McHenry County Blog

Cassidy Tire had this sign up the week that Sgt. Jason McLeod was honored in Crystal Lake.

Donations to the widow and her children may still be made by calling Marie Davis at 815-477-5050.

The McHenry County College Student Peace Group, or course, had no way of knowing its timing would be bad.

They canceled NIU Professor Marc Falkoff’s talk about his book

“Poems from Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak”

Now its on for the Thursday after next Tuesday’s election.

The group’s press release follows:

MCC’S STUDENT PEACE GROUP RESCHEDULES EVENT FEATURING GITMO LAWYER ON FEB. 4th

[Jan. 26, 2010.Crystal Lake, IL] The McHenry County College Student Peace Action Network (SPAN) has rescheduled a controversial event focusing on a book of poetry by Guantanamo Bay detainees. for Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in the college’s conference center.

The keynote speaker, Marc Falkoff, a Northern Illinois University criminal law professor who represented 16 detainees, plans to speak about a book that he edited titled “Poems from Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak.”  The moderator will be Todd Culp, Ph.D., political science instructor at MCC.

Falkoff initially was scheduled to speak at the college in December, but the event was canceled because of security concerns. SPAN had planned the December speaking engagement well in advance, but publicity about the event stirred up controversy as it coincided with funeral visitation for Sgt. Jason A. McLeod, a 22-year-old from Crystal Lake who died in a mortar attack in Afghanistan.

Northern Illinois University criminal law Professor Marc Falkoff

He will discuss the torture the prisoners suffered, the false information elicited, the disarray of evidentiary files, and the telling resignations of  key military prosecutors.  According to Dr. Falkoff, a very real problem exists,

“politics rather than principle reigns at Guantánamo.  As concerned American citizens, we can learn what action we can take to demand accountability and redress of grievances.”

Following the program, he will be available to sign books.

The event is part of SPAN’s Current American Issues Information Seminar Series. SPAN is made up of students promoting peace nationally and locally through action and education. The event is co-sponsored by Pax Christi and the McHenry County Peace Coalition. The event is free and open to the public.

The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake.  For more information, contact the MCC Student Activities Office at (815) 455-8772.

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Here’s background from NIU on the professor:

Background: Falkoff comes to NIU after three years as an attorney with Covington & Burling in New York. The firm, which is considered the top pro bono law firm in the nation, once named Falkoff the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year during his time there. He earned his juris doctorate from Columbia and also holds a Ph.D. in literature from Brandeis. While this is his first full-time faculty appointment, he taught for several years as an adjunct member of the faculty at the Brooklyn Law School. He is currently working on behalf of 17 Yemeni men who are being held without charges by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay.

Why NIU? “NIU has a very high commitment to public interest law, and that is extremely important to me.”

Goals: “I want to give my students a solid grounding in legal theory, but also instill in them an appreciation for the amount of social good they can do in the world as a lawyer. Personally, I want to not only do excellent scholarly work, but also maintain my real-world focus. It is very important for me to do both, and that is actually something that is encouraged here.”

Time to mark your new calendar on January 15th.

That’s the day that Patriots United have scheduled a candidates’ night for those running for the McHenry County Board.

Below you can see the text of the group’s announcement:

WHAT:  Our PATRIOTS UNITED January Townhall highlighting candidates vying for McHenry County Board seats in the February 2010 Primary Election.  Moderators will offer questions and topics of discussion important to all McHenry county voters for the candidates to discuss while they reveal their visions for the future of our county.

WHERE:  McHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE CONFERENCE CENTER (Building B), McHenry County College, Crystal Lake.

WHEN: JANUARY 15, 2010  – Our event will take place at the McHenry County College Conference center (Building B) beginning with registration at 6:30 p.m.  The forum/discussion and candidate debate will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Time permitting, a question/answer portion will be afforded the audience participants following the candidates/moderators discussion.

WHY? Find out about who represents you locally and find out their positions on a range of topics…Attend to engage the process and stay informed.  We ALL benefit when citizens take an active role in local, county, state and federal governance.

SET THE DATE ASIDE NOW and we’ll look forward to seeing you on January 15th.

