McHenry County Blog

One of the roles McHenry County Blog plays is alerting daily newspapers of stories they otherwise might not think of.

This might be one of those articles.

The Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water came up with an idea to help remove the suspicion that many members of the public have that county board members use their office for personal gain.

If you tell me people you have talked to haven’t brought this up, I’d suggest you are not very deeply into local citizenship.

The questionnaire idea was presented at the committee level of the McHenry County Board, received a chilly reception, and sent to the State’s Attorney’s Office for reviews, that is, to see if any or all of it would be legal for a non-Home Rule unit of local government to impose upon its officials.

Then, District 3 challenger Craig Steagall decided to fill out the form and submit it to ALAW.

District 2 challenger Donna Kurtz followed suit.

As of now, seven challengers and three incumbents have submitted such information about their personal financial situation.

Ten in all.

Considering Steagall is in District 2 and has demonstrated deep enough pockets to buy full page ads in the Northwest Herald, perhaps it is not surprising that two of his opponents—former County Board member Nick Provenzano and incumbent Barb Wheeler– have decided to make voluntary disclosure.

In District 5, incumbent Tina Hill has filed. In District 6, Mary McCann is among three candidates who have made disclosure.

So, three incumbents running for re-election are willing to stand up for reform.

Barb Wheeler

Tina Hill

Mary McCann

And, they are all women.  Does that tend to re-enforce my analysis that voters think women are less likely to be crooks than men?

Only three, it should be noted. They deserve to have their photos here, don’t you think?

And no one not up for reelection has yet to file a form.

Below is ALAW’s press release:

CANDIDATES DISCLOSURES KEEP COMING

Ten candidates for County Board in the upcoming primary have now voluntarily sent ALAW statements pursuant to the ALAW conflicts disclosure ordinance. Disclosure have been received from

• Donna Kurtz (R), District 2;
• Craig Steagall (R), District 3;
• Nick Provenzano (R), District 3;
• Barb Wheeler (R), District 3;
• Jeff Thirtyacre (D), District 4;
• Tina Hill (R), District 5;
• Frank Wedig (Green Party), District 5;
• Diane Evertsen (R), District 6;
• Mary McCann (R), District 6;
• Richard Draper (R), District 6.

(Incumbents are shown in bold face type; party identification has been added.)

The disclosures and the ordinance are both posted on the ALAW web site here.

ALAW expects to receive more disclosures over the next few days and challenges all candidates file statements.

There is no deadline for filing statements, but it is hoped that all candidates will file prior to the February 2 primary election.

ALAW presented the draft ordinance to the County Board on December 1, 2009.

It is currently under review by the McHenry County States Attorney’s office. If passed, the ordinance will require up front disclosure of elected and appointed county official’s real estate holdings and business relationships with the county.

“Our intent is to dispel the perception that our county officials sometimes place personal interest over their duty to their constituents. That idea has been an undercurrent in our county for a long time, and has recently become more widely expressed by the general public,”

said ALAW Director Emily Berendt. “With “transparency in government’ being such a key issue statewide right now, and the primary election approaching, the timing was right to present this ordinance.”

ALAW President Patricia Kennedy said,

“This was certainly unexpected but is a wonderful affirmation of our belief that full disclosure is as welcome by these candidates as it is by the public.”

Alliance for Land Agriculture and Water
PO Box 1021, Woodstock
Contact: Patricia Kennedy
815-943-7223

= = = = =
Come to think of it, this voluntary disclosure idea probably has as it precedent the voluntary release of income tax forms by Illinois Democratic Party politician Paul Simon.  I remember reading his Atlantic Monthly article in my Aunt Louise Stevens copy while visiting my grandparents in Maryland several years before moving to Illinois in 1958.  His article about the blatant crookedness in Springfield was my introduction to Illinois politics.

At the McHenry County Board meeting Tuesday, a couple of folks commented on allowing video slot machines in local taverns and restaurants. Below is what Harvard’s Pat Kennedy contributed to the discussion:

Good Morning,

I am Patricia Kennedy, 20712 Streit Road, rural Harvard.

I understand your desire for money to do work on our roads.   I really understand the need for the jobs that work would create.   However. . .

