Thursday, June 30, 2011

Pastor of St. James states parishioners give “overwhelming support” for Cathedral sized church

This posting is also available at: http://www.boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/ More postings regarding St. James are available at that site.

 

The following letter was sent to each alderman in Belvidere regarding St. James’ pending zoning request.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

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The church will hold 850 and be 70 feet (5 stories) high.

What is the Institutional Zoning which St. James Parish is requesting?

St. James is requesting numerous set back, height, landscaping and general building variances.  What are the requirements?  What is St James requesting?

The yellow marked sections are not in compliance with the code.  Red is what the St. James proposal provides.

The following is taken for the City Code on Zoning, available at:  http://library3.municode.com/default-test/home.htm?infobase=12000&doc_action=whatsnew

 

D) Institutional district.

(1) Institutional (I) district.

A. Description and purpose. This district is intended to permit development that is institutional in nature (all government uses, all public and private schools, day care centers, religious institutions, institutional residential uses, parks, and similar uses). Density and intensity standards for this district are designed to ensure that the Institutional District shall serve as a designation that reflects and protects the community character of its surrounding area.

Rationale: This district is used to provide an appropriate mechanism for regulating institutional land uses to ensure that the development reflects and protects the community character of its surrounding area. This district is intended to be mapped either to provide clusters of institutional use (such as a campus) or to provide individual sites for institutional use (such as a neighborhood school or religious institution) within areas predominated by other zoning districts.

B. List of allowable principal land uses (per article 2).

1. Permitted by right.

Cultivation;

Selective cutting;

Passive outdoor public recreation;

Active outdoor public recreation;

Public services and utilities;

Indoor institutional.

2. Permitted as special use.

Clear cutting;

Day care center (3+ children);

Outdoor institutional;

Institutional residential.

C. List of allowable accessory uses (per article 2).

1. Permitted by right.

Company cafeteria;

On-site parking lot;

Drainage structure;

Filling;

Lawn care;

Home occupation;

Exterior communication devices.

2. Permitted as special use.

Wind energy systems.

D. List of allowable temporary uses (per article 2).

Outdoor assembly;

Contractor's project office;

Contractor's on-site equipment storage;

On-site real estate sales office;

Relocatable building.

E. Regulations applicable to all uses.

1. Landscaping regulations (see article 6).

2. Performance standards (see article 7).

3. Signage regulations (see article 10).

F. Regulations applicable to residential uses.

1. Residential density and intensity requirements:

A. Minimum zoning district area: 10,000 square feet.

B. Maximum gross density (MGD): 4.00 du/acre.

C. Minimum landscape surface ratio (LSR): 50 percent.

D. Maximum accessory structure size:

Detached garage: 288 square feet per dwelling unit.

Attached garage: 576 square feet per dwelling unit.

Accessory utility shed: 120 square feet.

2. Residential bulk requirements:

A. Minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet.

B. Minimum lot width: 80 feet.

C. Maximum gross density (MGD): Up to 50 du/acre per limits of the special use permit.

D. Minimum street frontage: 40 feet.

E. Minimum setbacks: Front or street side lot line to house: 30 feet.Front or street side lot line to attached garage: 30 feet.Side lot line to house or attached garage: ten feet.Total of both sides, lot lines to house/attached garage: 20 feet.Rear lot line to house or attached garage: 25 feet.Side lot line to accessory structure: Three feet from property line  , five feet from alley.Rear lot line to accessory structure: Three feet from property line, five feet from alley.Required bufferyard: None on Church Street side  See § 150.607 along zoning district boundary.Minimum paved surface setback: Three feet from side or rear; 10 feet from street; (driveways established prior to adoption date of this ordinance are exempted).

F. Minimum dwelling unit separation: 20 feet.

G. Maximum height of dwelling unit: 35 feet, greater with a special use permit. St. J--70

H. Maximum height of accessory structure: 20 feet.

I. Minimum number of off-street parking spaces required on the lot: See parking lot requirements per specific land use in § 150.204.

J. Minimum dwelling size: 1200 square feet, measuring no less than 24 feet by 40 feet.

G. Regulations applicable to nonresidential uses.

1. Nonresidential intensity requirements:

A. Maximum number of floors (F): Two or greater with special use approval granted per the requirements of § 150.904.

B. Minimum landscape surface ratio (LSR): 50 percent.

C. Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.20.

D. Minimum lot area (MLA): 10,000 square feet.

E. Maximum building size (MBS): na.

2. Nonresidential bulk requirements:

A. Minimum lot area: 10,000 sq. ft.

B. Minimum lot width: 80 feet; minimum street frontage: 40 feet.

C. Minimum setbacks:

Building to front or street side lot line: 30 feet. Zero on Church Street

Building to residential side lot line: Ten feet.

Building to residential rear lot line: 25 feet.

Building to nonresidential side lot line: Ten feet.

Building to nonresidential rear lot line: 25 feet.

Side lot line to accessory structure: Three feet from property line, five feet from alley.

Rear lot line to accessory structure: Three feet from property line, five feet from alley.

Required bufferyard: See § 150.607 along zoning district boundary.

Minimum paved surface setback: five feet from side or rear; five feet from street; (driveways established prior to adoption date of this ordinance are exempted).

D. Minimum building separation: 20 feet.

E. Maximum building height: 35 feet, greater with special use permit.

F. Minimum number of off-street parking spaces required on the lot: See parking lot requirements per specific land use in § 150.204.

(E) Planned development districts.

(1) Planned development (PD) district.

A. Description and purpose. This district is intended to provide more incentives for redevelopment in areas of the community, which are experiencing a lack of reinvestment or undeveloped areas of the community, which require flexible zoning treatment because of factors that are specific to the site. This district is designed to forward both aesthetic and economic objectives of the City by controlling the site design and the land use, appearance, density, or intensity of development within the district in a manner consistent with sound land use, urban design, and economic revitalization principles. The application of these standards will ensure long-term progress and broad participation toward these principles. Refer to § 150.907 for the procedures applicable to proposal review in this standard zoning district.

B. Development standards. Development standards are flexible within this zoning district. Refer to §§ 150.907(B) for the range of development standards potentially available in this zoning district.

(Ord. of 3-6-06; Ord. No. 848G, § 1, 9-5-06; Ord. No. 880G, § 1, 1-2-07; Ord. No. 923G, § 1, 10-1-07; Ord. No. 24H, § 1, 9-8-09; Ord. No. 76H, § 1, 10-4-10)

 

 

Sec150.607:     150.607. Landscaping requirements for bufferyards.

