Mayor says join the pack | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Troy A. Bruzewski

Chamberlain and District 3 county board member Marion Thornberry, in a meeting last week, began informal talks on how to get BCAS properly-funded and address the stray cat situation in the area.

“Right now, Animal Services can’t even respond to the calls it receives,” Chamberlain said. “If we can get residents to meet and outline a program, we can see how everyone can work together to improve the community.”

Chamberlain said the initial step is for friends of the four-legged to voice their opinions and brainstorm for ideas to improve the situation, along with what they’re able to do, because the current status produced by county efforts is not sufficient. This first rally cry is similar to pack mentality; not only safety is provided with numbers, but so is power.

“They need to show-up in force,” Chamberlain said. “We need to fill the township hall; we need to fill the city hall; we need to fill the county boardroom. If we can do that, people are going to listen.”

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Mayor says join the pack | Belvidere Daily Republican

Currently the animal shelter has passed State of Illinois, Department of Agriculture, inspections dated May 22, 2013.  SEE:  https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/988U385C0905/$file/ILL%20Dept%20of%20AG%20INSPECTION%20REPORT_201305311117.pdf

However as recently as 2010 the facility has been out of compliance see the following posts and also the Rockford Register Star articles upon which they are based.

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/08/boone-county-animal-control-to-close.html

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/06/boone-county-mulls-whether-to-fix.html

Boone County Animal Service January 2013

More pictures available at:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/01/visit-to-boone-county-animal-services.html

Veterans Assistance Commission for Boone County

The ad below is from the Boone County Journal.  Similar ad s will be appear in future weeks.

‘Tootsie Roll’ tangle still spinning | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

She [Director of Health Department] was referring to the comment by District 3 county board member Marion Thornberry that he thought requiring such a permit was “ridiculous.”

Committee and board of health Chairman Kent Hess, M.D., said his temperature “just rose 100 percent” in reaction to the matter.

“Mine, too, after reading the article” in the Belvidere Daily Republican, committee member Jim Cox said. He added that Bill Hatfield sent a copy of the code to State’s Attorney Michelle Courier, and she said the department was following it.

Hess wondered if the county board “is getting into a fistfight over Tootsie Rolls?”

“The comments made by the county board member (Thornberry) were inappropriate,” Cox said. “We’re just implementing the code.”

“We follow it to the letter,” Frank interjected.

“It seems that the health department has been a lightning rod of late,” committee member Allen Sisson said. “We need to be more proactive and quit being the lightning rod.”

Hatfield said the department has a board of health, which by state statute is independent. “I don’t think they (some county board members) like that,” he said.

Hatfield, director of environmental health for the department, said he had proposed amendments to the county code, which the department was following, in the Courier’s hands the Monday after the fair, “to solve this particular problem.”

“We’re in the middle of that process,” he added. “Hopefully, by the middle of September this will be history.”

Committee member Kathleen Taylor questioned why county sheriff’s candidate Dave Ernest was required to have a permit, while some others “got away with it?”

Hatfield said the code in question was enacted in 1978 “and is too broad when it comes to defining a food establishment. We’re just enforcing that code.”

Click on the following for all of the story:  ‘Tootsie Roll’ tangle still spinning | Belvidere Daily Republican

Happy Labor Day!

Belvidere's Bread of Life Vitamins shop closing after 19 years - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

Darlene and David Allen have owned The Bread of Life Vitamin Shop in Belvidere for 19 years

The pair took a loan on the car and, by a stroke of luck, received a $20,000 investment from a family in their congregation.

The store certainly didn’t look perfect at first, but customers quickly picked up on the owners’ willingness to not only sell hard-to-get products but to educate them on the medicine. They listened to customers’ concerns patiently.

“In my day, doctors were much more than pill pushers. They sat down with the patient. They talked with the patient,” Darlene said. “That helped so much to put a person at ease and to show they care.”

The couple expects to move to Fort Collins, Colo., in early October to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. Darlene has been running the store solo since January when David suffered a heart attack.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x574264593/Belvideres-Bread-of-Life-Vitamins-shop-closing-after-19-years#ixzz2dSEX4OTQ

Belvidere Township trustees vote to destroy meeting recordings - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

BELVIDERE — Citing “inconvenience and expense,” Belvidere Township officials passed a resolution earlier this month saying it’s OK to erase recordings of their meetings soon afterward.

The Township Board voted unanimously Aug. 13 to authorize destruction of tapes of its twice-monthly public meetings after trustees approve a report summarizing actions taken. Tapes of the annual township meeting will be maintained until the next annual township meeting.

Supervisor Patrick Murphy and Clerk Judy Schabacker declined to comment on the policy despite numerous requests from the Rockford Register Star.

Although the board policy violates no laws, the township ordinance runs contrary to the ideal of transparency in government and the practice of other local governments.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Belvidere Township trustees vote to destroy meeting recordings - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Illinois Tollway agrees to spare Johnson Road bridge over I-90 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

After many weeks of discussions, Spring Township Supervisor Ryan Kufalk said, Monday, the township board was working on a long-term maintenance agreement for the bridge. That’s being done to keep the Tollway from tearing out the bridge and not replacing it, as was originally proposed.

“This seems to be a fair deal for them and for us,” he said. “It will cost them some money and us some money.”

Once the Genoa Road bridge is replaced, work will begin to take out the Johnson Road structure.

Kufalk said Genoa Road should be “up and running’ in December. That means taking out the Johnson Road bridge in the spring and replacing  it by next summer. Work could begin sooner, he said, if there’s a mild winter.

He said he hoped the new bridge would be built of the same quality as the one to be taken out, which required minimal maintenance since being built about 50 years ago.

