Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
District 100 to review bond refunding at July 21, 2014 board meeting
This could have a major effect on future real estate taxes in District 100.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Lack of Info: New State Law Leaves Restaurant Owners, County Scratching Their Heads
. Beginning July first, virtually every restaurant employee will need a food handler's license.
Bill hatfield, boone co. Health department: "anyone who handles food, handles utensils, or comes in contact with food contact surfaces."
The problem? Boone County Environmental Health Director Bill Hatfield says not many people know much about the new law, including his department.
"This is something that will affect all of our food facilities, and we have yet to figure out exactly how we're going to enforce this requirement," said Hatfield.
Hatfield says the class can be taken online and the cost is about 10 bucks. It's money that adds up when nearly every employee needs a license.
" I have over 130 employees and when I do the math real quickly, it could be quite costly for myself as well as other businesses in Rockford," said Salamone.
He says improving food safety is always a priority, but the new law is excessive.
"It's very, very difficult to justify everything that's being asked of us by the state," said Salamone.
The new law will not impact volunteer workers. It's still required that there be a certified food manager on staff for every shift.
Read the entire article by clicking on the following: http://www.mystateline.com/fulltext-news/d/story/lack-of-info-new-state-law-leaves-restaurant-owner/32200/1voYYfZteUWHarOWBQM4nw
Saturday, June 14, 2014
21-year-old man dead after Belvidere supplier accident - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL
Jacob Frisella, 21, was pronounced dead at 11:44 a.m. at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office confirmed. His death followed “a traumatic incident” at Ventra, a vehicle signaling device manufacturer, where he was employed.Belvidere police and fire responded to an emergency call at Ventra around 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to a statement released by the Belvidere Police Department.Belvidere Fire Chief Dave Worrell said Frisella sustained critical injuries after becoming caught in a press. Frisella was the son of a Belvidere firefighter.“It’s a big loss for our family here,” Worrell said.
Varied concerns raised over county animal control building
Belvidere Daily Republican
By Bob Balgemann
Reporter
BELVIDERE - To Boone County Health and Human Services Committee member Marion Thornberry, one of the main issues with the county animal control services... building is the safety of the people working there.
Committee Vice Chairman Bill Pysson wants to know how the county will pay for a new building. He also wants to know where county board Chairman Bob Walberg and his "Kitchen Cabinet" stand on the project.
Resident Robert Christianson is frustrated by the whole thing.
Plenty of emotions were on the table during the committee's June 5 meeting, the same night members agreed on a design for the new building.
There is unhappiness with the recent inspection of the current animal control building off South Appleton Road. That comes from both Thornberry and Christianson.
Thornberry once again referred to the hallway off which the offices of supervisor Roger Tresemer and program director Jacqui Mitzelfelt are located. "There's no way they could get out of those offices if there was a fire or if the roof collapsed," he said.
Christianson is allowed to speak from the audience, "when appropriate," due to receiving approval from committee Chairman Paul Larson. And he commanded the floor several times during the committee's last meeting.
The inspection of the animal building, reportedly by building and fire department officials, was done at his request, he said, adding that he did not agree with the result. But he warned, "This is not the end. It will come out in the end."
SAFE FOR HABITATION
County board member Cathy Ward, at the meeting in an ex-officio capacity, asked Bill Hatfield, director of environmental health for the county health department, if he also was part of the inspection team.
He said he was there, but added that the health department's only guidelines are to determine if the building has deteriorated to the extent that it has to be condemned. The animal control building does not meet the criteria, he said.
Thornberry said he met with Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain and Mitzelfelt that morning and some fund-raisers are being planned to pay for improvements.
While on the subject of money, Thornberry said animal control services was a state-mandated program and that the county needed a dedicated source of revenue to pay for it.
"A countywide referendum would do that," Larson said.
But Thornberry replied, "If it went to a vote it would probably go down." He pointed to the recent referendum to provide a small tax increase to fund the new Veterans Assistance Commission, which barely passed.
Pysson thought all the talk about a referendum only was a delaying tactic. "That idea was given to the news media by Mr. Walberg, when it had not been discussed by this committee," he said.
Committee member Kenny Freeman said he didn't think the funding question should go to referendum.
A resident who didn't identify herself thought all municipalities in Boone County receive animal control services and should be required to pay for it.
That prompted Hatfield to ask if the county could charge the city of Belvidere for providing that service.