(A) Purpose. This section provides the landscaping and width requirements for bufferyards on lots developed after the effective date of this chapter. A bufferyard is a combination of distance and a visual buffer or barrier. It includes an area, together with the combination of plantings, berms, and fencing that is required to eliminate or reduce existing or potential nuisances. These nuisances can often occur between adjacent zoning districts. Such nuisances are dirt, litter, noise, glare of lights, signs, and incompatible land uses, buildings or parking areas.

Rationale: One of zoning's most important functions is the separation of land uses into districts that have similar character and contain compatible uses. The location of districts is supposed to provide protection, but in the city, this is not the case since zoning districts permitting uses as diverse as single-family residential and industrial uses were located next to one another long before the effective date of this chapter. Bufferyards will operate to minimize the negative impact of any future use on neighboring uses.

(B) Required locations for bufferyards. Bufferyards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different zoning districts abut one another. Bufferyards shall not be required in front yards. Question:  Is a buffer zone required between new St. James Church and the house on Church Street?

(C) Determination of required bufferyard.

(1) Identification of required level of opacity. Opacity is a quantitatively-derived measure which indicates the degree to which a particular bufferyard screens the adjoining property. The required level of opacity indicated by table 150.607(C)(2)A. is directly related to the degree to which the potential character of development differs between different zoning districts. The required level of opacity is determined by the value given in the cell of the table at which the column heading along the top row of the table (representing the subject property's zoning district) intersects with the row heading along the left hand side of the table (representing the adjacent property's zoning district). The value listed is the required level of opacity for the bufferyard on the subject property.

(2) Identification of detailed bufferyard requirements.

A. If a proposed use adjoins a parcel for which a bufferyard is required by the presence of a zoning district boundary, that use shall provide a bufferyard with the level of the opacity indicated in table 150.607(C)(2)A.

B. For each level of opacity, a wide variety of width, landscaping point, berm, and structure combinations are possible. The requirements listed in table 150.607(C)(2)B. pertain to the number of landscaping points, the minimum bufferyard width, and the type of berm or fencing required within every 100 feet of required bufferyard. A variety of landscaping point options are available and may be mixed within distinct portions of the same bufferyard.

GRAPHIC LINK:

Click here

Table 150.607(C)(2)A. Required Bufferyard Opacity Values

TABLE INSET:

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Did St. James really take its architect's advise on planning a new church?

This posting is also available at: http://www.boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/ More postings regarding St. James are available at that site.

Quite obviously it is difficult (if not impossible) to know what the “renowned Classical architect”, Duncan G. Stroik, told the parish officials on how to plan for its new church.  However Mr. Stroik has written extensively on church architecture and in this 2002 article (listed on his website), Mr. Stroiks advises priests on the many phases of the process. Did St. James follow this advise?

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See Page 1:  As expected, Column 2 :  “The most important decision you will make is on the choice of the architect”.

Page 2: Column 2  “an architect’s fee can run anywhere from eight to 14 percent of the construction cost of the church”

Page 3:   Columns 2 & 3  “I suggest that priest try to involve the parish in the project early on”

“Consider creative ways for your parish to have imput on the project early on, whether this is with public discussion, filling out questionnaires or more casual discussion amongst the community.  One priest I know spent a couple of years holding lectures, prayer services and putting inserts in the bulletin to prepare the faithful for their new church.”

Listen to all reasonable requests whether they are calling for a specific heating system, architectural style, flooring material or a shrine to a particular saint.

Page 4:  1st Paragraph, Column 3 “ …it is in-style to build churches that are too large.” ….”pastors are being encouraged by their bishops to build parishes of 1,000 seats or more.  I ask if they are aware that this is larger than most of the seating capacity of our Cathedrals in this country. “

“I ask pastors to try to determine what is the smallest seating capacity they could live with so they can use the limited budget to its best ability”

Page 5:  Column 2 “One of the nicest American traditions is the ethnic parish with the parish hall in the basement which can even be finished later.”

 

The article is available on the internet at:  http://www.stroik.com/pdf/publications/advice_to_priests.pdf  The article is from the July 2002, Our Sunday Visitor’s The Priest.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Page 1

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Page 2

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Page 3

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Page 4

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Page 5

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Sneak Preview: Letter to Editor of BCJ on the new St. James Church

 

Dear Boone County Journal Editor 6/27/2011

What is the true reason for destroying the historic St James Catholic church in Belvidere? Sure, the Catholic community has grown in Belvidere and Boone County. St James Church is full to capacity on occasion. Parking and traffic patterns are difficult, especially for local residence. Let’s examine another local community and how they dealt with growth. Belvidere has roughly 26,400 residences, Freeport has roughly 25,000. Freeport now has three Catholic churches: St Joseph, St Mary, and St Thomas Aquinas. The St Joseph church just celebrated 150 years and is a similar design to Belvidere’s St James church. To accommodate growth Freeport built the more modern St Thomas Aquinas church rather than tear down their history.

St James received a donation of 22 acres to build a new church on the intersection of Squaw Prairie and Town Hall. This generous offer yielded a perfect opportunity to build a 2nd Catholic Church in Boone County, preserve the historic existing church and the surrounding community, and provide for future growth flexibility. Yet the current plan is to sell the 22 acre property, tear down the125 year existing church for a parking lot, and build a massive 70 ft tall structure on a lot adjacent to the school that is just too small to accommodate it. The new structure will be 30 feet from the school on one side, and just 4 inches from the sidewalk on the other. The height, setbacks, and parking are significant variance issues that the Zoning and Planning Commission have already given an approval recommendation. The Belvidere City Council has scheduled a meeting on July 5th for a potential final vote and the meeting is open to the public. If approved, and the massive structure is built on the proposed lot, traffic patterns and parking will be a nightmare due to a reduced mass schedule and seating capacity expanded from the existing 350 to 850. What’s wrong with this picture?

Why did Father Geary and a small group of appointees choose this path rather than build on the 22 acres donated for the express purpose of building a new Catholic church? Some say the infrastructure costs (sewer and water) were too expensive. Others have said that building on the 22 acre site will draw parishioners and their money away from Rockford’s Holy Family Catholic church, whose boundary ends right at the Boone county line. When the Historic church is gone, and the massive new church is operational, most will look back and regret the decisions a few made for the majority. There is a growing concern that politics and a false sense of urgency have overridden good judgment.

