Daily Kos: Cardinal Dolan & K-Lo are going to have a sad: Obama slaughtering Romney among Catholics
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Romney tax plan: Is it 'mathematically impossible' or not? - CSMonitor.com
One study said Mitt Romney's tax-reform numbers don't add up. Another says they do. The reality: It depends a lot on the assumptions made about how deeply Romney is willing to cut tax breaks for the rich, including incentives for investment.
….Romney supporters are eager to defuse the "mathematically impossible" issue as a Democratic talking point. If they can't, it puts pressure on Romney either to lay out more details of his plan, or to backpedal and revise it.
By Mark Trumbull, Staff writer / September 28, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Obama Cabinet Flunks Disclosure Test With 19 in 20 Ignoring Law - Bloomberg
Nineteen of 20 cabinet-level agencies disobeyed the law requiring the disclosure of public information: The cost of travel by top officials. In all, just eight of the 57 federal agencies met Bloomberg’s request for those documents within the 20-day window required by the Act.
“When it comes to implementation of Obama’s wonderful transparency policy goals, especially FOIA policy in particular, there has been far more ‘talk the talk’ rather than ‘walk the walk,’” said Daniel Metcalfe, director of the Department of Justice’s office monitoring the government’s compliance with FOIA requests from 1981 to 2007
Click on the following for more details: Obama Cabinet Flunks Disclosure Test With 19 in 20 Ignoring Law - Bloomberg
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Illinois Issues blog: New statistics show poverty continues to grow in Illinois
By Jamey Dunn
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that poverty continued to grow in Illinois in 2011.
According to estimates from the census bureau’s American Community Survey, about 1.9 million Illinoisans were living in poverty in 2011. That compares with about 1.7 million living below the poverty line in 2010. Last year, the census bureau considered a family of three with a household income of $17,916 or less to be living in poverty; in 2010 it was $17,374 for three people. In 2011, 15 percent of Illinois residents were living in poverty, which is a jump from 13.8 percent in 2010. The numbers from the census bureau are the most current comprehensive statistics available on poverty. For more on 2010 poverty numbers, see this Illinois Issues Blog post.
According to the bureau's findings, the median household income in the state has been slipping during the last three years for which figures are available. In 2011, it was $53,234, down from $58,743 in 2008.
Nationally, the poverty rate held relatively steady. It was 15.3 percent in 2010 and increased slightly to 15.9 percent in 2011. About 48.5 million Americans were living in poverty last year.
Mitt Romney tells voters: If I'm elected, don't expect huge tax cuts - Yahoo! News
By Mark Trumbull | Christian Science Monitor –
Don't be expecting a huge cut in taxes, because I'm also going to be closing loopholes on deductions," Mr. Romney said Wednesday in Westerville, Ohio, flanked by a national debt clock, chronicling the nation's rising burden on future taxpayers.
The comments in some ways raise as many questions as they answer.
RECOMMENDED: Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on taxes
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Long-winded turbine talks could delay vote in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
Over 100 people crowded into the Zoning Board of Appeals room Tuesday, some bringing miniature, homemade replica turbines and others with binders stacked 3-inches tall with research. The group heard testimony from only three of the 40-plus people who signed up to speak during the 3½-hour meeting.
Testimony was delayed Tuesday because the board abandoned its five-minute speaking time limit to accommodate the three individuals who either served or spoke on behalf of those who are on the PZB committee.
The ZBA meets monthly, which means the group would have to hold a special meeting before the current County Board’s final meeting in November.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Boone board to fill vacancy tonight - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
Karl Johnson will be appointed to the Boone County Board District 2 seat, which became vacant after former board member Anthony Dini resigned effective Sept. 14, said board president Bob Walberg. Dini said juggling his job and the county board became too much.
Walberg said Dini’s temporary replacement was determined by reviewing candidates for the Nov. 6 election.
“Ron was very gracious to let Karl have the appointment,” Walberg said.
Dini also led two county board committees, which will now likely be chaired by their vice chairmen, Walberg said. That means Brad Fidder will likely chair the Public Safety Committee and Terri Glass will likely chair the Administrative and Legislative Committee.