The Tollway’s general engineering consultant prepared the following cost estimates that the township would have to assume in the future:

• Year 20 – minor deck repairs. $20,000.
• Year 40 – moderate deck repairs, $50,000.
• Year 50 – moderate deck repairs, $50,000.
• Year 60 – reconstruction of the deck, $850,000

Click on the following for more details:  Illinois Tollway agrees to spare Johnson Road bridge over I-90 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County museum to use addition as visitors draw - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

A $1.3 million renovation will connect its research center to the museum, 311 Whitney Blvd. The connecting room will add 6,000 square feet to the space, which will be used for educational programs and showcase rotating displays.

Construction should be completed in 30 to 60 days and, fingers crossed, an open house will be staged around Hometown Christmas festivities in December…

The district took out a 10-year loan for $950,000. That will be paid back through fundraisers and tax revenue, which generates about $200,000 annually from 0.02 percent of equalized assessed values.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x574263602/Boone-County-museum-to-use-addition-as-visitors-draw#ixzz2dBJDbNlS

Audit reveals ex-supervisor embezzled $750,000 from Moro Township : News

Thanks Cal Skinner (http://mchenrycountyblog.com/) for this interesting township story from the St. Louis Port-Dispatch.

Former Moro Township Supervisor Donald Flack embezzled more than $750,000 from the agency from 2003 until he resigned in May, a new audit claims.

Flack resigned on the spot on May 14 when his four fellow trustees confronted him about the missing money.

The audit, conducted by the Alton accounting firm of Kenneth E. Loy & Co., determined that Flack embezzled $113,310 last year alone.

It blamed “lack of controls” for the loss.

The township is audited every four years…..

The township has an annual budget of about $400,000, collected from real estate taxes. Last year, it spent $255,000 to maintain roads.

The audit noted that last year’s general fund expenditures of $116,811 exceeded the annual operating budget by $45,591, with $40,106 “due to an Embezzlement loss.”

The audit recommended that the township begin requiring two signatures for each check, that someone other than the supervisor receive and reconcile bank statements and that oversight of duties be established.

Click on the following for more details:  Audit reveals ex-supervisor embezzled $750,000 from Moro Township : News

Wolf Automotive in Belvidere closing at end of August - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Alex Gary

Wolf Automotive, a Belvidere mainstay since 1924, will close at the end of August.

The business was started by C.J. "Doc" Wolf and continued by Bill Wolf and now run by John Wolf. For 86 of those years the business was a General Motors dealership selling Chevrolet.

In 2009 though, in the depths of the Great Recession both General Motors and Chrysler were forced to reorganize in bankruptcy court. ….

In Belvidere, Chrysler took Dodge from Belvidere Motors and gave it to Jack Wolf Auto Mall, which is owned by John Wolf's uncle.

In Wolf Automotive's case, General Motors pulled the Chevrolet franchise and didn't reassign it, leaving Bachrodt the only Chevrolet dealer in Boone and Winnebago counties.

The effects were devastating. Belvidere Motors and Strandquist have long since closed and now Wolf Automotive will be added to the list.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Wolf Automotive in Belvidere closing at end of August - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Nearly 200k attended Boone County Fair | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

 

Organizers of this year’s Boone County Fair said 195,121 people visited the 50^th event at the current location off Route 76, just north of Bypass 20. They credited the success to all that went on at the fairgrounds, plus a smile from Mother Nature who brought spring-like weather, mostly in the mid-to-upper 70s.

“It was a great fair this year,” said Lyle Lee, in his second yeas as president of the Boone County Fair Association. “We had an excellent turnout. All the shows were great and well attended.”

There was an especially big crowd on Aug. 8, when senior citizens were admitted free of charge. Last year it rained on that day, which kept quite a few people away, he said

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Nearly 200k attended Boone County Fair | Belvidere Daily Republican

One Reform, Indivisible - NYTimes.com

Here is a excellent comment about Obamacare which was submitted regarding a recent NY times editorial  on the Affordable Health Care Act

revwayne

• Womelsdorf,PA

NYT Pick

Socialism, socialism is all I hear from the know--nothing party. Or is it parties (Republican & Tea Party)? My neighbor on the north side is single, I am a family of two and my neighbor to the south includes 6. We all pay the same amount for trash collection. Of course, the family of 6 produces (especially with diapers!) more garbage. But we all pay the same! And school taxes are not based on the number of children a family has in the educational system. Nor are my county taxes based on my use of services. Yes, we need those who will access the health care system less often and likely have less expensive needs. But, to think the young don't need health insurance is simply a denial of reality (something applied by Republican/Tea Party "type" people to global warming, etc.). Young women get pregnant, young people deal with various diseases, and accidents happen too. Healtth insurance is needed by all. Those with good health and good genes, are needed to share the costs. If the sharing of health costs is socialism, well so too is trash collection and many other community expenses! I can't believe we are having this elementary discussion. We are a community and all participate by paying often above their personnal needs. I wish we could offer reality deniers a pill to overcome their anti-tribe, anti-life participation.

• Aug. 18, 2013 at 11:51 p.m.

Click on the following to read the editorial and other comments:  One Reform, Indivisible - NYTimes.com

Boone County preliminary budget outlook: $324,000 deficit | Belvidere Daily Republican

At this early point, Boone County’s 2013-14 budget will need to be trimmed by about $324,000.

That’s the preliminary projection from county administrator Ken Terrinoni, who is estimating income at $14.744 million and expenses, as reflected in proposed budgets from various department heads, at $15.068 million.

The expenses number is “what it will take to get the job done,” he explained.

