A-LAW Questionnaire for County Board Candidates

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.

Shepley Moving Back Toward Viking Dodge as Pool Site?

The rumor mill says that Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley now favors the Viking Dodge site for a pool and community center, so perhaps this graphic by “Heck of a Guy” Crystal Lake blogger Allan Showalter of its fiery demise was in error.

I would say, favors it “again,” but Shepley was not specific as to the location when he spoke  to Crystal Lake seniors January almost a year ago.

Then, Shepley told the seniors that one of the sites was nearby. He was standing in the Senior Services building next to City Hall on Woodstock Street.

“The park district is looking at one near where you are sitting,” Shepley said.

He talked specifically about the old Oak Manufacturing building, where I had my last legislative office.

“The site (the park district is looking most closely at) is a building that is already in place,” the Mayor continued.

“If a pre-existing building, it takes less work (than new construction),” he continued.

I didn’t speculate about Viking Dodge being the location, but in February, the rumor mill was throwing off information pointing in that direction.

That turned out, of course, to be Viking Dodge.

And the Crystal Lake Park District voted to pay $6.3 million for it.

Although, through a Freedom of Information Act request, I discovered Oak Manufacturing’s old facility was in play.

Shepley predicted it would be open within two years after passage of the referendum necessary to finance it–2012.

The city council turned against Viking Dodge in September, primarily for traffic congestion reasons.

Even with an eventual new entrance on Ridgefield Road.  That’s the black line above.

Now the grapevine is saying that the YMCA had decided not to proceed with a new swimming pool, which would have been privately financed, because of the litigation resulting from the deaths of Chicago high schoolers in the. paddle boat accident.

So, I tried to check out the rumor.

I emailed Shepley at his city council address.

It’s been a while since I asked. Certainly time for Shepley to have replied.

Without confirmation the rumor remains a rumor.

Let me know if you can confirm it.

Questions Local Newspapers Asked McHenry County Board Candidates – Part 3, the Daily Herald

Saturday we showed the questions that county board candidates were asked to answer by the only weekly newspaper that takes an interest in local government. Sunday, what the Northwest Herald sent candidates was published.

Today, take a look at the Daily Herald’s questionnaire:

From the Daily Herald:

1.  NameDaily Herald Masthead

2..  Party

3.  Date of birth

4.  Incumbent

5.  Occupation

6.  Address

7.  Age

8.  Date of Birth

9.  Birthplace

10.  Family

11.  Religion

12.  Education/Degrees

13.  Civic Involvement

14.  Endorsements

15.  Offices Held

16.  Other Government Services

17.  Key Issue 1

18.  Key Issue 2

19.  Key Issue 3

20.  If county revenues remain flat or decline as expected in 2010, what specific measures would you support to maintain a balanced budget without raising taxes or dipping deeply into county reserves?

21.  McHenry County has made groundwater preservation a priority, hiring a water resources manager and helping create a protection program.  Describe where you think these efforts should go from here.  Should the county monitor use of water by new development?

22.  Foreclosures continue to rise, leaving some residents without a home and others contending with depressed property values.  What can the county do to help residents facing foreclosure and keep entire neighborhoods from suffering as a result?

23.  More than two years ago, the county hired a firm to run its Valley Hi nursing home after the facility ran about $12 million in the red.  What’s your assessment of this?  Should the public/private arrangement, once considered a short-term fix, continue?

24.  What is your view of McHenry County’s response to the H1N1 threat?

$18 Million Federal Stimulus Request for $40 Million Route 47 & 176 Lakewood Recreational Complex on County Board Finance Committee’s Agenda Tuesday

Headed by Lake in the Hills’ Louis Tenore, Jr., a group of investors is seeking permission to obtain $18 million in Federally-subsidized stimulus money, according to a document posted on the McHenry County Board’s web site.

The proposed McHenry County Sportsplex will be mainly on the west side of Route 47 where it joins with Route 176. That area is within the planning jurisdiction of the Village of Lakewood. Background on the project can be found here.

While discussions have been going on for a considerable length of time, the application says that the Village of Lakewood will not act on annexation and approval of the project until next March.

Issuance of the $18 million in bonds, if approved by the county board, is scheduled for April 15th. Construction would begin January 1, 2010, with completion six months later.

If approved, unless more Federal stimulus money is found, the current $27.5 million allocation of Federal Stimulus Bonds would not seem to have enough remaining to also provide the $15 million in financing that the Woodstock minor league baseball stadium promoters are seeking.

