McHenry County Blog

McHenry County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill is planning to plug a hole in her power structure by removing County Board Sandy Salgado from the Public Health and Human Services Committee.

In her place Hill is recommending Robert M. Martens, Sr.

Salgado did not vote for Hill for Chairman.

Martens did.  Martens and Salgado are both from District 4, which covers McHenry, Richmond and Spring Grove.

Putting a loyalist on the Public Health Committee will allow Hill to neutralize its Chairman, Donna Kurtz, any time Hill wants to.

The margin is now 4-3, with Kurtz being able to rely upon support from Salgado, Hammerand, Walkup and herself.  All are Republicans with Salgado being from McHenry, Hammerand from Wonder Lake with Walkup and Kurtz from Crystal Lake.

The three loyal to Hill are

• Mary McCann (R-Woodstock)
• Anna May Miller (R-Cary)
• Paula Yensen (D-Lake in the Hills)

 

The McHenry County Liquor and License Committee met Monday morning with an audience of liquor license holders pretty much filling the room.

According to Committee chairman Ken Koehler, there were 15 people testifying in favor of a vote on a resolution to legalize slot machines in taverns and restaurants with liquor licenses in unincorporated McHenry County.  Four were in opposition.

Four testified in favor of keeping the ban on video poker in unincorporated areas.

The argument has shifted from when the legalization was defeated 13-10-3.

Then union members were arguing that money from video gambling was necessary to fund infrastructure improvements that would provide jobs.

Those folks were not in the committee room, as far as I could tell.

Instead tavern owners attended, arguing that there was an uneven playing field in their line of work with many municipalities having approved gambling in bars that competed directly with them.

Randy Kief, who owns a bar south of McHenry, gave an easy to understand example. He’s the one who presented a petition from liquor license owners, which was distributed to all County Board members.

“The problem now is the playing field is uneven.”

He told of missing two brothers, long-time customers, on Super Bowl Sunday. He discovered that they and their wives spent the day at a bar two miles away.

“The wives were playing the games while the guys were watching the game,” he related.

He added that he had heard of no problem that had been caused by the in-tavern gambling.

Another establishment owner, Tom Hensy of Horizontals Saloon, told of his business’ being “down 40% in food sales alone since December.”

He said there were “sixty establishments without gaming.”

On the other side of the argument was McHenry’s Joyce Story.

“Last year when I came before the Board, it came from a concern for my community, for our chi8ldren and the impact on their future.”

While she said she felt “bad for the people” asking for repeal of the prohibition of gambling, she argued, “It is not for the betterment of our community. It is for the detriment of our future.”

Story warned of businessmen trying to get liquor licenses just so they could get a video gaming license.

“We will have mini-casinos all over this community.

“We don’t want to become another Las Vegas…It will lead to the destruction of our community.”

Jack Meyer, owner of the Crystal Bowl, told of his initial opposition to having the machines.

But he has changed his mind.

He complained about the state’s having opened up casinos.

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

When testimony was completed, County Board member Joe Gottemoller asked how many votes it would take to pass the proposal.

The answer was three. And only three of the five members were in attendance.

Bob Nowak and Sue Draffkorn were absent.

Next Diane Evertsen spoke.

She noted that the last time the issue came up she was in the audience and heard people complaining that without video gambling customers would go to Wisconsin.

After taking a look at Wisconsin law, she concluded, ‘If there were in fact gambling in Wisconsin that was paying off, it was indeed illegal.”

Continuing on what happened the last time around, she said, “We saw the room absolutely stuffed with union members saying they would lose their homes [if video poker were not allowed.

"Two weeks later we saw those very same people across the street on strike.

"That's my soap box."

Gottemoller related that the neighbor next door when he was growing up [in LaSalle County] “had a slot machine in his home and I started using it at age 4.”

“I’m not thrilled that we’re gong to have gambling every place.

“I would at least move this forward to the County Board. If it takes three votes, it’s not going to happen today.”