Click on the following for more details: Boone board to fill vacancy tonight - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
Monday, September 24, 2012
Voter Deadlines
ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 from 6:00AM-7:00PM
The last day to register to vote in the State of Illinois is Tuesday, October 9, 2012
At this election you will be able to elect the President and the Vice President of the United States, Congressmen, State Senators, State Reps, Circuit Clerks, Recorders, State’s Attorneys, Auditors, Coroners, County Board Chairman, County Board Members, Judges to fill additional Judgeships and vacancies; and vote to retain Judges whose term is up.
DATES OF GRACE, EARLY & ABSENTEE VOTING for the State of Illinois
Grace Period Voting- is for those who missed the voting registration deadline.
- Please go to your County Clerk’s office. Bring two forms of I.D. They will register you to vote and YOU HAVE TO VOTE THAT DAY.
GRACE PERIOD VOTING
Wednesday, October 10 – Saturday, November 3, 2012
PLEASE CHECK YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE FOR TIMES.
Early Voting- is for those that are already registered and don’t want to wait until Election Day to vote.
- Please go to your County Clerk’s office, show I.D. and vote.
EARLY VOTING
Monday, October 22 – Saturday, November 3, 2012
PLEASE CHECK YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE FOR TIMES.
Absentee Voting- is for voters that are going to be out of town on Election Day. You may vote early in person from October 15 until November 5.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE FOR DETAILS.
John Gedney,
Rockford Area CAP Chair
Saturday, September 22, 2012
NDK Crystal unsure whether to rebuild in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
BELVIDERE — NDK Crystal is waiting on an insurance court ruling and a federal investigation report before determining whether to rebuild the manufacturing portion of the building that exploded almost three years ago.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Mitt Romney releases 2011 tax returns, paid $1.9m in taxes on $13.7m in income - The Source - Latest news and updates from Boston.com
Romney’s updated tax returns show that he paid $1.9 million in taxes on $13.7 million in income, most of which came from his investments. It means his effective tax rate for 2011 was 14.1 percent, which is slightly higher than it was in 2010.
For political reasons, Romney claimed a charitable deduction of $1.75 million less than he could have – claiming $2.25 million from contributions of $4 million. The reason, according to his accountant, was so that he could still abide by a pledge he made in August that he paid at least 13 percent in income taxes in each of the last 10 years.
….
Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, paid an effective rate of 20 percent in 2011 on $323,416 of adjusted gross income.
President Obama paid an effective tax rate of 20.5 percent in 2011 on adjusted gross income of $789,674. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife paid an effective rate of 23.2 percent on income of $379,035.
Click on the following to read all of the article: Mitt Romney releases 2011 tax returns, paid $1.9m in taxes on $13.7m in income - The Source - Latest news and updates from Boston.com
Were the questions of Belvidere Township’s huge contingent expenses answered?
The following is an email sent to Patrick Murphy by Pat Mattison after their meeting with Belvidere Township auditors regarding the township budget. I highlighted some of the information. Bill P
Subject: Belvidere Township Contingency Meeting 9/11/12
To: Patrick J. Murphy, Belvidere Township Supervisor
Re: Summary of 9/11/12 Belvidere Township Contingency meeting
Attending: Patrick J. Murphy: Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, Township Attorney; Gary Kuhl,
Township Auditor; Terri Bullard, Township, Secretary; Patrick B. Mattison,
Township Taxpayer
From: Patrick B. Mattison
My understanding of the meeting somewhat capsulated:
A. Patrick Murphy presented his definition of contingency which basically was:
"1. dependent on something not yet certain."
Patrick Mattison presented a definition of contingency from the Illinois Township
Clerk's Handbook under Instruction Sheet Townships page l-2 which defined
Contingencies: "A provision for contingencies should be included in most funds, but
especially the General Town Fund. This provision will provide additional coverage
to meet unexpected expenditures or shortages in specific line items. The provisions
for contingencies should be small in comparison to the overall estimated expenditures.
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that only "an inconsiderable amount" will be
permitted. Total for contingencies should not exceed 5% of the total expenditures
in each fund. The Department of Commerce & Community Affairs computerized
forms have been programmed to include a 5% contingency. Always remember that
"contingencies" are unplanned occurrences not miscellaneous expenses."