Concept Plan for the McHenry County Sportplex on Routes 47 and 176.

SportsThe time table listed seems a bit optimistic, given the stated March approval by the Lakewood Village Board.

The name of the limited liability corporation which will own 30% of the project is MCSMG LLC. It was formed on May 12, 2009.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office lists it as “McHenry County Sportsplex, LLC.”

McHenry Sportsplex E-5 Fund LLC, established August 21st of this year and located at 111 E. Wacker Drive in Chicago, will own the other 70%. According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, it is related to McHenry Real Estate and Property Investments, LLC. The fund proposes to invest $27 million in the project.

The application says that $13 million in equity will be put up by the investors.

This is how the document says the $40 million will be spent:

  • $6 million – land acquisition
  • $6 million – site development
  • $24,100,000 – new construction
  • $500,000 – furniture and fixtures
  • $2.9 million – professional fees

Getting the project off the ground will produce 524 temporary jobs, the application says. 420 permanent jobs will be created. Annual payroll after the first year is estimated to be $14.1 million or almost $36,000 per person per year.

The investment banking firm is identified as Stern Brothers. The bonds will be privately placed.

Kitak, Rock, LLC, will be the bond counsel.

Legal counsel is Mike Moody of O’Rouke and Moody at 55 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago.

The application is dated December 16th.

An attachment showing local labor, supplies and materials to be used is not posted on the county’s web site. Another attachment explaining the project is also not attached.

Questions Local Newspapers Asked McHenry County Board Candidates – Part 2, the Northwest Herald

NW Herald Sign and BuildingYesterday we saw open-ended questions from the Woodstock Independent. Today we move onto the paper of record for McHenry County, the Northwest Herald. They tend to be open-ended as well.

Looking at the initial demographic questions, I see one that faced the candidates for sheriff is not on the list.

The county board candidates are not asked if they have ever been arrested.

It would seem as relevant to those making rules and those enforcing them.

Play county board candidate as you read the list of questions. How would you answer.

Subject matter questions concern

  • the greatest challenge
  • the 2030 plan
  • video gambling
  • McCullom Lake water pollution
  • management of the county nursing home
  • approving Federal stimulus bonding authority for construction by the Mental Health Board
  • he re-zoning of Resurrection Center on Country Club Road to senior housing
  • most disagreement with a board decision

Finally, the question is asked about why the candidate is running.

Questions Local Newspapers Asked McHenry County Board Candidates – Part 1, the Woodstock Independent

Wonder what candidates for the McHenry County Board have to go through to be considered for an endorsement from the three local newspapers?

Over the next three days, we’ll let you know what the three newspapers interested in county board candidates asked in their questionnaires.

First, the Woodstock Independent:

1.  NameWoodstock Independent mast head

2.  Address:

3.  Years in McHenry County:

4.  Occupation and workplace:

5.  Education:

6.  Why are you running for a county board seat?  What qualities do you possess that would make you the best person for the job?

7.  What measures would you take to ensure a balanced county budget during tough fiscal times?

8.  What are the most pressing social service needs in the county?  How would you address them?

9.  Are there any specific goals you wish to accomplish as a county board member during this term?

All seem to be pretty open-ended questions. Note that no specific issues are raised, so comparisons on things like gambling or the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax or putting the animal shelter on Route 14 in Crystal Lake or allowing the Mental Health Board to borrow millions to construct a building won’t be possible.

Elgin’s Westminster Christian High School’s Rachel Doby of Algonquin Appointed to Air Force Academy by Congressman Don Manzullo

First it was a Cary-Grove High School youth appointed to the Naval Academy.  Now, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo announces an Algonquin teen is off to the Air Force Academy:

Manzullo News from LetterheadAlgonquin Student Appointed
to U.S. Air Force Academy

[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Rachel Doby of Algonquin, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Rachel will graduate in June 2010 from Westminster Christian High School in Elgin. Rachel is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Elgin Rotary Club Honor Roll and her school’s Student Athlete Honor Roll.

She is also an editor and writer on the school’s newspaper, coaches youth sports camps, is a member of the school’s spiritual leadership team, and is a member of the Harvest Bible Chapel’s Youth Gospel Choir.

Rachel is also captain of the Varsity Basketball and Varsity Soccer teams, and she also ran cross country at her school. She was named All-Conference in both soccer and basketball and was a sectional qualifier in Cross Country.

Rachel is the daughter of David and Kathleen Doby of Algonquin.

