“First Come, First Served” Proves Bad Strategy for Awarding Stimulus Bond Authority

The McHenry County Board’s Finance Committee decided to award millions of dollars of Federal Stimulus Bond authority on a “first come, first served” basis. The first two private entities in line were sports related. One was Mark Houser’s EquityOne’s baseball … Continue reading

“Play (Minor League) Ball!”

Memorial Day, Normal’s CornBelters Frontier League team played its first game in its new stadium, called the Corn Crib. They lost 3-2 to Windy City, but filled the new stadium. The stadium is near the intersection of I-39 and I-55. … Continue reading

What Happened at Baseball Stadium Pitch to County Board Committee

I haven’t gotten around to writing a story on baseball stadium promoter Mark Houser’s pitch to the McHenry County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee yesterday, so I would encourage you to read the stories of the other three reporters there: … Continue reading

County Board Committee Set to Award $15 Million in Bonding Authority to Baseball Stadium Tuesday

Toot, toot. Or is it, “Hoonk, hoonk?” That train speeding down the track is the one delivering authority for the Woodstock baseball stadium developer to use $15 million in Federal Stimulus Bonds to finance their proposed stadium. The beneficiary of … Continue reading

Baseball Stadium Stadium Bond Thoughts from Heartland Institute Research Fellow

The local expert on stadiums is McHenry’s Steve Stanek. He is a Research Fellow with the Heartland Institute. When I read in Kevin Craver’s article in the Northwest Herald that the McHenry County Board is thinking of awarding the largest … Continue reading

MCC Board Bows to Illinois Supreme Court Decision, Approves Release of Walt Packard Contract

It was political pressure that led to the release of baseball promoter buddy Mark Houser’s feasibility report after months and months of secrecy…at the meeting where the board majority censured then-Board President Scott Summers and Donna Kurtz, no less. It … Continue reading

Woodstock Council Approves Baseball Stadium, Gravel Mining 6-1

With only councilman Richard Ahrens voting in opposition, the Woodstock City Council approved a special use permit for gravel mining across Route 14 from Centegra Hospital down to Lily Pond Road. A privately financed minor league baseball stadium promoted by … Continue reading

Woodstock Council Approves Baseball Stadium, Gravel Mining 6-1

With only councilman Richard Ahrens voting in opposition, the Woodstock City Council approved a special use permit for gravel mining across Route 14 from Centegra Hospital down to Lily Pond Road. A privately financed minor league baseball stadium promoted by … Continue reading

Baseball Stadium Moves Up the Road to Woodstock

It won’t be on watershed of Crystal Lake watershed at McHenry County College. But it will be just up the road across Route 12, north of Centegra’s Woodstock hospital. It will include a minor baseball stadium. But, it will not … Continue reading

Baseball Stadium Moves Up the Road to Woodstock

It won’t be on watershed of Crystal Lake watershed at McHenry County College. But it will be just up the road across Route 12, north of Centegra’s Woodstock hospital. It will include a minor baseball stadium. But, it will not … Continue reading

Chris Kurg Shows His Sense of Humor by Suggesting Minor League Baseball Team Be Named the McHenry County Rabid Bat

You can’t tell me that the Northwest Herald’s Chris Kurg doesn’t have a sense of humor. In his Sunday column, he tells of an encounter with a bat. No. This isn’t a Dracula story. Nothing about Ivan, the Impaler. But, … Continue reading

Chris Kurg Shows His Sense of Humor by Suggesting Minor League Baseball Team Be Named the McHenry County Rabid Bat

You can’t tell me that the Northwest Herald’s Chris Kurg doesn’t have a sense of humor. In his Sunday column, he tells of an encounter with a bat. No. This isn’t a Dracula story. Nothing about Ivan, the Impaler. But, … Continue reading

Waukegan Minor League Baseball Stadium Talk

The Chicago Tribune ran an article on Thursday about Waukegan’s city council having “authorized staff to explore” a “proposal to build a minor-league baseball stadium downtown.” At first I thought it might be Libertyville’s Pete Heitman search east, as well … Continue reading

Waukegan Minor League Baseball Stadium Talk

The Chicago Tribune ran an article on Thursday about Waukegan’s city council having “authorized staff to explore” a “proposal to build a minor-league baseball stadium downtown.” At first I thought it might be Libertyville’s Pete Heitman search east, as well … Continue reading