Boone County Watchdog

Monday, August 1, 2011

Is St. James admitting that there is a “problem” with their zoning request for a new church?

St. James’ agent, Jeff Linkenheld, has requested a postponement of the August 1 vote by the Belvidere City Council on their zoning request. They are working out compromises on some of their requested variance from the city zoning. If the postponement is granted, the detail will not be submitted to the public for another 15 days.

Reports from the neighbors ,who lodged a formal protest regarding the zoning change, indicate that beginning last Tuesday Fr. Geary has made personal visits requesting that they consider selling their property to the parish and drop their protest. As a parishioner whose contribution might pay for such property I wonder where the money will come from. I understand that the building project is already over the $5.5 projected cost and that is the upper limit as to the amount the parish can spend. (See letter from Diocese by clicking on following: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/07/will-fr-geary-be-able-to-comply-with.html). Or is that letter from the Diocese no longer in effect? Does Fr. Geary have authority from the bishop to negotiate such property purchases? Meanwhile parishioners have been told nothing about these details either from the pulpit or in the bulletin.

Second Trial against McHenry County States Attorney

For the second time in a little more than four months, McHenry County’s top prosecutor is going on trial.

Trial No. 2 begins Monday for McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, a two-term Republican.

For the second time in a little more than four months, McHenry County’s top prosecutor is going on trial.

Trial No. 2 begins Monday for McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, a two-term Republican.

Read the rest of the story at: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/07/27/second-bianchi-trial-set-to-begin-monday/axv6t65/

Sunday, July 31, 2011

BCJ Letter to Editor 7-29-2011—Lincoln’s prayer for St. James

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Belvidere Township wants to buy the old Eagle Lodge Building. WHY?

I am having a big problem regarding this matter. Should local government be purchasing property for an organization (no matter how good it maybe) which has the word “Christian” in is name? What message does that send to taxpayers with a different religious belief? In these economic times, does this unit of government have so much money that it can spend $150,000 to help a local charity organization? What about all the other expenses needed to refurbish this former bar and restaurant? I have not been in the Eagle’s Club in years but it was very dark and smoke-filled last time I was there. Those odors don’t go away easily even over time.

I almost wish I was a voter in Belvidere (rather than Bonus) Township so I could vote next Friday, August 5, 2011.

Was the public timely notified of the August 5 vote?

Below is the legal publication from the July 27, 2011 Belvidere Republican. Publication was nine days from the date of the meeting.

Here is the Notice of Special Town Meeting from the Township bulletin board. Note that there are no dates on the postings. Many clerks date their postings to clarify when the posting began.

The building was originally built for the local telephone company as a telephone switching station and office. It was replaced by the modern switch next door on the corner; the original YMCA was built on that corner.

If you have some questions or concerns, I suggest you contact your trustees or the township supervisor. See the photos below for their names and phone numbers:

Is St. James admitting that there is a “problem” with their plan for a new church?

Reports from the neighbors ,who lodged a formal protest regarding the zoning change, indicate that beginning last Tuesday Fr. Geary has made personal visits requesting that they consider selling their property to the parish and drop their protest. As as parishioner whose contribution might pay for such property I wonder where the money will come from. I understand that the building project is already over the $5.5 projected cost and that is the upper limit as to the amount the parish can spend. (See letter from Diocese by clicking on following: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/07/will-fr-geary-be-able-to-comply-with.html). Or is that letter from the Diocese no longer in effect? Does Fr. Geary have authority from the bishop to negotiate such property purchases? Meanwhile parishioners have been told nothing about these details either from the pulpit or in the bulletin.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

What institutional zoning of St. James (Belvidere) could mean?

St. James, its school and church, are grandfathered institutions within a residential zoned area. Based upon that current zoning the school and church buildings can be altered or expanded however should the property be sold the zoning would not necessarily follow to the new owner. However if “institutional zoning” is granted the zoning would actually go with the building. The city would have no control over what type of institution is set up.

So what is the big deal. Let us go back four years to the big zoning question of that year—Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission and St. Joseph Hospital. Because St. Joseph had only grandfathered zoning the city has a say. Here is the story just as a reminder.

The proposal prompted four months of boisterous debate within the Boone County community, which ended this month when the Belvidere City Council rejected the group’s plan to convert the property into a monastery and convent. The discussion reopened questions about the secretive organization, which some say has torn families apart. ….

The council rejected the plan, however, because it would create too much activity in the residential neighborhood. The hospital had been there before the current zoning, but the proposed new use meant the group needed to get permission to operate in a residential neighborhood, he said.

For the complete article go to: http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18722/in-belvidere-controversial-sect-stirs-worry

For more articles on the St. James Church issue go to: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/

Or click on the list of articles from that website: