The following information is taken from the Illinois Attorney General’s data base: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Belvidere council learns Mural Mile group will dissolve
Local non-profit dissolving. See its most recent financials above.
BELVIDERE – The Belvidere City Council learned last Monday of the dissolution of the Mural Mile group, a non-profit organization involved in reviving the downtown corridor, supporting the city’s mural project, and producing the community’s Heritage Day festival.
…“The small core of volunteers doesn’t feel they can do justice to the charges laid before them,” Heimbach added, saying the decision was reached with much “thought, trepidation, and anxiety.”
Alderman Clint Morris, who has previously raised the issue of the balance of funds for the organization, ….. Some recent statements discussed at council indicated a total balance of just under $20,000.
Heimbach reported that “some things got overlooked” regarding the financials for the group and they have retained an accountant to review, verify and complete the paperwork that is needed in order to dissolve the organization.
Morris said he was bothered by the apparent oversight of taxpayer money and asked if there will be resolution to the issue before the start of the new fiscal year, which begins May 1.
any balances left over need to be transferred to a “like organization,” and so can’t be used at the discretion of the council.
Heimbach said she expects it to take two months to get all the paperwork completed and filed, and possibly another two months to dissolve and transfer any fund balances.
Click on the following for more details; Belvidere council learns Mural Mile group will dissolve
WTO rules US aid to Boeing is illegal - Yahoo! Finance
Boeing received illegal subsidies such as grants and free use of technology, from NASA, the Department of Defense, and the states of Illinois, Kansas and Washington.
$2.6 billion in NASA aid, $112 million from the Defense Department and $16 million in tax breaks from Washington state and the city of Everett, Wash., violated international trade rule
Boeing acknowledged it got $2.6 billion of illegal U.S. funding, but said that pales in comparison to $20 billion of "illegal Airbus subsidies."
e release of the ruling Thursday is the latest development in a six-year contest and will likely next go to a WTO appeals panel.
Group seeks racial profiling investigation
lllinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has written the U.S. Department of Justice's civil division, seeking an investigation of the [McHenry County] Sheriff's Office that also would look into allegations of racial profiling and incorrectly listing Latinos as white on tickets.
Click on the following for more details: Northwest Herald | Group seeks racial profiling investigation
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
U.A.W. Open to More Jobs in a Second Pay Tier - NYTimes.com
Hope for Janesville? Probably a two tier wage system would be required.
the union would ask G.M. to reopen plants in Spring Hill, Tenn., and Janesville, Wis., and to keep operating a plant in Shreveport, La., that is scheduled to shut in mid-2012. He said the Spring Hill and Janesville plants, which G.M. placed on standby status as part of its bankruptcy reorganization in case more production capacity was needed in the future, had a “great” chance at being revived but that he was not so sure about Shreveport’s prospects.
No current workers have been moved down to the lower tier, and Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley who specializes in labor relations
workers on the second tier can be moved to the first when positions open up, the system can encourage automakers to bring some work in-house that had been done by suppliers or in other countries.
Why Anheuser-Busch bought Goose Island beer | WBEZ
giant Anheuser-Busch plans to buy 23 year-old Chicago-based, brewing powerhouse Goose Island Beer Co. The $38.8 million deal was announced Monday, but is set to close in June.
Demand for our beers has grown beyond our capacity to serve our wholesale partners, retailers, and beer lovers,” said Goose Island CEO John Hall in a statement. “This agreement helps us achieve our goals with an ideal partner who helped fuel our growth, appreciates our products and supports their success.”
Goose Island’s beer will continue to be brewed in Chicago, and A-B plans to invest $1.3 million by this summer to boost production capacity by 10 percent
Click on the following for more details: Why Anheuser-Busch bought Goose Island beer | WBEZ
Ohio House panel OKs public worker union bill
Ohio measure would apply to public workers across the state, such as police, firefighters, teachers and state employees. They could negotiate wages and certain work conditions but not health care, sick time or pension benefits. The measure would do away with automatic pay raises and would base future wage increases on merit.
Click on the following for more details: Northwest Herald | Ohio House panel OKs public worker union bill
Northwest Herald | $3B owed to Illinois children
Non-custodial parents owe Illinois children $3 billion in back child support, and the state is losing ground in collection
among its clients, 57 percent of the non-custodial parents have no income and 28 percent have reported income of less than $30,000 annually.
collection rate did improve in 2009, reaching 58.03 percent, but slipped last year to 57.85 percent. The state eventually would like to exceed the national average of 61.9 percent,
number of Illinois parents asking courts to lower the amount of child support they must pay has nearly tripled in recent years. The Sun-Times reported that the number increased from 4,219 in 2006 to 12,629 last year.
Click on the following for more details: Northwest Herald | $3B owed to Illinois children
A New Spring: 40 Yr. Old Archbishop Shevchuk to Lead Ukranian Greek Catholic Church - International - Catholic Online
KIEV, Ukraine (Catholic Online) - On Sunday March 27, 2011 enthusiastic throngs of the faithful of the Ukranian Greek Catholic Church shouted in jubilation "Axios" three times as their new Major-Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk was enthroned. For all intents and purposes, he will serve as a Patriarch. The title has not been assigned to this Eastern Catholic Church but the role of a Primate of an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with Rome is similar. The Archbishop was installed as the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church throughout the whole world and the faithful were ecstatic. His selection occurred after days of prayerful deliberation by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishops who had gathered in Holy Synod.
succeeding the beloved 78 year old Cardinal Lubomyr Husar who had submitted his resignation in February for reasons of health.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Suit Says Jesuit Leaders in Chicago Ignored Warnings on Abusive Priest - NYTimes.com
The former priest, Donald J. McGuire, now 80, was convicted on several counts of sex abuse in state and federal courts in 2006 and 2008, and is serving a 25-year federal sentence.