B. Belvidere Township's Supervisor's Division Line Item 01-10-585-00 Fiscal Year
Budget 2012-2013 Contingency - $1,492,489.28
The question was asked why $1.4 million plus was projected when previous years were substantially less ($1,788,601.45-year 2011-12 and only $49.70 expended.)
Discussion: Auditor Kuhl intimated they don't follow the Clerk's Handbook; Murphy and Bullard handed out a Contingency Monies Schedule listing amounts for contingencies...
25,000 Other capital projects - Restricted for
100,000 Social Services - Committed to
25,000 Health & Welfare- Committed to
100,000 Parks & Recreation - 10 yr. plan - Assigned to
44,500 Machinery/Equipment- Assigned to
50,000 Labor - Assigned to
200,000 Building & Mechanical - Assigned to
17,683 Contingency - Assigned to
900,000 Other Capital Projects-Bldg.,Land - Assigned to
$1,462,183 Total Fund Balances
Comment: The Capital Funds statement was read from the Township Officials of Illinois "Trustees Operations Manual:
"Capital Funds
Townships may accumulate funds beyond those amounts normally allowed provided they are reserved or dedicated for specific capital improvement projects and/or a major equipment purchase.
So there is no misunderstanding about why monies are being accumulated, the annual budget and appropriation ordinance shall state the following with regard to each project to be constructed or major equipment to be purchased:
* Intended purpose or use of funds.
e.g. A new township hall.
* Amount of capital expenditure.
e.g. $450,000.
* Expected duration of any accumulation of funds.
e.g. 6 years.
In the "Township Officials of Illinois Laws and Duties Handbook" revised 2011 by:
Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, Stewart H. Diamond and the attorneys of Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, PC on page 158 it states:
B. Capital Fund
Townships and road districts may accumulate monies for specific capital improvement projects and equipment. 60 ILCS 1/235-5(9). However, when so doing, townships and road districts must list the following in a budget and appropriation ordinance when utilizing this statutory mechanism to accumulate funds for a capital project or equipment purchase: 1) the amount of money being dedicated for the project equipment; 2) the purpose of the dedication; and 3) the duration of the accumulation of funds. 60 ILCS 1/235-5(a).
C. There was a lively discussion centered on involving the public, transparency, and keeping the public informed at the end of the meeting. My goal was to make sure an explanation as to how the board arrived at budgeted figures is provided and there is plenty of time for the Township Supervisor and Trustees to answer questions from the electors/taxpayers. In other words Transparency ongoing explanation of the funds.
That being stated about the Contingency meeting, it appears to me[Mr. Mattison] that funds being accumulated in the Contingency Fund are in many cases Capital funds; there is limited or no explanation on how they were derived; and are not meeting the Statute requirement
60 ILCS 1/235-5(a), 60
ILCS 1/235-5(9) cited by Laws and Duties Handbook revised by Belvidere township Attorney, Keri-Lyn Krafthefer.
Patrick B. Mattison, Belvidere Township Taxpayer
7982 Distillery Road
Belvidere, IL 61008
815-547-1096 Work
815-985-6774 Cell
Further development:
To: Patrick J. Murphy, Supervisor Belvidere Township
Re: Annual Financial Reports on Township website
From: Pat Mattison
Patrick:
At our Contingency meeting last week I asked about information in previous township financial reports and you and Terri Bullard said that those reports were archived on the township web site. I checked the website and only found the 2011 Annual Financial Report, and no others.
If there is a way to get others on site, please let me now.
In the Contingency meeting on 9/11/12 I asked Gary Kuhl more than once if his Belvidere Township Financial Reports had notations on funds being accumulated stating the intended purpose, amount of capital expenditure, and the expected duration of any accumulation of funds (this was the reference I read at the meeting)--and it was my impression he said they were noted in the Financial Reports. I did not find any mention of such in the 2011 Financial Report.
Would you please ask Mr. Kuhls to identify in the previous reports where accumulated funds have been noted in the Annual Financial Reports. I would like to get copies of and review those reports.
Patrick B. Mattison
7982 Distillery Road
Belvidere, IL 61008
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Daily Chronicle | Sycamore residents speak against gambling
By JEFF ENGELHARDT -
SYCAMORE – Pastor Bill Landis started the Sycamore City Council meeting with a prayer as all council meetings begin.
