McHenry County Blog

In Southeastern Illinois lies the County of Lawrence. I subscribe to the Sumner Press and saw the ad you see below:

The required referendum passed 1,557 to 1,385, according to Daily Record.

Money collected from the new tax will be distributed to all local school districts in proportion to the number of students in each district.

Once bonds are issued, the tax cannot be abolished until the bonds are paid off.

That, of course, means never.

Two Thursdays before the election (January 21, 2010), one of the local school superintendents wrote this letter to the Sumner Press:

Dear Editor:

Our elected school board members are obligated to assure our community the best possible school systems and facilities, all without excessive burdens on taxpayers. To balance our educational needs and costs is a difficult task.

On February 2, voters of Lawrence County will decide whether a 1% hike in sales tax on certain items (not the most essential) is the best solution to provide much needed improvements and upgrades to our school buildings and facilities.

The referendum on a County School Facility Sales Tax is the result of legislation sponsored by State Representative Roger Eddy and passed by our Legislature which, if approved by our voters, gives us a chance to assure needed improvements to our school facilities (including Lawrenceville High School) and for retiring bonds for Unit 10 construction, without raising taxes on essential items such as groceries, medical drugs and appliances, licensed vehicles, agricultural supplies and machinery, and without raising property taxes.

As taxpayers, we have created a Capital Development Fund which will pay 60% to 70% of the cost of such needed improvements and construction. But if we do not have the necessary “matching funds” (30 or 40% of the costs), our tax money is left on the table for other communities to obtain the facilities we need. The proposed sales tax on other items will provide the needed matching funds.Please attend the Public Forum at the Lawrenceville Central Christian Church this Thursday, January 21, at 5:00 p.m., to hear Rep. Eddy and school officials explain the effect of your vote. Please be an informed voter.

Our community needs, and cannot afford to lose, the educational upgrading and facilities this proposal will provide. I urge a “Yes” vote.

Sincerely,

Philip B. Benefiel

Can you see why I wrote my former legislative colleague, now Publisher Roscoe Cunningham and told him the superintendent was “math impaired.”

I wrote,

“He apparently thinks a one percentage point increase in the local sales tax is the same as a ’1% hike in sales tax.’ (See letter posted online: ‘On February 2, voters of Lawrence County will decide whether a 1% hike in sales tax on certain items (not the most essential) is the best solution to provide much needed improvements and upgrades to our school buildings and facilities.’)

“Really!

“Let’s assume the local sales tax is 6.25%. If so, dividing one percentage point by and a quarter percentage points would yield a 15% sales tax hike.

“Politicians lie all the time about political issues, but wouldn’t you think a school superintendent would tell the truth?

“Or, doesn’t he really know the difference?

“I don’t know which is worse, deliberate deception or not knowing enough about percentages to get out of junior high school.

“Wishing we lived closer together and enjoying your now self-identifed weekly views of the world.”

And he published it with this reply,

“Cal, you are too hard on Supts. Seaton and Steagall. Each is a straight arrow. Antecedent on the numbers isn’t clear.

“We yet remember and appreciate the skill with which you skewered the ‘bad guys,’ across the aisle, in the General Assembly.

“Local GOP, to use Paul Powell’s line, ‘smell the meat a cookin’,’ are confident that either McKenna, Dillard or Ryan will win November 2.

“See you in Springfield for victory celebration.

“Best to you and family,

“roscoe”

I can’t wait for school districts to try this in McHenry County. Rest assured that every county board member who votes to put such a referendum on the ballot will think my McHenry County Republican Cat Tax campaign was mild.

My former legislative colleague Roscoe Cunningham (who used to buy a pan of sweet rolls to induce his Appropriations Committee members to attend his pre-meetings) bought the Sumner Press and opines each week in “Roscoe’s Journal.”

The end of March I wrote how the Lawrence County attorney (The Law Factory), turned newspaper publisher, was pushing for imprisonment of the Guantanamo terrorists in the local state prison.

Yesterday—yes, the Post Office delivered his May 7th edition in one day—Cunningham writes,

“Newest Time has a prominent article on Hardin, Montana, reporting the effort of that impoverished community to land the prisoners to be released from Guantanamo.

“Such moment in the spotlight could have been Lawrence County’s had any of our masters recognized the potential of the Press’ proposal made in December the Sumner Correctional Facility be Guantanamo’s replacement.

“Tragically, $50 million has been ear-marked to be sent overseas for their care.”

That’s what former Illinois State Representative Roscoe Cunningham says in a front page letter to United States Senator Roland Burris in his Sumner Press.