For those who think McHenry County College Board members Donna Kurtz (now a candidate for McHenry County Board) and Scott Summers (now running for State Treasurer on the Green Party ticket) were wrong to help kill the minor league baseball stadium on MCC property, take a look at what has happened to a much better situated stadium on I-90.

To put it in pre-teen talk:

Stadium Fail!

First is was Trustee Gerry McMahon.

Last night it was Supervisor Linda Moore.

Trustee Rob LaPorta read what sounded like a bill of particulars listing all the actions that he considered improper and the four trustees, all of whom have been at odds with Moore since she beat incumbent Supervisor John Rossi by 30 votes in this past spring’s Republican primary election.

“Could I have a copy?” Moore asked after the vote was taken.

The main thrust of primary Moore’s campaign was to reverse the approval of a new $3.5 million township hall ($5 million with interest) the then-board, three of whom were re-elected, approved.

Nothing in the resolution of censure referred to Moore’s and her allies’ success in forcing the loan to be repaid and putting the sale of the current township hall to the township road district in jeopardy.

Grafton Township is the second McHenry County governmental board to go in for censure.

The first was the McHenry County College Board. The five-member board majority censured colleagues Donna Kurtz and Scott Summers for changing their mind on using taxpayer-backed bonds to build a minor league baseball stadium at the Crystal Lake McHenry County College campus.

The Grafton Township meeting ended about 12:15 AM and I stayed to the bitter end.

The board passed its levies with one minute to spare, yesterday being the deadline.

The Road Fund is asking for $732,788. On the non-road side, the total is $999,200.

“We’ll only get an additional $19,000 no matter what we do.

There seems to be a one-day problem with public notice. The levy must be filed with the county clerk by December 19th, but it has to be posted 20 days.

Hard to figure out how both requirements can be met.

Back when I was McHenry County Treasurer in the late 1960’s about ten percent of the tax bills were paid under protest. My non-lawyer’s guess is there might be some folks talking to tax protest attorneys about the two deadlines.

Read this press release from McHenry County College and consider telling those listening what you think.

I think my request would be an administration that would be more transparent.

The problem is getting the college board to record their meetings is up to the board members themselves, not the hired help.

I’d also like a contract that prohibits $200,000+ golden parachutes if the new president is found unsatisfactory for whatever reason.

Finally, I’d like someone who has spent some time in a business that needed to cut expenses.

MCC INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PROVIDE INPUT ON PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

[December 8, 2009.Crystal Lake, IL] McHenry County College, in partnership with professional search firm, Isaacson, Miller, is embarking on a search process for the college’s new, permanent president.

In mid-December, special sessions will be conducted with key stakeholders, including the presidential search committee, faculty, staff, students and other constituents to hear feedback on the presidential search, including the short- and long-term objectives for the incoming president.

A special community feedback session has been scheduled for 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16 in the MCC Employee Dining Room. All community members are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on the following topics:

• Objectives for MCC’s new president
• Qualifications and experience
• Personal qualities
• Source and candidate recommendations

Based on feedback received from this community session, as well as other scheduled feedback sessions, Isaacson, Miller will complete a presidential profile, which will be shared with the search committee and interested candidates and sources in the search.

In one of the first county board fund raisers of the year, McHenry County College Board member Donna Kurtz gathered supporters at The Cottage at the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Brink Street Thursday night.

Kurtz is running to replace either incumbent County Board Chairman Ken Koehler or member Lyn Orphal in the early February Republican primary election.

Crystal Lake City Councilman Jeff Thorsen introduced the candidate.

“I am very, very, very enthusiastic supporter of Donna Kurtz,” he said. “We need someone with her honesty and integrity in county board government.”

Kurtz said she was inspired by her mother former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz’ concern for environmental protection and former State Rep. Cal Skinner’s fiscal conservativeness. Rep. Kurtz defeated Rep. Skinner in the 2000 GOP primary election.

Former State Reps. Rosemary Kurtz and Cal Skinner, plus McHenry County College Board member and County Board candidate Donna Kurtz. (Jeff Thorsen commented that this should be sent to Ripley's Believe It or Not.)

