Johnsburg resident Carl Kamienski went to Tuesday’s meeting of the McHenry County Board with some post-flood helpful hints.
In his email to me, he wrote,
“I got about 1/2 done and doing really good for my 1st time until Jack F interrupted me and thru me off my game and ask[ed] me to sum it up because he had my prepared remarks.”
Here’s what he had to say:
Carl Kamiensk
I just want to take a moment to talk on 4 topics.
Item 1
The water will go down soon; that will leave a hell of a mess. Now is the time for all you board members to work with the local governments on clean-up efforts, especially the sand bags.
Maybe work to have pallets dropped off at intersections and sand pile locations, or talk to waste haulers like Waste Management, PrairieLand, etc… and have dumpsters dropped off, where residents can put the used sand bags. Then the truck can take them back to the public works yards where maybe volunteers can separate bags from sand and sell the sand or donate it to other local governments for their roads.
All of us are worn out, stressed out beyond the flood levels, hungry and tired, but we will not complain, we just need to make it as easy to get rid of the sand bags as possible. If not it will, and I mean it will, end up in the water ways. We can’t afford to let that happen, the waterway mgmt. can’t even dredge what they are supposed to now and if that sand goes in to the water system the next flood will be even worse. And there will be another flood, and that you can count on.
Other things that would help may be some port a potties, all of us that have septic systems, we can’t use them for weeks to come even when we see that there is no water on the field there is still water in the ground.
And in the areas under water, maybe at a central point in those areas, get the Tide washer semi trailer out so we can do some washing. Maybe get the mail to a central point. Garbage pickups do the same, a central point. Even with the water barely off the roads we don’t need any more stress on our roads.
Item 2
Please let all of the law departments and public works departments know that we give one big heart felt thank you for all of their hard work. Keeping us safe and keeping our property safe, getting after the idiot’s that don’t know how to drive in water that were damaging property. And just checking on us old mules to see that we’re ok and even when they went by, to smile and say hi to us. That goes a long way with us. So please do what you can to say thanks and for having our backs.
Item 3
Even as the water does go down, safety is going to be a problem. This water is a hazmat super fund site. Do what you can to make sure that all of the medical centers know what to ask when someone comes in cut up and to ask them where they got injured. Was it in a general parking lot or out working in/around the flood waters? Because there are different treatments for cuts exposed to flood water, and if not asked it could have a bad outcome.
Item 4
Very soon the restrictions on the waterway will start to change. 1st will be the lakes to no wake, then the upper river will be no wake, and then the lakes will be open to no restrictions. What will happen is that you have a lot of boaters that have been dry dock and want to get out. Then they will start to go down the river. At that point we will need the help of the sheriff marine unit. As a suggestion maybe ask some the off duty officer to help so we don’t over work the few that we do have. Just like the drivers going thru water on the road making a wake so will some of the boaters. We don’t need to make it a revenue generator, but educate the boaters. Our shore lines are delicate right now, let’s help them heal.
And last get out and walk the area and go shoulder to shoulder with us and let’s make this as easy and fun and as safe a clean-up as we can.
Get rid of Christensen and hire this guy!!!
McHenry County Meeting Portal
County Board – Regular Meeting
County Board Conference Room, Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock
July 18, 2017 at 7PM
In the audio recording start at the 46 minute point to hear the introduction to Mr. Kamienski’s comments.
He begins speaking at 46:30.
https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=4242&Format=Agenda
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McHenry County does not video record meetings.
They just audio record the meetings.
What Cal FAILS to say is that Carl stumbled all over his words and flustered himself.
Franks was polite and asked, “If you have copies of this, I can give it to everyone. How about if we just add that to the record?”
Did you hear his tone? Conciliatory and polite.
Cal, you make him sound like a jerk.
On a side note, I was wondering when you next post would come about Franks.
You had been very quiet lately and, of course, your story was petty nonsense.
You are a joke.
Moderate is a poop head 💩
Moderate may be a “poop head” but even a broken clock is right twice a day and a blind pig can find truffles.