The legal motion argues that Father McGuire’s superiors in Chicago turned “a blind eye to his criminal actions.”
three others, identified as John Doe 117, John Doe 118 and John Doe 129, are still pursuing the suit against the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus
Father McGuire was by all accounts a mesmerizing teacher, and after he was barred by some Jesuit schools in the 1960s and 1970s for suspicious behavior, including having students share his bedroom, he went on to became a popular leader of eight-day spiritual retreats around the country and the world.
he was a spiritual adviser to Mother Teresa, who put him in charge of retreats for the nuns in her worldwide order
Father McGuire was formally removed from the priesthood in February 2008 after a conviction in Wisconsin
Click on he following for more details: Suit Says Jesuit Leaders Ignored Warnings on Abusive Priest - NYTimes.com
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Trump questions Obama's birth certificate; Goldberg blasts him - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency
By David Jackson, USA TODAY
Donald Trump is serious about this birth certificate thing
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Wisconsin universities form unions despite Scott Walker's union-busting
Wisconsin's workers haven't only fought back with protests and recall efforts. Since Scott Walker began his attack on Wisconsin's public employees, faculty at three University of Wisconsin campuses have voted to join the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
In February, faculty at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse voted in favor of the union by a 249-37 margin. March 9, University of Wisconsin-Stout joined the union 196-31. March 24, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 148-16.
Pastors ask Cardinal to keep Father Pfleger at St. Sabina | WBEZ
About two dozen pastors gathered today asking Cardinal Francis George to allow a fiery priest to remain at his church.
Father Michael Pfleger has served at St. Sabina Catholic Church for three decades.
Father Pfleger said he was touched by their support, and that he hasn't heard anything new from the Cardinal. He declined to say anything more.
The Archdiocese of Chicago declined comment.
Pastors ask Cardinal to keep Father Pfleger at St. Sabina | WBEZ
Study warns Asian carp could pass through electrical barriers | WBEZ
new study by the Army Corp of Engineers shows electrical barriers in Illinois' rivers may need to be stronger to stop the migration of the invasive Asian carp. The report found possible scenarios where Asian carp could get past the electrical barriers.
Quinn Confident Caterpillar Will Stay In Illinois « CBS Chicago
The chief executive of Caterpillar has written Gov. Pat Quinn, saying that other states are trying to lure its operations out of Illinois. But Quinn said Saturday that he remains confident about keeping the Peoria-based heavy equipment manufacturer, despite tax increases.
“Caterpillar’s not leaving Illinois,” Quinn said at an unrelated event in Chicago.
Click on the following for more details: Quinn Confident Caterpillar Will Stay In Illinois « CBS Chicago
Fiat's Petite Italian Model Seeks Love in America - NYTimes.com
American-spec 500s benefit from an advanced 101-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir 4-cylinder….American-spec 500s benefit from an advanced 101-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir 4-cylinder….32 to 33 [mpg] in the 2012 American …The 5-speed manual — a 6-speed automatic was not available at release
Federal mileage ratings are 30 miles per gallon in town, 38 on the highway, with the manual, and 27/34 with the fully automatic transmission added for clutch-phobic Americans. Fiat recommends premium fuel for best performance, but says it is not necessary.
The Pop trim level ($16,000) comes with a manual transmission, 15-inch wheels and tires and the basic amenities. The Sport version ($17,500) gets 16-inch wheels and tires, a tauter driver-selectable suspension, a small spoiler and bits of sportier trim. The high-character Lounge model ($19,500) loses the bigger wheels and tires, but gets the glass roof, automatic transmission, Bose sound system, color-keyed instrument panel and upholstery, Bluetooth wireless connection and media jacks.
Fiat's Petite Italian Model Seeks Love in America - NYTimes.com
Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition of Rockford (LEAC): a 501c3 Charity
The most recent financials available from Illinois Attorney General: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/disclaimer.html Remember to use proper identification information.
Audited financials are available to the year ending 12-31-2008. The following footnote is taken from that source:
Below is LEAS’s website:
Click on the photocopy to enlarge.
The following description of LEAC is from the the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, a founding member of the LEAC system: http://www.whpd.org/
AIR-ONE helicopters are obtained through the U.S. Department of Defense surplus equipment program, which provides much needed equipment to law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Each aircraft is assigned to and operated by a law enforcement agency, however they are not assets of the agency or municipality. The law enforcement agencies do not "own" the aircraft, and costs of operations (i.e. fuel, maintenance, parts, hangar, insurance, etc.) are underwritten by LEAC as defined above. The air crews, including pilots, flight/observation officers and ground officers, are professional police officers, sheriff deputies and fire/rescue personnel who volunteer their time and expertise to the AIR-ONE Search & Rescue program
LEAC became controversial in 2010 as they attempted to provide salary and benefits to a full time . See: http://rockrivertimes.com/2010/05/28/board-balks-at-leac-pilot-funding/
LEAC) chief pilot position, which is held by former board member Randy Olson (R), who stepped down in November to accept the $102,500 job for which he’d served five years in a voluntary capacity
Last October, the board agreed, at LEAC’s request, that half of its $90,000 support for the program, which comes from federal grant dollars, could be used toward the chief pilot position. LEAC explained the demand for the service created a need for a full-time pilot, rather than depending on a volunteer.