John McCain Endorses Mark Kirk for U.S. Senate Nomination

I guess that’s not much of a surprise, but one of my readers felt strongly enough to send me McCain’s email, which follows:

My Friend,

Next year, Illinois voters will have the opportunity to elect a new U.S. Senator. The people of Illinois deserve a Senator who will restore honest government, strengthen our national security, fight for veterans and bring fiscal discipline to Washington.

McCain looking left fuzzyMark Kirk has my strongest endorsement and I hope to welcome him as a colleague in the Senate in the near future.

Mark has served honorably in the United States Congress since 2001. During his time in Congress, he has been a consensus builder and worked tirelessly to support our troops, veterans and the citizens of the State of Illinois.

As a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve, Mark has served his country with distinction in Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti and Bosnia. During his tenure in Congress, Mark deployed to Afghanistan in December 2008. His firsthand knowledge of our military and his service in the Middle East makes him an unparalleled leader in Congress on these important issues.

Mark shares our values, the same vision for America’s future, and works relentlessly to stop the budget-busting, big government agenda. He is the kind of valued leader that we need in the Senate who will work to find the common sense solutions the people of Illinois expect to see from their leaders.

I hope you will join me in supporting Mark Kirk’s campaign for U. S. Senate by following this link to make a donation of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more before December 31st. Any amount you can give up to the $2400 legal limit will help his campaign as they approach their primary election in February.

His potential Democrat challengers are well-funded. The national Democratic Party does not want to lose Barack Obama’s former Senate seat. And they will do whatever it takes to keep control of this seat. So I hope you will take a moment today to support his campaign by giving as generously as you can.

Thank you for your support and I wish you and your family a happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. I have been honored and humbled to have your support in the past, and I hope Mark Kirk can count on you to help him win what will be a competitive campaign. Please follow this link to make an immediate contribution to help Mark Kirk’s campaign start 2010 with as much financial strength as possible.Thank you.

The friend of McHenry County Blog who forwarded this to me had these comments:

“Mark Kirk shares our values and will face a competitive campaign.”

SHARES OUR VALUES?

Not any voter that I know, here in Illinois!

Pass this far and wide, and invite your contacts to contact John McCain and tell him how wrong he is.  Remember, he lost the election last year, we now have a loser telling us to vote for a loser?  I don’t think so!

Kirk:

  • voted against the troop surge in Iraq;
  • received an F- from the NRA; 1
  • 100% rating from Planned Parenthood;
  • against traditional marriage;
  • voted for Cap and Trade

… these among other liberal voting records of Mark Kirk.

Maybe McCain doesn’t know Kirk’s voting record, and that WE THE PEOPLE have had enough!

Naval Academy for Cary-Grove High School’s Daniel Jacquier

The following press release has been received from 16th District

Manzullo News from LetterheadCongressman Don Manzullo:
Cary-Grove High School Student
Appointed to U.S. Naval Academy

[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Daniel Jacquier of Cary, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Daniel will graduate in June 2010 from Cary-Grove High School in Cary.

Daniel is a member of the National Honor Society and an “AP Scholar with Distinction” for his perfect scores on all five Advanced Placement exams.

As a Link Crew Leader, he led a group of 20 Freshmen in various lessons and teambuilding exercises throughout the year to help them better adjust to high school.

In addition, he volunteers his time at his church and with the McHenry County Conservation District.

At Cary-Grove, Daniel competes on both the Track and Cross-Country teams. Daniel is the son of Kenneth and Regina Jacquier of Cary.

Illinois Family Institute Releases Candidate Rankings on 8th Congressional District

The group that made robo-calls on behalf of the successful fight ban on video poker in unincorporated McHenry County to county board members has released its rankings.

IFI Voter Guide 2010 HeadingThey are not endorsements. They are lists of how people either responded to questionnaires or what the public record shows a candidate’s positions are.

Let’s look at the contested 8th District race for the Republican nomination for Congress.

First, let’s point out that Republican Gregory Jacobs and Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer did not return a questionnaire. It appears that Melissa Bean did not either, but answers have been pulled from her public record.

So, the following prospective challengers answered the IFI questionnaire:

  • Dirk Beveridge
  • John Dawson
  • Christopher Geissler
  • Maria Rodriguez
  • Joe Walsh

IFI Voter Guide Cong Questions 2010Disagreement among these Republicans was found on giving homosexual and transsexual individuals protected class status in the workplace on which Dawson disagreed with the opposition of the others and repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which Geissler opposed, with the others in favor.