That said, as much as I dislike Franks and his style (or lack of it), he’s being unfairly cast in this instance.
At the outset of Mr. Kamienski’s public comment, he was informed that he had the floor for THREE MINUTES.
Those, I believe, the rules for all such public comments.
Without addressing Mr. Kamienski’s oratory skills, I don’t believe Franks interrupted him until the three minutes was up and it was about FOUR minutes before Mr. Kamienski relinquished the floor.
I did not detect any sarcasm or nastiness in Franks’ comments to Kamienski and I think Kamienski offered up some very good suggestions as well.
I don’t see a foul – technical or otherwise – committed by anyone here.
Carl exceeded the 3 minute limit that they give to public speakers, so he was cut off.
That happens to anybody who goes over the limit.
If Franks made exceptions, we’d see headlines about him playing favorites.
It’s sad Cal has such an obsession with Franks.
Envy is not a good look on you, Cal.
Jack Franks is always conciliatory and polite when he wants to shut you up!
He is the master politician.
He has carefully selected individuals now in liaison positions.
Buddied up to the right so called republicans that will never question anything.
Jack knows what he is doing and strategy is way ahead of the republicans.
I just think he didn’t think it would be so easy.
At the time Jack Franks made his comments, Carl had not exceed his 3 minute time limit.
The public should have a right speak for 3 minutes without the County Board chair making an offer to make copies of the commenter’s speech and handing it out to whomever.
How about if Jack Franks just lets the commenter speak, and then afterwards offering to make copies of the speech and add it to the record?
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We can count on the Jack Franks cheerleader to appear when there is criticism of Jack Franks.
His total time speaking was at least three minutes, but I agree, Mark, speakers shouldn’t be cut off in the middle.
Franks did not cut him off. Listen to the audio.
Carl stumbles all over his words and asks if he can go back because he skipper a paragraph.
Franks reassures that his words will be included in the public record and sent to the board.
Carl resumes.
What Franks did not do was insist Carl needed to keep to three minutes, or yell, or scream, or insist Carl needed to wrap things up.
You are literal hacks.
48:27 point in the audio.
Carl: “Can I back up, I blew a paragraph?”
Jack Franks: “That’s OK.
And also, if you have copies of this, I can give it to everyone.
If you just want to talk, everyone will get a copy of it.
Because he has prepared remarks.
How about if we just put it into the record, and I will provide it to everybody.
Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?”
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Carl went on with further comments.
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Once again, how about if Jack Franks just lets the commenter speak, and offer to make copies, after the commenter is done speaking.
Franks shouldn’t have interrupted the commenter.
Only a narcissist would interrupt a citizen when he’s commenting on a local catastrophe.
His information was helpful for the audience that was in attendance as well as for those that were tuning in.
LOL Sweded.
My thoughts exactly, but I couldn’t think of how to put it “nicely”.
Wow.
I literally can’t believe the nonsense from Mark and Sweded.
Did you actually LISTEN to the audio?
It’s amazing how such a popular and inoffensive politician can be so polarizing.
No matter what Franks does, he gets attacked.
Jack Franks speaking to the public commenter (Carl) during the public commenter’s 3 minute speaking time:
“How about if we just put it into the record, and I will provide it to everybody.
Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?”
Exactly, Franks was helping him out after he tripped all over his words and Franks’ tone sounded compassionate.
“Interrupts” conjures the illusion that Franks was undermining what Carl had to say. Franks was asking him to extrapolate beyond his prepared advice!!
How you make that a negative is simply mental.
Well since Moderate, the Jack Franks cheerleader and promoter, wants to make an issue of Jack Franks talking during commenter talk time, how about the County Board censure Jack Franks for talking during commenter time.
The commenter simply asked if he, the commenter, could back up.
Jack Franks could have said yes, and then shut up.
But no, Jack Franks continued to talk.
Inculded in his continued blabbing was Jack Franks stating to the commenter, “Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?”
What gives Jack Franks the right to say that.