“I’d say so,” Evertsen interjected.

The committee voted 3-0 to table the resolution until Monday, April 8th, at 10 AM. That is not the regular meeting date. It was set so that Chairman Koehler would be in town.

The names of those signing in can be seen below:

A letter arrived in the mail today from Erin Smith.

She is the Village President of Lakewood, where I live.

I wondered if she was announcing she is running for re-election, thinking that I hadn’t written a story about that and all of the incumbent trustees but John Burton’s decision to do the same.

But, not.

It was an endorsement letter for McHenry County Board candidate and Chairman Ken Koehler.

Koehler worked with Lakewood on the SportsPlex, so the endorsement didn’t surprise me.

You can see the letter below:

Smith relates how Koehler has worked closely with Lakewood “on a variety of issues. She notes the county’s sound financial standing as opposed to those of state government.

I found the following interesting:

“As some people criticize Ken’s influence at the county, state and federal level, it is important to keep in mind that his influence has grown based on trust and credibility. And there is only one way to establish credibility–you do what you said you were going to to. Ken established credibility with his fellow board members and other elected officials by accomplishing the things we defined as priorities.”

Interesting to see how Koehler is viewed by an elected official who has worked with him.

Here’s the palm card that was inside the envelope:

Here’s the back of the Koehler palm card:

This is the time of year when candidates, well, mainly candidates’ supporters, knock down opponents’ signs, replace them with then own, if they aren’t very bright, or just put their candidates’ sign in front of the opponents, if they are more astute.

Candidates without supporters in an area, put their signs on the public right-of-way, not remotely legal.

Just talked to a Republican candidate for County Board in District 5 who said his volunteers were campaigning in Lake in the Hills, leaving literature at front doors, when one saw a girl get out of a car, go up to a house and take the literature.

When confronted, the girl said, “Oh, I thought that was out literature.”

Strange.

Why would someone remove their own candidates’ literature?

In this day of phones that take pictures, that’s a really strange thing to do.

Not to mention politically dangerous.

This could end up being a developing story.

Saturday night’s crowd of candidates also gave opening statements.

And, as on Friday, some targeted like a laser beam on the tax hike issue. (See also Part 1 and Part 2.)

But before beginning, let me remind you of those incumbents who voted to increase the tax levy so much that the tax take from property owners will be as high as allowed by state law.

Those running for re-election are in boldface type.

• Robert Bless
• Scott Breeden
• Sue Draftcorn (a switch)
• Mary Donner
• Jim Heisler
• Tina Hill (a switch)
• John Jung
• Donna Kurtz
• Mary McCann
• Pete Merkel
• Anna May Miller (a switch)
• Marc Munaretto
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Ken Koehler

Michael Stanard, running for a spot on the GOP primary ballot drew the first slot to speak and said, “I would [have]voted against an increase in the tax levy.”

District 6 incumbent Diane Evertsen of Hartland Township said, “I voted against an increase in the tax levy. This is exactly the wrong time.”

Coral Township’s Shawn Green, also running in District 6, gave the same message: “I did not support the Board’s decision to increase the tax levy.” While he suggested the levy will have to be increased from time to time, “now is not the time to do it. With no new construction, the slightest increase will lead to an increase in taxes.”

Rachel Smith of Wonder Lake, another District 6 challenger, pointed out she knew the estimates of the average homes tax increase was $8, but

“$8 can help feed my family for a week if I go to Aldi’s.

“The government needs to live within its means.”

Marengo Alderman Corey Brackmann, also running for a District 6 Republican slot, said he didn’t think raising the levy at this time was a good idea.

He pointed out that he had “voted against the proposed increase in the City of Marengo.”

District 5 aspirant Michael Rein of Woodstock added this thought [remember all of this is in the opening statements]:

I also think the tax levy should not have [been] raises. ”

He urged voters to look at how his opponents had voted the last two years, not just this year.

“People who voted against the tax levy also voted to increase their [own] salaries,” he added.

