Garden Prairie power plant proposal resurfaces

 

Garden Prairie power plant proposal resurfaces

Tuesday

Posted Jan 10, 2017 at 12:37 PM Updated at 1:13 AM

 

By Susan Vela
Staff writer

GARDEN PRAIRIE - A Missouri company has revived its plans to build a $160 to $180 million power plant in eastern Boone County.

Officials with Power Ventures LLC are requesting a special-use permit for construction of a 450-megawatt, natural-gas-fired "peaker" power plant east of Garden Prairie Road and south of Interstate 90.

The company's 2009 permit expired at the end of 2013. In documents submitted to the county, officials said their latest designs would include three larger turbines, rather than the 12 reciprocating engines in their original plan. The new application for the Garden Prairie Energy Facility reflects the use of state-of-the-art technology, according to county documents.

If approved, the facility would have to be in operation by 2020. Otherwise, the permit would expire again.

The Boone County Board's Planning, Zoning and Building Committee is recommending denial for the special-use permit. The full board votes at its Jan. 18 session, and some residents plan to attend in opposition.

 

Tom Pyszka lives within a mile of the proposed peaker plant. He's concerned about light pollution and a potential terrorist attack. Law enforcement officers rarely patrol the region.

"We're hoping they find a better location for it," he said. "This is not the place."

The board appears divided on the matter. Denny Ellingson and Raymond Larson, both of District 1, and Brad Stark, of District 3, voted to deny the permit at the Jan. 4 Boone County Planning, Zoning and Building Committee meeting. Marshall Newhouse, District 1, and Jessica Muellner, District 3, voted in favor.

Chairman Karl Johnson said it "makes no sense" to reject the plan, even if some residents object.

Johnson voted to approve Power Ventures' 2009 permit. He plans to vote for the plan next week.

"It's minimal impact in the agricultural area," he said. "It is not a large industrial facility. It is simply a building with a smokestack with turbines. There's minimal environmental impact. It makes no sense to not allow a facility in that area."

Others said the power plant shouldn't go on "prime agricultural land."

"There are a lot of concerns," Ellingson said. "It belongs in an industrial area."

Above story is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170110/garden-prairie-power-plant-proposal-resurfaces

Audience requested for Wednesday’s 4:00 Belvidere Township Meeting

 

Dear Friends 

They are trying to throw me off the ballot as an independent candidate.  I have turned in 304 signatures they are objecting to many things, But the valid vote count I need to end up with is 244 votes.  I understand that Judy Schabacker Township Clerk circulated information earlier to candidates and published the information that said the requirement was only 234.  But per Mary Stuerer the County clerk 244 is the number.

Republican candidates needed only 19 signatures and Democratic candidates only 8.

I could really need your presence and support at the hearing tomorrow afternoon at 4 PM, at Belvidere Township, so I am not .   Not to say or do anything, but just as observer, and a witness to what is going on.  Please come if you can. 

Kimm, My husband is not able to attend, he just came down with a severe case of shingles in the past few days on his face head and eyes.  It is pretty serious and dangerous.  He is really sick and I believe that it will be  a long healing process. 

So if you can make it to this meeting , please come .  I appreciate the fact that you are my friends.

Thank you so much.

 

Diann Helnore

 

 

Diann Helnore

Helnore-Robertson Hearing continues on Friday

 

 

Gentlemen:

Please be advised that the records check in the above-referenced matter has been scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the office of the Boone County Clerk.  The address is listed below.  The County Clerk’s office has done a preliminary review, with the hopes that this can reduce time on Friday, but if we need to review all of the objected signatures on Friday, we can do so.  The County Clerk’s preliminary findings are attached.

Please do not hesitate to call should you have any questions.

Keri-Lyn

Helnore’s Nomination challenged by Belvidere Township Supervisor

 

 

COMMENTS: 

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• Diann Helnore

To put this in perspective . An Independent candidate for elected office in Belvidere Township for the 4-7-2017 election requires a minimum of (244) valid signatures for this office , ( 2 Candidates are running for office. ) A Republican candidate for elected office in Belvidere Township for the 4-7-2017 election requires only ( 19) valid signatures)s ( 8 Republican Candidates are running for office. ( 7) are incumbents) A democratic candidate requires (8) valid signatures to run for an office. There are no Democratic candidates running for office.