But 10 departments are proposing “new initiatives,” such as additional employees and new equipment, amounting to another $656,305, for a new total of $15.724 million. That would mean a deficit of just under $1 million

Click on the following for more details:  Boone County preliminary budget outlook: $324,000 deficit | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Aug. 13-19 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during Aug. 13-19.

Recorded Aug. 13

253 Brooke Lane, Rockford, $225,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Scott Greenfield and Elissa Greenfield.

113 Queens Place SE, Poplar Grove, $80,000, Richard R. Viles and Lynda M. Viles to AH4R-IL, LLC.

2959 Naak Dr., Belvidere, $139,900, Susan M. Rasmussen to Bryan A. Holder.

Recorded Aug. 14

Hunter Road acreage, $302,500, Harvard State Bank, trustee, to Hunter Road Woods Inc.

Recorded Aug. 15

469 Old Orchard Lane, Poplar Grove, $322,500, Walter J. Whited and Rhonda L. Whited to Matthew D. Kolinski and Michele L. Diedrichs.

502 Atlantic Dr., NE, Poplar Grove, $85,000, Timothy A. Finkenhofer, to Fredonia Coleman.

5256 Hunter Road, Poplar Grove, $96,500, Daniel R. Shaw to Mohsin Khan.

161 Hastings Way, Poplar Grove, $73,000, Bank of New York Mellon to Susan B. Curran.

230 Rochester Road, NE, Poplar Grove, $500, Candlewick Lake Association to Karl Steiskal Jr.

117 Callaway Cove, Loves Park, $232,250, Frank and Lorri Papke to Thomas and Jackie Norland.

Recorded Aug. 16

1010 Warren Ave., Belvidere, $180,635, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

Recorded Aug. 19

2143 Derby Lane, Belvidere, $70,000, Adam P. Klos to Christine S. Tabb.

163 Muir Dr., Loves Park, $247,000, Kevin M. and Michelle L. James to Steven D. and Roberta L. Schlichting.

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Aug. 13-19 | Belvidere Daily Republican

How much does an individual state employee make?

Go the the following website:  http://accountability.illinois.gov/Employees/FAQ.aspx

Interesting Boone County Journal Articles from the August 16, 2013 paper

Go to: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-08-16-13.pdf#page=1 ---to read the article.

Page 1. Boone County Animal Services

Page 5 Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission requests $25,000 advance

Page 8.  Democratic Fair Questionnaire

Page 9.  Shooting in Poplar Grove

Page 10.  Police Reports are suspended

To read these and other interesting stories go to:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-08-16-13.pdf#page=1 

Conference on Poverty: AUGUST 21, 2013

New agency starting to help veterans in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Boone County’s Veterans Assistance Commission was created to help the 3,400 veterans in the county who need assistance. It has taken commission leaders — a 10-member board and a superintendent — months to get basic paperwork in order, obtain money to cover start-up costs and put an applicant-screening system in place.

Commission Superintendent Ashley “Dave” Davis, the paid staffer, said he expects the number of veterans served will increase quickly once the commission begins advertising and as news about the organization spreads by word-of-mouth.

Click on the following for all of the story:  New agency starting to help veterans in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Clerk of Circuit Court files three separate 6 month income reports

 

The above is taken from:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/99FTZS6B8733/$file/semi-annual%20fee%20-%20expenditure%20Cir%20Clerk_201307021007.pdf

 

Above is from:  https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9AKJMA4DA77E/$file/amended%20Cir%20Clerk%20report%20fees%20-expenditures_201308131415.pdf

Above is taken from:  https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9AKJNV4E0D21/$file/2nd%20amended%20cir%20clerk%20report_201308140914.pdf

The first statement did not include the Court Automation Fund and Document Storage Fund.  The amended statement apparently had incorrect figures for these funds which was corrected by the Second Amended.

Board member calls department’s actions ‘ridiculous’ | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

Boone County Board member Marion Thornberry was in the Republican tent at the Boone County Fair on Aug. 8, responding to questions about his seeking re-election in 2014.

Among the reasons for running again, he said, was his wish to “get the health department straightened out.”

“They’re doing things that seem to be ridiculous,” he said.

He cited as an example requiring people who were giving out pre-packaged candy and bottled water at the fair to have a food permit, which cost $75

Click on the following for more details:  Board member calls department’s actions ‘ridiculous’ | Belvidere Daily Republican

What Mr. Balgemann did not report that the Human Service Subcommittee wishes to review the above ordinance at the September subcommittee.—B. Pysson

Report: All 107 US Nuclear Reactors Vulnerable To Terrorists | digtriad.com

new report (PDF) from the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project at the University of Texas at Austin.

all 107 commercial nuclear power reactors were thought to be vulnerable, the report spotlighted 11 that were most at risk. That included eight reactors that were deemed unprotected from attacks from the sea: Diablo Canyon in California, St. Lucie in Florida, Brunswick in North Carolina, Surry in Virginia, Indian Point in New York, Millstone in Connecticut, Pilgrim in Massachusetts, and the South Texas Project.

Three civilian reactors fueled with bomb-grade uranium were also deemed particularly vulnerable. They are housed at the University of Missouri in Columbia, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology - which is within 25 miles of the White House. Unlike military facilities that hold bomb-grade uranium, the report found, these facilities are not sufficiently defended against a credible terrorist threat.

Click on the following for more of the story:: Report: All 107 US Nuclear Reactors Vulnerable To Terrorists | digtriad.com

This is the apparent PDF file which the article is speaking:  http://blogs.utexas.edu/nppp/files/2013/08/NPPP-working-paper-1-2013-Aug-15.pdf

Boone County will receive $4,837 from video gaming for the month of July 2013

 

The above is taken from:  http://www.igb.illinois.gov/revreportsVG/VGStat201307.pdf

Poplar Grove votes to allow video gaming machines in town | Belvidere Daily Republican

Michelle Burke, manager of Mortimer’s Roadhouse and Grill, was at the meeting and said she was “thrilled” by the vote.