Because Olson’s paychecks and benefits now come from the county, he could no longer retain his board seat. Lynne Strathman (R-1) was appointed as his successor.
In 2006, the board was asked for a “one-time” gift of $100,000 to support LEAC, which has returned each subsequent year asking for more gifts.
“It was sold to us as a one-time thing,” Gambino noted. “It was also sold to us that this was a voluntary position.”
Referring to cuts made across all departments, Gambino moved to send the matter back to committee, adding, “The operation is not, at this point in time, a necessity within our county budget, as much as we need more funds to support what we have to—and are mandated by our statutes—to provide for the citizens of Winnebago County.”
Finance Committee Chairman Tom Owens (R-1), however, noted the $25,000 in question had already been set aside in the budget, and that the amendment would simply shift the dollars from one fund to another. The transfer would shift $25,000 from “regular salaries” to “other professional services.” Owens also noted the county would see a return on its investment through proceeds from property confiscated by the LEAC operation.
Gambino was unrelenting, however.
“We can play the shell game all we want,” he said. “The bottom line is…we’ve created a position I don’t think we intended to. At this time, we can’t grow our government. We have to continue to shrink our government and provide the necessities, not luxuries.”
Gambino’s motion to send the amendment back to committee prevailed. Doug Aurand (D-3), Isidro Barrios (D-11), George Anne Duckett (D-12), Carolyn Gardner (D-9), Bob Hastings (D-13), Kay Mullins (R-8), Owens, Mel Paris (D-8), Dianne
Parvin (R-4), Strathman and David Tassoni (D-7) voted “no.”
Who is on the board?
Who’s who on the LEAC board
The Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition board of directors is made up of 18 people, and most of them are public safety professionals. Board members include several members of Rock River Valley law enforcement and often represent agencies that use and fund LEAC.
President: Joel Brumlik, chief of police, Winthrop Harbor
1st VP: Jan Noble, chief of police, Belvidere
2nd VP: John Nordigian, CEO, Norstan Inc., Kenosha, Wis.
Secretary: Michael Bitton, director of police administration, Winthrop Harbor
Treasurer: Donald L. Shriver, Law Offices of Shriver, O’Neill & Thompson, Rockford
Director: Greg Beitel, sheriff, Ogle County
Director: David Beth, sheriff, Kenosha County, Wis.
Director: Ed Burke, alderman, city of Chicago
Director: Cassie Carver, director of marketing, Lake Forest Sportscars
Director: Robert Clifford, senior partner, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago
Director: Mark Curran Jr., sheriff, Lake County
Director: Dr. Paul Galluzzo, DPM, Rockford
Director: Mark Kirschhoffer, fire chief, Newport Fire District, Wadsworth
Director: Richard Klarchek, CEO, Clear Sky Aviation, Kenosha, Wis.
Director: Randal Olson, chief pilot, Winnebago County sheriff’s office
Director: Rick Mancuso, president, Lake Forest Sportscars
Director: Todd Murray, chief of police, Byron
Director: David Snyders, sheriff, Stephenson County
Source: www.airsupport.org
Recent Press Reports:
From: http://www.lfsc.com/event/california.htm
Unveiling of the new Ferrari California benefiting the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition
"Freedom isn't Free"
Event Date 05/30/2009
Over 400 people from Chicago to the North Shore attended the first annual Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition's fundraiser "Freedom isn't Free" at Signature's Hangar at Palwaukee. In celebration of the unveiling of the new Ferrari California and in support of LEAC guests had the opportunity to bid on live auction items held by Keith Jones of Sayre and Jones Auctioneers .. items included a CitationShares Jet Card valued at $25,000, a weekend in the California Ferrari, a trip to Tom Beach in St. Barth's, an instant wine cellar ranked by Kevin Mohalley of Knightbridge Wines, ride in a L-39 Fighter jet and T-6 by Gauntlet Warbirds, VIP Casino experience for 20 provided by Horseshoe casino and many others!! Proceeds from the event and partners raised $100K for LEAC.
While guests climed in and out of a L-39 fighter jet for a photo opportunity, Commander Dan Bitton provided a mini arial show when landing the rescue choppers right on the field where guests were able to view up close and personal. The crowd mingled end enjoyed food by Belvedere Events & Banquets while listening to DJ Joe Garrido who provided the perfect mix for the energy the room contained.
For more information on the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition please visit www.airsupport.org
Helicopter agency ‘valuable’ for police, expensive for county
(partial text; for complete article see: http://www.rrstar.com/carousel/x790228713/Helicopter-agency-valuable-for-police-expensive-for-county)
Few records available
LEAC receives surplus helicopters from the Defense Department on the condition that the agency pay to maintain the helicopters and make them available to local law enforcement agencies upon request.