Cunningham, with whom I served in the 1970′s before he, like I, caught congressional fever, continually pleads the case for the poverty of his Southeastern part of Illinois. He seeks additional prisoners for the Lawrenceville state prison.

“RE: Transfer of Guantanamo Releasees to Lawrence Correctional Facility

“Dear Friend of 40 Years:

“We implore you to inform Attorney General Eric Holder today that the Press’ suggested transfer has the overwhelming support of this poverty stricken area.

“We are authorized by the Mayors of Sumner, Bridgeport, Lawrencville and Olney to add their names to our plea. We are assured by the state legislative leaders that designation of a portion of the facility ‘Federally controlled,’ is a formality.

“The community wants this transfer because it is our civic duty to accept the burden of the releases’ further care and the economic boost such relocation will bring. Unlike Leavenworth’s ‘Jayhawk’ Rich, our area needs the business.

“If the Attorney General wishes to make a personal inspection of this facility, remembering that he went to Guantanamo, we’ll appeal to Warden Ryker to unfurl the red carpet any day chosen.

“Lawrenceville Correctional Facilty is located 15 minutes from Mid-American Air Central, the state’s fourth largest, one mild runways.

“We need your help.

“Best wishes,

“Sincerely,

“The Sumner Press”

Every week former State Representative Roscoe Cunningham (R-Lawrenceville), my 1970′s legislative colleague, publishes “Roscoe’s Journal” in the paper he bought, The Sumner Press.

Since McHenry County is so far from Lawrence County, the paper usually takes a week to arrive.

When I read the following paragraph in his January 10th commentary, written after the New Hampshire primary, I started chuckling.

Maybe you will, too.

After the Obama Express came back down to earth, the candidate should have sent a one word telegram to Louis Farrakhan

Many find that powerful leader’s huge mosque on Stoney Island, Chicago, with the lighted Muslim crescent, inimical to the well being of this nation.

Cunningham has some views that some might find offensive, but he has such a way with words.

Every week former State Representative Roscoe Cunningham (R-Lawrenceville), my 1970′s legislative colleague, publishes “Roscoe’s Journal” in the paper he bought, The Sumner Press.

Since McHenry County is so far from Lawrence County, the paper usually takes a week to arrive.

When I read the following paragraph in his January 10th commentary, written after the New Hampshire primary, I started chuckling.

Maybe you will, too.

After the Obama Express came back down to earth, the candidate should have sent a one word telegram to Louis Farrakhan

Many find that powerful leader’s huge mosque on Stoney Island, Chicago, with the lighted Muslim crescent, inimical to the well being of this nation.

Cunningham has some views that some might find offensive, but he has such a way with words.

I read the lead headline in the December 20th Sumner Press.

“To Make Lawrence County Great in 2008”

Then, it hit me.

I wonder how many other papers will rhyme “Great” with “Eight.”

I’ll start counting.

I read the lead headline in the December 20th Sumner Press.

“To Make Lawrence County Great in 2008”

Then, it hit me.

I wonder how many other papers will rhyme “Great” with “Eight.”

I’ll start counting.

This November 29, 2007, column by Sumner Press columnist Susan Sovereign is so good that I re-typed it so you can read it without difficulty. Publisher Roscoe Cunningham, a former colleague of mine, gave me permission to reprint her columns. I wish I could get them so I could just copy them because I think they need wider distribution.

Usually, I just copy them and suggest you click on the column’s image, but the type is often a bit indistinct and often it’s so long I have to clip it in half to make it fit on the scanner.

In this column, Sovereign hilariously relates how she thought she was dying and what her “dying thoughts” were.

Read it and I think you will see why I think Susan Sovereign is the Erma Brombeck of Lawrence County, Illinois.

For the last several weeks, it’s seemed as if I have been completely exhausted. Sams tells me that perhaps my internal clock is off and I’m suffering from spring fever in the fall. Sounds about as good as any other explanation I’ve heard lately. Now everyone knows if you have a fever—even it it’s only spring fever, then you should rest, preferable in a reclining position. Therefore, I kicked off my shoes and went to bed.

Perhaps I was more exhausted than I thought because I must have instantly gone to sleep. What jolted me awake was the sensation of prickles that almost felt electric, going across my chest. There was such a feeling of heaviness that I had difficulties breathing. And, to further add to the problems, I was completely blind!

I stayed real still, almost afraid to move. Since there had been so much news coverage lately about women having heart attacks, I knew instantly that was what was happening to me. What would happen to Anna? Who would tell her all the things a woman needs to know such as how to get stains out of clothing or which carry-out place had the best fried chicken? Would Sam ever let her wear makeup if I weren’t here to plead her cause? And Donnie! He was at the difficult stage somewhere between childhood and adolescence. He needed to have someone explain to him that sometimes women don’t exactly say what they mean. And the twins—they’d be a handful for Sam if he had to finish raising them by himself.