IFI Voter Guide 8th Cong Dist Answers 2010The first issue was

“Tax Increase/Cap and Trade — will tax energy consumption to combat “global warming.” (American Clean Energy and Security Act – 2009).”

All the Republican candidates providing answers opposed the measure. Incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean supported it.

The second issue involved

H.R 1913–”Hate Crimes” legislation — allows 2 identical crimes to be prosecuted differently if one victim is homosexual, a cross dresser or transsexual.”

All the Republican candidates answering opposed the measure. Incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean supported it.

Third was H.R.3017 & S.1584:

“Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA) — gives homosexual and transsexual individuals protected class status in the workplace.”

Four of the six candidates replying opposed this concept. John Dawson joined Bean in supporting it, the voter guide reports.

Fourth on the questionnaire was

“REPEAL of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — the repeal of the only federal law that prevents homosexual “marriage” from becoming legal across the country (H.R.3567 – 2009)”

Again the five replying opposed repeal, while Bean’s position remains unknown to IFI.

The fifth question was

“Government Health Care — A government managed insurance plan that includes a “Public Option” similar to Medicare. (H.R.3200, H.R.3962 or U.S. Senator Max Baucus’ plan – 2009).”

Again, it was Republicans opposed, Bean in favor.

Sixth issue on the list was

“Defund A.C.O.R.N. Act (H.R.3571 – 2009).”

Everyone supported that.

Question number seven concerns the

“Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006 — requires abortionists to tell mothers about fetal development and the capacity of preborn children to feel pain. (H.R.6099 – 2006).”

This is supported by the five responding candidates in the GOP primary. Bean’s position is unknown.

Eighth on the list of issues was

“REPEAL of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — would repeal the law that prohibits openly practicing homosexuals from serving in the military. (H.R.1283 – 2009).”

our of the five Republicans said, “No.” Christopher Geissler is reported opposing repeal. No position is reported for Bean.

“Requiring the 2010 census to include the question “Are you a citizen of the United States of America?” (Senate Amendment 2644 to H.R.2847 – 2009)”

is ninth on the IFI questionnaire.

Bean’s position is not known, but the five Re;publicans agreed.

Last on the list of ten questions is

“Transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to U.S. facilities. (H.R.2647, Sec. 1041 of Conference Report – 2009).”

Democrat Bean supports the move, while the Republican candidates replying were in opposition.

National Taxayer United’s Jim Tobin’s Tax Accountability Group’s Endorsements

With the primary election coming up in about five weeks, active citizens are starting to think more seriously about narrowing down their choices for contested offices.

At Zane Seipler’s fund raiser Wednesday night, for example, one person concluded that Andy McKenna was the most likely to be able to win the November election. Not a perfect candidate, but considering one needs three elements to win a campaign—issues, money and a candidate—his opponents don’t seem likely to put it together as well.

Now, National Taxpayers United of Illinois’ campaign arm, Tax Accountability, has put out its recommendations, I listed the ones that will be on area ballots.

U.S. Senate

  • John Arrington – R
  • Robert Marshall – D

U.S. Congress

  • 8th District (McHenry, Lake and Cook) – Joe Walsh
  • 14th District (Kane, DuPage and points west) – Randy Hultgren

Governor

Lt. Governor

  • Dennis Cook – R
  • Jason Plummer – R
  • Randy White – R

State Senate

  • Chris Lauzen – R (Northern Kane County)

State Representative

  • Tim Schmirtz – R (Northern Kane County)
  • John O’Neill – R (Jack Franks’ district)

How Social Conservatives Won the McHenry County Board Video Slot Machine Fight

It’s been a couple of weeks since the McHenry County Board bucked Chairman Ken Koehler, State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. Mike Tryon and those who stand to gain financially from placement of video poker machines in local taverns and restaurants.

It’s time to tell the tale of how McHenry County Establishment got narrowly beaten in that fight.

The vote was close (13-10-1) and my guess is that video poker proponents will try to reverse that vote after new county board members are sworn in, if the people they back defeat anti-gambling incumbents like District 2’s Barbara Wheeler.

Video gambling was the first local issue taken on by Patriots United, the folks who coordinated the Independence Day TEA Party, picketed State Rep. Jack Franks’ office on a cold spring day about his sponsorship of a bill considered pro-abortion and gun control, held a well-attended forum on the Democrats’ health care reform, and co-sponsored with the McHenry County Young Republicans a candidates’ night for 8th congressional district GOP aspirants.