Tax returns show that LEAC’s expenses outweighed its revenues in 2007 and 2009. It ended last year in the red by more than $46,000. In 2009 alone, the nonprofit spent $17,752.43 for fuel, $28,473 for insurance and $113,082.34 for repairs. LEAC officials declined to give the Register Star a complete list of its public and private donors and an accounting of all the law enforcement agencies it serves.
Helicopter N854WS above an anti-war protest
St. Paul, Minnesota
At the March 19 anti-war protest at the Minnesota capitol building, we posted a photograph that was a little joke about a black helicopter flying over the protesters. Since then, with the power of zoom and google, the following information has been found about our curious friend called helicopter N854WS.
"...Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition (LEAC), which provides no-cost air support services to law enforcement and fire service agencies throughout the region. Known by their familiar air-to-ground call sign, "Air-One", LEAC helicopters are frequently called out by local agencies who would otherwise not have airborne capabilities available."
"N854WS is a privately owned Robinson R-44 Raven II helicopter. N854WS has also been equipped with a variety of law enforcement equipment to support its role within the LEAC fleet... All aircraft, when operated for LEAC missions, regardless of ownership status, are crewed by members of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition, whom are all sworn law enforcement personal or employed by a public safety agency that is a member of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition."
It could be that a helicopter that just happened at one time to be used by law enforcement just happened to be circling the Minnesota state capitol building that day. Or it could be that a law enforcement agency was observing the anti-war protest from a helicopter - which really was black. You be the judge.
2011-03-19 This is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
FACEBOOK/Wikipedia entries
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Winthrop Harbor Police Department(WHPD) is the founding agency and coordinator of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition (LEAC), which provides no-cost air support services to law enforcement and fire service agencies throughout the region. Known by their familiar air-to-ground call sign, "Air-One", LEAC helicopters are frequently called out by local agencies who would otherwise not have airborne capabilities available. LEAC is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, staffed by volunteers who are professionals from the aviation, law enforcement and fire service sectors.
History
LEAC began operations in 2003 with a privately owned Eurocopter EC 135 twin-engine jet helicopter, which was made available at no cost for law enforcement operations on a limited basis. Unit missions include airborne assistance with felonies in progress, searches for fleeing or lost persons, searches for downed or missing aircraft, threats to Homeland Security, and many other types of support within the capabilities of the aircraft, equipment and crew. All mission services are provided at no-cost to the requesting agency, and it is LEAC's vision to position helicopters throughout the region so that all agencies, large and small, will have this service available 24 hours a day.
In August, 2006, LEAC received its first Department of Defense surplus helicopter, a single-engine Bell OH-58C. Assignment of this helicopter, tail number N79PD, was made possible through the Illinois Law Enforcement Support Organization (LESO). Since taking delivery of N79PD in August 2006, LEAC has invested significant funds in its refurbishment, including engine overhaul, new high-skids, new paint, new avionics, police radios, a NightSun SX16 search light, and the latest technologies in thermal imaging equipment, a FLIR-Ultra-8000. together with. N79PD is primarily based at LEAC's Police Hangar in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and serves all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
LEAC adds fifth helicopter to its fleet
from: http://blogs.e-rockford.com/kevinhaas/2011/03/21/leac-adds-fifth-helicopter-to-its-fleet/
March 21st, 2011 at 03:32pm Kevin Haas
The Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition announced today the addition of a fifth helicopter to its fleet of search and rescue aircraft.
The agency has added a twin-engine Bell HH-1N Huey. The helicopter was obtained through the federal government’s surplus program, which transfers suitable equipment to law enforcement agencies at no charge.
Photo provided by LEAC
The coalitions other four aircraft include one single-engine UH-1V Huey and three single-engine OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, which were all received through the military surplus programs without spending local tax dollars.
The newest helicopter is being stored in Rockford awaiting upgrades and the installation specialized equipment. Once completed, the aircraft will be based in Kenosha, Wis. to serve the southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region.
Randal Olson, LEAC’s chief pilot, said this is only the second twin-engine Huey in the nation to be transferred to a local law-enforcement agency. The aircraft was originally built for the Marines and are rarely transferred, Olson said in a news release.
“The addition of the twin-engine Huey takes our capabilities to the next level,” Olson said in a news release. “This helicopter gives us the ability to perform over water search-and-rescue operations. LEAC has the only two heavy-lift helicopters available in this
region, outside of the military, and can offer quicker availability in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies.”
Electronic Component Makers Going All Out To Fill Orders -Nikkei
Parent company of Belvidere’s NDK.
Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co. (6779.TO), the second-largest maker of quartz components, with a roughly 20% share of the global market, is turning to operations in Malaysia and elsewhere to compensate for the damage at Furukawa NDK Co., which assembles quartz components for automotive applications.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Jesuit Priests, Sex Abuse Victims Announce Settlement - Local News - Anchorage, AK - msnbc.com
A clergy organization representing Jesuit priests in Western states has reached a $166.1 million agreement to settle approximately 524 claims of clergy sex abuse
represents Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Montana -- will pay $48.1 million into a trust for the victims, while one of its insurance carriers will pay $118 million. In addition, the society will issue a written apology to victims, release their medical records to them and take steps to protect children from future sexual abuse.