But instead of leaving after the prayer, the Sycamore United Methodist Church pastor walked back up to microphone later in the meeting. Landis wanted the council to know he has seen gambling destroy lives and did not want to see it happen again in Sycamore.
Landis was one of six people to speak against video gaming at the City Council's public hearing Monday, which also drew three people who said video gaming would either be beneficial or not a problem. …
City Manager Brian Gregory has said the city could realize $99,000 a year in revenue if an expected 32 terminals were requested. But he stressed again that number is an estimate, as there are too many unknown factors.
Click on the following for more details: Daily Chronicle | Sycamore residents speak against gambling
Carter grandson arranged Romney video's release - Yahoo! News
By JOSH LEDERMAN | Associated Press
But the coup de grace for Carter is the irony that Romney has spent many months assailing the elder Carter's record on everything from foreign affairs to small business policy, hoping to saddle the incumbent president with the less popular vestiges of his Democratic predecessor
Carter grandson arranged Romney video's release - Yahoo! News
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Romney stands by comments in video but says they were ‘not elegantly stated’ | The Ticket - Yahoo! News
a hastily arranged news conference Monday night, he called his words "off the cuff" and "not elegantly stated," but given several opportunities to back off the comments, he did not.
Monday, September 17, 2012
SECRET VIDEO: Romney Tells Millionaire Donors What He REALLY Thinks of Obama Voters | Mother Jones
When he doesn't know a camera's rolling, the GOP candidate shows his disdain for half of America.
—By David Corn
During a private fundraiser earlier this year, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told a small group of wealthy contributors what he truly thinks of all the voters who support President Barack Obama. He dismissed these Americans as freeloaders who pay no taxes, who don't assume responsibility for their lives, and who think government should take care of them. Fielding a question from a donor about how he could triumph in November, Romney replied:
There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax.
Romney went on: "[M]y job is is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."
Mother Jones has obtained video of Romney at this intimate fundraiser—where he candidly discussed his campaign strategy and foreign policy ideas in stark terms he does not use in public—and has confirmed its authenticity. To protect the confidential source who provided the video, we have blurred some of the image, and we will not identify the date or location of the event, which occurred after Romney had clinched the Republican presidential nomination
Boy Scouts’ secret files hid sex abuse allegations, newspaper reports | The Lookout - Yahoo! News
By Jason Sickles, Yahoo! | The Lookout –
Secret files kept by the Boy Scouts of America reveal the organization's leaders may have helped hundreds of suspected child molesters "cover their tracks" by often hiding the allegations from parents, the public and police, according to a Los Angeles Times investigation.
Documents obtained by the newspaper detail a paper trail of abuse where volunteers and staff were sometimes allowed to quietly resign to spare their reputation and that of the Scouts
Study: Tax Cuts for the Rich Don't Spur Growth - Yahoo! Finance
Congressional Research Service -- the non-partisan research office for Congress -- shows that "there is little evidence over the past 65 years that tax cuts for the highest earners are associated with savings, investment or productivity growth."
Romney to outline how he would govern - Yahoo! News
By KASIE HUNT and KEN THOMAS | Associated Press
Mitt Romney will seek this week to explain more about what he would do as president, a strategy shift intended to change the trajectory of a race that President Barack Obama appears to be winning.
Seven weeks before the election, campaign aides say Romney plans to release a new batch of TV ads, re-focus his campaign appearances on his five-point economic plan and make a series of speeches aimed at offering voters a more concrete outline of his plans for the country.
Click on the following for more details: Romney to outline how he would govern - Yahoo! News
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Current status of mulch fire injunction/case
What is the revised temporary restraining order? Is it as comprehensive as the original?
Click on the photocopy to enlarge:
Updated 9-14-2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Boone County leaves open-burning law as-is - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
— Boone County Board members have agreed to not take action on changing the area’s open-burning ordinance, despite 359 resident signatures arguing that the haze is posing a health concern…..
That means residents must continue to call the Sheriff’s Department whenever someone breaks the rules. An officer has the power to issue a citation and call the Fire Department to put out the flames.