“I’m happy our customers will no longer be going somewhere else to play,” she said.

Mortimer’s has received approval of its application for a state license and now can have up to five machines on its premises.

Burke said there already are machines at Boone County establishments in Belvidere, Capron and Garden Prairie.

John Patch of Allied Gaming said villages Poplar Grove’s size that have machines are averaging $1,300 to $1,700 a month in revenue. They get 5 percent of the revenue from each game.

Poplar Grove votes to allow video gaming machines in town | Belvidere Daily Republican

Annexation of Candlewick Lake back on table | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

two Candlewick Lake residents appearing before the Poplar Grove Village Board Monday night and encouraging talks with the association’s board of directors.

Resident Lennard Lund said he thought four of the six Candlewick Lake Association board members would be agreeable to hearing what Poplar Grove officials had to say. He said he also thought annexation would bring benefits to both the village and his community.

Agreement came from another Candlewick Lake resident, Phil Saia, who also asked Poplar Grove officials to approach the association board. He said residents are having major problems with the company that supplies the community with water and with the cost of water. Some who live there currently are paying $100 to $140 a month for water, he claimed.

Newly seated village trustee Owen Costanza also lives in Candlewick Lake and said when he moved there, his bill was $25.

A civic organization within Candlewick Lake pursued incorporation in 2011. But the Candlewick Voice attempt was thrown out in circuit court late that year and no referendum ever was held.

Saia told trustees and village president John Neitzel that he would call them in to security, should they want to come into the gated community and talk with the board of directors. Monthly meetings start at 7 p.m., with a public forum at 6:30 p.m.

Neitzel said annexation “is a much more difficult process than ‘let’s do it,’ Many layers of due diligence would have to be done. I’m not opposed to exploring the possibility. That’s all we can do at this point.”

“The stage is set,” Saia said. “Now is the perfect time for you to approach Candlewick Lake

For a few days you can read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Annexation of Candlewick Lake back on table | Belvidere Daily Republican

saukvalley.com | Residents sue over wind farm in Lee County in Dixon IL, Sterling, IL and Rock Falls IL

BY DAVID GIULIANI dgiuliani@saukvalley.com

The lawsuit said the wind farm is incompatible with surrounding land uses. The project, it said, will decrease property values, destroy views, create shadow flicker and “incessant and annoying” noise, and hurt wildlife.

The lawsuit identified what the landowners consider procedural errors leading up to the county’s approval of the special-use permits for the project.

The company, for instance, failed to provide a turbine layout, a noise model, or a plan for how it would decommission abandoned turbines, the lawsuit said.

Mainstream’s materials also lacked a certificate from a registered professional engineer that the tower design is sufficient to withstand wind load requirements, according to the lawsuit

Click on the following for more details:  saukvalley.com | Residents sue over wind farm in Lee County in Dixon IL, Sterling, IL and Rock Falls IL

Remember this on a cold January night.

What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?—John Steinbeck

Belvidere to serve as enrollment site for cancer study - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

The American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program is inviting individuals between the ages of 30 to 65 who have no personal history of cancer to participate in the Cancer Prevention Study-3. The group is aiming for least 300,000 adults of various racial and ethnic backgrounds across the United States to participate.

Click on the following for more details:  Belvidere to serve as enrollment site for cancer study - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

District to serve as enrollment site for cancer prevention study

Page Content

The Belvidere School District, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, will serve as an enrollment site for the society's Cancer Prevention Study-3. 

The American Cancer Society is looking for people between the ages of 30 and 65 to help them create a cancer-free world - a world with more birthdays.  You can do this by volunteering for their Cancer Prevention Study-3.

Please check back as additional information about the study, expectations and time commitments of volunteers, and where/when you can enroll will posted.

Click on the following to check back at District 100 website:  http://www.district100.com/Newsroom/Pages/District-to-serve-as-enrollment-site-for-cancer-prevention-study.aspx

Count complete, meals begin for those in-need | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

The recently conducted summertime count of homeless in Boone County only turned up nine who fit HUD’s new definition of homelessness.

And that may be partially responsible for such a low number, said Danice Loveridge, president of the Boone County Homeless Project task force.

Previously, people living with relatives or going from friend to friend met the definition of being homeless. But now those in such a situation are considered to be at-risk for becoming homeless. And they aren’t eligible for some services that assisted them in the past.

 

 

This church[Poplar Grove United Methodist Church] will continue to serve meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. There is no charge, with food being supplied through a grant obtained by the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry.St. John’s United Church of Christ in Belvidere is expected to formally approve serving a monthly meal sometime this week.

Read the complete article:  http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/news/count-complete-meals-begin-for-those-in-need/

Boone County Fair means inexpensive exposure for politicians | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

The primary is in March, with the general election the following November. Nominating petitions will be available starting Sept. 3. Six of the 12 county board members who drew two-year terms during the 2012 reorganization will have to run again next year.

That’s true for Chris Berner, recently appointed to replace Mike Schultz, who resigned because he moved out of District 3. Bill Pysson (District 1), a Democrat, and Republicans Marion Thornberry (District 3) and Ron Wait (District 2), all said they planned to run again. Kenny Freeman (District 3) said he was leaning toward not seeking re-election. Berner said he probably would run to finish out Schultz’s four-year term.

Fidder and Johnson, could not be reached, but are expected to run again.

“Normal business practices are not necessarily being practiced here and I’m troubled by that,” Pysson said of one reason he’d like to continue serving. “So I ask questions.”