"You are correct, but it won't happen," Thornberry responded. "To them, it's a county problem," plus the argument that such a charge would constitute dual taxation.
Above story is available on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Belvidere-Daily-Republican/424238887709372
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Free concerts at Rockford Park District
Music in the Park 2014
Free performances - - Start at 7:00 p.m.
Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford IL
Rain Site: Harlem High School
Presented by MembersAlliance Credit Union
with assistance from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,
the Illinois Arts Council and the Rockford Area Arts Council
IN CONCERT
Tuesday, June 10
*Rain date: Wednesday, June 11
Phantom Regiment
Drum & Bugle Corps
Help us kick off the 2014 season with the 2008 world
Champion Phantom Regiment. This year’s production is
“Swan Lake,” and is based on the Tchaikovsky ballet of
the same name. In addition to the Tchaikovsky music, it
includes music by Paul Dukas, Philip Feeney, James
Horner, and James Newton Howard. They will also
perform selections from past years.
Thursday, June 12
Silver Creek Band
The Silver Creek Band is a country/bluegrass band that
has been performing for 17 years around the northern
Illinois area. They mix modern country with a dash of
bluegrass. They are a family band with tight harmonies,
mixing electric guitar with fiddle and other acoustic
instruments. Regardless of your age, the band has
something in their performance you will enjoy.
Tuesday, June 17
“The Summerwinds”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Featuring Mark Baldin, Trumpet and Vocalist Judy
Knudtson
Thursday, June 19
No Music In The Park Concert -
Juneteenth Festival
Come out to the Sinnissippi Music Shell to enjoy the
activities, food, and entertainment of the annual
Juneteenth celebration from 1 to 9 PM.
Tuesday, June 24
“Rhythmic Journey”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Tim Schmidt, Conductor
Featuring Richard Drew, Clarinet and Vocalist Naomi
Allen
Thursday, June 26
Northern Illinois Barbershoppers
This is NOT your father’s barbershop!
Please welcome to Rockford for the very first time, the
Northern Illinois Combined Chorus as they present
"Harmony Fest.” The NIC Chorus is made up of nearly
100 men from barbershop choruses throughout northern
Illinois, including Rockford's very own 2nd City Chorus
and the Rockford Barbershop Chorus. Music selections
will include pop, gospel, show tunes, patriotic, and of
course classical barbershop songs.
Tuesday, July 1
Patriotic Concert
Honoring Our Country, Our Veterans,
and Our Music
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Laura Hogberg, Flute and Vocalist Chris Brady
Thursday, July 3
Harlan Jefferson Tribute Show
Harlan Jefferson Presents "It Don’t Mean A Thing If It
Ain’t Got That Swing," A Tribute to the Legends of Jazz.
Featuring Mike Williamson, Frankie Wesson, Danielle
Juhre, and of course, Harlan Jefferson, you'll enjoy the
music of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Nat King Cole,
Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and more.
Tuesday, July 8
“Romance for a Midsummer Night”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Featuring Jim Martindale, Cornet and Vocalist Megan
Besley
Thursday, July 10
Gizzae Reggae Band
Hailing from the beautiful Caribbean island of Dominica,
the ancient and holy lands of Ethiopia, and the birthplace
of humanity, Ghana, Africa, comes the award winning
reggae music of Gizzae. Their musical experiences have
collectively earned them Grammy® awards, Chicago
Music Awards, and they have opened for some of the
biggest names in reggae.
Tuesday, July 15
“To Britain and Beyond”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Scott Aska, Conductor
Featuring Mark Aska, Trombone and Vocalist Tony
Jones
Thursday, July 17
The Jodi Beach Trio
Special Guests Tony Vecchio and David Thompson
Jodi Beach is not simply a singer/pianist, she is a
storyteller, a theme weaver, a scrapbook of our lives
presented in song. Her performances walk the listener
through a gallery of fine works by the masters, and let
them linger in their grace. “Timeless” best describes a
Jodi Beach concert. Music that is as alive today as it was
when first born. She will delight you with her warmth and
smile as her voice touches your soul.