“We need to have the exact location and we’ll look into it, investigate it and we issue an ordinance violation if it’s needed at this point,” Lt. Jerry Ashens of the Sheriff’s Department said.
If Romney loses Ohio, Obama wins big | Power Players - Yahoo! News
For all the talk of polls, and where President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney stand nationally, the 2012 presidential election will be decided in eight battleground states: Nevada, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Florida.
The current state of the electoral college map must be a difficult one for Romney to look at -- all eight of those swing states voted for Obama four years ago. When you zoom in a bit, little Ohio is just enormous in 2012. If Ohio's 18 electoral votes go to Obama, it would be almost impossible for Romney to win; if he lost Ohio, the Republican candidate would have to take just about every other battleground state to get to the White House.
If Romney loses Ohio, Obama wins big | Power Players - Yahoo! News
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Regular Voter Registration drawing to end
As noted by the circular shown below regular registration closes “27 days” before the election. Election Day this year is November 6, 2012. 28 days below the election is October 9—that is the last day of regular registration. The is a “grace period” but the place and date to vote is different. Please read the circular.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Byron 1 Refueling Begins, Bringing in 2,200 Additional Workers - Nuclear Power Industry News - Nuclear Power Industry News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Portal
Roughly 2,200 temporary workers will join the 850 permanent workers employed at both units, according to plant owner Exelon. In addition to replacing 1/3 of unit 1's fuel, crews will complete about 14,000 inspections and maintenance tasks at the reactor. Exelon did not provide an estimate for when the unit will come back online.
“This is our biggest outage in more than a decade and we’re glad so many people will be able to come to the site and work,” Byron Station Vice President Tim Tulon said in an Exelon release. “We need the extra assistance; and many of these professionals currently need work. It’s a wonderful opportunity for all to benefit.”
Unit 2 will remain online.
Click on the following for more details: Byron 1 Refueling Begins, Bringing in 2,200 Additional Workers - Nuclear Power Industry News - Nuclear Power Industry News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Portal
Winnebago and Boone County farm bureaus merge - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader
Boone County Farm Bureau officially merged with the Winnebago County Farm Bureau, effective September 1. The two groups have been talking about a merger for almost two years, in an effort to better serve their members.
"I think there's one great benefit, it is that we have the opportunity now to stop and say this is what we've been doing, but let's design an organization that will meet the future," Winnebago County Farm Bureau President Earl Williams said.
The merger allows the organizations to cut down on expenses while offering more programs to members. Last month's vote to merge was almost unanimous
Winnebago and Boone County farm bureaus merge - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader
Chrysler to Pay $3.5 Million in Employee Discrimination Lawsuit
Chrysler to Pay $3.5 Million in Employee Discrimination Lawsuit
BELVIDERE (WIFR) -- A local Chrysler Plant worker has been awarded the most amount of money ever given in a racial discrimination lawsuit in Illinois.
The seventh circuit court of appeals ordered Chrysler to pay $3.5 million to a Jewish employee.
Co-workers are accused of hurling racial slurs at him, making death threats and shredding his tires.
The employee tells us his co-workers also accused him of being a homosexual, he tells us that is not the case.
The court ruled Chrysler didn't do enough to stop it. This employee worked at the Belvidere Assembly Plant for more than 20 years.
Chrysler to Pay $3.5 Million in Employee Discrimination Lawsuit
Republican plan for Medicare could face years of hurdles: experts - chicagotribune.com
David Morgan
Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney wants to turn Medicare into a voucher system and President Barack Obama hopes that fact alone will help him win votes among senior citizens and baby boomers.
But health policy experts, including two analysts who first floated the idea of Medicare vouchers 17 years ago, say no such plan is likely to become legislation - let alone law - until after the next presidential election in 2016.
That is because the mere notion of fundamentally revamping the $590 billion-a-year healthcare program, which serves 50 million elderly and disabled Americans, raises a multitude of policy issues that no politician or policymaker has addressed publicly…..No experts in either the public or private sectors of the $2.8 trillion U.S. healthcare system have said in detail how a voucher system might work. The task require better insurance risk-adjustment mechanisms than are available now, as well as a deeper understanding of geographic variations in medical costs.