Animal services building

One of his questions is where does board chairman Bob Walberg stand on building a new home for Animal Control Services? “It seems he has the support to do what he wants,” Pysson said. “I’d hate to see us take five months to develop a building plan and have him turn it down.”

He’d also like to know where the county board stands on the animal control matter.

Click on the following for more details:  Boone County Fair means inexpensive exposure for politicians | Belvidere Daily Republican

Deputy shoots, kills armed man | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

POPLAR GROVE – The man killed in the officer-involved shooting on Sunday, August 11 in Poplar Grove has been identified as Russell D. Donahue, 44, of Rockford. An autopsy by Boone County Coroner, Rebecca Wigget showed he died from multiple gunshot wounds. His death remains under investigation.

Donahue had shot through the front door of a home in Poplar Grove around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Two Boone County deputies responded quickly to the scene and both allegedly fired shots at the armed man and killed him.

A woman and two young children were in the home at the time, and the deputies considered them in danger from the intruder.

The case will now go to the Boone County State’s Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether the shooting was justified.

Click on the following for more details:  Deputy shoots, kills armed man | Belvidere Daily Republican

Here is a link to the Rockford Register Star’s coverage of the incident:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/jenniferwheeler/x273448586/Intruder-identified-in-Poplar-Grove-shooting

The following is a news release from the Integrity Task Force which is investigating the police role in the incident.

Volunteer Opportunities in Government | Boone County, Illinois

 

Current Appointment Openings:

The following are volunteer Boards of the County that have vacancies:

Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008.  Please respond by September 9, 2013 to assure being considered.

Belvidere Cemetery Association

1 vacancies for a term that will expire May 3, 2018

County Historical Museum District Board of Trustees

1 vacancies for a year term that will expire June 30, 2017

Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008.  Please respond by Sept 9, 2013 to assure being considered.

Click on the following for proper links:  Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

Veterans Assistance Commission requests additional $25,000

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Boone County requested a second $25,000 advance from the Boone County Board at tonight’s Admin Subcommittee

It submitted the accounting of the first $25,000 shown below.  The entire Boone County Board must approve the next payment at the board meeting on August 21, 2013.

Several items were explained at tonight’s meeting. 

• The “Cash, Expense” was a one time cash withdrawal to pay purchases of office items at Office Depot and Best Buy.  These institutions refused payment by check/debit because the account was too new for bank verification.
• “VAC Operational Expenses” ($486.58) were actually payments to pay indigent veterans’ rent and utility bills.
• The second $25,000 advance is anticipated to cover operations until November 30, 2013.
• Since opening in July, 25-30 clients have been seen.

Veterans Assistance Commission of Boone County is located at 175 Cadillac Court, Suite C, Belvidere, Il 61008. Phone 815 544 6464

Fair Questionnaire Results

Boone County Democratic Party

Questionnaire for the 2013 Boone County Fair

Legend:

B100=District 100 Belvidere; Total #=62

NB200= District 200 North Boone; Total #=31 #=32 for county questions

AO= All others; Total #=29

BC= Boone County Resident; Total #= 94

1. How well does your school district prepare students for college and the work place? 

A. Does both jobs very well B100 23% NB200 13% AO 28%

B. Prepares students for college but not work place B100 25% NB200 26% AO 17%

C. Prepares students well for the work place but not for college. B100 7% NB200 6% AO 3%

D. Does not prepare students well for either college or work place B100 25% NB200 23% AO 24%

E. Does an excellent job only in some area such as___B100 2% NB200 0% AO 0%

No Opinion B100 18% NB200 32% AO 24%

2.  If you were going to convince someone to move to Boone County, which of the following reasons would you use?

Please number the reasons in order of importance:  1=most -9=least; using a “0” for reasons you would not use.

A. ______________Good Quality School System

B. #1 __              Rural Environment—Both NB200 and B100’s top choice. Second & Third all items very close with only “F” significantly lower choice.

C. _____________ Low Taxes

D. ______________ Proximity to Chicago and collar counties

E. ______________ Inexpensive Housing

F. ______________Job prospects in Boone-Winnebago Counties

G. ______________ Recreational Opportunities

H. AO: nearly evenly Friendly accepting neighborhoods

I. split H &I as #1 The County Fair and other local events

3. Do you think that the current county open burning ordinances are strict enough? Yes: BC 51% No: BC 21% No Opinion: BC 28%

4.  Does Boone County need a soup kitchen for the homeless?   Yes: B100 61% NB200 53% No: B100 24% NB200 9% Don’t have an opinion: B100 15% NB200 38%

If yes, in what community should it be located?   Belvidere 18; votes no other location more than one vote.

5. There currently is a county wide Public Safety Sales Tax of ½ cent. It is schedule to stop in 2018.  In the past several years this sales taxes paid not only for principle and interest on the Public Safety Building but for salaries and Jail expenses.

A. Do you favor a continuation of this tax after the building is paid off in 2018?  Yes: BC 41% No: BC 39% No Opinion: BC 20%

B. Would you support a referendum authorizing continuing this tax after 2018?  Yes: BC 38% No: BC 38% No Opinion: BC 24%

6. Under proper regulation would you be in favor of wind energy projects in Boone County? Yes: B100 69% NB200 53% No: B100 21% NB200 47% No Opinion: B100 10% NB200 0%

7. The Federal and State government should subsidize low cost pre-school learning programs.  Agree: B100 63% NB200 66% AO 60% Disagree: B100 26% NB200 28% AO 20%   No opinion: B100 11% NB200 6% AO 20%

8.  Ida Public Library is the only public library in the county.  Most county residents outside of Belvidere must pay a fee to have a library card.  Would you support a tax referendum to extend “feeless” library service to the rest of the county?      Yes: B100 58% NB200 53% No: B100 26% NB200 28%  No opinion: B100 26% NB200 19% I am a City of Belvidere resident? B100 45% stated they were.