Tuesday, July 22
“Sounds of the Silver Screen”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Featuring Erika Sheely, Euphonium and Vocalist Ryan
Jensen
Thursday, July 24
American English Beatles Tribute
American English is simply the best Beatles tribute story
of our time. At the inception of the band, they were voted
“number one” by thousands of Beatle fans as winners of
sound-alike contests at Beatlefest for three consecutive
years. The fantasy lives on with these remarkable
musicians, who take the music to the highest level
possible. American English is the closest you will ever
get to reliving The Beatles. Whether you grew up with
the Fab Four or not, this show will be your window to the
past. Witness “The Complete Beatles Tribute” with
American English!
Tuesday, July 29
The Flat Cats
The Flat Cats, based in Chicago, play a range of vintage
and modern music rooted in the hottest swinging jazz
and blues, contemporary classics, and timeless
standards. Whether you choose to listen, tap your foot,
or cut a rug on the dance floor, you are sure to be
entertained!
Thursday, July 31
Can't Touch This
A funk, party, and dance band playing all of your favorite
hits! Can't Touch This plays dance music from the ‘70s to
today, such as Cee Lo Green, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind
and Fire, Kool and the Gang, and all other popular funk
and R&B. They dress up, you get down.
Tuesday, August 5
Rock Valley Summer Festival
Orchestra
The Rock Valley Festival Orchestra is made up of
musicians from the Music Academy of Rockford, Rock
Valley College, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and
local professional musicians. Now in its third season, the
orchestra is led by Rock Valley College Music Professor
and Rockford Symphony Principal Cellist Michael Beert.
This year’s program will feature favorite orchestral works
by Schubert, Borodin, and Mozart. Also, the orchestra
will perform "Jazz with Strings", three jazz arrangements
for jazz combo and strings featuring local artist Ken
Stein on clarinet.
Thursday, August 7
The Blooze Brothers
Special Appearance by the Blooze Mobile
This high-powered, choreographed, 12-piece show band
covers music from the ‘40s to top 10, swing, Motown,
soul, R&B, classic rock, original music from the band,
and of course, the music and crazy antics of the famous
original Blues Brothers!
Tuesday, August 12
Barefoot Hawaiians
For more than 28 years, Barefoot Hawaiians has
entertained audiences with their dynamic dances,
dramatic drumming, vibrant costumes, and display of
customs from the islands. Musicians, dancers, fire
dancers, lei greeters, and their spirit of Aloha will create
“paradise” right here in Rockford.
Thursday, August 14
Moonlight Jazz Orchestra
2014 marks the 40th anniversary of Rockford's very own
Moonlight Jazz Orchestra! Now in its fifth generation
and under the direction of Kent Ecklor, the band
continues to be a local favorite, performing everything
from classic big band swing to rock-n-roll party hits with
an incredible sound and style. Since 1974, the Moonlight
Jazz Orchestra has come to be known as "Rockford's
Favorite Big Band," showcasing superb musical talent
and entertaining stage antics that appeal to every age
group. Come out and join us in the celebration!
Monday, June 9, 2014
North Boone School District could get funding increase from wind farm
Don Ward, president of the North Boone Board of Education, said “expenses are rising faster than revenue is coming in” for the school district, leading to nearly $4 million in budget cuts over the past five years.
Vince Green, a development project manager for Mainstream, projected the county would gain more than $45 million over 20 years from the wind farm — an average gain of $2.26 million per year.
That projection does not include benefits the county could see from the creation of temporary construction jobs and permanent technical and maintenance jobs, Green said.
The school district’s budget could increase by more than $375,000 per year on average.
Steven Baule, North Boone School District superintendent, wrote in a letter addressed to Boone County Board members Ken Freeman, Pat Mattison and Cathy Ward on Nov. 30, 2012, that the North Boone School District “would realize approximately $7.5 million in additional operating funds and at least $6 million in taxpayer relief in bond payments through 2039” from the proposed wind farm.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140604/News/140609777#ixzz34CRqAMPI
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Concealed Carry for Boone County employees
The above is taken from the Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on line at: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2014/Boone-County-News-06-06-14.pdf#page=1
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
UPDATE Regarding the trial
Final pre-trial conference June 13, 2014
This case revolves around the story shown below and posted back in some months ago.
Caledonia Dog Breeder under Fire from Animal Activists - MyStateline.com - Powered by WTVO-TV and WQRF-TV
A Boone County dog breeder is under fire from animal activists. ….
the breeder is still licensed by the state and county. So as the women left they sought the support of Angels 4 Animals.
Angels 4 Animals is a group that will protest at Kim Lettier's next court appearance. She’s charged with aggravated battery after a Boone County Animal Control employee visited her business.