[See

McHenry County Board Votes on Salary Hikes

Voting "No" were

• Virginia Peschke
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Ersel Schuster
• Paula Yensen]

“I was opposed to the increase in the tax levy,”  said David LaGue, the only farmer on the ballot in District 6.

“Workable alternatives [exist].”

He added that it wasn’t a good idea when when the economy was doing poorly.

Huntley School District 158 Board President Mike Skala agreed with everyone up to that point.

“I would not have supported the tax increase,” he said. “I led the effort to keep our levy flat.:

[Afterwards, I asked what that meant. Skala explained that his Board was abating taxes that were levied in order to keep the tax bill flat.

When I asked if that meant the school district could take a 4.5% increase for 2013, he admitted that was the case. (The 4.5% would consist of the 1% CPI increase allowed this year by the Property Tax Cap, plus the 3% allowed next year.)]

Michael Stanard, challenger in District 6, explained,

“I’m in favor actually of reducing the levy.

“The only way for the government to get smaller is to take the money away.

District 6 incumbent Ersel Schuster voted against hiking the tax levy as well. She said that there “should be an outside audit” to identify items that could be cut.

McHenry County Board incumbent Ersel Schuster voted against the tax hike.

She said there “should be an outside audit” to identify unneeded expenditures.

Missing from their forum were

• District 5 incumbent Tina Hill
• District 5 incumbent John Jung, Jr.
• District 5 incumbent Virginia Peschke
• District 6 aspirant Michele R. Aavang
• District 6 incumbent Mary McCann
• District 6 non-incumbent J. Vincent Ranzino

Those who voted for the levy hiking taxes on this year’s bills are in boldface type. The others who did so are mentioned in the articles.

A press release from the McHenry County Board:

The McHenry County Board is accepting applications from individuals interested in appointment to the McHENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMITTEE (CDBG). All terms are for 2, 3 or 4 years.

The following appointments are available:

Representatives from County Board Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 which may include representation from among the following professions, associations or organizations:

• banking industry,
• McHenry County Association of Realtors,
• McHenry County Homebuilder Association,
• McHenry County Bar Association,
• carpenters,
• electricians,
• plumbers,
• building inspectors,
• architects and
• engineers.

All interested persons are encouraged to apply regardless of affiliation with any group.

Representatives from township supervisors, township road commissioners, and/or municipalities within McHenry County limited to mayors (presidents), aldermen/councilmen (trustees) or administrators (managers).

One (1) appointment for a non-voting (ex-officio) member which shall consist of a representative from a McHenry County service agency.

One (1) appointment for a non-voting (ex-officio) member which shall consist of a representative from the McHenry County Housing Authority.

All applicants shall be residents of and/or employed in McHenry County, Illinois.

Application forms are available at the County Board Office, Room 209, McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815-334-4221) or at the County’s website.

If mailing your application, certified or registered mail is recommended. Mailed applications should be sent to the following address: McHenry County Board, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098.

= = = = =
It does appear that the County Board has so narrowed the requirements some like me, with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, need not apply. I wonder why? No one without a job, say an educated stay-at-home Mom, would be welcomed either.

The McHenry County Board failed to break with the “increase the tax take as much as possible” crowd, but they came close.

Barb Wheeler made the motion to remove the CPI and Nick Provenzano seconded it.   Wheeler is a candidate for State Representative and Provenzano is running for re-election.  Both are from District 3, where a hot primary for County Board is shaping up.

There was an 11-11 vote on the motion to prevent county government from grabbing as many property tax dollars as the Real Estate Tax Cap law allows.

A tie vote loses.

I explained what was to be presented to the County Board in this article two weeks ago:

No Financial Diet for McHenry County Next Year + The Tax Levy Game

It was a levy intended to maximize the tax take for county government.

If the levy for year two exceeds the extension year one by the percentage amount allowed under PTELL (the initials of the Tax Cap law), then taxes will go up the maximum amount allowed.