Carefully stretching my right arm out, I managed to reach the scratch pad that’s always at the bedside. (Sometimes I dream stories and write those dreams in the muddle of the night. Although that sounds like an excellent idea, about 90% of the time I can’t read my writing the next day.)

I knew I had to make a supreme effort to leave Sam a not telling him how much I loved him and the youn’uns, instructing him in how to care for the family by himself—then I though that perhaps he’d remarry. He’d need help raising the young’uns, and the children would need a new mommy. How long would he wait before he started to date, I pondered. Surely he wouldn’t bring his date to my funeral! How dare he!

By now, it was taking an effort to lie completely still. Perhaps it was because Ihad moved my right arm a little because the prickly feeling in my chest was increasing and moving slightly lower. The heaviness and difficulty in breathing were also moving lower. I must be having a heart attack!

For a short minute, I thought that the blindness was leaving, but then it came back and if anything was worse. I also had this almost uncontrollable urge to sneeze. There was a sensation of a feather tickling me under the nose.

Since I was so certain that the end was near, I knew I couldn’t take any chances. I began having a heart to heart with god. It was comforting to know that He is always available. “Dear God, I’ve always tried to follow your teachings. I’ve never lied—okay, perhaps a few little white lies; tried not covenant what my neighbors had—except it would be great to eat anything I wanted and never gain a pound; I’ve always faithfully attended church services—well, there were a couple that I missed because we had company coming; and live a good life all in all. If you’ll only let me live longer, I will be forever grateful. I want to go to heaven, but not this afternoon. Amen. P.S. Please make sure Sam finds a new wife who’ll be good to the young’uns.

Then once again I tried to lie as still as possible. Then I started thinking about the funeral services. I hoped Sam would not spend too much on the casket. It would be my resting place for a long, long time, but it didn’t have to be fancy. Perhaps he would put a box of chocolates in there with me. I hope he chooses something blue for me to wear and not pink. Peak makes me look as if I’m running a fever. Will he miss me? Maybe he could find someone who can cook. I could hear the heavenly choir humming in the background.

As I was mentally preparing myself for my demise, that uncontrollable urge to sneeze came back. It was a tickling sensation, like a feather or something similar—and then a sneeze erupted that almost shook the house.

Suddenly I could see again! It was a miracle! It was—Kathy Scarlett? She was sitting on my chest and had her tail over my eyes. No wonder I couldn’t see! No wonder I couldn’t breathe! She was slightly heavy or pleasantly plump as she expressed it. Those prickly sensations were from her claws as she kneaded my tummy and chest as cats will do when they are happy. They also purr, which at times sounds like a heavenly choir singing.

I could hardly wait for Sam to get home. How dare he look for another wife before I’m cold in the ground? We’d definitely have a discussion about this.

The night after I read this November 29, 2007, column by Sumner Press columnist Susan Sovereign, I woke up and saw Keely Cat sitting again on my wife’s chest.

He was facing my wife.

No tail in the face, as Sovereign experienced during one afternoon time nap. I think my wife is used to it.

I even found a picture of Keely sleeping on my wife’s pillow. Thought I had one of him on her chest, but I guess not.

OK, now you know how my sense of humor runs. I subscribe to the Sumner Press because of Susan Sovereign’s columns and because of publisher and former legislative colleague Roscoe Cunningham’s pithy column.

This November 29, 2007, column by Sumner Press columnist Susan Sovereign is so good that I re-typed it so you can read it without difficulty. Publisher Roscoe Cunningham, a former colleague of mine, gave me permission to reprint her columns. I wish I could get them so I could just copy them because I think they need wider distribution.

Usually, I just copy them and suggest you click on the column’s image, but the type is often a bit indistinct and often it’s so long I have to clip it in half to make it fit on the scanner.

In this column, Sovereign hilariously relates how she thought she was dying and what her “dying thoughts” were.

Read it and I think you will see why I think Susan Sovereign is the Erma Brombeck of Lawrence County, Illinois.

For the last several weeks, it’s seemed as if I have been completely exhausted. Sams tells me that perhaps my internal clock is off and I’m suffering from spring fever in the fall. Sounds about as good as any other explanation I’ve heard lately. Now everyone knows if you have a fever—even it it’s only spring fever, then you should rest, preferable in a reclining position. Therefore, I kicked off my shoes and went to bed.

Perhaps I was more exhausted than I thought because I must have instantly gone to sleep. What jolted me awake was the sensation of prickles that almost felt electric, going across my chest. There was such a feeling of heaviness that I had difficulties breathing. And, to further add to the problems, I was completely blind!