"She’s doing this out of her garage. The neighbors had no idea of the horrors that are going on inside the garage. Puppy mills are in your backyard and you might not even know it," said Angels 4 Animals Director Kathy Mehalko.
Their mission is to stop puppy mills like Kim Lettier's. And bring awareness to the public and politicians about this growing issue.
Kim Lettier will appear in court on Friday, February 21st at the Boone County Courthouse.
Here is the criminal charges and history from: http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_history.jsp?court=IL004015J&ocl=IL004015J,2014CF25,IL004015JL2014CF25D1
UPDATED: 3-6--2014—arraignment set for 3-11-2014
Boone County Code to be update
Many changes have occurred to the ordinances of Boone County since March 2011. Yet none of these were available to citizens without direct inquiry to the county. Basically all ordinances enacted since March 2011 would have to reviewed by staff to determine if there was an effecting change to the code.
In part due to my inquiry, the Administrative and Legislative Committee of the County Board has recommended that the code be updated and in the future be updated quarterly. Approval of this item is expected at the June County Board meeting.
BILL PYSSON, District One, Boone County Board
.
Estimated cost of updated for three and half years.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
COMMON LAW GRAND JURY?????
SEE PAGE 18 & 19
Background MATERIAL—THE BEST FOUND WAS FROM: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=57548
….push by the National Liberty Alliance to reinstate common law grand juries in each of the 3,141 counties that exist in the United States has gained traction in 36 states and more than 160 counties, just in the last 30 days.
Some of these "citizen" grand juries have so far indicted Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, the Queen of England, the Pope and the nation of Canada.
Those indictments have failed to result in legal action.
"Such indictments have not yet been held to be actionable in the courts," said Toni Massaro, a law professor at the University of Arizona.
Even so, McKean has reserved the Bullhead City branch of the Mohave County Library for 6:30 p.m. tonight to hold a meeting and perhaps a vote on the matter.
"It's going to be a 45-minute presentation," said McKean, "followed by a short question and answer period."
McKean said attendees would be asked whether they want to form a common law grand jury in Mohave County.
If enough of them vote yes - McKean said he needs at least five residents to sign on, but hopes for many more than that - those same people would be invited to serve as "jurists" on the common law grand jury.
That will be the easy part. The more difficult aspect will come later, after the common law grand jury is formed with 25 members who represent each of Arizona's 15 counties - and they see how seriously the established government takes them.
Massaro, the law professor, said common law grand juries have been around for quite some time.
In fact, all grand juries were independent until 1946, and very often they served as a buffer between the people and government, which was their purpose.
In 1946, however, federal court rules were revised, the grand jury system was codified and grand juries essentially became legal tools used by government prosecutors rather than independent investigative bodies with scant limitations on what - and who - they could look into.
Gone were the days that grand juries could investigate virtually anything or anyone - especially crooked politicians - and instead were allowed to look into only what prosecutors presented them.
McKean candidly acknowledged he is not an expert on common law, which originated centuries ago in England. Common law is unwritten and is based on court decisions and social customs.
McKean said his interest is in the process, something he believes will be unimaginably simple, on paper at least, because the mechanism to enact such grand juries, he said, is contained in the Bill of Rights.
He also said the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1992 decision gave counties the right to form their own common law grand juries.
Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the majority opinion in the 6-3 decision, noting that grand juries are mentioned in the Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights, but not in the body of the Constitution. That distinction, said Scalia in the United States v. Williams, assigned significant power to grand juries.
The conservative justice said the grand jury belongs to "no branch of the institutional government, serving as a kind of buffer or referee between the government and the people."
"We're not out to nullify the courts or the police," said McKean. "This is the only way to redress wrongs."
He also knows the status quo will resist the movement.
"There have been roadblocks and concerted efforts to defuse our efforts," he said. "We expect that will continue."
Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith said he has no interest in defusing anyone's efforts, but he does see a number of problems with McKean's goal.
"The authority for convening grand juries is written in statutes by legislators and by rules written by the Supreme Court," said Smith.
The County Attorney said grand jurors don't name themselves, but are selected through voter registration rolls and the Arizona Motor Vehicles Department.
"They have no legal authority to indict, and that's probably a good thing," said Smith. "This protects individual rights and ensures a fair process."
According to the National Liberty Alliance, the primary goal of returning to common law grand juries would be to "expose all political fraud and corruption."