This is a call to action. If you are troubled by St James’ current direction and would like to preserve Belvidere’s historic St James Church and prevent the impact to the surrounding neighborhood please:

  • Call and write your alderman to voice your opinion before the July 5th meeting, www.ci.belvidere.il.us
  • Contact Father Geary or Bishop Doran and request an explanation
  • Contact “Concerned citizens to save St James Church” and get involved
    • Robert Casey (racskc007@aol.com) 815-540-8655
    • Michael Mattus (magneticmike1@yahoo.com) 815-985-5560
    • Dan & Jean Christenson (Jeanchristenson@Live.com) 815-543-4179

Listen to Committee of Whole meeting of the City of Belvidere Regarding St. James Church Zoning

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The Committee of the Whole meeting from Tuesday, June 27, 2011.

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Click on the following to listen to the entire meeting click on the following: http://www.radiop1.com/mediacenter.aspx?stationid=16

THEN Go to the black box area of the screen (as shown below). In the line under Welcome to Belvidere, click on City Council.

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The next screen is shown below.  Click on the Committee of the Whole in the bottom left listings.

The St. James Church portion begins at 1:56  The quality is not always the best.

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Friday, June 24, 2011

Though not moneymaker for restaurants, BYOB draws some interested diners

DeKalb and Sycamore have a BYOB license, which allows restaurants to permit patrons to bring bottles of wine or beer to drink with their meals. Each city’s license sets rules, such as when beer or wine can be consumed at the restaurant or the requirement of a meal being purchased to drink alcohol at the establishment.

Mediterraneo Grill owner Omar Musfi said it saves his customers money, but it’s not cheap for the restaurant. He had to pay the license fee, change his insurance and train his staff. The restaurant charges a $5 corking fee per table to recoup some of those costs.
According to DeKalb’s municipal code, those seeking a Class BY license must pay $250 for the initial issuance fee and $220 annually for renewal.

“The point is to bring more people to try the food,” Musfi said, mentioning that most customers who take advantage of BYOB do so with dinner and on weekends. “... It’s not making money, but it’s helping with business.”

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/06/22/though-not-moneymaker-for-restaurants-byob-draws-some-interested-diners/apgmhew/

Thursday, June 23, 2011

District 100 Education Tax Rate still lowest

The following tax rate comparison was presented at the June 22, 2011 District 100 school board meeting. Belvidere has the lowest rate in Winnebago-Boone Counties.  Is District 100 Board of Education thinking about asking for an increase in the education tax rate?

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

School Tax Rates

Belvidere’s 4.59702 rate is a substantially higher rate than the prior year’s 4.06682 and is projected to be up to 5.22190 for next tax  year See the document shown below from the May 16, 2011 District 100 board meeting. In percentage terms this year’s tax rate went up 13.04%; next year is projected to increase 13.59%.  An individual home’s tax increase should be somewhat less because assessed values (EAV) are projected to decrease 10% for 2011-2.

School Tax Rates. 1png

Assuming the projected 5.22190 rate to be correct—Belvidere will still have the lowest rate in 2011-2 but the gap maybe narrowing.  Also note the largest increase is in Bond Taxes (17.3% for 2010-11).  Much larger increases in Bond Taxes will occur in upcoming years not yet shown in 2011-2.

Here is proof that other districts are thinking of increases.

Tax Increases-KICK

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

California Legislature to forfeit pay

State Controller John Chiang has decided to deny California lawmakers their pay for failing to produce a truly balanced spending plan, infuriating legislative leaders but pumping new life into budget negotiations just 10 days before the start of the new fiscal year.
Indignant Democratic lawmakers, having passed a budget on the June 15 deadline without input from Republicans or Gov. Jerry Brown, said the controller, who issues state paychecks, was engaged in an illegal power grab. Chiang said in his announcement Tuesday that aspects of the Democrats' budget — which Brown had swiftly vetoed — were incomplete and the plan therefore violated a new law that punishes the Legislature for late spending plans.

The impact on legislators' wallets could be severe. Until they approve a budget that Chiang deems balanced, rank-and-file lawmakers, who are paid at the end of each month, will be docked about $400 a day. That sum is the daily portion of their $95,291 salary plus a $142 per diem allowance.

Click on the following for the complete LA Times story:  http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lawmakers-pay-20110622,0,5154346.story

Friday, June 17, 2011

Rep Paul Ryan and his in-laws

The following is taken from:  http://www.wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/take-a-look-at-paul-ryans-personal-payday.html/

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according to the congressman’s mandatory financial disclosure report to Congress, Ryan and his wife own stakes in four family companies that lease land in Texas and Oklahoma to energy companies that benefit from the tax subsidies Ryan advocated.

Ryan’s father-in-law runs the companies that are currently leasing land for mining and drilling to Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK), Devon (NYSE:DVN), XTO Energy, and a subsidiary of ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM). Ryan’s stake in these companies immediately poses a conflict of interest, especially when Ryan is lining his pockets with big oil money while expecting senior citizens, children, and the disabled to endure cuts to already underfunded programs.

Of course, Ryan’s office says he hadn’t even considered his own interests when drawing up the budget plan, overlooking the $117,000 the properties earned him and his wife just last year, as well as the $60,000 from the year before that. According to Ryan’s financial disclosure, he has assets worth somewhere between $590,000 and $2.5 million, and he owns minority stakes in four of his wife’s family companies, including Ava O Limited Company, which holds mining and mineral rights, and Little Land Company, which is an oil and gas corporation. While Ryan only has a 0.8% stake in Little Land Company, it is still one of his most valuable assets, generating nearly $50,000 last year.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

St. James Zoning passes the advisory city commission intact

This posting is also available at: http://www.boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/ More postings regarding St. James are available at that site.

The zoning staff wanted concessions on the building height—50 feet  versus requested 70—and parking 55 more on-site.  The advisory committee agreed only on the parking and stated a 70 foot building (5 stories) should be allowed.   Approximated 30 people (not including the applicant and advisor) attended the session.  Persons pro’s and con were approximately equally represented .   Questions and testimony from neighbors and parishioners opposed to the action were given.  As well as testimony of parishioners in favor of the action.  The con’s had many more questions than the pro’s.