I stayed real still, almost afraid to move. Since there had been so much news coverage lately about women having heart attacks, I knew instantly that was what was happening to me. What would happen to Anna? Who would tell her all the things a woman needs to know such as how to get stains out of clothing or which carry-out place had the best fried chicken? Would Sam ever let her wear makeup if I weren’t here to plead her cause? And Donnie! He was at the difficult stage somewhere between childhood and adolescence. He needed to have someone explain to him that sometimes women don’t exactly say what they mean. And the twins—they’d be a handful for Sam if he had to finish raising them by himself.

Carefully stretching my right arm out, I managed to reach the scratch pad that’s always at the bedside. (Sometimes I dream stories and write those dreams in the muddle of the night. Although that sounds like an excellent idea, about 90% of the time I can’t read my writing the next day.)

I knew I had to make a supreme effort to leave Sam a not telling him how much I loved him and the youn’uns, instructing him in how to care for the family by himself—then I though that perhaps he’d remarry. He’d need help raising the young’uns, and the children would need a new mommy. How long would he wait before he started to date, I pondered. Surely he wouldn’t bring his date to my funeral! How dare he!

By now, it was taking an effort to lie completely still. Perhaps it was because Ihad moved my right arm a little because the prickly feeling in my chest was increasing and moving slightly lower. The heaviness and difficulty in breathing were also moving lower. I must be having a heart attack!

For a short minute, I thought that the blindness was leaving, but then it came back and if anything was worse. I also had this almost uncontrollable urge to sneeze. There was a sensation of a feather tickling me under the nose.

Since I was so certain that the end was near, I knew I couldn’t take any chances. I began having a heart to heart with god. It was comforting to know that He is always available. “Dear God, I’ve always tried to follow your teachings. I’ve never lied—okay, perhaps a few little white lies; tried not covenant what my neighbors had—except it would be great to eat anything I wanted and never gain a pound; I’ve always faithfully attended church services—well, there were a couple that I missed because we had company coming; and live a good life all in all. If you’ll only let me live longer, I will be forever grateful. I want to go to heaven, but not this afternoon. Amen. P.S. Please make sure Sam finds a new wife who’ll be good to the young’uns.

Then once again I tried to lie as still as possible. Then I started thinking about the funeral services. I hoped Sam would not spend too much on the casket. It would be my resting place for a long, long time, but it didn’t have to be fancy. Perhaps he would put a box of chocolates in there with me. I hope he chooses something blue for me to wear and not pink. Peak makes me look as if I’m running a fever. Will he miss me? Maybe he could find someone who can cook. I could hear the heavenly choir humming in the background.

As I was mentally preparing myself for my demise, that uncontrollable urge to sneeze came back. It was a tickling sensation, like a feather or something similar—and then a sneeze erupted that almost shook the house.

Suddenly I could see again! It was a miracle! It was—Kathy Scarlett? She was sitting on my chest and had her tail over my eyes. No wonder I couldn’t see! No wonder I couldn’t breathe! She was slightly heavy or pleasantly plump as she expressed it. Those prickly sensations were from her claws as she kneaded my tummy and chest as cats will do when they are happy. They also purr, which at times sounds like a heavenly choir singing.

I could hardly wait for Sam to get home. How dare he look for another wife before I’m cold in the ground? We’d definitely have a discussion about this.

The night after I read this November 29, 2007, column by Sumner Press columnist Susan Sovereign, I woke up and saw Keely Cat sitting again on my wife’s chest.

He was facing my wife.

No tail in the face, as Sovereign experienced during one afternoon time nap. I think my wife is used to it.

I even found a picture of Keely sleeping on my wife’s pillow. Thought I had one of him on her chest, but I guess not.

OK, now you know how my sense of humor runs. I subscribe to the Sumner Press because of Susan Sovereign’s columns and because of publisher and former legislative colleague Roscoe Cunningham’s pithy column.

Today’s Susan Sovereign column actually fit the screen of the scanner. Usually I have to post this Sumner Press writer’s work in two pieces. That makes it difficult to read.

This November 8, 2007, column is mainly about daughter Anna’s attempt to save the fish in the family pond in Lawrence County.

You see, there was as little fall rain down in this southeastern part of Illinois as up here in McHenry County.

Dad “Sam commented at the dinner table that all the rain we had received in the last two months must be about one or two teaspoons full.”

“Daddy, was that enough rain to help? And what about the fish in the pond? Are they thirstying from no rain?” Anna asked.

Her dad told her “every little bit helped, and that, if it didn’t rain soon, the fish would have problems.”

The rest of the column tells how Anna tried to help the fish.

It’s here.