The group believes it can turn the political and judicial "clocks" back to 1789. Some of the other things the group believes the movement will do is allow grand juries to indict criminals "including judges and politicians," reinstate the real duties of sheriffs, get back armories and militias, stop Agenda 21, ban genetically modified organisms, ban high fructose corn syrup, stop chemtrails, end all gun control, and "delete" the Internal Revenue Service and the United Nations from New York City.
McKean said the push to reinstate common law grand juries is by necessity a nonpartisan effort - so much so, he said, that anyone serving on the grand jury who expresses a partisan viewpoint would be removed.
"The need for nonpartisans cannot be overstated," he said. "There is what I would call a natural leaning to one's family, friends and culture. That can happen and still support and serve the Constitution. It is only when those present as an agenda of sorts that it becomes problematic. In that case a jurist, a student or graduate of law - stressing student of law - who demonstrates partisan behavior would be removed for 'due cause,' and another jurist would replace him or her.
"The Common Law Grand Jury (CLGJ) is a self-correcting instrument with an imperative of upholding the Constitution thorough participation and application. Through this uniformed understanding, justice will be served."
The jury, grand or otherwise, is still out on whether McKean and others will put off this bloodless coup, but history suggests they have their work cut out for them.
WEBSITE OF THE NATIONAL LIBERTY ALLIANCE : http://www.nationallibertyalliance.org
Half of Americans can’t afford their house - MarketWatch
Over half of Americans (52%) have had to make at least one major sacrifice in order to cover their rent or mortgage over the last three years, according to the “How Housing Matters Survey,” which was commissioned by the nonprofit John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and carried out by Hart Research Associates. These sacrifices include getting a second job, deferring saving for retirement, cutting back on health care, running up credit card debt, or even moving to a less safe neighborhood or one with worse schools.
“Affordability issues are real and a major hurdle,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, an industry group. Home prices have increased 20% over the past two years while wages have barely gone up, he says. “Only by adding more new supply, via housing starts, can home prices be tamed,” Yun adds. In fact, construction of housing units has averaged around 1.5 million a year for the past five decades, he says, but it’s likely to be less than 1 million in 2014.
Click on the following for more details: Half of Americans can’t afford their house - MarketWatch
Monday, June 2, 2014
Boone County Board makes controversial ZBA appointment - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL
He replaced Darrel Davis, who also was in the running. County Board Chairman Bob Walberg made the recommendation to have Van Laar replace Davis because Davis now serves as Bonus Township supervisor.Davis could not be reached for comment. There has been some legal concern, Walberg said, that Davis cannot serve in both capacities.Walberg hopes residents give Van Laar a chance. The ZBA is bound to be involved should Mainstream Renewable Power follow through with tentative plans to build a wind farm with as many as 100 turbines on 12,000 acres in Manchester and LeRoy townships.“I think highly of Mr. Van Laar,” Walberg said. “I hope people will give him the chance to earn the credibility of doing a great job, because I really think he will.”Van Laar, 50, of Capron is the owner of Van Laar’s Fruit Farm. He also has engineering degrees — both a bachelor’s and master’s — from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. He said that, for some time, he’s been paying attention to ZBA happenings. Those include the board’s decision early this year to maintain a 1,000-foot setback between wind turbines and primary structures.“The ZBA must hear evidence and must make their decision on evidence,” Van Laar said. “Whether you like it or you don’t, it must be based on evidence.”
Darrell Davis passed over for reappointment to Zoning Board of Appeals
Mr. Walberg with the approval of his voting blog appointed Brian Van Laar to replace Mr. Davis. Mr. Van Laar was the outspoken advocate of the anti-wind group that spend nearly one year giving testimony to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The vote of the county board was 6-5/
This is also available on the Rockford Register Star website: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140531/OPINION/140539916/0/SEARCH
Sunday, June 1, 2014
E.P.A. to Seek 30 Percent Cut in Carbon Emissions - NYTimes.com
The Environmental Protection Agency will unveil a draft proposal on Monday to cut carbon pollution from the nation’s power plants 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, according to people briefed on the plan.
The proposed rule amounts to the strongest action ever taken by the United States government to fight climate change.
Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of the greenhouse gas emissions that scientists blame for trapping heat in the atmosphere and dangerously warming the planet.
The rule could trigger a fundamental transformation of the nation’s energy systems
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