Nothing gives the County Board Chair the right to ask a commenter to submit his written comments and ask the commenter, do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here.
Jack Franks was clearly wrong for doing so.
And the commenter clearly didn’t appreciate that interruption from Jack Franks.
And it was an interruption from Jack Franks.
Because Jack Franks was talking, during, the commenter talk time.
Jack Franks should apologize to the public and to Carl.
Hilarious 😂
The fact that no single Membet of the Board raised an issue in the press or on social media is proof this is a made up issue.
So, either the board members are ALL RINOS backing up Franks because they are spineless, OR this is made up nonsense by Cal Skinner.
Which is it Mark?!
The members of the board are all nitwits that follow the leader.
LOL Moderate doesn’t get it yet.
The proof is on the recording for everyone to hear.
Jack Franks was speaking during the commenter’s 3 minutes.
The Commenters should be free to speak their 3 minutes without the County Board Chair talking.
Not only did the County Board Chair talk during the Commenter’s 3 minutes, the County Board Chair attempted to influence the commenter.
Here are the words from the County Board Chair:
“How about if we just put it into the record, and I will provide it to everybody.
Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?”
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That is a problem.
That is an interruption by the County Board Chair.
The County Board Chair interrupted the commenter’s speaking time.
The County Board Chair attempted to influence the commenter.
Very bad.
Franks is a bad guy.
Very bad.
We should investigate and FOIA if he committed a crime by asking a question to a constituent.
Maybe this is a violation of Free Speech?!
Keneally needs to file a law suit on behalf of Carl.
It’s a disgrace that Prim does not arrest Franks for this injustice.
Here again is the dialogue that occurred between Carl and Jack Franks that occurred at the 48.27 point in the audio:
Carl: “Can I back up, I blew a paragraph?”
Jack Franks: “That’s OK.
And also, if you have copies of this, I can give it to everyone.
If you just want to talk, everyone will get a copy of it.
Because he has prepared remarks.
How about if we just put it into the record, and I will provide it to everybody.
Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?”
https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=4242&Format=Agenda
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No one, especially the County Board Chair, has the right to tell a citizen during comments, “Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?” during the public commenters 3 minute talk time.
Very disrespectful of Jack Franks to the taxpayer.
Very disrespectful.
Jack Franks is a tyrant.
He is leading McHenry down a path to be the next Detroit.
Franks’ complete disregard for process or rule of law is simply an OBAMAnation.
Every single board member should be delirious that Franks uttered a single word during the testimony of Carl.
Franks’ actions are illegal and ANYONE claiming ANYTHING to the contrary is asserting spurious claims.
We MUST stop the tyrant, King Jack.
First, he expected a clothing allowance, then he attempted to hire staff, and now is blatantly insulting the taxpayer by asking Carl for additional comments.
A full and complete apology MUST be issued.
Mark, thank you for championing the truth, justice and tranquility of our board meetings.
Without your diligent, honest and attentive analysis, the 15 people that read this blog would be entirely uninformed.
👏 Bravo 👏
Yes Jack Franks:
– Spoke during the public commenter’s 3 minute speaking time
– Suggested the public commenter no longer had to comment on the commenters written notes (“How about if we just put it into the record, and I will provide it to everybody. Do you have anything else to say, besides what’s on here?”
That was disrespectful.
The commenter is entitled to speaking 3 minutes without interruption.
That is a basic tenant behind public comments.
Jack Franks should apologize to the public and to Carl for interjecting himself into the commenter’s speaking time.
But he will do it during someone else’s speaking time.
And he should be surely sued for this slight against the taxpayer!!!
This is a violation of Carl’s first amendment rights!
You are an idiot, Moderate!
July 18, 2017 McHenry County Board Regular Meeting which began at 7PM.
At the 48.27 point in the audio of that meeting, County Board Chair Jack Franks is heard interrupting and attempting to influence the public comment of a citizen.
Here it for yourself here:
https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=4242&Format=Agenda
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Citizens are allowed to speak for 3 minutes during the public comments portion of County Board meetings.
