township officers have emerged unchallenged, according to Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano.
That means Supervisor John Heisler, Road Commissioner Don Kopsell, Assessor Dennis Jagla and Clerk Provenzano can relax between now and the February 24th township primary election.
However, there does appear to be a spirited contest for township trustee in the offing.
With the death of Township Trustee Walt Romanus, the Nunda Township Board appointed former Township Clerk and McHenry County Board member Dick Meyers as his replacement last week.
Those running for township trustee follow in alphabetical order:
Four will emerge as primary winners.
Nunda Township runs north from Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake into the southern part of McHenry north of Bull Valley Road. Its western boundary goes north from the middle of Crystal Lake. The Lake County line is its eastern boundary.
Democrats could caucus in mid-January and name opposing candidates.
If so, it would be much like the state Democrats, who are now backing away from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s suggestion to hold a special election to select President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement.
Why hold an election to select the party’s candidate when an appointment is so much less dangerous?
Filing for the five Republican township primaries in McHenry County has ended and the major Nunda Township officers have emerged unchallenged, according to Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano.
That means Supervisor John Heisler, Road Commissioner Don Kopsell, Assessor Dennis Jagla and Clerk Provenzano can relax between now and the February 24th township primary election.
However, there does appear to be a spirited contest for township trustee in the offing.
With the death of Township Trustee Walt Romanus, the Nunda Township Board appointed former Township Clerk and McHenry County Board member Dick Meyers as his replacement last week.
Those running for township trustee follow in alphabetical order:
Four will emerge as primary winners.
Nunda Township runs north from Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake into the southern part of McHenry north of Bull Valley Road. Its western boundary goes north from the middle of Crystal Lake. The Lake County line is its eastern boundary.
Democrats could caucus in mid-January and name opposing candidates.
If so, it would be much like the state Democrats, who are now backing away from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s suggestion to hold a special election to select President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement.
Why hold an election to select the party’s candidate when an appointment is so much less dangerous?
They don’t get paid a lot, but township trustee is considered a step on the political ladder.
When Nunda Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano made the random selection, here is what happened:
Four will be nominated in the primary election to represent the Republican Party in the early April election.
No other contests exist, except for township assessor.
There incumbent Dennis Jagla will appear first will face off in the Republican Party primary election against challenger Alan Weaver, who serves as appointed assessor in Alden Township. Weaver ran as an independent last time around.
They don’t get paid a lot, but township trustee is considered a step on the political ladder.
When Nunda Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano made the random selection, here is what happened:
Four will be nominated in the primary election to represent the Republican Party in the early April election.
No other contests exist, except for township assessor.
There incumbent Dennis Jagla will appear first will face off in the Republican Party primary election against challenger Alan Weaver, who serves as appointed assessor in Alden Township. Weaver ran as an independent last time around.
As I mentioned before, township officials get paid really well.
Especially in comparison to municipal officials.
Not to mention school board, park board and miscellaneous special districts, where there is no compensation except
When Cary School Board member Chris Jenner made his pitch for people to run for local office, however, he didn’t list townships as a government whose officials are up for election next spring.
So, why do people run for public office?
Most of the posts up next spring don’t pay anything.
“Public service” is often mentioned as a reason for running for office and that is undoubtedly a motivation for some, maybe many.
But it was put more crassly by the guy who taught the first campaign school I attended.
I remember he was from the Republican National Committee. Unfortunately, I can’t remember his name.
There were three reasons people run for office, he said, and all started with the letter “P:”
The first two are obvious. I took the last one to mean pay, but, given Chicago’s long history of political corruption, money obviously does not have to be limited to pay.
Looking at just the salaries for Nunda Township, you can see why people might want to hold the offices.
Right now, the pay is
But, raises are in the offing for those elected next April.
And, they are scheduled to increase about 4% per year.
Incumbent Supervisor John Heisler and Road Commissioner Don Kopsell have picked up petitions to run for re-election.
Already in Nunda Township two people are passing petitions for township assessor. Incumbent Dennis Jagla will be challenged again by Alan Weaver. Weaver ran as an independent in 2005 after Republicans didn’t slate him.
When Walt Romanus died recently a name from past political contests—Dick Meyers—came up as his replacement. He has gotten nominating petitions, as have incumbents Kevin Sarnwick, Jim Schlader (who ran for county board in the GOP primary), Tom Palmer. Lee Jennings, who applied unsuccessfully for the Romanus vacancy, is also gathering signatures.
So far, incumbent Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano has not picked up a packet of petitions.
Republican Party primaries will be held in Algonquin, Dorr, Grafton, McHenry and Nunda Townships. The Democratic Party has not requested that primaries be held to select candidates in any McHenry County Township.
= = = = =
The source of my “Three P’s” motivation for running for office?
Republican National Committee campaign veteran Ray Humphreys in a campaign school at Illinois College in Jacksonville. Humphreys had been a West Virginia state representative, elected in 1950, and ran for congress in 1936 and 1938.
As I mentioned before, township officials get paid really well.
Especially in comparison to municipal officials.
Not to mention school board, park board and miscellaneous special districts, where there is no compensation except
When Cary School Board member Chris Jenner made his pitch for people to run for local office, however, he didn’t list townships as a government whose officials are up for election next spring.
So, why do people run for public office?
Most of the posts up next spring don’t pay anything.
“Public service” is often mentioned as a reason for running for office and that is undoubtedly a motivation for some, maybe many.
But it was put more crassly by the guy who taught the first campaign school I attended.
I remember he was from the Republican National Committee. Unfortunately, I can’t remember his name.
There were three reasons people run for office, he said, and all started with the letter “P:”
The first two are obvious. I took the last one to mean pay, but, given Chicago’s long history of political corruption, money obviously does not have to be limited to pay.
Looking at just the salaries for Nunda Township, you can see why people might want to hold the offices.
Right now, the pay is
But, raises are in the offing for those elected next April.
And, they are scheduled to increase about 4% per year.
Incumbent Supervisor John Heisler and Road Commissioner Don Kopsell have picked up petitions to run for re-election.
Already in Nunda Township two people are passing petitions for township assessor. Incumbent Dennis Jagla will be challenged again by Alan Weaver. Weaver ran as an independent in 2005 after Republicans didn’t slate him.
When Walt Romanus died recently a name from past political contests—Dick Meyers—came up as his replacement. He has gotten nominating petitions, as have incumbents Kevin Sarnwick, Jim Schlader (who ran for county board in the GOP primary), Tom Palmer. Lee Jennings, who applied unsuccessfully for the Romanus vacancy, is also gathering signatures.
So far, incumbent Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano has not picked up a packet of petitions.
Republican Party primaries will be held in Algonquin, Dorr, Grafton, McHenry and Nunda Townships. The Democratic Party has not requested that primaries be held to select candidates in any McHenry County Township.
= = = = =
The source of my “Three P’s” motivation for running for office?
Republican National Committee campaign veteran Ray Humphreys in a campaign school at Illinois College in Jacksonville. Humphreys had been a West Virginia state representative, elected in 1950, and ran for congress in 1936 and 1938.
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