Sunday, March 31, 2013

Okla. governor signs horse slaughter legislation

 

Oklahoma's 50-year-old ban on horse slaughtering was lifted Friday when the governor signed a new law that will allow facilities to process and export horse meat, despite bitter opposition by animal rights activists.

Supporters argue that a horse slaughtering facility in Oklahoma will provide a humane alternative for aging or starving horses, many of which are abandoned in rural parts of the state by owners who can no longer afford to care for them. Gov. Mary Fallin also noted that horses are already being shipped out of the country, including to facilities in Mexico, where they are processed in potentially inhumane conditions.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 166,000 horses were sent to Canada and Mexico last year alone.

…..Similar efforts are underway in other states, but not without controversy. In New Mexico, a processing plant has been fighting the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more than a year for approval to convert its former cattle slaughter operation into a horse slaughterhouse. In Nevada, state agriculture officials have discussed ways to muster support for the slaughter of free-roaming horses, stirring protests

Click on the following for more details:  Okla. governor signs horse slaughter legislation

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Health department fee increases bounced back to committee | Belvidere Daily Republican

Speaking for myself—I have no further questions.  Bill Pysson

Written by Bob Balgemann

 

Committee Chairman Schultz, one of five county board members who serve on the panel, said a member of the health department board had asked for the matter to be returned to the committee. And so that was done, without a vote.

“There seem to be a lot of questions that need to be answered,” said Bill Hatfield, the department’s director of environmental health, in a follow-up interview March 21. “We’ll take the time to education and communicate with them.”

Click on the following to read the entire story:  Health department fee increases bounced back to committee | Belvidere Daily Republican

Thursday, March 28, 2013

The Unruly of Law: Rusty GateHouse Media Headed Toward Pre-Packaged Bankruptcy Filing?

Posted by Sheldon Toplitt at 3:36

GateHouse, which is owned by Fortress Investment Group LLC, includes in its stable of more than 300 small daily and weekly papers the….The chain has enlisted Houlihan Lokey investment bank and a law firm specializing in restructuring to achieve its goal of eliminating the crushing debt, the Journal article noted.
GateHouse was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in 2008 because of its shaky financial picture, which includes a $30 million drop in sales last year compared to 2011 figures. Fortress, a prominent creditor, bought GateHouse in 2005 for more than $500 million.

The Unruly of Law: Rusty GateHouse Media Headed Toward Pre-Packaged Bankruptcy Filing?

Daily’s parent company continues debt struggles | The Rock River Times

By Brandon Reid
Assistant Editor

The Wall Street Journal article added: “GateHouse has begun to informally ask creditors to forgive their debt for ownership stakes in a reworked company, or accept payments of 33 cents for every dollar they are owed, the people said. Should enough creditors go along with the plan, GateHouse could avoid bankruptcy court.

“If enough creditors balk, GateHouse is preparing to file a prepackaged bankruptcy, the people said. In a prepackaged Chapter 11 case, GateHouse would get approval from enough creditors ahead of time so that a judge could bless its debt restructuring plan and streamline the trip through bankruptcy court.

Click on the following for more details:  Daily’s parent company continues debt struggles | The Rock River Times

Who is paying for these mailings?

 

Mailer 3-27-2013

Here is the list of the heavy hitters who are paying the lion’s share of the mailing campaign. I wonder if any of these individuals are holding those 9%, non-callable bonds?

The following is taken from the Illinois Board of Election:  http://www.elections.state.il.us/campaigndisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=25051

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Diann Helnore’s letter to the public

Dear Belvidere Township and Municipal Voters,

In April 2009, when I first decided to run for the Office of Assessor, with your help, I was elected to that office by only two votes. But these two votes were critical. I took the job on Jan 1, 2010 and since then here are some of the changes I have made.

In Belvidere Township I have reduced property assessment

In 2010 – 7.5%, In 2011 - 10.75%, In 2012 - 10.98 %.

This year 2013, I will again reduce property valuations 6- 8%

I have equalized and revalued all of the land in the township to be more representative of it’s worth and to make each residents property value more equitable to that of his neighbor.

I removed all subjective RDF factors (residential desirability factors) that had little or no basis in our assessments, that were used at will for raising or lowering your assessments,

I standardized grades for quality and condition of property, eliminating more room for errors,

· I opened up the office during lunch hours and some holidays to be more accessible to the township residents.

· I extended hours to help township residents with Board of Review hearings and appeals paper work for the past three years.

· I begin a website to communicate with residents and provide them with information.