9.   Most Boone County Sheriff’s deputies are provided a squad car to take home during their off time shift.  Do you agree with this policy?  Yes: B100 48% NB200 60%; No: B100 48% NB200 38% No Opinion B100 4% NB200 2%  If you believe the policy should be modified in some way, how?

10.  What do you believe is the most important issue facing Boone County? 

B100: Jobs#1, taxes and education lag behind with approximately half the number of responses for each. NB200: Wind Turbines#1 with jobs coming in next at about half the number. AO: Jobs #1 with crime as #2 with half the number of responses.

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

 

Boone County government offers a wide and diverse number of direct services to its residents, including law enforcement, correction and detention of law violators, support for the criminal justice system, direct health care, maintenance of essential records, highway maintenance, property assessments, courtroom operations, building and planning services, tax collection for other local governments, and election administration among others. From these many services come many opportunities for employment.

For applications and openings for the Sheriff's Department please visit the Public Safety Building at 615 N. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008

Current Job Openings : 

Boone County Administration Office
Office Manager

The Boone County Administration Office is currently hiring a
full-time Office Manager. This person will be responsible
for preparing agendas and packet information for county board
meetings as well as transcribing minutes from the meetings.
This person will also be responsible for accounts payable,
maintaining office records, organizing office operations, and
any other duties assigned by the County Administrator.
Applicants must be people-oriented and have strong communication skills.
Computer knowledge is a must.
The starting wage for this position is $12.00-$15.00 per hour D.O.Q
Excellent benefits including health, dental, and retirement.
Applications are available at the Boone County Administration Office
1212 Logan Avenue, Belvidere, IL 61008
or click on the application link below.
Please submit applications to:
Boone County Administration Office
1212 Logan Avenue Suite 102
Belvidere, IL 61008
Applications must be received by August 30, 2013
EOE

In Person Counselor & Community Educator

The Boone County Health Department is seeking qualified candidates to apply for our In Person Counselor Program in collaboration with the Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators / Illinois Public Health Association.  This position will promote and protect health and prevent disease for the residents of Boone County by conducting informational and educational programs in Boone County to promote enrollment in health insurance and assisting eligible individuals and small employers with enrollment in qualified health plans, Medicaid, and All Kids through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace.  This is a full-time position.  The initial contract will expire no later than June 30, 2014 and may be terminated for other reasons prior to that date.  This position requires at least an associate's degree in business, finance, health, public health or human services and at least three years of experience in an eligibility determination and benefits enrollment, health promotion, community health education, public health or human services program.  This position requires the ability to communicate fluently in spoken and written English and Spanish.    Excellent working environment and great benefit package.  Please click here to view the full job description.  Send resume to Amanda Mehl, Boone County Health Department, 1204 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008 or submit electronically to info@boonehealth.org.  EOE

Public Health Nurse

The Boone County Health Department is currently hiring a full-time Public Health Nurse to serve as a Maternal Child Health Case Manager in our Family Case Management and WIC Programs.  Must possess a strong desire to work with children and families.  Other duties include but are not limited to providing nursing care during our Immunization, Seasonal Flu, and School Physical clinics.  Bilingual in English/Spanish encouraged to apply.  Must be a registered nurse licensed to practice in Illinois.  Excellent working environment and great benefit package.  Paid holidays, weekends, and most evenings off.  Please click here to view the full job description.  Send resume to Amanda Mehl, Boone County Health Department, 1204 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008 or submit electronically to info@boonehealth.org    EOE

Links are available by clicking on the following:  Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

I-90 Local Crossroad Bridges--August, 2013 | Boone County, Illinois

 

I-90 Local Crossroad Bridges--August, 2013

 

 

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Jon Bigness

August 8, 2013

EIGHT LOCAL CROSSROAD BRIDGES SCHEDULED TO CLOSE IN AUGUST FOR JANE ADDAMS MEMORIAL TOLLWAY (I-90) CONSTRUCTION Posted detours will reroute traffic during bridge demolition, reconstruction

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Eight local crossroad bridges over the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) are scheduled to close beginning the week of August 19 for demolition and reconstruction as part of the Illinois Tollway’s $2.2 billion I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project. The closures are expected to be in place for three months and will have minimal impact on I-90 traffic.

In 2013, the Illinois Tollway is reconstructing the Mill Road, Irene Road, Stone Quarry Road, Genoa Road, Getty Road, Brier Hill Road, Sandwald Road and Powers Road bridges. Detour routes will be posted and electronic message signs will be put in place to alert drivers to the bridge closure dates. Construction project and detour information is also available in the “Projects By Roadway” section in the Construction/Planning section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.
Full closure of these local crossroad bridges is necessary because the roadways over I-90 are too narrow to accommodate traffic while completing the work. All eight bridges, which were originally built in the 1950s, will be lengthened to accommodate the new, wider I-90 roadway.
The locations and detours for each bridge closure are as follows: Winnebago County

 Mill Road: The detour will direct traffic to use U.S. Route 20, Perryville Road and Newburg Road

in both directions to route around the Mill Road closure. More than 7,000 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

Boone County

 Irene Road: The detour will direct traffic to use U.S. Route 20, Townhall Road and Graham Road in both directions to route around the Irene Road closure. About 850 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

 Stone Quarry Road: The detour will direct traffic to use U.S. Route 20, Townhall Road and Graham Road in both directions to route around the Stone Quarry Road closure. About 1,200 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

 Genoa Road: The detour will direct traffic to use U.S. Route 20, Crystal Parkway, Tripp Road and Cohoon Road in both directions to route around the Genoa Road closure. About 4,100 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

McHenry County

 Getty Road: The detour will direct traffic to use Harmony Road, Hampshire Road, Melms Road and County Line Road in both directions to route around the Getty Road closure. About 150 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

 Brier Hill Road: The detour will direct traffic to use Harmony Road and U.S. Route 20 in both directions to route around the Brier Hill Road closure. About 650 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

Kane County

 Sandwald Road: The detour will direct traffic to use Jim Dhamer Road, Illinois Route 47 and Big Timber Road in both directions to route around the Sandwald Road closure. About 450 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

 Powers Road: The detour will direct traffic to use Big Timber Road, Illinois Route 72, Higgins Road, Tyrrell Road and Freeman Road in both directions to route around the Powers Road closure. About 600 vehicles use this stretch of local roadway daily.