Action now moves to city council.  There will be reading on the proposed zoning change and at the July 5 council meeting the actual decision should be made.  Visitors may be allowed to comment at the July 5 meeting prior to city council votes.

The entire St. James portion of the advisory committee meeting was recorded by a court report and may soon be available electronically on the county website.  I will advise you of this matter. As of 7-13-2011 St. James has not sent the transcripts to the Planning and Zoning Department.  The City Council has tabled their decision until August 1.

Earlier I posted my letter to the Zoning Board concerning parking.  SEE:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/06/will-new-st-james-church-cause.html

The following letter also regarding parking and general traffic was submitted to the board by  Barbara Paladino.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

BARB 1

BARB 2

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Chairman Walberg continues showdown with volunteers firefighters

“We either got to deal with the county board's decision or there's been discussion of all the volunteers resigning and turning their gear in. If the county wants to run our district, let them deal with it and see what they can do," he says.

Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg says these trustees have enormous power and it's the county board's job to select the best people.

"They pick the chief. They develop their budget. They set the policies for the board, the oversight of the district. They set the tax levy," says Walberg.

The fire chiefs from districts one, two and three have said they feel the county wants to replace the trustees because the board members are unhappy with a sprinkler ordinance trustees approved. The ordinance requires all commercial buildings to install a sprinkler system. Some county leaders argue that puts a burden on businesses. Firefighters argue it's about fire safety. "If it's left off to rage out of control, but the time we get there the ceilings and things will start collapsing on us," explains firefighter, Daniel Pearson.

either got to deal with the county board's decision or there's been discussion of all the volunteers resigning and turning their gear in. If the county wants to run our district, let them deal with it and see what they can do," he says.

Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg says these trustees have enormous power and it's the county board's job to select the best people.

"They pick the chief. They develop their budget. They set the policies for the board, the oversight of the district. They set the tax levy," says Walberg.

Click on the following for more details:  http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14908882

 

 

It is very difficult what to made of this whole thing.  Here is what Ms. Mattison wrote to his follow Boone County board members and the general public regarding the matter.  His statement became a  part of the board packet.

 


 

June 15, 2011

To: The Boone County Board & Public

Re: Fire Protection Districts & Trustee Appointments

The appointment processes for various Boone County positions that Bob Walberg, Boone County Board Chairman, has used the past 2 years are confusing if not purposely manipulated. They seem to change depending on who and what the appointments are going to be. They have ranged from Board Chair recommended names being presented without application letters to having hearings for applicants and the Board Chair stating he is going to rely on recommendations from the County Board after they interview the interested parties. Some County Chairman appointments (to name a few, but not all) are made with no input from the County Board (Mary Steurer, Boone County Clerk), some with input from outside the County Board (Brad Fidder,County Board member District 1), and most recently Fire District Trustees and potential appointees interviewed by the Roads and Capital Improvements Committee after Chairman Walberg attempted to replace the trustees from Districts 1, 2, 3, with no detail or explanation to the public or the County Board for the reason to change at the May County Board meeting.

Several various forms of appointment have been used including the use of "straw polls" by Mr. Walberg.

The current appointment process being used to Appoint Boone County Fire District Trustees is flawed at best, and just plain wrong at its worst. It is convoluted.

Board Chairman Walberg in March, 2011, sent a memo to County Board members stating..."I feel we should not micro manage the Fire District(s) by debating their actions. It is the Trustee's job to oversee the Fire Districts." In that memo he references an opinion he requested from State's Attorney Michelle Courier. The opinion was given January 19, 2011 so it must have been asked for in December of 2010 or early January of this year. There was no background explanation why Walberg sent the memo to the board, but the State's Attorney's opinion cited a sprinkler system and ordinance.

At the May County Board meeting, Walberg presented a list of his Fire Trustee appointments, in essence replacing the current Trustees in Districts 1, 2, and 3. There was no explanation for the changes. Fire District members attended the Board meeting and after input from several volunteer firefighters, trustees and comment from the County Board focused on sprinkler systems and the appointments, Chairman Walberg postponed his appointments and set a special County Board meeting to hear from the fire districts. At that special meeting Fire District personnel came to discuss the appointments and the sprinkler system code, but Walberg confined the discussion to the sprinkler systems. (This action taken after his

March memo to the County Board stating..."we should not micro manage the fire districts by debating their actions."

It is apparent to many, that indeed the actions by Fire District leadership are being debated and evaluated relative to Trustee appointments by Chairman Walberg contrary to his memo to the County Board.

The history of this brouhaha dates back to sometime in 2010 when County Board Vice Chairman Marshall Newhouse and County Board Chairman Bob Walberg (without informing the whole County Board) initiated discussions with three Boone County Fire Districts telling them there was public outcry from the Boone County business community, certain County Board members, and administrators concerning some of the fire sprinkler requirements imposed under the fire district ordinances. There has been no documentation presented identifying "public outcry" to the County Board. All of those complaining about the fire code should make themselves known, what and where they want to build, the use, and their reasons for not following the code. Vice Chairman Newhouse has stated the new code could hurt economic development and prevent businesses from re-locating in the county. It should be understood that sprinkler systems can cause substantial investment and are a concern for economic development--they also are proposed for fire prevention, fire safety, health and welfare of the citizens and firefighters, and to channel commercial building development where it can be best protected in urban and industrial development areas--not rural areas where the probability of loss of property and life are considerably greater. And, Fire Codes are a critical land use planning tool helping to site commercial building where they can best be preserved and protected in case of fire.

County Board Chairman Bob Walberg and County Board Vice Chairman Marshall Newhouse did not present this as an issue to the County Board in 2010, but instead worked "behind-the-scenes" contacting the fire districts and others. The Boone County Board as a whole has not been involved in this process from the "git-go."

Certainly communication on the code and the County should occur. Certainly the Fire Code issue should be debated at the County Board level, and a level of understanding developed between the Fire Districts and the County. It should include the Planning Department (land use, zoning, health, welfare, & protection), as well as the Economic Development arm of the County--Growth Dimensions.

The appointment of Fire District Trustees should be based on their goal to provide "as nearly adequate protection from fire all person and property within Boone County as possible and must prescribe necessary regulations for the prevention and control of fire." The current Trustees have performed to this standard.