After the lawsuits were filed in late 2008, the Oregon Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2009. Nearly 200 Alaskan claims were brought by John Manly of Manly and Stewart (California).
“This settlement recognizes that the Jesuits betrayed the trust of hundreds of young children in their care, and inflicted terrible atrocities upon them,” said Blaine Tamaki of Tamaki Law, which represented nearly a third of the non-Alaskan clients in the case. “These religious figures should have been responsible for protecting children, but instead raped and molested them.”
Unintended Letter to the Editor
Recently I shared this Freedom of Information Request(FOIA) with my friends at the Boone County Journal. While it was not my intent for it to be published I think it can be a learning experience for all of us.
The county response is shown below my letter to the editor. Basically they said that the county is not selling the land currently, and supplied details of their marketing of the property in 2009.
I wonder if the county actually posted a request for bids before they rented this land for crops for 2011? Would that not also be prudent? Is that required by law? Of course it might take another FOIA to determine that.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I recently viewed your March 16, 2011 Board meeting
on Comcast. Board discussion regarding the renting of
county owned crop lands indicated that some or all of the
68.5 acres is currently being marketed by the county for a
possible sale. I have viewed the County’s website and find
no indication that any county property is for sale and I am
unaware of any recent advertisement in local newspapers.
If you are currently marketing this property the public
has a right to know what marketing actions are currently
taking place. If the county is not, that also should be clearly
stated to the public.
I recall some months ago bids were requested for a portion
of these lands however only one bid was apparently
received and that was not accepted. (Please correct me if I
am correct.)
Therefore under the Freedom of Information Act please
provide all of the following information:
1. Please provide any marketing contract which the
county entered regarding the sale or marketing for the sale
of the croplands. Contracts with real estate agents, brokers,
farm land brokers or advertisers.
2. If the county or its agent advertised the property for
sale or bid in the last four months, please provide the details
of the advertising. The approximate date of publication and
the name and location of the publication.
3. If the property is being advertised on any free or
government website/ publication, please supply the necessary
information to locate those ads.
4. If any party, board member, or employee has been
granted the permission to solicit bids/offers for the property,
please provide the name(s) and the board action which authorized
that action.
Please provide the above requested information within
five working days as required by the Illinois Freedom of
Information Act.
Please feel free to submit your reply electronically.
WILLIAM J. PYSSON, Belvidere, Il 61008
Click on the photocopies to enlarge:
Japan Raises Possibility of Breach in Reactor Vessel - NYTimes.com
development, described at a news conference by Hidehiko Nishiyama, deputy director-general of the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, raises the possibility that radiation from the mixed oxides or mox fuel in the reactor — a combination of uranium and plutonium — could be released.
the injured workers, many of those risking their lives are subcontractors of Tokyo Electric, paid a small daily wage for hours of work in dangerous conditions. In some cases they are poorly equipped and trained for their task….ridiculous” that the workers had not been wearing full protective gear.
No. 3 the mox fuel. The nuclear industry has no experience with mox leaks, and it is possible that unusual patterns in the dispersal of radioactivity from the plant partly result from the mox, he said.
reason the United States Navy had moved nuclear-powered vessels like the Ronald Reagan …
worry is not that the radiation would pose a threat to the vessels’ crews but that even trace contamination of the ducts could create problems for years in the extremely sensitive equipment that is designed to detect any hint of a radioactive leak from onboard systems
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Canadian government could be toppled by opposition on Friday - The Washington Post
Canada’s three opposition parties said Wednesday they planned to topple the conservative government in a vote of no confidence in Parliament on Friday and trigger the country’s fourth election in seven years
allegations — supported Monday by a Parliamentary committee — that [Prime Minister] Harper has acted in contempt of Parliament by failing to disclose the full financial details of his tougher crime legislation, corporate tax cuts and plans to purchase stealth fighter jets.
Opinion polls expect Harper’s Conservative Party to win, but not outright, meaning he will continue to govern with a minority in Parliament, dependent on opposition votes to stay afloat.
Click on the following for more details: Canadian government could be toppled by opposition on Friday - The Washington Post
School Cuts Raise Doubts Among Some GOP Voters - NYTimes.com
He's trying to balance the budget on the backs of teachers," Feest said. "It took so long to get our schools where they are, and they're going to cut it down in, what, two years? It's not right."
projected $3.6 billion budget deficit, Walker has sought to eliminate collective-bargaining rights for most public employees, including teachers
His two-year spending plan includes an 8 percent cut in aid to schools — about $835 million. And he wants to require districts to reduce their property-tax authority by an average of $550 per pupil
High school math teacher Ronn Blaha, 41 …”did not anticipate that he considered education a frivolity."
School Cuts Raise Doubts Among Some GOP Voters - NYTimes.com
Cal Skinner’s estimate of McHenry County’s cost for States Attorney Bianchi’s trials
The county taxpayers are easily on the hook for over $500,000 at this point, probably closer to $600,000, and that doesn’t count the second set of indictments Tonigan and McQueen have filed that involve “nephews” whose relationship both Bianchi and his Chief investigator Ron Salgado say are nonexistent or, at best, tenuous, that is, not what you or I would call a nephew.
Click on the following for more detail’s on Cal’s estimate: |http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2011/03/24/county-on-hook-for-bianchi-synek-legal-fees/
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Pactiv Closes its Doors in Belvidere
One tells 23 News she plans to go back to school and get a job outside of the manufacturing field. She says her other former co-workers are still shocked by the news.The company will officially shut its doors in June.