The local roadway closures were coordinated with DeKalb, Kane, McHenry, Boone and Winnebago counties and the Illinois Department of Transportation, along with local municipalities, townships, school districts and police and fire departments.

The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project

The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and widening 62 miles along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I‐90) as a 21st century, state‐of‐the-art corridor linking Rockford to O’Hare International Airport. The I‐90 corridor from Chicago to Rockford serves nearly 1 million travelers per day.
In 2013, the Illinois Tollway is rebuilding the eastbound lanes between Rockford and Elgin. Work on this segment is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013, with the westbound lanes scheduled to be rebuilt and widened in 2014. Work on the segment of I-90 from Chicago to Elgin is scheduled for 2014-
2016.
As many as 30 local crossroad bridges are scheduled to be reconstructed as part of the $2.2 billion I-90
Rebuilding and Widening Project. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $12 billion capital program,

Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

Most of I‐90’s infrastructure is more than 54 years old. Since it was originally built in the 1950s, residential and commercial growth have strained parts of I‐90 beyond its capacity, increasing delays and weakening economic activity. The I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project will deliver a dramatic
facelift to I-90, with eight lanes from the Kennedy Expressway to the Elgin Toll Plaza and six lanes from the Elgin Toll Plaza to I-39.
-more-
I-90 Local Crossroad Bridge Work Begins - page 3

Work Zone Safety

A 45 mph speed limit is in effect 24/7 in all construction zones on I-90, whether or not workers are present. Drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution at all times.
The posted speed limit on Sleepy Hollow Road/McLean Road is 30 mph.
Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375. Posted signs advise drivers of a $10,000 fine and 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.

Getting Tollway Construction Information

The Illinois Tollway has a variety of ways customers can get the latest travel information, including:
 www.illinoistollway.com – Construction/Planning section and Tollway Trip Calculator

 1-800-TOLL-FYI begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-TOLL-FYI FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting – Daily lane closure information

 www.travelmidwest.com – Real-time travel times
 www.nbcchicago.com – Up-to-the-minute traffic by roadway
 www.myfoxchicago.com – Latest traffic conditions
 www.twitter.com – Real-time roadway incident information at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355 and Tollway Trip 94/294

About Move Illinois

The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the

Future, will improve mobility, relieve congestion, reduce pollution, create as many as 120,000 jobs and link economies across the Midwest region. Move Illinois will address the remaining needs of the

existing Tollway system; rebuild and widen the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a state-of-the- art 21st century corridor; construct a new interchange to connect the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57; build a new, all-electronic Elgin O’Hare Western Access and fund planning studies for the Illinois Route
53/120 Extension and the Illiana Expressway.

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355),
the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).

I-90 Local Crossroad Bridges--August, 2013 | Boone County, Illinois

NRC to discuss Byron power plant Wednesday - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

BYRON — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Byron Station Training Building, 4450 N. German Church Road.

The agency will discuss the annual assessment of the safety performance for the Byron nuclear power plant. Attendees can talk with NRC staff members following the meeting.

For information: nrc.gov.

NRC to discuss Byron power plant Wednesday - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Baltic Mill Benefit: Friday, August 23, 2013

Resident brings standing water complaint to health committee | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Ray Pendzenski appeared before the Boone County Health and Human Services Committee with concerns about standing water in an unused swimming pool next to his home.

Citing that pool as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carry the West Nile virus, he questioned the “finger pointing” he encountered when visiting the county’s building and health departments, looking for direction.  …

“But it was determined the health department was responsible for both situations,” Pendzinski said.

Hatfield said he had not had time to get back to the resident and apologized for that. “The building department takes care of abandoned vehicles and I understand he (building official Drew Bliss) was taking care of this,” he said. “The property owner failed to respond; a letter went out earlier this week, giving them a deadline to remove the pool.”

Click on the following for more details:  Resident brings standing water complaint to health committee | Belvidere Daily Republican

Agenda: Belvidere Township 8/13/2013

AGENDA

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD

8200 Fairgrounds Road

August 13, 2013 – 5:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order/Roll Call

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Public Input

IV. Discussion and potential action on approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

V. Discussion and potential action on 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 – Discussion and Potential Action May Occur on the following items:

a. Revisit Board Bill Approval for July 23, 2013

b. Shaw Road Weight Enforcement

c. BCCA Parking

d. Beloit Road Bike Path

VIII. Legal

a.

b.

IX. New Business

1. Electronic Door Locks/Card Entry
2. Resolution #04-2013 Policy Regarding Tape Recording of Public Meetings**

X. Discussion and Potential Action on Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Bills

XI. Closed Session

XII. Adjournment

Next Meeting: August 27, 2013 @ 5:00 P.M.

 

Hearings for Boone County’s FY 2014 Proposed budget

All meetings scheduled for conference room at Administrative Center

Committee recommends new software for Boone County Jail | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

Terrinoni told the committee it could authorize placing the order but would be doing so on faith that the full county board would approve the expenditure later in August.