These are Trustees and mostly neighbor volunteers who with pride give their all to save home and families from fires and disasters. They should be judged for appointment on this criteria, not innocuous hearsay complaints from potential builders trying to save money on unsuitable sites. And the legitimate complainers to the code should identify themselves and come forward to become part of the debate to provide sensible fire protection for all.

I intend to support the current Trustees for re-appointment:

*Ron Tinberg in Fire District 1; *Dennis Peaslee in Fire District 2; and *Ray Morse in Fire District 3.

Patrick B. Mattison, Boone County Board District 3

 

Later Mattison stated:  FYI...Chairman Walberg nominated Ron Tinberg for Trustee in District 1, and then voted against his appointment...doesn't make sense.

 

AND HERE IS THE ACTUAL VOTE:

walberg 6-19-2011

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Will the new St. James Church cause a parking problem in Belvidere?

This is my concern.  Take a look at the letter I submitted to Belvidere Planning and Zoning regarding the issue.  I am asking only that the Church comply with the zoning mandate and provide one on-premise parking space for each five seats.  That equates to 170 on-site parking spaces now that the church is to hold only 850.  I wish the zoning law required more because I foresee cars clogging the streets in all directions. The Church’s architectural firm wants 110 spaces.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge or read the printed letter shown below the photocopies: 

6-13-2011 letter 1

6-13-2011 letter 2

6-13-2011 letter 3

6-13-2011 letter 4

Here is the two page letter portion in an easier to read format:

June 13, 2011

Belvidere Planning and Zoning Commission

615 North Main Street

Belvidere, Illinois 61008

REFERENCE: Case Number 2011-15; St. James Catholic Church

I oppose granting the applicant any deviation from City Code Section 150.204C3b. (One parking space per 5 seats at maximum capacity [Ratio 5:1 on premise spaces to capacity])

I am a St. James parishioner who regularly attends 10 AM Sunday mass. This service most always overcrowds the 350 capacity church. All parking spaces on parish grounds are filled and on-street parking for several blocks is jammed packed. The applicant is asking for a deviation from Section 150.204C3b because of the availability of on-street parking. I question whether adequate on-street parking will be available for the new 850 capacity church.

I have counted the current number of parking spaces available on parish property and identified them on an aerial map which is attached. Currently there are 130 parking spaces on parish property. The applicant indicates that once the new church is built and the old church torn down, there would only be 115 parking spaces. Diagonal parking would be built at applicant’s expense however it is questionable if this would increase parking on Church Street because only one side of the street will be parked after this change.

Page 3 of the applicant’s Narrative states that: “Random surveys conducted during mass in early 2011 show that parishioners currently use 70-80 on-street parking spaces in the near vicinity of the church along Julien, Caswell and Church Streets” If the code deviation is granted, on-street parking would have to supply all additional needed parking. Just multiplying the current on-street parking (as supplied by the applicant) by the increase in capacity (850/350 times the 70 current on-street slots) on-street parking increases approximately 143% to 170. Using figures more nearly matching the actual cars to church capacity ratio of the current church (see chart below), on-street parking increases 430% to 371 spots. (For an analysis of needed parking for a range of such ratios see Attachment 2)

Either figure would cause massive on-street parking stress in the St. James neighborhood as well as adjacent areas. Cars from St. James could well fill all the spots throughout these neighborhoods. Moreover, all worship services will be near capacity because the chief reason for the new church is to decrease the number of scheduled masses. Such massive parking issues could never have been imagined by the neighbors of the church when they moved to the area.

Old church parking --350 Church CAPACITY

New church parking-- 850 Church CAPAPCITY at current ratio

130 spaces on parish property

70 on-street parking per applicant’s survey

200 TOTAL spaces utilized

CURRENT RATIO: 200 spaces/350 capacity (1.75)

115 spaces on parish property

371 on-street parking (maintaining 1.75 ratio)

486 TOTAL spaces utilized

Ratio: 486 spaces/850 capacity (1.75)

Bold Items Obtained by using the current ratio from old church survey

Should the church’s neighbors be required to supply the vast majority of the church’s parking? Using the chart shown on the previous page, it appears that on-street parking currently provides 35% (70/200) of St. James parking. Will you allow on-street parking to provide 76% (371/486) of the new St. James parking at maximum capacity?

It appears that staff is recommending approval of applicant’s deviation request regarding Section 150.204C3b, subject to the applicant providing (prior to occupancy permit) proof of attempts to buy, rent or lease 55 off-street parking spaces in the area. I am opposed to such action.

St. James Church has been notified by the actual owner of the church property, the Diocese of Rockford, that no construction can occur unless the parish deposits $1,000,000 with the diocese for this project and the parishioners sign pledges for approximately half of the projected building costs. Figures are supplied weekly to parishioners. Statements from the Building Committee indicate that these financial hurdles will not be reached until early 2012. I suggest that the city postpone further action on the application until the applicant provides a workable plan of action to acquire additional off-street parking sufficient to meet the code requirements of one parking space per five seats at maximum capacity.

St. James Catholic Church should agree to such a delay because it will have no material effect on its building schedule and the postponement will afford the church an opportunity to better inform the parish and community of its plans. The applicant’s Narrative indicates that until approximately two months ago, St. James intended to build this large church outside the city. Obviously there has been little or no opportunity to acquire additional property for parking at the current parish campus. If the applicant agrees to a postponement, the full plans (including additional on-premises parking) for the proposed St. James institutional district will be available for the public’s consideration.

On a more practical level, I pose this question: “Once the church is built, would the Planning Department or the City Council really refuse an occupancy permit to a church for not reasonably pursuing additional parking for this project?”

Hopefully my analysis will help you in your decision. I trust that you will agree that St. James’ requests should not be approves until applicant can provide adequate off-street parking.

WILLIAM J. PYSSON

9592 Denver Drive

Belvidere, Il 61008

815 544 5115

bpysson@yahoo.com

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Boone County’s 2010 Audit was due June 1, 2011—Was Boone County granted an extension?

In 2008 Boone County did not provide its CPA audit for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2007 until August 20, 2008.  The public and board members did not have an opportunity to review that document until even later.  Since then I have made a personal effort to insure the audit is timely.  Boone County’s budget has annual appropriations of  less than $30,000,000 yet their annual audit was not timely in 2008 and has meet state requirements since then, only through specially requested extensions.

As set forth in 55 ILCS 5/6-31003

The audit shall commence as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year and shall be completed within 6 months after the close of such fiscal year, unless an extension of time is granted by the Comptroller in writing. Such extension of time shall not exceed 60 days.