 

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170103/belvidere-township-supervisor-protests-his-challengers-nominating-signatures

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20161101/belvidere-township-approves-2-percent-raises-for-some-of-its-elected-officials

Groups Continue to Protest Proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad Alternative Route

 

December 23, 2016

By Jean Seegers, REPORTER

JEAN SEEGERS, PHOTO – The Herald. Kathi Jurkowski holds a map of the proposed Great Lakes Basin Rail Project route. Jurowski and her husband own a farm on Yale Bridge Road. According to Jurkowski, if the route is approved it would impact not only their farm, but that of dozens of other farms and businesses, and potentially do harm to the environment and wildlife in the area.

The controversy surrounding the proposed 260 mile, multi-billion-dollar Great Lakes Basin Railroad (GLBT) alternative route continues to rage. Last September, the privately owned GLBT submitted a proposal to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that laid out a route that would run along the west side of Rockford into Rock, Winnebago, Ogle and Lee counties instead of Boone County as was originally proposed last spring. According to the GLBT, the reason for building the railroad is to relieve congestion in and around Chicago, improve capacity, safety and the environment, and increase revenue. The route will begin in Northern Indiana wind its way north through Illinois, cross I-90 and end in Milton, Wis.

In a Natural Land Institute newsletter article addressing the issue, Executive Director Kerry Leigh said NLI is concerned about the siting and scope of the project. According to Leigh, the project would have a direct impact on the regions streams, surface and groundwater quality. Meridian Road is in the proposed route. The largest aquifer in Winnebago County is located in the area. “The (rail) route could create a loss of habitat and increased fragmentation and impact on endangered and threatened species as well as the extensive taking of production farmland,” Leigh said.

Groups of concerned citizens like farm owners Jerry and Kathi Jurkowski, who own a farm on Yale Bridge Road, have come together to protest the proposed railroad route. Jurkowski is worried that the freight trains could be carrying hazardous materials. “We are in limbo right now. Nobody knows what is going to happen.” Eminent Domain laws allow the government to take private property and convert it for public use. The government must provide just compensation.

“They would be taking 200 feet of our land. They pay for the strip, not the house or farmland,” Jurkowski said. “Our farm is very close to where they want to route the trains,” said another Rockton resident, Jerri Noller who lives on Shirland Road. “At a recent forum in Beloit, we were told that Eminent Domain laws are decided state by state. We also learned that the rail outline that has been drafted was done over 100 years ago and has not been updated since. During the last 100 years, many small villages and farms have been established.” Noller said her group has petitioned the STB relaying their concerns. Rockton Village President Dale Adams said the Village isn’t addressing the issue at this point. “More public hearings are scheduled in Boone and surrounding counties as well as in this area. “It (the railroad) probably won’t happen in our life time.” Adams said Rockton Township and the Village of Rockton have drafted a decision to oppose the railroad.

Winnebago County Board member Jim Webster is against the proposal. Many of Webster’s constituents live in the proposed area. He has put forth a resolution opposing the railroad development. The resolution was unanimously approved by the Board. Now it seems to be a matter of wait and see. Before the GRBT can proceed, the planned route must be approved by the Surface Transportation Board. The STB can reject the route and require the GRBT to come up with another route. Those opposed say they will continue to protest. The resolution of the railroad route lies in the hands of the ST

Above is from:  http://indreg.com/?p=2861

Boone County Board Votes for April Referendum

 

County Board Votes for April Referendum

Home › County Board Votes for April Referendum

Boone County Board votes unanimously to ask the voters on April 4, 2017 to increase the existing Public Safety Sales Tax by 1/2 cent to 1 cent. Please click here for more information.

 

Sales tax increase headed for Boone County ballots in April

Friday

Posted Dec 23, 2016 at 12:35 PM Updated Dec 24, 2016 at 12:14 AM

By Susan Vela
Staff writer

BELVIDERE - Boone County voters will decide in April whether to pay more sales taxes to preserve Sheriff Dave Ernest's public safety services.