Members attended John Hammerand’s License and Liquor Committee meetings and sponsored a debate between proponents and opponents.

PU Panel Gambling Pro and Con

Here are Patriots United video slot machine debate panels, ban proponents on the right, opponents on the left. Opponents, from left to right, are Tom Grey, David Smith and James Blue.

Then, Patriots United had a forum in Woodstock during which video poker machine salesmen debated three social conservatives:

They urged their members to contact county board members, but that was not what did the trick.

They used this robo call technique I first saw tobacco companies us in lobbying against cigarette tax hikes maybe ten years ago.

Call people, explain the issue and ask if they would like to speak to their county board member.

Since there are four county board members per district, how would that work?

The Illinois Family Institute selected six county board members considered to be approachable on the issue.

They were

  • Yvonne Barnes in District 1
  • Jim Heisler in District 2
  • Ed Dvorak in District 3
  • Sue Draffkorn in District 4
  • Jim Kennedy in District 5
  • Dan Ryan in District 6

From 1,334 to 1,453 calls were made in each district.

From to 649 to 774 of the calls were answered by voters. After the recorded pitch, voters were asked to push a phone button if they wished to be transferred to their county board member.

There were over fifty transfers for all but one district.

From the time my father served on the county board, I can tell you that he never got that many calls on any subject. On some zoning matters, especially the landfill ones, he might have gotten fifty letters. One phone call on a subject was a big number back in the 1980’s.

Getting dozens of calls must have sounded like a tidal wave.

And it was. You can’t find an issue where that many constituents have contacted county board members by phone. Undoubtedly, some of them were friends and supporters of each member.

A little over half of the calls were answered in person; the rest went to answering machines.

Of the six county board members receiving calls, only Huntley’s Ryan, a Sun City resident, voted in favor of allowing video slot machines in establishments serving liquor in unincorporated McHenry County.

Barnes, Kennedy and Ryan are up for election this year. District 6’s Ryan is the only one with GOP primary opposition.

= = = = =
Check out possible targets for the pro-gambling forces in this post.

YR Meeting Thursday Night at McHenry’s Assembly of God Church for Home of the Sparrow Christmas Party

YR LogoGleaned from the weekly newsletter of the McHenry County Young Republicans is the following:

“Please join us at the Maranatha Assembly of God 2505 N. Ringwood Road in McHenry, Thursday night (December 17th) from 5:30pm to 8 pm as we host the Christmas Party for Home of the Sparrow the homeless shelter of McHenry County.

“This is a great community service event and the MCYR is honored, humbled and excited to host this event.  Please contact Erica Poremba, Vice-Chair at 815-712-0026 if you can join us.

“We will be eating dinner, playing Christmas bingo, cookie decorating, foam art and ornament making along with a guest appearance from Santa Claus.

“Happy Holidays from the MCYR to your family!“

Administrators Leaving Huntley School District

Ferrier, Tersa looking left head shotFirst it was Teresa Ferrier. She was the Fiscal Services Director at Huntley’s District 158 until she was hired by Cary Grade School District 26 in mid-June of this year. T. Ferrier (as she likes to be known) started July 1st. Her base salary is $98,000, plus Teachers Retirement System and insurance benefits.

Jenkins on far left of 8-3-9 bd meeting video

Dave Jenkins is on far left of this Sept. 3rd board meeting video.

Now I am informed by Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 Chief Financial Officer Susan Shepard that Huntley’s Chief Operations Officer David Jenkins has been hired to be 47’s Director of Technology, the field from which he was came. His salary is also $98,000 a year. Stewart, Glenn looking leftJenkins was chosen by Huntley Superintendent John Burkey when Chief Operations Officer Glen Stewart unexpectedly resigned. There’s a board meeting on Thursday, but I can’t find anything about Jenkins’ leaving in the board packet’s personnel report…yet. And no one can blame Larry Snow for being the reason these two top administrators resigned, since he left the Huntley school board in May.

Manzullo on C-SPAN, CNN and Fox Wednesday Morning

From a press release from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:

Manzullo to Appear on Three National News Shows Wednesday Morning to Discuss the President’s Plan to Move Gitmo to Northwest Illinois

Rep. Manzullo will appear on three national TV news show Wednesday morning to discuss the President’s decision Tuesday to move up to 210 Gitmo detainees to the Thomson Correctional Center in northwest Illinois. Manzullo’s appearances include:

  • 6:30 to 7 a.m. CT – C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.
  • 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. CT – CNN’s American Morning with John Roberts and Kiran Chetry.
  • 8:12 to 8:20 a.m. CT – FOX’s American Newsroom with Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer.