McHenry state's atty. acquitted on all charges - chicagotribune.com
judge has abruptly acquitted McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi of charges that he directed his staff to do political work on taxpayer time.
In a stunning development, Judge Joseph McGraw made his ruling without Bianchi’s team even having to put on their defense.
The cost to McHenry County taxpayers could be $400,000. See the following from Cal Skinner—investigations alone costs $250,ooo up to the week before the trial: http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2011/03/23/total-bill-for-special-prosecutors-investigating-firm-225000/
Supporters of Belvidere Firemen leaflet the city
The following leaflet has been found the last several days on the front doors of many homes in Belvidere. The leaflet was apparently distributed by Belvidere Professional Firefighter Local 1569.
Click on the photocopy to enlarge:
Stateline Bridges in Disrepair
Is it reassuring that the Boone County Board lowered the bridge tax levy for FY 2011 and sent the money to the general fund?
total 94 bridges were deemed "structurally deficient" in the five county area by using a scale of 10 to judge three main components. At the top of the list?
In Winnebago County it was Montague Road over Mill Creek. In Stephenson, Old Illinois 26 over Richland Creek. Poplar Grove Road over the Kishwaukee River in Boone. Ogle County's West Grove Road over Elkhorn Creek. And in Lee Illinois Route 26 over a drainage ditch.
Click on the following for more details: Stateline Bridges in Disrepair
Elgin police approve no-raise contract offer - Courier News
just one year and that it calls for no pay raise in 2011. In return, the city would guarantee no union members would be laid off this year. The city also would allow officers hired before a policy change made about five years ago to qualify for promotions even though they don’t have a four-year college degree.
Blog Count
Since September 1, 2009:
16,760 visits, 9,757 separate visitors
Last 30 days: 2,129 visits, 1,655 separate visitors
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Rockford Auburn teacher escorted off campus, placed on leave | The Rock River Times
Boycce has been vocal about his stand against school closings, program cuts and the leadership style of Superintendent Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield. He has expressed some of that frustration through posts on Facebook.
“They have been investigating me for the past two months,” Boyce said. “They can’t really find anything so they are now using things I am putting on Facebook.”
Early Thursday, Boyce posted a comment on the social networking site regarding the suspension of Beyer Principal David Sanders. Sanders was placed on administrative leave earlier this week for restraining an unruly student.
Click on the following for the complete story: Auburn teacher escorted off campus, placed on leave | The Rock River Times
Beloit Daily News : Follow the law. It saves money
we applaud the Associated Press and the Madison publication Isthmus for prying loose e-mails related to the budget repair bill from the office of Gov. Scott Walker.
And we point out that Walker could have saved taxpayers’ money simply by following the law.
HERE’S THE STORY: The governor said multiple times that e-mails received by his office strongly supported his proposed legislation. The AP and Isthmus said, essentially, “show me.”
Walker’s office resisted and delayed so the news organizations filed a lawsuit. Last week the governor’s office capitulated and settled the case, releasing the documents — and agreeing to pay $7,000 in legal fees for the AP and Isthmus.
An analysis of the released e-mails show the documents backed up his claims of support (about 60 percent in favor to 32 percent opposed). All the foot-dragging accomplished was to cost taxpayers $7,000 in attorney’s fees for the plaintiffs.
Click on the following for the complete editorial: Beloit Daily News - your source for news, entertainment, sports, opinion, events, community, shopping and more > Opinion > Todays Opinion
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rockford SchoolDistrict 205 faces Attorney General inquiry regarding Open Meetings Act | The Rock River Times
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s (D) office is launching an inquiry into at least seven Open Meetings Act (OMA) Requests for Review in relation to the Rockford Board of Education.
According to a March 16 letter from Assistant Public Access Counselor Matthew C. Rogina to Rockford Public School District 205 Superintendent Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield and District 205 Attorney Lori Hoadley, “The requests raise questions about whether the Board provided proper accommodations for the March 1, 2011 meeting and whether certain members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the Board.
Click on the following for more details: District 205 faces Attorney General inquiry regarding Open Meetings Act | The Rock River Times
Boone County Board mentioned by Attorney General in Sunshine Week News Release
March 13, 2011
ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN: SUNSHINE LAWS SHINING LIGHT ON ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT; CHANGING CULTURE OF SECRECY
Public Access Counselor Releases New Guidelines to Assist in Requests for Law Enforcement Documents
Chicago — In honor of Sunshine Week, Attorney General Lisa Madigan today noted that new, stronger open-government laws are beginning to change Illinois’ culture of government secrecy.
Madigan urged Illinoisans to learn about the changes to these laws and how to use them. Improvements to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are making it easier for members of the public and media to access government documents and are helping to shine a light into how government works. In 2010, there were 5,228 new matters before the Public Access Counselor’s Office, with 91 percent of requests and inquiries being submitted by the public or other non-media entities.
“Sunshine Week serves as a reminder of the importance of the public’s right to know how their tax dollars are being spent,” said Attorney General Madigan. “We have made important steps forward in ensuring more government transparency by strengthening the law. Thousands of government officials have been trained in their responsibilities for providing public records and providing people with access to government meetings. And in cases where the process does not work, the Public Access Counselor’s office is helping to pry open public records and meetings.”