· I replaced two senior people that retired with two qualified, degreed, IL State licensed Real estate appraisers to do a better job.

· I promoted two existing staff members and increased their salaries accordingly.

· I negotiated a two year union contract which is up again in May of 2014, with zero increases.

· I held classes and meeting with all commercial, Industrial, apartment owners and Realtors to ensure their property was being fairly assessed.

· I updated all of the photographs in our computer system with front back and side views of all building, and eliminated pictures that were 10 – 20 years old.

· I updated all property record files adding relevant information and storing obsolete information in other places.

· I sent out property information data sheets to all residents to verify internal property information and had a 40 % return rate allowing us to correctly update our records,

· I have had staff visit , photograph and measure every home, and have personally reviewed all paperwork and signed off on the property record cards, to make sure each property owner was being fairly assessed.

In Jan. 2010, I came into a very relaxed office, where people came and went as they pleased with very little reporting or accountability or oversight. This may account for the much of the work that has not completed and that had been completely missed.

Under my watch I am keeping my promises to the Belvidere Township residents that elected me. I along with my staff are doing the work in this office that we are being paid to do, and we are doing it fairly and equitably. We do not give out favored or unfavorable assessments to anyone. In our township each resident is being judged fairly and accurately on their own property. If property owners have questions regarding their assessments I will always be happy to review their information with them.

· As the current Assessor in Belvidere Township, I have reduced property valuations in our township between 25 and 32 % in the past three years.

· I have found and listed over 12 million dollars worth of omitted property, which equates into approximately $450,000 more direct Tax dollars for the community. Our Schools and taxing districts need this money to help them survive.

· I have never forgotten who I work for in this Township; it is the residents and the taxpayers not the local elite.

· I am doing a good job for the residents of Belvidere Township, and I want to keep on doing it to finish what I have started. Since the state works on three year averages, one election cycle is not enough time to correct all of the inaccuracies of the past.

· There has never been a more Independent Assessor before in this office who is beholden to no one and who treats everyone fairly and equally as I do.

· If I leave now everything will very quickly revert back to the old methods. My Opponent/employee is part of the old regime and all of her experience has been doing things the old way.

Addressing the Case For and Against Experience:

I hear a lot about experience, from my employee/ opponent (who I promoted) and how much it matters. I have not seen this to be the case. I do believe that some experience is good. It is always easier to do a task the second time around if you have already done it once before.

But 25 + years of the same repetitive experience - does not necessarily matter. What matters to me is the employee’s work ethics, cooperation, and the quality and quantity of work they do every day. It matters to me how appropriately assessed and fairly and accurately they are valuing property for everyone. Is everyone being treated the same, this is important. What else matters to me is how loyal and trustworthy and hardworking the employee is, and how much they have contributed to the team and making the department a success. How fair and honest have they been? To me the only relevant experience in this office has been obtained over the past three years.

Everything changes in the Assessment Field on a regular basis, housing markets change, market values and sales prices change, state laws change, and our computerized assessing software changes. The only thing that does not change is the primary task we charged with by the state, which is to fairly and equally assess all of the properties in our township for the purpose of taxation.

Addressing the Case for Superior Assessing Ability:

Since I have taken over this department in January 2010, and I have replaced two senior employees that retired with two degreed, IL licensed real estate appraisers.

I have promoted the remaining two employees in the department and they were given significant pay increases. I promoted my opponent to Chief Deputy Assessor, because she was the most senior employee, not because she was a superior Assessment officer. All of the employees of the Belvidere Township and other Assessment offices are regularly sent to assessment classes to keep up their State certifications. (I earned and paid for my own certification before I ran for office in 2009) The current senior employees hired in to the Belvidere Township Assessment office as high school graduates who obtained their certifications through the County and the Township. The employees did not pay for any of their own education expenses (tuition, lodging and travel while attending classes. All expenses were and are reimbursed by the township or the County. The minimum passing grades for these classes is 70%. And in a couple of cases in the past an employee did not pass. Clearly the more years you are employed, in this position the more classes you will be able to take.

The new employees came in with college degrees, with IL State Appraisal licenses and with ten years’ appraising experience. They too have attended the State classes to receive their ( CIAO) IL Certified IL Assessment Officer Certification. I have not noticed any exceptional assessing abilities from any one my employees new or old that is any better or worse than another. I have however noticed a difference in attitudes and in their willingness to do the job the way they are requested to do it. The level of knowledge once you obtain al Illinois assessment certification is very much the same for all of them.