Sycamore girl killed in '57 was 'outgoing, sweet and trusting' - chicagotribune.com
By Clifford Ward
Murder victim Maria Ridulph was described as a sweet, trusting child by prosecutors in opening statements today at the trial of the man charged with her murder more than a half-century ago.
Jack D. McCullough, a 72-year-old Seattle retiree and former Sycamore resident, is charged with killing the 7-year-old Sycamore girl in 1957 and dumping her body near Galena "in the cold dark woods like she was a piece of garbage," DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell said in his opening statement.
Dozen shots fired near Catholic school in Rockford - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
Is this not a charter school for Rockford Public Schools? St. Patrick’s closed over six years ago.
ROCKFORD — Police recovered 12 bullet casings Monday near St. Patrick Catholic School at North Day Avenue and School Street.
No injuries were reported.
The incident was called in at 3:10 p.m. Police said the shots were fired from two passing vehicles, a blue Chevy Avalanche and a tan and blue vehicle of unknown make and model.
If you have any information about the incident, call Rockford police, 815-987-5824, or Crime Stoppers, 815-963-7867.
Dozen shots fired near Catholic school in Rockford - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Boone County mosquito tests positive for West Nile - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
tested positive for the virus, said Ellen Genrich, health education and outreach coordinator. That makes it the county’s third positive tested batch.
The other incidents included a batch from July 24 in Poplar Grove and Aug. 14 in Belvidere. A resident also brought in a dead bird found July 30 in Belvidere, which also had traces of the virus.
A mild case of the West Nile virus could cause a slight fever or headache, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website. Serious cases could cause high fevers with body aches, tremors and possibly death. Symptoms typically appear three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito
The health department recommends practicing the three R’s to avoid becoming in contact with the virus: reduce, repel and report
Boone County mosquito tests positive for West Nile - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Larry Flynt offering $1 million for Romney's financial records | The Ticket - Yahoo! News
Hustler magazine publisher, and self-described free speech activist, Larry Flynt is offering $1 million for anyone who will provide him with Mitt Romney's financial records.
Flynt, 69, has purchased full-page ads in Sunday's Washington Post and Tuesday's, September 11 issue of USA Today
James Knox Taylor, architect of Belvidere’s old post office - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Knox Taylor
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U.S. Post Office, Buffalo, New York, 1901
U.S. Post Office, Niagara Falls, New York, 1904
U.S. Post Office and Court House, San Francisco, now the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1905
U.S. Post Office, Waterville, Maine, 1911
James Knox Taylor (October 11, 1857 - August 27, 1929) was Supervising Architect of the United States Department of the Treasury from 1897 to 1912. His name is listed ex officio as supervising architect of hundreds of federal buildings built throughout the United States during the period.[1]
Contents
[hide][edit] Early career
The son of H. Knox and Mary (Young) Taylor, he was born in Knoxville, Illinois and attended schools in Minnesota. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he was a classmate of William Martin Aiken, who would precede him in the position of Supervisory Architect, and Cass Gilbert. After graduation he worked in the New York City office of Charles C. Haight and later with Bruce Price.[2] In 1882 he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where he formed a partnership with Gilbert, as Gilbert & Taylor. They built many homes and churches. Subsequently they designed the Pioneer and Endicott Buildings. In 1893 he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and formed a partnership with Amos J. Boyden. In 1895 he got a job with Aiken, the Supervisory Architect, as a temporary draftsman. In 1897, following a Civil Serice Commission examination,[3] he became the Supervisory Architect, the first architect promoted from within.
[edit] Tarney Act
In 1893 Missouri Congressman John Charles Tarsney introduced a bill that allowed the Supervisory Architect to hold competitions among private architects for major structures. Competitions under Taylor's supervision included the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, James Farley Post Office, Cleveland Federal Building, U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (Baltimore, Maryland) and U.S. Customhouse (San Francisco, California) (which are all now on the National Register of Historic Places) among others. The competitions were met with enthusiasm by the community but were also marred by scandal, as when Taylor picked his ex-partner Cass Gilbert for the New York Customs House commission. In 1913 the act was repealed.[4]
In 1912, Taylor returned to MIT for two years as director of the department of architecture, then moved to Yonkers, New York, where for several years he continued practicing. In 1928, he retired to Tampa, Florida, where he died the following year.[5]
[edit] Selected works
From 1897 through 1912 Taylor is credited as "supervising architect" for federal buildings constructed during his tenure, a list which includes dozens of post offices, court houses and other structures. Local architects are often credited as well. As the head of a sizable government office, Taylor's direct involvement with any of these projects is open to question.