“As many of you know, the world goes full circle.”

Kurtz said she running for the board of directors of a $260 million organization, McHenry County government.

Reflecting on her service on the McHenry County College Board, Kurtz said it had taught her this lesson:

“You gotta do your own research. Everyone’s got their own agenda.”

She didn’t say she was reflecting on her support of building a minor league baseball stadium on college property and, then, changing her mind with the announcement being at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting the night re-zoning was being discussed, but that might be a good guess.

“My courage was driven by my thought I couldn’t stand not to do the right thing,” she stated.

Besides Thorsen, City Council members Carolyn Schofield and Brett Hopkins were in attendance, as were park board members Mike Walkup and Richard Sexton.

McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters, who actually lives in District 2 in the tiny bit of Algonquin in the district was also in attendance, as was Nunda Township Supervisor John Heisler.

Members of A-LAW, the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water were in attendance. The group recently proposed strict potential conflict disclosure rules for county elected and appointed officials.  The Alden Road Alliance was also represented. District 3 county board candidate Craig Steagall, who actively opposes the location of the proposed Ridgefield Metra station on Country Club Road, also was present.

Touchdown Sponsor

• Tamara Kurtz

Field Goal Sponsors

• Erv & Louise Lecoque
• Dr. Robert & Carol Minkus

Safety Sponsors

• Jeannine Thoms
• Connie Zukowski
• Scott Summers
• Jewel Hahn
• Jill Hartman

Extra Point Sponsors

• Keith & Marge Nygren
• Phyllis Walters
• Bill & Alice Howenstine
• James & Diane Gesler
• Lou Ann & Jerome Majewski
• Jean Plews
• Patricia Floeter
• Brett & Tina Hopkins

The team was named the “CornBelters.“

Nice play on words.

The “Corn Crib” is what the stadium will be called.

I wonder if it will be decorated like South Dakota’s Corn Palace. It’s covered with murals made out of corn cobs. One local told us it was “the world’s biggest bird feeder.”

How’s construction going?

“Concrete has been set around home plate for the sitting bowl, from which fans will be able to view all the action of the CornBelters Baseball excitement front and center.“The outfield is starting to take shape for its players, while the field surface is being laid into place. The first and third base side dugouts have been installed and will begin forming the outer line of the dugout for the CornBelters, as well as their opposing teams.

“The concourse is also starting to look warm and inviting for all the CornBelters’ fans to enjoy.“

The name of the team mascot?

Corny.

You can find more on the team here.

McHenry County College’s location for baseball stadium, of course, is still a corn field.

The first home game in Normal is scheduled for May 21st.

That’s the month baseball promoter Pete Heitman wanted his team to start playing at MCC.

No construction has begun on the replacement Woodstock site across from Centegra Hospital.

Former McHenry County College Trustee Scott Summers has written about the Ridgefield train station that Metra has proposed. His essay follows:

A Metra station at Ridgefield: Making a Good Thing Better
by Scott Summers

Much has been said of Metra’s plans to buy land in Ridgefield for a new commuter train station. A parcel already is under contract, subject to contingencies. The City of Crystal Lake is weighing annexation and other matters.

There is, however, a much better location for the station: about three blocks to the south and east, at the intersection of Tartan Drive and Ridgefield Road. It’s the easterly entrance to McHenry County College.

Why is it better?

Because the public already owns fifty-seven acres of vacant land there!

Two years ago, MCC “land banked” this acreage in order to assure plenty of room for future growth.

So if the public owns considerable property in the vicinity already – why spend in excess of a million dollars for more?

Especially for land that’s roughly three blocks farther away from what’s likely to be the largest generator of passengers for the station — McHenry County College!

Let’s be clear:

MCC’s land is not contiguous to the train.

Ridgefield Road lies between the MCC entrance and the tracks. Land for the station proper needs to be purchased.

But parking? Place the requisite commuter parking on the presently unused MCC property. The College can lease (rather than sell) the land to the City of Crystal Lake, which would in turn manage the lots. In the event the land is required for campus expansion some decades hence, a lease would permit easy reversion to MCC.