In my opinion I have a skilled staff, that does a fairly good job, but there is still a long way to go to bring all the assessments to the levels where I believe they should be. We cannot go back to the same old hit and miss way of doing things that has been done in the past. We can only go forward.

I am very proud of all I have been able to accomplish since I have been elected. Now it is your turn to please consider how important it is for you the township residents to have me to continue working in this very important position for you. .

On April 9, 2013 or before Vote your pocket book, not your political party

Thank you. Sincerely,

Diann Helnore, Incumbent

Belvidere Township Assessor, Belvidere Township

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Incumbent Township Assessor ready to finish what she started | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Natalie Conover

She is eager to talk about the improvements she has made since taking office in January 2010, including reducing residential property assessments by 32%, as well as locating and listing over twelve million dollars of omitted property that was never before listed on the tax rolls.

“This omitted property is extra money,” Helnore said. “The amount is around $450,000 direct tax dollars every year.” What does this mean for tax payers? A fairer distribution of everyone’s tax burden.

Click on the following for more details:  Incumbent Township Assessor ready to finish what she started | Belvidere Daily Republican

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Incumbent Township Assessor ready to finish what she started | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Natalie Conover

She is eager to talk about the improvements she has made since taking office in January 2010, including reducing residential property assessments by 32%, as well as locating and listing over twelve million dollars of omitted property that was never before listed on the tax rolls.

“This omitted property is extra money,” Helnore said. “The amount is around $450,000 direct tax dollars every year.” What does this mean for tax payers? A fairer distribution of everyone’s tax burden.

Click on the following for more details:  Incumbent Township Assessor ready to finish what she started | Belvidere Daily Republican

Moment of truth draws closer for debt-riddled GateHouse | Media Nation

This is the owner of the Rockford Register Star

Since coming together in the middle of the last decade, GateHouse Media has been struggling with $1.2 billion in debt that it took on to assemble a chain of more than 300 community newspapers….

A year ago, Jack Sullivan, also in CommonWealth, found GateHouse was warning shareholders that bankruptcy was an option, even as the company was paying out $1.4 million in bonuses to top executives

According to Emily Glazer and Mark Spector of the Wall Street Journal, GateHouse appears likely to undergo a “prepackaged bankruptcy” with the cooperation of its creditors in the hopes of emerging from the proceedings debt-free.

Click on the following for more detailsMoment of truth draws closer for debt-riddled GateHouse | Media Nation

Friends of RVC support Lynn Kearney and Bennett Romero

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Why has Friends of RVC only endorsed two candidates?

After conducting a detailed review of all the information regarding the ten candidates, the
committee (which is made up of a cross-section of RVC employee groups) was able to reach a
consensus on endorsing both Lynn and Romero. Both made clear their commitment to the
education of our community. Both demonstrated a willingness to be good stewards for our
community college for six years. Both were clear in their passion to work with all stakeholders and
not to be too tied to outside interests and agendas. This does not mean we are necessarily running
against any other candidates; this simply means we see that both Lynn and Romero as bringing a
balanced approach to the board and meeting the needs of the staff, students, college and
community.

Click on the following for more information:  Friends of RVC « Political Action Committee

Monday, March 25, 2013

Revised wind farm regulations get airing before county board | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

County board members were limited to two minutes, as were a few residents who addressed the issue.

After hearing the discussion District 2 board member Paul Larson said it appeared they were “trying to ride multiple horses in different directions, and that’s difficult.”

….

Marion Thornberry …. Our job is to do what’s right for the county, not for individuals.”

Personally, he said he would like to vote on the issue that night. “Do we want wind farms or not,’’ he said.

He provided the board with an update on Senate Bill 1469, which passed the Senate Energy Committee, 16-0, and was placed on the state Senate calendar for second reading on March 19. That measure, he said, takes authority over wind farms away from local government and, if it becomes law, could cost Boone County $14 million in revenue.

Click on the following for more details:  Revised wind farm regulations get airing before county board | Belvidere Daily Republican

Below is SB 1469—I see nothing in the bill indicating that local government will no longer receive real estate taxes if this law is enacted.

