ALAW Conflict of Interest Idea Jumps to Crystal Lake City Government

Remember hearing about how forest fires sometimes jump fire breaks that are intended to contain them. That may have happened late last week with the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water’s conflict of interest ordinance. Originally presented to the McHenry … Continue reading

Divide and Conquer

There’s a five-way race for two seats in the Crystal Lake-Lake in the Hills District 2. The incumbents are County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and Lyn Orphal. Challenging them are three women: Sandra DePual, a member of the Regional Board … Continue reading

County Board Candidates Ellen Brady Mueller and John Jung File ALAW Conflict of Interest Questionnaire

There are 27 people running for the McHenry County Board. As of now, over half the candidates have filled out questionnaires aimed at identifying potential conflicts of interest–14 in all. Might this be an indicator that those wanting to serve … Continue reading

Three McHenry County Board Candidates Draw Personal PAC Endorsement

Didn’t know that the pro-abortion Personal PAC went as low as members of the McHenry County Board until District 2 candidate Ellen Brady Mueller told me she had gotten a questionnaire, but had not filled it out. I asked her … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Council Tells Metra OK for Ridgefield Station…IF

And the “IF” was in capital letters. Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano returned to his home town city council for a second time seeking permission to proceed with plans seeking approval for a new commuter train station in Ridgefield next … Continue reading

Pro-Life Endorsement for Zane Seipler for Sheriff, County Board Candidates

Illinois Citizens for Life, a statewide pro-life group, has endorsed Zane Seipler for McHenry County Sheriff. Seipler is challenging incumbent Sheriff Keith Nygren in the February 2nd Republican primary election. The organization is also endorsing candidates for county board. In … Continue reading

GOP McHenry County Board Contests in All But the McHenry District

Maybe it was the $20,000 salary, plus full and generous health coverage, but whatever the motivation, all the incumbents but District 4 incumbents Sandy Salgado and Pete Merkel, both from McHenry, drew challengers. Twenty-three people are vying for twelve spots … Continue reading

South School Parent Writes City Council, District 47 Board

South School parent Paul Greenlee, whose family lives on Bennington, has forwarded my story about the Crystal Lake Police Department’s ticket writing “fenzy” (his word) to Mayor Aaron Shepley, the city council and District 47 board members. I thought you … Continue reading

Tom Hayden, Jim Batastini Reappointed on Split Council Vote

Tucked away on the last page of the Crystal Lake Council minutes for May 6, 2008, is the report of a 4-3 vote to re- appoint Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Tom Hayden and outspoken member Jim Batastini. The council … Continue reading

Tom Hayden, Jim Batastini Reappointed on Split Council Vote

Tucked away on the last page of the Crystal Lake Council minutes for May 6, 2008, is the report of a 4-3 vote to re- appoint Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Tom Hayden and outspoken member Jim Batastini. The council … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Park District Wants In

Nothing new about the Crystal Lake Park District wanting a vote on the Crystal Lake Lake Safety Committee. Board President Mike Zellman appeared at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday with the request that discussions begin on the … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Park District Wants In

Nothing new about the Crystal Lake Park District wanting a vote on the Crystal Lake Lake Safety Committee. Board President Mike Zellman appeared at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday with the request that discussions begin on the … Continue reading

On the Illegal Motion to Reconsider the McHenry County College Baseball Stadium Vote

At the last Crystal Lake City Council meeting, Craig Gaska of Nash Road made the following statement below on behalf of himself and his wife Linda. I think it’s worth sharing. It reinforces what I wrote in “My Bad. So … Continue reading

On the Illegal Motion to Reconsider the McHenry County College Baseball Stadium Vote

At the last Crystal Lake City Council meeting, Craig Gaska of Nash Road made the following statement below on behalf of himself and his wife Linda. I think it’s worth sharing. It reinforces what I wrote in “My Bad. So … Continue reading

My Bad. So What?

Tuesday night, according to the Northwest Herald’s Jim Butts, at the instigation of Ralph Dawson, the Crystal Lake City Council discussed the illegal motion to reconsider made, apparently inadvertently, by Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller and accepted by Mayor Aaron Shepley. … Continue reading

My Bad. So What?

Tuesday night, according to the Northwest Herald’s Jim Butts, at the instigation of Ralph Dawson, the Crystal Lake City Council discussed the illegal motion to reconsider made, apparently inadvertently, by Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller and accepted by Mayor Aaron Shepley. … Continue reading

Crystal Lake City Council Extreme Ford Zoning Logic

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog reported on neighborhood objections to putting a car dealership on Route 14, right behind their homes. Extreme Ford-Kia is moving from the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 Tax Increment Financing district and it was pretty obvious that city … Continue reading

Crystal Lake City Council Extreme Ford Zoning Logic

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog reported on neighborhood objections to putting a car dealership on Route 14, right behind their homes. Extreme Ford-Kia is moving from the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 Tax Increment Financing district and it was pretty obvious that city … Continue reading