Leitmotif of the Grafton Township Kangaroo Court – Part 3

Longest serving Grafton Township Trustee Betty Zirk tries to convince electors at the April Annual Town Meeting to approve a new township hall.  The motion lost on a 70-70 tie vote.

Longest serving Grafton Township Trustee Betty Zirk tries to convince electors at the April Annual Town Meeting to approve a new township hall. The motion lost on a 70-70 tie vote. Court action confirmed the over $5 million property tax liability was invalid.

Yesterday and the day before, McHenry County Blog chronicled what the Grafton Township trustees said about the John Rossi Township Board new town hall debacle.

Grafton Twp Hall whole buildingYou remember, illegally committing taxpayers to repay over $5 million in principal and interest for a new township hall on land purchased from the Village of Lake in the Hills on Haligus Road.

Part of the cost was to be paid for by selling the current township hall to the Grafton Township Road District, allowing area taxpayers to pay for the same building twice, a seeming Huntley tradition. (The Huntley Park District bought the old high school from District 158, giving park district taxpayers the privilege of paying for that building twice.)

Grafton Township Clerk Dina Frigo makes a point as Road District attorney Pat Coen patiently awaits his trun.

Grafton Township Clerk Dina Frigo makes a point as Road District attorney Pat Coen patiently awaits his turn.

It was finally time for Pat Coen, Road Commissioner Jack Freund’s attorney, to speak.

Another picture on Road District attorney Pat Coen waiting.

Another picture of Road District attorney Pat Coen patiently waiting.

He had sat patiently through the kangaroo court we-won’t-show-you-the-censure-motion-until-after-we-vote condemnation of Supervisor Linda Moore.

The agenda subject?

“Discussion and potential action to approve payment of $700,000 road ordinance plus interest to date of loan.”

Pat Coen explains what a meeting of the electors is needed to reverse the previous township board's sale of the township hall to the Grafton Township Road District.

Pat Coen explains what a meeting of the electors is needed to reverse the previous township board's sale of the township hall to the Grafton Township Road District. Road Commissioner Jack Freund sits to his left.

Coen concluded that approval of the electorate was needed to “unwind” (a word virtually everyone uses to describe undoing the court-determined improper acts committed by the prior township board to build a new township hall) the selling of the current township hall to the Road District part of Grafton Township government.

“I can find nothing in the statutes that says unwinding is any different than conveying property,” the lawyer said.

He suggested calling a special meeting of the electors.

He was asked if he had made a mistake.

“I’m not admitting to any mistake,” Coen replied.

Coen pointed out that the entire loan–$700,000–would have to be repaid to Harris Bank. That included the cost of a salt shed.

Zirk, Betty looking right waist upZirk wondered if the Town Fund would just “pay what the Town Fund owes.”

“I haven’t gone that far,” Coen replied

“66,000 had to go for the commission,” Zirk added, but didn’t mention who got the commission.

That commission to MJ Munaretto and Company was revealed exclusively in McHenry County Blog on July 7, 2009. Munaretto is a Republican County Board member who chairs the Finance Committee.  Neither the Daily nor the Northwest Herald have revealed this.

McMahon favored delaying until next spring’s annual meeting:

“Let it go. Let the electoral handle it (at the annual meeting).”

Grafton Barbard Murphy looking right 12-10-9“Barbara Murphy, who has repeatedly expressed distaste at the length of time it is taking to resolve the problem countered,

“It’s costing a ton on this.

“We want to get done with this, excuse my word, crap.”

LaPorta looking left hand up explaining 12-10-9Shortly thereafter, LaPorta made this admission:

“We did the best we did with the information we had at the time.

“You think we did this illegally for crying out loud?”

Focused on completing the reversal of the actions taken to build a new township hall, Murphy pointed out,

“This is the second half of it.”

The first half was repaying the Harris Bank the other $3.5 million loan.

McMahon looking right hand closed + up 12-10-9McMahon, the only trustee not in office when the decision was made added,

“Maybe we should sell the township building to the Road Commissioner. That’s what you wanted.

“I don’t see giving up the dream.”

McMahon supported a continuation of efforts to build a new township hall.

Moore Looking Left Profile almostAt this point, Supervisor Moore asked,

“Would you like to hear a suggestion?”

“No, not from you,” McMahon retorted.

“We need to negotiate with Jack,” Moore continued.