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Wind Energy Facilities Construction and Deconstruction Act. Requires an operator of a commercial wind energy facility on land owned by another to enter into an agricultural impact mitigation agreement with the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the operator is responsible for deconstruction of a wind energy facility. Requires the filing of a deconstruction plan detailing the cost of deconstruction per turbine. Provides that the plan must be prepared by an independent third party. Requires the Commerce Commission to require performance bonds for deconstruction. Authorizes rulemaking. Effective immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the introduced bill with changes. Removes language that provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may evaluate and make advisory recommendations concerning deconstruction of a commercial wind operator's sited or permitted commercial wind energy facility. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Read the actual bill by going to:  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=85&GA=98&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=1469&GAID=12&LegID=72199&SpecSess=&Session=



What does Belvidere Trustee Candidate Dolores Puplava stand for?

Dolores (Dee) Puplava

Dolores (Dee) PuplavaPuplava for Trustee - Transparency, as used in government generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to Identify, Plan, Implement and Support; an efficient responsive communication stream with the valued constituents of our community. Township meeting should remain open to the residents and the press, to maintain the not only Transparency, but also Accountability of actions taken (our not taken) by Township officials.

Comment

Dolores (Dee) Puplava

Dolores (Dee) PuplavaPuplava for Trustee - Accessibility is the degree to which a service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. As it relates to my position as your Belvidere Township Trustee, Accessibility will consist of our residents "ability to access" my office in a timely efficient manner for their benefit. One of my first priories will be to have my e-mail address posted on the Township website page. In addition, I am committed to being “In the Office” working for our residents at least three days per week to obtain direct telephone calls and meet with them personally.

Comment

Dolores (Dee) Puplava

Dolores (Dee) PuplavaPuplava for Trustee - Community Outreach should be part of a Continuous Improvement Program within the Township. By simply making a dedicated effort to post an electronic newsletter monthly on the Township website could keep our residents informed. Being proactive, the Township could push this information out via email to residents that which to subscribe. During my first 30 days of office, I will make personal visits to introduce myself to not only government representatives at the local, state and federal level, but also non-profit organizations at the grass-roots level of our society.

Comment

Dolores (Dee) Puplava

Dolores (Dee) PuplavaPuplava for Trustee - For the April 9, 2013, Consolidated Election, early voting will begin on March 25, 2013, and end April 6, 2013. Early voting will be conducted at the Boone County Clerk's Office, 1212 Logan Avenue, Suite 103, Belvidere, Illinois, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday and Saturday morning April 6, 2013, from 9 AM until Noon. Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver's license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Comment

Dolores (Dee) Puplava

Dolores (Dee) PuplavaPuplava for Trustee - Transparency Update. Public may see new Belvidere Township budget now (or should I say finally). http://lnkd.in/keKCVy

Public may see new Belvidere Township budget now

BELVIDERE – Belvidere Township’s proposed 2013-14 budget was made available for public viewing starting this last Monday. The board of trustees received copies of the spending plan for the first time during a budget review...

Comment

Dolores (Dee) Puplava

Dolores (Dee) PuplavaSomeone once said there are two kinds of politicians in the world: Those who want to be somebody and those who want to do something. So let’s be clear; I’m running for Belvidere Township Trustee to get things done. I need your help to make this happen. Please vote for me on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Public may see new Belvidere Township budget now | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

The board of trustees received copies of the spending plan for the first time during a budget review meeting at 6 p.m. March 12.

The public was not allowed to see the documents until 4:30 p.m. Friday. Since the township office closes at 4:30 the real first opportunity for residents to see the plan is when the office reopens Monday morning.

….General assistance is “up a couple of bucks’’ he said of the amount of money township government spends to help people in need. Belvidere Township budgeted $279,510 during the 2011-12 fiscal year and spent $47,945

….

As promised last year, the township is reducing its the general fund levy by 22 percent and the road fund levy by 24 percent.

 

Click on the following for more details:  Public may see new Belvidere Township budget now | Belvidere Daily Republican

Lydia Gonzalez Reply

March 22, 2013 at 11:11 am

What does “maintaining enough money “to cover ourselves.” actually mean? It needs to be clearly stated and written. If Township only spent approximately 23% of the “General Assistance” fund then why didn’t they use the money to help folks, especially those in need, which I believe the money is supposed to be used for.
If Township salaries are included in the “General Assistance” fund the cost should be separated. I don’t know if the Township was aware there is a growing number of high school students that are homeless. This is a group that needs to be sought and helped.
It is terribly unfair that young people who have the ambition to finish high school don’t have a place to call home, and have a roof over their heads at night. Who knows there could be a future mayor or state representative in this group of young folk.
We need to do a whole lot better for the community if we ever want to feel pride for what Belvidere has the potential to accomplish.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Democratic Fundraisers this week end

 

VFW Club, March 23, 2013

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Helnore Fundraiser Sunday 2-24-2013

Come help Diann. 