The extension is the amount allowed to be collected, that is, the amount billed by the County Treasurer.

After an attempt by half of the Board to keep county taxes from increasing, a second vote passed the “take all you can get” levy by a vote of 15-7.

Kevin Craver’s article in the Northwest Herald tells details, but the most telling observation was made by Crystal Lake’s Donna Kurtz.  The story puts it this way:

“…the hole created by inflation would increase over time and hamper the county’s ability to handle unforeseen expenses and state funding shortfalls.”

That, of course, is the line and attitude of those who believe that government must take as much as it can out of our pockets.

Somehow, I don’t think the ordinary taxpayers with a couple of empty houses on their blocks would agree with that logic.

There was a motion to eliminate the 1.5% tax hike, but it failed 11-11.

Listed in the order in which their names were called, those in favor of limiting county government’s budget growth follow:

• Sue Draffcorn (D4)
• Diane Evertsen (D6)
• John Hammerand (D4)
• Tina Hill (D5)
• Anna May Miller (D1)
• Robert Nowak (D1)
• Nick Provenzano (D3)
• Sandra Salgado (D4)
• Ersel Schuster (D6)
• Barb Wheeler (D3)
• Paula Yensen (D5)

Those voting against cutting the budget were

• Bob Bless (D1)
• Scott Breeden (D2)
• Mary Donner (D3)
• Jim Heisler (D2)
• John Jung (D5)
• Donna Kurtz (D2)
• Mary McCann (D6)
• Peter Merkel (D4)
• Marc Muneratto (D1)
• Kathy Schmidt (D3)
• Ken Koehler (D2)

Note that one Democrat (Yensen) voted against increasing taxes, while the other (Schmidt) stuck to the traditional position of her party and voted to maximize tax income.  That mitigates against a county wide campaign by Democrats next year in which they position themselves as being on the side of the taxpayers.

There was a second vote taken in which the levy was passed as presented.

Nevertheless, almost half of the County Board members opened themselves up to primary or general election challenges about their being on the taxpayers’ side.  (Two were absent.)

On a parochial note, no District 2 members voted against increasing taxes.  Perhaps not coincidentally, District 2 has only four candidates for four County Board openings.  Finance Committee Chairman Scott Breeden is retiring.

In the most rural district and the one with most candidates running, two incumbents voted with taxpayers–Evertsen and Schuster–while one (McCann) voted to hike taxes.

In District 5, voting “No” besides the lone Democrat Yensen was Republican Hill.  The other incumbent, Jung, who was beaten by Yensen in 2008 voted to hike taxes.  Jung ran ahead of Hill in the last election, when Jung defeated Democrat Jim Kennedy, who is running again.

The following 15 members voted in favor:

• Robert Bless
• Scott Breeden
• Sue Draftcorn (a switch)
• Mary Donner
• Jim Heisler
• Tina Hill (a switch)
• John Jung
• Donna Kurtz
• Mary McCann
• Pete Merkel
• Anna May Miller (a switch)
• Marc Munaretto
• Robert Novak (a switch)
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Ken Koehler

In a related effort Tea Party East Dundee Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn could find only one person (Jeff Lynam) to vote with him on not increasing the village’s levy.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the man who placed third in the contest to be named McHenry County Board Chairman is running again.

The vote in 2008 was sixteen for Ken Koehler, six for Barb Wheeler and two for Marc Munaretto.

Munaretto’s votes two Decembers ago were his own and Randy Donley’s.

The major challenger to incumbent Ken Koehler was Barb Wheeler last time around. She received seven votes.

Besides her own vote, she received support from Sue Draffkorn, Virginia Peschke, Sandy Salgado, Kathy Bergan Schmidt and Dan Ryan.

Koehler retaliated by stripping Wheeler of her committee chairmanship. There was additional retaliation by Koehler to those who supported Wheeler, which may be coming home to roost.

Munaretto is not up for re-election this year.

Koehler is.

