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

Written by Natalie Conover

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

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

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

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

This is the owner of the Rockford Register Star

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

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

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

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

Friends of RVC support Lynn Kearney and Bennett Romero

 

Why has Friends of RVC only endorsed two candidates?

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

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

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

Written by Bob Balgemann

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

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

….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does Belvidere Trustee Candidate Dolores Puplava stand for?

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Public may see new Belvidere Township budget now

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

Comment

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

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

Written by Bob Balgemann

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

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

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

….

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

 

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

Lydia Gonzalez Reply

March 22, 2013 at 11:11 am

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

Democratic Fundraisers this week end

 

VFW Club, March 23, 2013