Come and see the Carriage House about which you wondered so much as you drove on Squaw Prairie Road.

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Belvidere’s Democratic Choices in 2013

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Job Opening at Boone County Jail

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Completing Irene Road, I-90 interchange would cost $10 million | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

It (TOLLWAY) gave the county and city a special deal on the southeastern ramp at Irene Road. All they had to provide was engineering, which is costing a total of $230,000, and the needed property, which is costing a total of $247,000. The authority is taking care of all construction, including the bridge over the tollway.

The total project cost would be $9.9 million, based on 2013 dollars, or $4.95 million each for the county and city of Belvidere

Click on the following to read the entire story:  Completing Irene Road, I-90 interchange would cost $10 million | Belvidere Daily Republican

Monday, March 18, 2013

Money clock ticking on mural's ugly fixes in downtown Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

CONTROVERSY OVER MURALS

Officials entered a contract with artist John Berry last year and agreed to pay him $42,500 to create two murals and repair some that were chipping and fading. Leaders felt it was important for the “City of Murals” to retain and eventually market its brand.

Aldermen are displeased with Berry’s touch-up work on the Pepsi mural, which depicts three Walldogs painting a downtown scene. They demand that he pay the city $9,150 to allow the Boone County Arts Council to restore the artwork to its initial design.

Click on the following for more details: Money clock ticking on mural's ugly fixes in downtown Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Possible County Board Action on the procedures on the Wind Tower hearings at the ZBA

Everyone interested in the Wind Tower issue should be aware of a possible county board action regarding this matter.

First:

This item has apparently been placed on the agenda under Item 9.3

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This is available at:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/CBAgenda%2003-20-2013.pdf

Second:

 The following three emails were sent regarding this item:

Friday, March 15, 2013 11:40 AM



County Board members:

Please note the legal opinion from the State’s Attorney regarding wind tower ZBA hearing procedures.

Bev Koppen (for Ken Terrinoni)

From: Ken Terrinoni
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2013 11:16 AM
To: Bev Koppen
Subject: FW: WECS ordinance

From: Michelle Courier
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 2:57 PM
To: Ken Terrinoni
Subject: WECS ordinance

Please distribute the attached to the County Board members. If you can send it to them this afternoon, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michelle J. Courier

Boone County State's Attorney

601 N. Main, Suite 302

Belvidere, IL 61008

(815)547-8199

stateatty@boonecountyil.org

Chairman Walberg proposed the following procedure to handle the question:

County Board members:

In light of the opinion just received from the State’s Attorney, I would like to have added to the Board agenda a discussion of the pending application from the County Board currently at the Zoning Board of Appeals. I would like to allow each Board member 2 minutes to comment on the application, and an additional 2 minutes after everyone has had the opportunity to speak. I believe this is the best way to determine the feeling of the Board about the pending application.

Bev Koppen (for Chairman Bob Walberg)

Bill’s Response stating that any limitation of discussion of the matter by email is not personally acceptable.

Bev Koppen‎; County Board

Inbox, Sent Items

Friday, March 15, 2013 4:43 PM



I agree to place this on the agenda--I do not agree to limit anyone's speech especially in this manner. I plan on making this email known to the public. Decisions should not be made via emails especially anything dealing with the pending Wind Farm ordinance. BILL PYSSON

Third and lastly, A Summary: “As Bill sees it”

The problem is how to properly handle the so called LeRoy Township compromise--if the county board is going to eventually consider that as a setback ordinance ---does it need to go back and have the change advertised and have a formal, full fledged hearing? Here again is the LeRoy proposal: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/95TTQR76094D/$file/letter%20from%20Leroy%20Township.pdf

The setback proposal currently at ZBA is : http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/95TTSR770022/$file/current%20proposed%20WECS%20setback%20revision.pdf

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Possible County Board Action on the procedures on the Wind Tower hearings at the ZBA

Everyone interested in the Wind Tower issue should be aware of a possible county board action regarding this matter.

The so called “compromise” proposed by LeRoy Township will be discussed. County board action will possibly not concern the actual compromise proposal but rather what is the proper procedure to handle this proposed change.

See the posting directly above for more details or go to:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/03/possible-county-board-action-on_17.html

Robert Smuszkiewicz: Democratic Candidate for Belvidere Township Trustee

Smuszkiewicz

Township Trustee clip_image002

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Robert “Bob” Smuszkiewicz

As your trustee I will be accountable to the citizens of Belvidere Township.