Addressing the issues of rules for video gambling. . .

• How well do you think those rules can be enforced?
• Who will be enforcing those rules?

Doubtless that will be the employees of the establishments where these machines would be installed.

So the business which would be receiving the financial benefit of the machines would also be expected to police the system.   A pretty strong conflict of interest.

Add to that the strong track record that indicates that video gambling is truly a different animal.   It is vastly more addictive than other forms of gambling.

I understand that this can be difficult decision for you, however
I hope that you will look at the long range view on this and realize the true cost in dollars and destroyed families.

Please vote to ban video gambling.

As to the 2030 Plan, being mindful of your long agenda this morning, I look forward to talking to you about the current draft in the near future.

Thank You.

Here’s a press release from a group I have not heard of before, the McHenry County Green Team:

YOUR COUNTY PLAN COMMISSION NEEDS YOUR INPUT!

The McHenry County Green Team encourages all residents to read the proposed 2030 Land Use Plan.

Copies are available at the County Planning and Development office and on line at www.mchenrycounty2030plan.com.

Comments on the draft plan can be submitted via email to 2030plan@co.mchenry.il.us or in writing to McHenry County 2030 Plan, Department of Planning and Development, McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098.

All comments must be received by 4:30 PM, Friday, July 10, 2009.

“If the average resident would just get a copy and read this plan, they would be shocked,” says Green Team member Joyce Kunath.

The plan currently encourages dramatic residential, industrial, and commercial growth in unincorporated areas.

This kind of growth plan is not only destructive to the very resources that sustain us, but will be expensive to support.

“No land use plan should require existing residents to subsidize future residents,” says Green Team member Joe Daleiden.

McHenry County Green Team Members attended several sessions of the recent McHenry County Regional Planning Commission presentation of the Plan.

“We are encouraged by the priorities of most participants in these meetings,” stated Green Team member Patricia Kennedy.

“But substantial changes must be made to conform the plan to these priorities. Residents want to keep the rural feel of the unincorporated western county, preserving farmland and open space and protecting our water supply. These are the same priorities in the results of the Imagine McHenry County Survey done in 2006.”

Green Team member Michelle Kuhlman adds,

“encouraging development without first knowing the long-term sustainable water availability is a prescription for disaster. Without sufficient water McHenry County real estate will become almost worthless.”

Green Team member Rich Brook summed it up saying,

“Long term sustainable agricultural land is a prime prerequisite to survival of the species. There could be almost three billion more persons in the world by the middle of this century and the United States is one of only a few areas in the world with a significant (but shrinking) agricultural surplus. In the near future, farmland will be more valuable as farmland than as developed land.”

At least one County Board member at the Plan Commission’s Tuesday sessions agreed that water is a priority resource and the plan needs changes.

For more information about the McHenry County Green Team email us at mchenrycountygreenteam@yahoo.com.

McHenry County Green Team, Patricia Kennedy, Official Spokesperson, 815-943-7223, kishvalleywater@yahoo.com, Mail: ALAW, PO Box 1021, Woodstock, IL 60098

It’s the same flower sent in by Pat Kennedy, but this is all that was left after Thursday’s snow.

The endless winter continues.

Here’s what it looked like before the snow fell.

At least it was melting Friday and will continue to do so today.

Isn’t this reverse order?

It’s the same flower sent in by Pat Kennedy, but this is all that was left after Thursday’s snow.

The endless winter continues.

Here’s what it looked like before the snow fell.

At least it was melting Friday and will continue to do so today.

Isn’t this reverse order?

Harvard’s Pat Kennedy sends in what she thinks is an iris reticulata.

Could be by me.

It certainly is pretty.

Thanks for brightening our day.

If you have one in your garden, please send me a picture. Mine have not bloomed yet, except for the little crocus I found under the leaves on the first day of spring.

Harvard’s Pat Kennedy sends in what she thinks is an iris reticulata.

Could be by me.

It certainly is pretty.

Thanks for brightening our day.

If you have one in your garden, please send me a picture. Mine have not bloomed yet, except for the little crocus I found under the leaves on the first day of spring.