Boone County’s audit for the year ending November 30, 2010 should be available June 1, 2011, unless a 60 day extension is obtained.  Below is the answer I received to my request to review the audit. 

After you read the letter below—do you believe that the Illinois Office of the Comptroller is  “unable to generate the approval letter” for the extension?  Assume that the Comptroller wanted to grant the extension-- can it be granted without the Comptroller writing an extension letter?  Should the public, the CPA firm or the county accept this situation?

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Audit extension 1

Audit extension 2

Audit extension 3

Friday, June 10, 2011

Sycamore Attorney faces Prostitution Charges

On May 31, 2011 I reported this story and supplied several updates.  See:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/05/sycamore-attorney-faces-prostitution.html  I wish to thank Betsy Lopez in picking-up on the story and giving readers many new details.  Her story is on page 3c of the June 10, 2011 Rockford Register Star.

prostitution 1prostitution 2

Boone County Fire Districts Agree to More Talking

County Fire Districts Agree to More Talking

By Bob Balgemann

The following is from page 2 of the June 10 Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at local merchants and also available on-line at:    http://boonecountyjournal.com/news/2011/Boone-County-News-06-10-11.pdf#page=3

Fire Districts #1, #2 and #3 the Boone County
Board still don’t agree on whether an ordinance should be in
place to require all commercial buildings to have sprinkler
systems.

But, after meeting June 2, they all agreed to communicate
better with one another in the future. Fire chiefs will revisit
the so-called “zero tolerance’’ ordinance and bring their
findings to the appropriate county committees.

Among those mentioned were public safety, health and
human services and zoning.
“The chiefs will come back with what they think
will work,’’ said attorney Brian O’Connor, representing
Districts #2 and #3.

The question of communication was almost immediately
placed on the table.

“This was kind of a surprise to everyone,’’ District #2
board member Laura Hart said of the ordinance. “Were there
any attempts to have community meetings in your districts
to see what people thought about it?’’

District #2 board member Cathy Ward wondered the
same thing, asking if it was just the chiefs who made this
decision or if others were involved? “This has been bubbling
up at meetings for a year now,’’ she added.

While District #1 Fire Chief Greg Holmes answered that
no community meetings were held, he assured that he had
talked to a lot of people about it, with 50 percent in favor of
the ordinance and 50 percent opposed to it.
“Would you be willing to have one now?’’ Hunt asked.
“Yes,’’ Holmes answered. While the county and fire
districts have had communication problems in the past, he
said, “It would be nice if the county and fire districts were
together on this. We legitimately felt we were doing the
right thing.’’

Fire officials remained firm June 2 in their belief that
sprinkler systems would save property and lives in Boone
County.

Ordinance in the Works Since 2007
District #3 Fire Chief Gail Worley said he started
working on the ordinance in 2007, when there was a lot
of construction in the Poplar Grove area. He said he had a
problem with one building owner who promised to put in
a sprinkler system but never did. “So I went to the village
board; we now have zero tolerance in the village of Poplar
Grove.’’

That prompted District #3 board member Terri Glass to
question the motivation behind the requirement. She said
she was concerned that it came about because Worley was
upset with one building owner.

Worley said that was not the case. Other owners, he
said, were constructing buildings that were just under the
minimum square-footage threshold for a sprinkler.

Cost entered the picture when Belvidere architect Paul
Ollmann said there can be financial difficulties “when you
have a $50,000 project and a $100,000 sprinkler system. He
estimated that a sprinkler system would cost $3 a square
foot.

Another architect, Gary W. Anderson, wrote in a letter to
the board that “such a requirement is over-reaching and will
create a significant financial hardship on everyone.’’
He wrote that the International Building Code used by
the county “has very sufficient requirements to provide
adequate protection of occupants and buildings. The IBC
is very specific as to when a fire protection sprinkler is
required.’’

But Holmes countered that most commercial buildings
without sprinkler systems that experience a major fire do
not rebuild. That leaves a vacant building and people out of
work, he said.
“Sprinkler systems will stop a fire cold,’’ consultant
Bob Olsen said. “It’s designed to save the building and put
people back to work.’’

Hunt attempted to temper the differing opinions by
explaining the county board’s job is to represent all residents.
Members got involved in this issue, she said, “when people
came to us saying the ordinance was affecting their ability to
make a living. This is a big deal with people.’’

Ireland's Catholics, hard hit by abuse crisis, await Vatican action - Faith & Reason

 

Diarmuid Martin is getting impatient. He's been a singular voice speaking out for action on this since 2009.

Maureen Dowd lionizes Martin in her weekend New York Times column and lambastes the Vatican in the process:

In return for doing the right thing, he has been ostracized by fellow bishops in Ireland and snubbed by the Holy See.

Showing again that it prefers denial to remorse, the Vatican undermined Martin's call for accountability. In 2009, after the Irish government's 700-page Murphy report on sexual abuse came out, Pope Benedict XVI refused to accept the resignations of two Irish bishops who presided over dioceses where abuse cases were mishandled.

The following year, when Martin expected to be named cardinal, the pope passed him over.

Ireland's Catholics, hard hit by abuse crisis, await Vatican action - Faith & Reason

Vatican takes more time to mull Irish sex abuse - SignOnSanDiego.com

 

The Vatican is taking several more months before making its recommendations on renewing the Catholic Church in Ireland following devastating revelations of clerical sex abuse and coverup.

The Vatican issued preliminary findings of its investigation into Irish dioceses, seminaries and religious orders, saying only that no further visits were warranted for dioceses and seminaries but that follow-up visits were necessary at some religious communities.

The Vatican said Monday it would come ahead with recommendations for the Irish church "in the coming months" and that a full report would be published in early 2012.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has spoken out recently, criticizing the Vatican's slow pace, and Monday's statement was unlikely to satisfy those expecting more tangible results after Vatican investigators turned in their reports in April.

Since 2002, a government-organized compensation board has paid out more than euro800 million ($983 million) to 13,000 people abused in Ireland's church-run homes for children.

Vatican takes more time to mull Irish sex abuse - SignOnSanDiego.com

Public Bodies Are Paying over $7.4 million Annually to Lobbyists | Illinois Campaign for Political Reform

 

Local governments, transit agencies and other public bodies spent nearly $7.5 million in the last fiscal year on contracts with lobbyists hired to monitor and influence state officials, according to an annual survey conducted by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR).