In conjunction with Sunshine Week, Attorney General Madigan released new guidelines to help both the public and law enforcement agencies across the state to determine when documents should be made public. Madigan said questions on how FOIA applies to law enforcement records were among the top concerns raised with the Public Access Counselor’s Office last year.
Attorney General Madigan and open government advocates worked in 2009 to strengthen the state’s transparency laws to make the process for obtaining access to records and meetings easier and more effective. Under the strengthened Freedom of Information Act, public bodies must respond to records requests, appoint a specific official to handle such requests and have that person undergo annual training.
Madigan said for the first time, officials designated by government bodies as FOIA officers or as responsible for Open Meetings Act compliance are receiving training to increase their understanding of the law and ability to comply with records requests and open meeting procedures. Since the law was enacted on Jan. 1, 2010, more than 17,000 FOIA officers have taken the Attorney General’s compliance training.
The changes to FOIA also are making it more difficult for public bodies to inappropriately deny documents. Before withholding records by relying on two frequently cited exemptions to the law, public bodies must now obtain pre-approval from the Public Access Counselor. This practice is helping stop the abuse of certain exemptions as a way to withhold information that should be made public.
“Changes to the law are leading to greater access to government information than ever before in our state’s history,” Attorney General Madigan said. “We know more work must be done to ensure a smooth process for Illinoisans to access information about the people’s business. We are committed to continuing our work to make government transparent and accountable.”
The requests also show that the Public Access Counselor’s efforts to enforce the law have helped people obtain information. Those successes have ranged from high-profile media requests to local matters sought by members of the public keeping watch on their government.
Success Stories of Illinois’ New Sunshine Laws:
•University of Illinois at Springfield: The Public Access Counselor issued a subpoena to the university seeking documents after a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by a newspaper was denied. In response to the subpoena, the university revealed a settlement agreement to pay $200,000 to a student that the university previously did not make public.
• Village of Lyons: The village refused to release to a citizen and a newspaper reporter documents detailing how the village president was selling liability insurance to local bars and nightclubs while also serving as liquor commissioner in the village. With the help of the Public Access Counselor, the village reversed its position and released the documents.
•Boone County: The Public Access Counselor’s Office stepped in after receiving a request from a resident about the lack of meeting minutes posted on the county board’s website. After the PAC issued a letter inquiring about the matter, the county board posted the minutes on its website.
Sunshine Week was founded by the American Society of News Editors and is recognized annually every March. More information about Illinois’ sunshine laws can be found at Attorney General Madigan’s website, www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov. Anyone seeking assistance from the Public Access Officer can contact its hotline at 1-877-299-FOIA (3642) or send an email to publicaccess@atg.state.il.us.
This news release is from: http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2011_03/20110313.html
And who was the resident? Take a look by clicking on the following: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/12/boone-county-website-is-on-page-3c.html
Belgium breaks Iraq’s world record for government impasse - CSMonitor.com
A few of you may know this—yours truly is 100% Belgium (Flemish)
The Belgian divide between the 6.5 million Dutch-speaking Flemish in Flanders, to the north, and the 4.5 million French-speaking Walloons in Wallonia, to the south
For most of Belgian history, Francophone elites ran the country. Flanders was poor and rural. Wallonia was a steel and coal capital of Europe. Francophone aristocrats in the 19th century controlled the port of Antwerp in Flanders. In World War I, Flemish foot soldiers took orders from French-speaking officers they often didn't understand, resulting in great casualties. One result was a Flemish and anti-French pacifist movement. …After World War II, the fortunes of the two communities reversed. Flanders began to rise in the global economy, and Wallonia receded into rust-belt status.
"For the Flemish, the main idea is a birthright of the soil, a claim on territory and the right to control it,"
For the Francophones, the issue is the universal rights they are entitled to."
Looming over all divorce scenarios is an impossible math problem: Who would get Brussels, which is in Flanders, but is 85 percent French-speaking?
Flanders is widely seen as Europe's most conservative region, barring Bavaria in Germany; Wallonia, by contrast, is run by avowed socialists.
Click on the following for more details: Belgium breaks Iraq’s world record for government impasse - CSMonitor.com
Philadelphia archdiocese draws fourth suit related to abuse - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
mirror accusations made by city prosecutors in a grand jury report last month that led several priests to be charged with rape and, in a rare move, a church official to be charged with child endangerment.
The latest suit, filed by a 32-year-old Arizona man, is the second that names the late Monsignor John E. Gillespie as the abuser
Click on the following for more details on the above story: Philadelphia archdiocese draws fourth suit related to abuse - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Behind Administration Spin: Bailout Still $123 Billion in the Red - ProPublica
ProPublica, we've provided a comprehensive bailout database [4] since TARP's launch. It shows not only how much money has gone to each recipient [4], but how much each has paid in interest and dividend payments. With all this data, we're able to clearly show how deep in the hole the program remains [5]. And the answer as of today is $123 billion.
Add that to the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- which our site also tracks and is separate from the TARP -- and taxpayers are $257 billion in the hole [5].
Geneva council considers allowing pedicab service - DailyHerald.com
The Geneva city council is inclined to allow the human-powered bicycle-based vehicles on a trial basis. It discussed the matter at committee of the whole meeting last week and is due to take a formal vote Monday.