By leasing out MCC’s vacant property, the Metra land acquisition funds can be freed up instead for station and traffic improvements, including a bike and walking trail covering the three or so blocks from the station site up to the campus proper.

Traffic issues – very difficult in Ridgefield, to be sure – would be mitigated through lot entrances and vehicle flows concentrated along Tartan Drive.

Let’s sketch out some of the other benefits of a train station at Ridgefield.

Access – or, more correctly, lack thereof – has been a chronic problem at the College ever since the facility was sited on Route 14 almost forty years ago.

Public transit options are severely limited: the Crystal Lake train station is almost four miles away, and PACE bus service is sporadic.

In other words – unless you can drive to MCC, you’re basically out of luck.

And given the ever-worsening countywide traffic congestion, and suboptimal roads, and winter and nighttime driving hazards, and gas prices, and climate change, well – driving is not exactly ideal in any event.

A public transportation option for the College grows more compelling every day.

A train stop three blocks away (as opposed to six blocks, under the present plan) would of course benefit the students and faculty and staff directly.

But it would benefit all of the county as well.

It would ease automobile traffic.

It would open up attendance opportunities at the College.

It would make the campus a county – indeed, a regional – focus for concerts and other cultural events.

There’s more.

A Ridgefield station would drive economic development in the vicinity.

The stretch of Route 14 between Crystal Lake and Woodstock already is slated for business and retail uses.

A commuter train station in the vicinity would be a boon to businesses, workers, retailers, and shoppers alike.

So let’s marry two of our very best public resources – Metra and MCC. And let’s use vacant public land for the purpose!

We all know that McHenry County is a great place to live. Let’s make it better.

“Take a train to college!” Our good fortune in this respect would be the envy of communities throughout the country.

This magnificent opportunity is ours for the taking. Let’s seize it!

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Scott Summers was a trustee at McHenry County College between 2005 and 2009. Summers is also the Green Party candidate for State Treasurer.

The resolution points out that

• the station is not next to the MCC campus
• there are no sidewalks from the train station to the college
• there are railroad track crossing issues
• it “does not provide for safe and convenient access” for students and staff

The resolution asks the Metra Board to conduct

“additional analysis and consideration of land purchase options…(of a site) contiguous with and, within walking distance of, the MCC campus.”

Former McHenry County College Trustee Scott Summers is running for State Treasurer on the Green Party ticket.

Last year he was the Green Party candidate for Congress in the 16th Congressional District.

On his campaign web site, Summers offers this “sampling” of “programs and outreach:”

* Enforce fiscal responsibility, including advocacy for a balanced state budget and debt reduction
* Champion “microcapitalism” through a program of home and community-based businesses, using microloans and microgrants
* Develop green-collar jobs and training programs
* Recognize that economy and ecology really are bound up as one: commit to a statewide “eco-eco” program of business and development
* Stand up for citizens, and work hard to rein in predatory financial practices and dubious lending schemes
* Foster financial education as early as grade school, and equip children and adults alike with smart money management skills for their personal lives

Here’s what he says about himself:

“Scott Summers has been an attorney for over twenty years. He concentrates in estate planning, probate, and business. In addition to his law degree from Northern Illinois University, Summers holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a liberal arts degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

“Summers has long been active in a wide variety of civic pursuits. Between 2005 and 2009, he served as an elected trustee at McHenry County College. Scott was a member of the Board of Visitors of Northern Illinois University’s College of Law between 1997 and 2004. During the 1980s, he was treasurer for three nonprofits: Harvard Community Memorial Hospital, Hospice for McHenry County, and a church in Woodstock, IL. Before becoming a lawyer, Scott worked as an executive in the public sector, including four years with the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission.

“Summers also is the author of two ‘how-to’ volumes. Guardianship and Conservatorship: A Handbook for Lawyers appeared in 1996. Advance Health Care Directives: A Handbook for Professionals was released in 2002. Both titles are published by the American Bar Association.

“Born in Evanston and raised in Wilmette, Scott has resided in Chicago and Oak Park. For over thirty years, he and his wife and have lived on a small farm near Harvard, in far northern McHenry County. They are the parents of two adult sons.”