- Pioneer and Endicott Buildings, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890 (with Cass Gilbert)
- Denver Mint, Denver, Colorado, 1897
- Philadelphia Mint (Third Building), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1901
- Old Post Office (Buffalo, New York), 1901
- Gatke Hall, now part of Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, 1901
- United States Courthouse Building and Downtown Postal Station (Tampa, Florida), 1902-1905
- Public Safety Building, Cumberland, Maryland, 1904
- United States Post Office, Niagara Falls, New York, 1904
- U.S. Post Office and Court House, San Francisco, now the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1905
- U.S. Post Office (Oil City, Pennsylvania), 1906
- U.S. Custom House, Houston Texas, 1907-1911[6]
- Old Post Office (Albuquerque, New Mexico), 1908
- Old Post Office/Museum of Ceramics (East Liverpool, Ohio), 1908
- Gainesville, Florida Post Office, 1909
- U.S. Post Office (Beverly, Massachusetts), 1910
- U.S. Post Office (Belvidere, Illinois), 1911
- U.S. Post Office (Des Moines, Iowa), 1910
- U. S. Post Office, Waterville, Maine, 1911
- United States Post Office (Connellsville, Pennsylvania), 1911-1913
- Alaska Governor's Mansion, Juneau, Alaska, 1912
- United States Post Office (Johnstown, New York), Johnstown, New York, 1912-1913
- United States Post Office (Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania), Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, 1912-1914
[edit] References
- ^ A partial list is given at Emporis.com.
- ^ Architects to the Nation: The Rise and Decline of the Supervising Architect's Office by Antoinette J. Lee - Oxford University Press, USA (April 20, 2000) ISBN 0-19-512822-2
- ^ "James Knox Taylor likely to be appointed over New yorkers", The New York Times,17 October 1897.
- ^ Antoinette J. Lee, Architects to the Nation: The Rise and Decline of the Supervising Architect's Office(Oxford University Press) 2000) ISBN 0-19-512822-2
- ^ Cass Gilbert collection, Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota
- ^ http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/buildingView.do?pageTypeId=17109&channelPage=/ep/channel/gsaOverview.jsp&channelId=-25241&
Friday, September 7, 2012
Agenda for Tuesday, September 11, 2012 Belvidere Township Meeting
AGENDA
BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP
MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD
8200 Fairgrounds Road
September 11, 2012 – 5:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order / Roll Call
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Public Input
IV. Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes
V. Transfers
VI. Reports
a. Supervisor’s Report
b. Highway Commissioner’s Report
c. Assessor’s Report
d. Clerk’s Report
e. Trustee’s Report
VII. Unfinished Business
a. Orth Road Contract
b. Setting of Salaries
c. Wind Turbines
d.
VIII. Legal
a.
b.
IX. New Business
a.
b.
X. Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Bills
XI. Closed Session
XII. Adjournment
* Please note in order to take final action on an item it must be specified on the posted agenda 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Belvidere Township Assessor employee to run against boss - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
Tamara Torrance will be running for Belvidere Township Assessor against incumbent, Diann Helnore, in the April 2013 election. Torrance has worked in the office for over 20 years as deputy assessor and chief deputy assessor, according to a release.
Prior to that, she worked for the Boone County Supervisor of Assessments Office.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Rich Are Less Charitable Than the Middle Class: Study - U.S. Business News - CNBC
new study shows that middle-class Americans give a larger share of their income to charity than the wealthy.
The study, conducted by the Chronicle of Philanthropy using tax-deduction data from the Internal Revenue Service, showed that households earning between $50,000 and $75,000 year give an average of 7.6 percent of their discretionary income to charity.
That compares to 4.2 percent for people who make $100,000 or more. In some of the wealthiest neighborhoods, with a large share of people making $200,000 or more a year, the average giving rate was 2.8 percent.