Koehler and his District 2 running mate, Donna Kurtz, were not on the best of terms during the primary election.

There is no indication the two Republicans are running a coordinated campaign.

They are being challenged by Democrat Mark Booras.

The McHenry County Young Republicans invite folks, young and old, to their next meeting on Wednesday January 20 at 7:00 PM.

The meeting will be held at the restaurant 1776 in Crystal Lake, on Route 14 between the signals at Virginia Street and Dole Avenue near the water tower..

The group’s announcement says,

“This will be a very exciting meeting for us as we will be having some very distinguished guests in attendance.  Attending our meeting will be County Board Members

• Lyn Orphal
• Ken Koehler
• Barbara Wheeler
• Sandra Salgado
• Tina Hill
• Daniel Ryan
• Mary McCann.

“Also in attendance will be count board candidates

• Robert Nowak
• Donna Kurtz
• Veronica Armstrong
• Nick Provenzano
• David Federick
• Karen Tynis
• Craig Steagal
• Diane Evertsen

“Attendance is highly encouraged to support our local Republican county board candidates.”

At the Patriots United Town Hall County Board Candidates’ Forum last Friday night, incumbents Ken Koehler, Anna May Miller, Yvonne Barnes and Peter Merkel did not attend.

You read what the Woodstock Independent, the Northwest Herald and the Daily Herald want to know about and from candidates. Here’s what the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water are interested in learning about those running for the McHenry County Board:

ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2010 Primary Election

Please, indicate yes or no in the box to the right of the question.

A. Land Use

1. Have you personally attended any of the Regional Planning Commission meetings or subcommittee meetings on the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan?

2. Have you read the proposed 2030 Land Use Plan?

3. Do you think the makeup of the 2030 Regional Planning Commission was a balanced representation of the residents of the county?

4. Do you agree that new development should be located where infrastructure exists, to minimize the extension of new roads, utilities and services, and protect farmland and water recharge areas?

5. If elected, will you support funding permanent protection of agricultural land and the agricultural industry in the County?

6. Do you understand that new rural development costs more for the extension of infrastructure (roads, water, sewer and services) than it brings to the County in taxes and that those extra costs are passed on to the existing taxpayers?

7. Do you support creation of the Hac-Ma-Tac National Wildlife Refuge in the county?

B. Water Resources

1. Would you oppose any land use change that would exceed a locally recharged aquifer’s capacity?

2. If elected will you enforce use of the SARA – Sensitive Aquifer Recharge Areas map developed by the County Water Resources Department, as a determining factor in every land use change decision?

3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water-rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater?

4. Do you think that McHenry County will be able to get water from Lake Michigan?

C. Transparency in Government

1. Would you support a requirement that all elected or appointed county officials make up-front disclosures of any financial or other interest in any real property in the County?

2. Do you support a requirement that all elected or appointed county officials make up-front disclosures of their interest in any business entity doing business with the county?

3. Do you believe that public officials should disclose whether they provide professional services to any unit of government to which they are elected or appointed?

4. Do you agree that all scheduled meetings agendas and minutes, including committee and sub-committee, should be posted on the County web site?

5. Do you agree that all McHenry County Board meetings should be video recorded and posted on the County web site?

D. Short Answer. Only the number of words indicated will be published in the response report. (please add a page if you need more room, but remember that we can only print the number of words indicated. Thank you.)

1. What role do you think the County should play in planning for growth? (50 words)

2. By protecting agricultural lands and soil resources, groundwater and its natural recharge can also be protected. What will you do to provide that protection? (50 words)

3. What does the County get from its annual contract with the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and is it a good investment of taxpayer money? (50 words)

4. Who do you consider to be your constituents and how do you intend to communicate with them to ensure your positions honestly represent them? (50 words)

5. Please provide a personal statement about what you intend to accomplish, if elected to the County Board, and/or provide additional information regarding any of the “ / no” yes answers given above. (100 words)

Answers are due January 11th.