LaPorta suggested having a representative from the trustees and the supervisor meet with Road Commissioner Freund.

And, that’s what the Grafton Township Board decided to do.

Manzullo Reacts to President Obama’s Decision to Put Gitmo Terrorists in His 16th Congressional District

Below is Congressman Don Manzullo’s statement:

Rep. Manzullo Issues Statement on President’s Selection
of Northwest Illinois as New Home for Gitmo Terrorists

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today issued the following statement reacting to President Obama’s decision to move up to 210 al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the Thomson Correctional Center in northwest Illinois.

STATEMENT

“I’ve always supported opening the Thomson Correctional Center as a full-fledged state or federal prison because it would provide needed jobs for residents of the region; however, I continue to have serious reservations about moving Guantanamo Bay terrorists to Thomson.

“When I first learned of the proposed transfer of the terrorists, I set out to discover the security impact of moving Guantanamo Bay to the United States – not closing its operations, but moving it to a new location.

“My primary objective has always been to protect the people I represent. I never believed these terrorists could escape from Thomson, but my concern – shared by Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia., Independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and former Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, who fought President Obama and succeeded in keeping Guantanamo from moving to Fort Leavenworth – is that the hatred the terrorists have toward Guantanamo would transfer to Thomson, Illinois, thus creating a magnet for terrorist activity.

“I received an in-depth briefing from the top architect of the plan – Phillip Carter from the Department of Defense (DoD) – who confirmed Thomson would become the largest concentration of incarcerated terrorists in the United States. Mr. Carter agreed with me there would be an increased security risk to northwest Illinois, but he had no way of estimating the extent of this threat. He said, however, he was confident that federal and local law enforcement officials could ‘manage the risk.’

“I was shocked, because if there was no way to measure the threat, then how could it be ‘managed.’  He advised he would make available others at DoD for further briefings. I sought more information from DoD, only to discover that Mr. Carter had immediately resigned a few days after he briefed me.  DoD refused further briefings for 11 days, and I learned little new at a second briefing.

“The White House said in a statement today:

‘Closing the detention center at Guantanamo is essential to protecting our national security and helping our troops by removing a deadly recruiting tool from the hands of al Qaeda.’

“It’s that hatred I’m concerned will transfer to Thomson. The American people have a right to know the impact of moving Guantanamo’s operations to U.S. soil. 

“Unfortunately, that information will never be known because on Thursday, December 11, language was inserted into the ‘omnibus’ spending bill to keep any information on the issue ‘classified,’ available only to Members of Congress, who cannot share its contents.

“There is enough unclassified information to release to the public without compromising sources or security, such as the stunning article that appeared in the Washington Post on November 29th which investigated the story of Yemeni Arif Rahim, whose brother, Uthman, has been detained at Guantanamo Bay for 8 years for attacking the USS Cole. Consider this passage in the story:

“Arif said he was confident that Obama would close Guantanamo next year. If he doesn’t, or if Utham and other detainees are sent to a prison in the US, many families would consider it an ever greater betrayal. ‘The families, their friends, their tribesmen will have more hatred for the United States,’ Arif said. ‘And perhaps they will consider taking the same path as the extremists.’

“I also inquired of several other agencies, trying to asses the impact these terrorists would have on American courts, but I had to turn to other sources.

“I discovered, not surprisingly, that the detainees will obtain new constitutional rights once they set foot on American soil, especially the ones to be housed at Thomson because they would be incarcerated permanently with no trial at all.

“In fact, the terrorists were originally sent to Guantanamo because the US needed not only a secure an impenetrable facility, but one off shore that limited constitutional rights because of dealing with the ‘military combatants.’  One only needs to consider the trial about to take place in federal court in New York City of Khalid Sheik Mohamamed to observe he is receiving more rights than a military tribunal in Guantanamo.

“I believe the people I represent need to know the impact on the federal courthouse in Rockford, whether trials would be held there as lawyers work to assure them they are entitled to a trial.  Even the Obama Administration says holding these terrorists without trial ‘is a gray area.’

“Because the decision to move Gitmo to Thomson has already been made, I’ll press every level of the federal government to enhance the security of the people of this area in order to protect their families, critical workplaces, infrastructure, and schools.

“And, in addition to continuing to work with Senator Durbin, I’ll bring to the attention of the President, the Governor, and Senator Burris the fact that northwest Illinois needs continued help on economic development, such as prioritizing the widening of U.S. Route 30 in Whiteside County and the last link of our interstate highway system, U.S. Route 20 from Freeport to Galena.”