(however)Red states give much more than blue states
Click on the following for more details: The Rich Are Less Charitable Than the Middle Class: Study - U.S. Business News - CNBC
New Changes to Open Meetings Act beginning January 1, 2013
Note several of these changes are merely codifying decisions previously made by the Attorney General’s Office. The entire text is available at: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=4687&GAID=11&LegID=64490&SpecSess=&Session=
CLICK ON THE PHOTOCOPY TO ENLARGE:
Senior NIU administrators under investigation cut deals to leave - Chicago Tribune
By Jodi S. Cohen, Chicago Tribune reporter
Alleged 'lapses of ethical behavior' include using employee to clean private home; university police investigating slush fund used for parties
Northern Illinois University paid two senior administrators nearly $80,000 when they resigned while under investigation for misconduct — one for allegedly having a university employee clean his home during work hours, the Tribune has learned.
Click on the following for more details: Senior NIU administrators under investigation cut deals to leave - Chicago Tribune
Arbitrator OKs 3% raises for Boone correctional officers - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
The Aug. 29 ruling states that the 28 corrections officers and six supervisors will receive no pay increase for fiscal 2011 and 1.5 percent increases for FY12 and FY13.
The union asked for a 6 percent raise — 2 percent each fiscal year — to keep up with the cost of living and increased income taxes….
With just more than a year left in the correctional officers’ and supervisors’ three-year contract, officials question whether the group will be without a contract
Nominating petitions for Belvidere Township election available | Belvidere Daily Republican
Nominating petitions and supporting documents for political party candidates in the April 9, 2013 Belvidere Township election now are available at the township office, 8200 Fairgrounds Road.
A qualified candidate must be a registered voter, resident of the township for at least one year prior to the election and not be in arrears in the payment of any tax or other indebtedness to the township.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Catholic nun brings her star power to DNC – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs
One of the “nuns on the bus” to appear at Democratic National Convention
By asking her to speak at their convention, the Democrats appear keen to capitalize on Campbell’s budding celebrity at a moment when the official Roman Catholic Church has been critical of the Obama administration, claiming that it is infringing on religious liberty.
And at a convention that is revolving largely around an alleged GOP-led “war on women,” Campbell is a poignant feminist symbol. She has stood up to the Vatican’s criticisms of American nuns for what the church says is their fixation on progressive advocacy at the expense of promoting socially conservative positions.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
ICE chief of staff resigns amid misconduct claims - Yahoo! News
Barr is accused of telling a male subordinate he was "sexy" and asking a personal question about his anatomy during an office party. In a separate complaint, she is accused of offering to perform a sex act with a male subordinate during a business trip in Bogota, Colombia. She's also accused of calling a male subordinate from her hotel room and offering to perform a sex act. The names of two of Barr's accusers were censored in affidavits reviewed by AP.
Homeland Security's office of professional responsibility and inspector general have been investigating the allegations.
Click on the following for more information: ICE chief of staff resigns amid misconduct claims - Yahoo! News
Retired Illinois Rep. Dave Winters to earn $65K annual pension - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Kevin Haas
Retired state Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland, will earn a more than $65,000 annual pension for his 18 years of service in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Still, the retired state representative said he would have supported a bill legislators balked at earlier this month to eliminate state lawmakers pensions.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Boone County compost business attempts to expand - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
The IEPA will review Garden Prairie Organics’ permit application by Sept. 13. The agency’s permit process is separate from the enforcement process, although both departments correspond with one another.
“They run on parallel tracks,” Carson added.
The Boone County Health Department is also keeping tabs on the stink to ensure it abides by the county’s code concerning odors, said Bill Hatfield, director of environmental health.
Boone County Board candidate Marion Thornberry eligible to run - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
The Illinois State Board of Elections has determined that a Boone County Board candidate is eligible to run in the Nov. 6 election.
Boone County Democrats questioned whether District 3 candidate Marion Thornberry could remain on the ballot after helping move election supplies the day before the March primary. The group reached out to Illinois State Board of Elections, Democratic Party of Illinois and 16th Congressional District’s Democratic central committeeman John Nelson for answers.
Individuals who help run the polling places and process the votes are considered election judges, said Ken Menzel, deputy general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Elections. Those who help carry the sealed ballots prior to the election are not.
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