Below are some nearby community government units and their lobbying cost.  The complete list is available at:  http://ilcampaign.org/sites/default/files/LGL-2011-POST.pdf

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Public Bodies Are Paying over $7.4 million Annually to Lobbyists | Illinois Campaign for Political Reform

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Supreme Court rejects Belleville Diocese's appeal of $5 million award in priest sex abuse case - .Breaking news - bnd.com

 

Wednesday, May. 25, 2011

Supreme Court rejects Belleville Diocese's appeal of $5 million award in priest sex abuse case

BY GEORGE PAWLACZYK - News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE -- The Illinois Supreme Court turned down a request by the Diocese of Belleville to hear an appeal of a $5 million award in a case of sexual abuse by one of its priests, making the amount plus $1.35 million in interest payable unless a further legal challenge can be mounted.

The decision was posted Wednesday without comment.

Unless further legal action occurs, the diocese must pay James Wisniewski of Champaign $6.35 million. If the diocese does not have adequate insurance or cannot raise the money, and some Catholic dioceses in the United States have been forced to sell property to meet such payments, the award would be paid through a guaranty bond.

During the civil trial, Weilmuenster and Wigginton introduced numerous memorandums and letters by officials of the diocese that showed that they knew that Kownacki had sexually abused minors but did not call police and repeatedly transferred the priest to various parishes without warning parishioners.

During the trial, former Belleville bishop, now Archbishop of Atlanta, testified that if it was true that Kownacki molested Wisniewski, then an award should be paid. Gregory became bishop after the time that Kownacki was said to have molested his victims.

Ed Barbier, spokesman for the Southern Illinois Association of Priests, issued a statement that said in part the high court's decision, "Ends the unnecessary, costly and painful years of litigation, and finally provides the Wisniewski family some closure to the pain they have suffered."

Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/05/25/1722694/supreme-court-rejects-belleville.html#ixzz1OqUSfFFg

Belvidere Planning posts the St. James zoning packet along with their recommendations

image

Now available on the county website is the packet of information which the Planning Committee will use in their Tuesday, June 6 meeting at City Hall.  The web address is:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/June%2014,%202011.pdf  The St. James portion begins at page “8” and continues to page “52”.  There are a total of 65 pages to this PDF file and the other pages concern other matters.  There should be an opportunity for the public to speak and ask questions.

Page “30”/65 and “31”/65 has the summary of findings and recommendations of the Planning Department. 

Planning Department recommends approval with 9 conditions--major ones are 50 feet height limit rather than 70 feet and church must show attempts to buy, lease or otherwise acquire 55 off street parking spots.

The capacity appears to be only 850 rather than 1,000 in the promotional materials, or that is the number which the architect wishes to use so fewer parking spaces are required.  (6-10-2011)  I called the parish and Fr. Geary stated that 850 is the maximum seating for this site according the architect/engineering consultants.  I certainly would appreciate to first hear this information from the parish rather than from the planning department application.  As plans for our new church change, all parish member should be kept informed.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

 

St. James expansion 1

St James expansion 2

St.James is the first case on the Tuesday, June 14 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  That meeting begins at 6:00 PM at City Hall  and the Agenda is below.  The Special Use request (Item 2011-15) concerns the parking, building height and other controversial items of the building plan.

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The final decision will be made by the city council.  The aldermen’s names, addresses and phones are listed below. Ward 5  Correction:  Ward 3 is the ward in which St. James is located.

Belvidere Aldermen 5-2011

Fire chiefs revisit mandate for sprinkler systems

 

issue appeared headed toward a compromise the question of whether board Chairman Bob Walberg reappointed incumbent trustees in districts 1, 2 and 3 remained unresolved.

A couple of fire officials brought it up but he said he didn’t want to talk about it that night.

He said after the meeting that he would interview the six candidates for three openings tonight, following the roads and capital improvements meeting, and make a decision by the end of the week. He said he would like to have board action at the June 15 meeting.

Click on the following for more details:  Fire chiefs revisit mandate for sprinkler systems

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Many U.S. employers to drop health benefits, McKinsey finds - chicagotribune.com

 

At least 30 percent of employers are likely to stop offering health insurance once provisions of the U.S. health care reform law kick in in 2014, according to a study by consultant McKinsey.

Among employers with a high awareness of the health reform law, the number likely to drop health coverage for workers rises to more than 50 percent, the report predicted.
The numbers compare to a Congressional Budget Office estimate that only about 7 percent of employees currently covered by employer-sponsored plans will have to switch to subsidized-exchange policies in 2014, McKinsey said.
An Obama administration official said the McKinsey study contradicts other research, including studies by the Urban Institute and Rand Corp, that suggests the percentage of employees offered insurance by their employers will not change substantially under the Affordable Care Act.

Many U.S. employers to drop health benefits, McKinsey finds - chicagotribune.com

Attorney: Priest expected to admit church funds theft - chicagotribune.com

Roman Catholic priest accused of stealing more than $300,000 from the collection plates of his Roselle parish to support his gambling addiction is expected to plead guilty Thursday to theft.

The Rev. John F. Regan, 47, the former pastor of St. Walter Parish, is expected to enter a blind plea to a single count of theft, his attorney, John Donahue, told DuPage Judge John Kinsella today.

Click on the following for more details:  Attorney: Priest expected to admit church funds theft - chicagotribune.com

What’s popular? Sycamore Attorney Faces Prostitution Charges—417 hits and counting—story made Leno’s Tonight Show on Tuesday 6-7-2011

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Go to the posting by clicking on the following:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/05/sycamore-attorney-faces-prostitution.html

The Rockford Register Star picked up the story and it is posted at:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/06/attorney-faces-prostitution-charges.html

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Sycamore attorney faces prostitution charges | Daily Chronicle

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Crime Stoppers Repairs Charitable Trust Status

Part I
By James Middleton

Many organizations hold status as a charitable trust.
This designation is granted after documents are filed with
the State of Illinois. To sustain this designation, groups
must file periodic reports attesting to their financial status.
The reporting requirement is one element of compliance
that the group must provide to sustain the benefits of a
charitable trust designation. However, at times, errors occur
regarding compliance as was the case with Boone County
Crime Stoppers who found their charitable trust designation
in jeopardy.