There are five county board members on the roads committee, one of seven standing committees of the county board. They voted 5-0 to forward the issue to the public safety committee with a positive recommendation.

Member Denny Ellingson suggested the motion include that this was an emergency situation “because we’re not following protocol.”

Click on the following to find out more about this and other agenda issues at Roads Subcommittee:  Committee recommends new software for Boone County Jail | Belvidere Daily Republican

Flora Neighborhood Plan to get more committee discussion | Belvidere Daily Republican

What was missed is that Kathy Miller, Interim Director of Planning, may be reporting on a compromise zoning plan, possibly at the City-County subcommittee.  The compromise would be less specific than the city’s Flora Neighborhood Plan but would allow Flora neighborhood development as well as other development.—Bill Pysson

Written by Bob Balgemann

“I would like to see this moved on but I want it to be done right,” committee member Brad Fidder said. “If it takes six months, that’s fine with me. I don’t want to throw it out there just because the city wants it.”

DelRose indicated there was no rush since there had been little interest in developing the acreage in that area.

Committee member Kenny Freeman earlier authored a motion to have the plan moved along to the full county board. He did so after planners could not tell him how many times the plan had going back and forth between committees.

“The city has a right to know what our objections are, if we have any,” Pysson said from the audience. “I don’t understand why we’re playing around. If you don’t want to adopt this we shouldn’t be spending any money on the Irene Road interchange, because one goes hand in hand with the other.”

He said he thought the matter should go to the full board to have all 12 members say how they feel about it.

“What’s before you is a technical step,” Terrinoni said, giving the issue some perspective. “The proposal is to have zoning agree with the comprehensive plan

Click on the following to read the entire story:  Flora Neighborhood Plan to get more committee discussion | Belvidere Daily Republican

Bringing a locavore movement to Belvidere | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Libby Parker

Locavore is a word that was coined in 2007 by Jessica Prentice, a chef, author and founding member of a community supported kitchen in Berkeley, CA.  It defines a person who eats fresh produce from local farms

Chamberlain has a dream – a future goal of starting a storefront market in downtown Belvidere.  But it doesn’t stop there.

“We would like to reinvigorate the downtown economy through a locavore movement,” he said.  “It can also help the food pantry.”  The plan would include attracting sellers of wool and other products from farms, as well.

“The idea is conversational at this point.”

Chamberlain and Boone County Associate Planner Gina DelRose will be putting their heads together to produce some printed materials that will outline their ideas for the project.

“By growing season next year, we are hoping to have a good idea of who would want to participate,” he said. “If we can start a vibrant enough locavore movement, it would be a great draw to have a locavore restaurant.”  He likes the idea of the storefront having a certified kitchen for all of those who join the locavore movement.  Cooks could preserve their fruits and vegetables here to offer to the public.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Bringing a locavore movement to Belvidere | Belvidere Daily Republican

ATTN Fair Goers: Stop by the Democratic Tent and fill out a survey on Boone County politics

 

The survey consists of ten questions regarding your school district and local political issues.

The  Boone County Journal has tentatively agreed to publish the results the week after the fair.  Only surveys completed at the tent will be counted.

 The ten questions are shown below.

Questionnaire for the 2013 Boone County Fair

1. How well does your school district prepare students for college and the work place? 

• A. Does both jobs very well
• B. Prepares students for college but not work place
• C. Prepares students well for the work place but not for college.
• D. Does not prepare students well for either college or work place
• E. Does an excellent job only in some area such as____________________

Please supply your public school district number.  ____________________   (District 100--Belvidere; District 200-- North Boone; District 205--Rockford;  Others-- please supply name or number) 

2.  If you were going to convince someone to move to Boone County, which of the following reasons would you use?

Please number the reasons in order of importance  1-9 using a “0” for reasons you would not use.

• A. ______________Good Quality School System
• B. ______________Rural Environment
• C. ______________Low Taxes
• D. ______________Proximity to Chicago and collar counties
• E. ______________Inexpensive Housing
• F. ______________Job prospects in Boone-Winnebago Counties
• G. ______________Recreational Opportunities
• H. ______________Friendly accepting neighborhoods
• I. _____________The County Fair and other local events

--CIRCLE YOUR ANSWER or Fill in Blank--

3. Do you think that the current county open burning ordinances are strict enough? Yes or No?  Don’t have an opinion.

4.  Does Boone County need a soup kitchen for the homeless?   Yes or No?  Don’t have an opinion.

If yes, in what community should it be located?   __________________

5. There currently is a county wide Public Safety Sales Tax of ½ cent. It is schedule to stop in 2018.  In the past several years this sales taxes paid not only for principle and interest on the Public Safety Building but for salaries and Jail expenses.

A. Do you favor a continuation of this tax after the building is paid off in 2018?  Yes or No? No Opinion

B. Would you support a referendum authorizing continuing this tax after 2018?  Yes or No? No Opinion

6. Under proper regulation would you be in favor of wind energy projects in Boone County? Yes or No? No Opinion.

7. The Federal and State government should subsidize low cost pre-school learning programs.  Agree or Disagree?  No opinion.

8.  Ida Public Library is the only public library in the county.  Most county residents outside of Belvidere must pay a fee to have a library card.  Would you support a tax referendum to extend “feeless” library service to the rest of the county?      Yes or No?  No opinion.  I am a City of Belvidere resident. Yes or No?

9.   Most Boone County Sheriff’s deputies are provided a squad car to take home during their off time shift.  Do you agree with this policy?  Yes or No?  If you believe the policy should be modified in some way, how?

10.  What do you believe is the most important issue facing Boone County?