Jack Franks did not allow the citizen to speak uninterrupted.
Rather, Jack Franks felt compelled to speak during those 3 minutes.
The commenter was speaking about the flooding due to the heavy rains.
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Jack Franks should apologize to the public and to the commenter for the interruption.
Moderate on 07/23/2017 at 4:12 pm said:
Very disrespectful.
Jack Franks is a tyrant.
He is leading McHenry down a path to be the next Detroit.
Franks’ complete disregard for process or rule of law is simply an OBAMAnation.
Every single board member should be delirious that Franks uttered a single word during the testimony of Carl.
Franks’ actions are illegal and ANYONE claiming ANYTHING to the contrary is asserting spurious claims.
We MUST stop the tyrant, King Jack.
First, he expected a clothing allowance, then he attempted to hire staff, and now is blatantly insulting the taxpayer by asking Carl for additional comments.
A full and complete apology MUST be issued.
Mark, thank you for championing the truth, justice and tranquility of our board meetings.
Without your diligent, honest and attentive analysis, the 15 people that read this blog would be entirely uninformed.
👏 Bravo 👏
Moderate is calling for Jack Franks to issue a full and complete apology.
“A full and complete apology MUST be issued.”
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Hopefully the County Board members will make public note of the County Board Chair interrupting and attempting to curtail the speech of a citizen during a public comment at the July 18, 2017 County Board Regular Meeting.
The current county board:
District 1: Yvonne Barnes, Robert Nowak, Christopher Spoerl, Thomas Wilbeck.
District 2: Jim Heisler, Donna Kurtz, Jeffrey Thorsen, John Reinert.
District 3: Chris Christensen, Joe Gottemoller, Donald Kopsell, Michael Walkup.
District 4: Kay Bates, John Hammerand, Chuck Wheeler, Craig Wilcox
District 5: John Jung, Jr, Michael Rein, Michael Skala, Paula Yensen
District 6: Michele Aavang, Jim Kearns, Mary McCann, Larry Smith
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Will the County Board stand up for the right of its citizens to make uninterrupted Public Comments?
Or will it allow the County Board Chair to interrupt citizens during public comments.
A FULL and complete apology MUST be issued. The board MUST act. It is TYRANNICAL for the Chairman to ask a question.
Absolutely ridiculous.
We are lucky to have Mark and Cal Skinner focusing on the REAL ISSUES plaguing this county.
Thank you Mark.
You are truly a beacon of useful information that keeps all 15 readers of the blog informed. Without your diligent reposting of things over and over again, we not know things like:
This:
District 1: Yvonne Barnes, Robert Nowak, Christopher Spoerl, Thomas Wilbeck.
District 2: Jim Heisler, Donna Kurtz, Jeffrey Thorsen, John Reinert.
District 3: Chris Christensen, Joe Gottemoller, Donald Kopsell, Michael Walkup.
District 4: Kay Bates, John Hammerand, Chuck Wheeler, Craig Wilcox
District 5: John Jung, Jr, Michael Rein, Michael Skala, Paula Yensen
District 6: Michele Aavang, Jim Kearns, Mary McCann, Larry Smith
OR THIS:https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=4242&Format=Agenda
OR THIS, AGAIN! https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=4242&Format=Agenda
You are so helpful.
👏 Bravo, Mark 👏
Remember the reasons this issue is applicable to the county board members.
1. The issue occurred during open session in a public board meeting.
2. The county board chair interrupted and attempted to influence the comments of a citizen.
3. The interruption and attempted influence on speech is recorded on tape.
Listen at the URL’s listed above.
Begin at the 48.27 point in the audio for the interruption, and the 46.30 point for the commenter’s (Carl’s) entire public comment.
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Any member of the public is allowed 3 minutes of uninterrupted free speech at County Board Meetings.
Jack Franks interrupted and attempted to influence that speech.
To make matters worse, the citizen has been battling and was addressing the flooding situation in McHenry County, a very serious issue.