These annual reports must go to state government to
show financial activity during a calendar year. One reason
an entity chooses a charitable trust designation is so that
donors may make contributions and obtain a tax deduction.
Boone County Crime Stoppers enjoyed a charitable trust
designation until February 15 when that title was called into
question because of non-compliance by Attorney General
Lisa Madigan. A letter from Ms. Madigan identified its
purpose as, “RE: Notice of Cancellation of

Boone County Crime Stopper as a registrant under the
Charitable Trust and/or Solicitation for Charity Act for the
Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009.”

The letter focused on the group’s failure to report their
annual financial status to retain their charitable designation.
The letter continued, “Our records, as of February 15,
2011, [show] that Boone County Crime Stoppers has NOT
(emphasis from the letter) filed a complete annual report
(Form AG990-IL and all required attachments and fees)
as required by the Charitable Trust and the Solicitation for
Charity Acts for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2007,
2008 and 2009.”

The letter further set a deadline for delivery of the
reports from the delinquent years to arrive by March 15,
2011. “Therefore,” the letter continued, “notice is hereby
given that registration of Boone County Crime Stoppers
under the Charitable Trust and/or Solicitation for Charity
Acts is deemed delinquent and not in good standing. Please
note, unless all fees are paid and the reports for the years
ending December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are filed on or
before February 15, 2011 with this office, registration of
Boone County Crime Stopper shall be canceled on March
15, 2011.”

Even though the Attorney General gave Boone County
Crime Stoppers until March 15 to comply, the actual date that
the Attorney General’s office recognized their receipt of the
missing documents occurred on April 27. This information
was confirmed by the Attorney General’s office. Predicated
upon this disclosure it would appear that Boone County
Crime Stoppers did lose their charitable status with the state
of Illinois; however, the matter has been put to rest.

Many efforts have been made to reach officials at Boone
County Crime Stoppers to respond to questions about
this matter. Those efforts have failed to bear results. The
director and others have been called but no one of authority
has been available to respond for more than a month.

Crime Stoppers is a national organization and most
local groups are non-profit agencies comprised of residents
working with police to obtain intelligence to prevent crime.
Boone County Crime Stoppers and similar groups offer cash
rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead police to apprehend
perpetrators of crimes.

Local Crime Stopper groups operate with secure
telephone lines to receive tips from sources and there is a
policy to make reward payments while providing anonymity
for informants.

The parent Crime Stoppers organization was created in
1976 through the efforts of a detective in the Albuquerque
Police Department. The first group was created to help
police obtain information regarding those that perpetrated a
series of unsolved crimes.

A community effort followed with help from the local
media to obtain tips that led to arrests. Cash rewards were
offered for information and soon three were arrested for the
homicide of a young student.

Today there are Crime Stopper groups in America,
Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia. The organization
promotes a successful conviction rates reaching over 95
percent in crimes that have led to arrests resulting from tips
to the police.

Law enforcement officials nationwide promote the
benefit provided by Crime Stoppers. Belvidere Police
Chief Jan Nobel said, “In most police investigations of
felonies we usually find that there is someone that has vital
information of that crime.” He added, “Crime Stoppers has
been a big step we have had to solve many crimes.”

The Chief also said, “Using money paid by those that
committed a crime, to catch others that have also committed
crimes is a very good use of that money.”

Chief Nobel was referring to how funding to Crime
Stoppers occurs. Though the organization is a charitable
trust, most funding arises from the 17th Circuit Court as
court ordered payments from those convicted of felony
crimes and some misdemeanors.

Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier
explained that money coming from the Court is the result of
a court order. Judges in every jurisdiction have discretion
in the extent and the application of fines to be paid and
sentences to be served within legal guidelines.

Ms. Courier added that the size and the amount ordered
can depend, in part, upon the individual’s ability to pay.
The state’s attorney added that it does no one any good
if the court orders a payment that is impossible for the
convicted party to pay.

Ms. Courier said that most convicted of felonies and
some convicted of misdemeanors will be ordered to make
payment to Crime Stoppers. Ms. Courier said that often
those convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are
ordered to pay Crime Stoppers.

Funding that flows to the organization can be significant.
This was not always the case, but since the Circuit Court
began to impose court-ordered payments the revenue
stream increased.

The organization reported receipts in February 2011
over $6,600. In March, 2011, that amount escalated to
over $10,000. Sources indicated that the level of funding
depends upon the volume of criminal cases resolved and
the amount of the court-ordered payment. These amounts
can vary from month to month during a calendar year.

Expenditures over the same period to pay for anonymous
tips in February amounted to $200. In March 2011, $300
was paid for three anonymous tips. The amount and number
of awards paid to informants can also vary during a year.

Total holdings of Boone County Crime Stoppers in
February 2011 amounted to over $231,000 after expenses
were paid. In March, that total escalated to over $240,000,
after paying expenses of $1,560.

Sources suggest that debate has arisen regarding just
how this money could best be used. The major expenses
reported over the two previous months cited amounted to
advertising expenses to The Boone County Journal, The
Boone County Shopper, The Belvidere Daily Republican
and Rockford Register Star.

The group has distributed some scholarships. However,
this method has been used on only a few occasions. Previous
scholarships have been granted for about $1,000 each.

Possible use of Crime Stoppers funding has been
considered for Belvidere School District #100 and North
Boone School District #200. Some ideas focused on funding
surveillance cameras at the schools. An expenditure noted
in February 2011 had a firm as recipient of $10,640; Audio
Engineering. In parenthesis, the word “school” is listed
without reference to which school or district contracted
for that service or what product was provided in the handwritten
report from February 2011.

A second piece will follow looking at procedures
employed by Boone County Crime Stoppers to engage
and award anonymous sources
. This second piece plans to
examine how those procedures are exercised and how they
have benefited local law enforcement.

Further, we will look into third-party financial oversight
and if the group employs financial audits as a means to
validate the use of and the extent of their funding.

The initial question from the Attorney General’s office
regarding the missing charitable trust annual reports was
resolved on April 27, 2011. Boone County Crime Stoppers
is now, according to the Illinois Attorney General, in good
standing. There are, however, other questions regarding
how policy functions for Crime Stoppers, and we will seek
to focus on those questions with other sources in a followup
piece.

The above article is from page 7 of the June 3, 2011, Boone County Journal which is available this week at merchants across the county and on line at:  http://boonecountyjournal.com/news/2011/Boone-County-News-06-03-11.pdf#page=3