Bob has lived in Boone County for more than 10 years

A retired Aviation Mechanic and union member

A Veteran

Membership in community organizations:

Veterans of Foreign Wars

American Legion

AMVETS

Coon Creek Castors

Homeowners Association of

River Bend North

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630-464-4576

Bobsb52@msn.com

Friday, March 15, 2013

California's earthquake early warning system passes major test - latimes.com

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earthquake early warning system is a pilot project for what scientists hope will eventually be a statewide network using thousands of sensors to notify people about imminent shaking from moderate to strong earthquakes.

Backers say an early warning would give utilities time to shut down, trains a chance to slow so they don't derail and workers a chance to move away from hazardous materials or precarious positions. Warnings would be sent to the public through text messages, emails and other special alerts.

 

Click on the following for more details:  California's earthquake early warning system passes major test - latimes.com

Will These Disappear in our Lifetime?

Will These Disappear in our Lifetime?

This is very sobering and most if not all will happen in our life time. Enjoy and make the best of the moment - TODAY~

Believe it or not, the following 9 things will disappear in our lifetime. Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come.

1. The Post Office

Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check

Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper

The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They

certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book

You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Land Line Telephone

Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they've always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes

6. Music

This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalogue items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, "Before the Music Dies."

7. Television

Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The "Things" That You Own

Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

9. Privacy

If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. "They" will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.

All we will have left that can't be changed are "Memories."

And then probably Alzheimer's will take that away from you to!

Jobless rate in Winnebago, Boone jumps with end of holiday season - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

The unemployment rate of Boone and Winnebago counties increased from 11 percent in December to 13 percent in January as employers cut back after the holiday season.

The city of Rockford's jobless rate was 14.2 percent, the same as it was in January 2012. Winnebago County's rate fell from 12.9 percent last January to 12.7 percent. Boone County's rate fell from 15.1 percent in January 2012 to 14.6 percent.

Click on the following for more details:  Jobless rate in Winnebago, Boone jumps with end of holiday season - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Belvidere chamber's civic honors go to Dick Van Evera, John Wolf - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

BELVIDERE — The Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce honored Dick Van Evera with the 2013 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award and John Wolf with the 2013 Doctor of Civic Betterment Award tonight.

The night began with a social hour, followed by dinner and the award presentation. Misti Rice, senior manager of Chrysler State Government Relations, served as the keynote speaker.

Click on the following for more details:  Belvidere chamber's civic honors go to Dick Van Evera, John Wolf - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Update on Dolores Puplava’s Campaign for Belvidere Township Trustee

 

On the morning of March 13, 2013 I had the privilege of giving a presentation to 28 Union Leaders from the Rockford / Belvidere area. Representatives included Teamsters, CWA, Laborers Local 32, Pipefitters, Plumbers, Painters and the IBEW. The officials for the event interviewed eight candidates for office from the Rockford area. “Puplava for Trustee” was the only candidate to be interviewed from Belvidere to proudly represent the valued constituents of Boone County. If your organization would like for me to introduce myself or has an upcoming candidate’s forum; please contact me at my campaign office number at 815.388.9314

Thank you in advance for Voting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

-Dolores Puplava-

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PUPLAVA

For

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

MISSION STATEMENT

To actively represent our community's interests as a Belvidere Township Trustee on a full time basis with vigor, by providing transparency, accessibility and community outreach.

DOLORES A. PUPLAVA

PLEDGE

I hereby pledge to act as an accessible, dedicated public servant. I will proudly serve as a liaison between the people of Belvidere Township, local government officials, first responders, and the road commission; to lobby for fiscally sound budgets that will not sacrifice the quality of services demanded by our valued residents.

Party: Democrat

Political

Experience: Belvidere 21 Democratic Precinct Committeeperson

Eight (8) years

Residency: Belvidere area for nearly (25) twenty-five years

Occupation: AT&T Inc. (Formally "American Telephone & Telegraph ")

Retired - Engineering Management

Family: Spouse, Ronald Puplava, 3 Adult children, and 1 grandson

Community

Work: Boone County Fair Breakfast, Volunteer

Telephone Pioneers of America, Secretary/Treasurer

All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes Project

Education: ATT Engineering School, Chicago IL,

Chicago University, Public Relations

North Central College, Business Management

Rockford Business College, Travel & Tourism

CONTACT: Voice: 815.388.9314

E-Mail: Dolores.Puplava@gmail.com