= = = = =
The Chicago Tribune reports that the trials will be held at the prison, not at the Rockford Courthouse.

Marine Letter Published Saturday Wasn’t

The letter I published a portion of and linked to on Saturday has turned out to be hoax.

My source, RFFM.org, sent this out this morning:

“RFFM.org has learned the letter, purported to be from a U.S. Marine stationed somewhere in Afghanistan, is a hoax.  It was brought to RFFM.org’s attention by one of its readers.  Apparently, a version of this letter first surfaced in 2001, but since then it has been slightly altered to give the perception it is current by mentioning President Obama’s failure to act swiftly on a call for more troops in the war on terror.  When informed of this, Major John Birch who forwarded RFFM.org the letter said, ‘My source was the INTELIST which proves even the Intel Community can be fooled.  I was.'”

It didn’t help that I know Birch, who headed the pro-gun group Concealed Carry until he folded it.

Leitmotif of the Grafton Township Kangaroo Court – Part 2

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog started outlining what was mentioned about the court-determined illegal actions of the prior board–three of whose members were re-elected–in notes of the 7:30 PM to 12:15 AM Grafton Township board meeting last Thursday night.

Moore Looking Left Profile almostThe topic kept coming up in the discussion of the motion to add Township Supervisor Linda Moore’s name to that of newly-elected Trustee Gerry McMahon on the list of board members censured who have been censured.

Trustee Rob LaPorta, clearly the leader of the board majority, was among those to comment on the township hall lawsuit during the debate to move the censure resolution from the bottom to the top of the agenda:

“We were forced to hire an attorney because our names were on the lawsuit.”

McMahon returned to the court action brought by Grafton Township citizens, directing his comments to Moore:

McMahon right profile talking Censure 12-10-9“You started all of this by encouraging all this litigation against the township.

“You hurt the township. You should resign. You do not have a clue how to run a township.”

“We have to take responsibility for the decisions we make,” Moore replied.

Grafton Barbard Murphy looking right 12-10-9“I admit I don’t think I made a good decision.

“Get over it.

“I don’t take kindly to your accusations,”

Barbara Murphy then said.

The reply from Moore,

“We can’t made decisions based on our legal (advice) alone. Just because a lawyer makes a recommendation doesn’t (mean it’s right).

“You believe what Mr. Kelly told you to do. Now, it turns out not to be the right thing to do.”

Grafton LaPorta faccing right smilingI have over four pages of notes on LaPorta’s reading of the condemnation resolution, but he was reading so fast, they are incomplete. After looking over the text sent to me by Trustee Rob LaPorta, I don’t see anything concerning the new township hall except Moore’s termination of Kelly as township attorney and her refusal to present his bill for payment.

But, my guess is those items stimulated the censure movement.

Lueth, Tammy looking left at podium with minutes 12-10-9When it got to public comment time after the censure and paying of bills Tammy Lueth, a plaintiff in the suit to invalidate the board’s decision to build a new township hall, came to the podium with a stack of agendas and minutes.

“I’ve been through all the agendas for the last four years.”

She told of the decision at the annual meeting to approve the new township hall.

“You weren’t right.

“You took it upon yourself to appeal (Judge Michael Caldwell’s) decision. The Appellate Court ruled you guys didn’t do what you should have done.

“You spent more time bickering about $400 in chamber of commerce fees (than you did when it) took you six minutes to approve land acquisition.

“That was all brought about by the former supervisor (John Rossi) and some trustees.”

She added that she had to spend $12 in a Freedom of Information Act request to get minutes which ought to be on the web site.

Cutting Lueth’s comments short was McMahon, the only current trustee who did not vote for the new township hall and land acquisition:

“You’re into your three minutes.”

Zirk, Betty looking right and upTrustee Betty Zirk, one of the three remaining trustees who supported the new township hall, pointed out the rules on the specificity of agendas changed in 2007.

“Now we have to be very specific,” she said.

McMahon returned to the undercurrent of the meeting:

“On some points you are right. What (attorney Jim) Kelly said to us was that he thought it was winnable.

McMahon looking a bit right over glasses 12-10-9“I’ve learned my lesson…

“I think you opened a can of worms and you hurt the township.”

McMahon then offer his opinion on the chances of passing the court-ordered referendum during next November’s general election:

“We can’t win a referendum. We will never get the PR out.”

The official part of the agenda when the discredited deal was next on the agenda.

Read about it tomorrow.