Almost a month after the board decided to use $1.4 million in public safety tax money - the highest amount ever - to balance its budget, members are looking to increase the sales tax to bolster the sheriff's staff and fix aging facilities.

Board members voted unanimously Wednesday to place a tax question on the April 4 ballot.

It will ask voters to increase its public safety sales tax to 1 percent from 0.5 percent. Groceries, medicine and titled property like cars and farm equipment would be exempt. If approved, Belvidere's sales tax rate would be 8.25 percent, the same as Rockford's.

The tax will generate double the amount of revenue, from $1.4 million a year to $2.8 million - for day-to-day public safety operations in the county courts, jail, street patrolling operations, dispatch center and Public Safety Building. The tax increase would mean shoppers will pay an additional 50 cents for every $100 spent.

Sheriff Dave Ernest said the increase is needed. The department needs the revenue to retain - if not increase - staffing levels and make building repairs.

The county had to pay about $300,000 each of the past two years for overtime costs at the jail, Ernest said. Simultaneously, he has lost seven patrol deputies since 2008 through attrition. He hasn't been able to replace them because of budget concerns. Ernest and his deputies also have moved buckets around the courthouse because of leaky roofs.

"Our buildings are falling apart," he said. "We have ceilings falling down. That's an embarrassment. Clearly, it comes down to finances. I would love to say we don't need this, but I don't think we have any options."

Since 2000, voters have been paying the 0.5 percent sales tax to pay off construction bonds for a $9.3 million jail expansion. Three payments of $585,000 remain due. The last will be paid in December 2018.

If the renewal is approved, the increase could kick into effect within three months. The Illinois Department of Revenue approves the new rate. County officials are hoping the increased revenues will help them address some building repairs and staffing concerns.

"(But) this is going to be a tough sell," Board Chairman Karl Johnson said. "It's going to be a lot of hard work."

County Administrator Ken Terrinoni said board members had few options when finding more money for public safety costs. Along with some board members, he said that a sales tax was a fair way to proceed.

"Everybody pays it whether they live here, work here or (are) just passing through," he said.

Susan Vela: 815-987-1392; svela@rrstar.com; @susanvela

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20161223/sales-tax-increase-headed-for-boone-county-ballots-in-april

Rauner contributes $50M to his re-election campaign fund

 

 

• Tina Sfondeles

Gov. Bruce Rauner | Sun-Times file photo

Although he’s been coy publicly about his re-election campaign, Gov. Bruce Rauner made a big-money statement about his desire to serve a second term, contributing $50 million to his campaign fund this week.

It’s a surefire sign the 2018 gubernatorial campaign may become the most expensive on record. And a Rauner operative called the massive contribution “a first installment.”

Rauner contributed $50 million on Tuesday to Citizens for Rauner, Inc, his campaign committee, according to filings with the state’s Board of Elections.

The contribution is the largest individual contribution in Illinois history. The second largest is also from Rauner, when he donated $10 million to his campaign in 2014, according to Sarah Brune, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

Brune also noted the timing and amount is also unprecedented in Illinois elections.

The Illinois Republican Party is already launching attacks on potential gubernatorial challengers, including Democrats Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker. A top Rauner operative said having a good chunk of early money allows them to determine when to begin the race and gives them “tactical flexibility.”

Hanah Jubeh, a Kennedy consultant, countered that the contribution is not a surprise.

“It’s no surprise that the governor is attempting to buy his re-election, because he sure hasn’t earned it,” Jubeh said. “If he believes his Christmas gift to himself intimidates anyone, he’s sorely mistaken.”

Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, on Thursday said the contributions show Rauner can’t run on his accomplishments alone.

“Looks like he’s running scared to me,” Brown said. “If you had the accomplishments, why would you have to spend that kind of money?”

A money war was also at play during the November election when Rauner spent record amounts to add Republican seats to the Illinois House and Senate.

Rauner spent a record $65 million during his 2014 campaign against former Gov. Pat Quinn. He contributed almost $28 million of his own money during that run.

The campaign jumpstart comes as a budget stalemate between Rauner and legislative leaders rages on, with a stopgap budget set to expire on Jan. 1.

Above is from:  http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/rauner-contributes-50m-to-his-re-election-campaign-fund/amp/