Green Street Pedicabs of Naperville expressed interest in serving Geneva last summer, and staff began work on the city’s licensing laws. However, that firm has not asked for a license.
But another firm, Prairie State Pedicabs, is interested. David Bus, of Batavia Township, began the service last summer, and gave rides at Festival of the Vine before police stopped him because he did not have a permit
Under the proposed licensing law, pedicabs would not be allowed on state or county highways that run through Geneva, including Routes 25, 31 and 38, Kirk and Randall roads and Fabyan Parkway.
Naperville has allowed pedicabs for the last two years
Click on the following for more details: Geneva council considers allowing pedicab service - DailyHerald.com
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Northwest Herald | Crystal Lake firm headed to Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced the move Thursday morning at a news conference with Catalyst Chief Executive Officer Tim Roberts and local Wisconsin officials at the 144,000-square-foot plant it will call home this summer….Catalyst planned to bring 85 jobs to the new plant, with the promise of adding at least 24 positions by 2014, all with a minimum annual salary of $55,000.Although Walker said the move would bring 105 jobs to Wisconsin, a Kenosha News report said
Incentives to move
Catalyst Exhibits Inc. in Crystal Lake was granted $500,000 by the state of Wisconsin to offset moving costs and was given a $1.25 million low-interest loan by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.
In addition, a new Wisconsin law forgives corporate and personal income taxes of companies that relocate to Wisconsin for two years.
Click on the following for more details: Northwest Herald | Crystal Lake firm headed to Wisconsin
Friday, March 18, 2011
NY Archbishop: Sex scandal needs to haunt church - 60 Minutes - CBS News
(CBS News)
Calling the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal "hideous" and "nauseating," New York's Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan says the scandal "needs to haunt" the church for some time to come.
Play CBS Video Video Archbishop Dolan on sex abuse
New York's Archbishop Timothy Dolan explains why he thinks the sex abuse scandal "needs to haunt" the church for some time to come. Morley Safer profiles the archbishop for "60 Minutes" Sunday, March 20, 7 p.m. ET/PT.
Click on the following for more details: NY Archbishop: Sex scandal needs to haunt church - 60 Minutes - CBS News
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker releases e-mails about union rights | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com
Walker first mentioned the e-mails on Feb. 17, the same day 14 Democratic state senators fled to Illinois in an effort to keep the legislation from passing. As thousands of protesters banged on drums and blew whistles outside his office door, Walker told reporters he had received 8,000 e-mails - the bulk of which he said supported his efforts.
The AP review found that a mass e-mail Walker sent to state workers on Feb. 11, the day he introduced his proposal, thanking them for their service was met with a stream of negative responses.
AP and Isthmus, a weekly Madison newspaper, both filed open record requests with Walker's office on Feb. 18 seeking the 8,000 messages the governor referenced at his news conference. The AP amended the request a week later, seeking all e-mails Walker had received through that day.
After receiving no response from the governor's office, the AP and Isthmus filed a joint lawsuit on March 4 seeking the e-mails. A settlement reached March 16 called for Walker to release the messages and pay the organizations' attorney fees, which came to $7,000.The agreement specified that Walker did not acknowledge violating the state's open records law.
Wisconsin judge blocks contentious collective bargaining law | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com
A Wisconsin judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state’s new and contentious collective bargaining law from taking effect, raising the possibility that the Legislature may have to vote again to pass the bill.
Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi granted the temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by the local Democratic district attorney alleging that Republican lawmakers violated the state’s open meetings law by hastily convening a special committee before the Senate passed the bill.
Sumi said her ruling would not prevent the Legislature from reconvening the committee with proper notice and passing the bill again.
Click on the following for more details: Wisconsin judge blocks contentious collective bargaining law | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com
Thursday, March 17, 2011
F.D.I.C. Sues Kerry Killinger in Washington Mutual Collapse - NYTimes.com
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation sued the former chief executive of Washington Mutual and two of his top lieutenants, accusing them of reckless lending before the 2008 collapse of what was the nation’s largest savings bank.
The civil lawsuit, seeking to recover $900 million, is the first against a major bank chief executive by the regulator and follows escalating public pressure to hold bankers accountable for actions leading up to the financial crisis.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Using the Freedom of Information Act
The Rockford Register Star just printed this wonderful chart on using the Freedom of Information Act outlining how citizens can access Illinois public records.
Click on the photocopies to enlarge.
U.S. Calls Radiation ‘Extremely High’ and Urges Deeper Caution in Japan - NYTimes.com
The chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave a significantly bleaker appraisal of threat posed by the Japanese nuclear crisis than the Japanese government, saying on Wednesday that the damage at one crippled reactor was much more serious than Japanese officials had acknowledged and advising to Americans to evacuate a wider area around the plant than ordered by the Japanese government.
Pentagon said Wednesday that American military forces in Japan were not allowed within 50 miles of the plant and that some flight crews who might take part in relief missions were being given potassium iodide to protect against the effects of radiation
Emperor Akihito made his first ever televised appearance on Wednesday to tell the nation he was “deeply worried” about the nuclear crisis.
U.S. Calls Radiation ‘Extremely High’ and Urges Deeper Caution in Japan - NYTimes.com
New power line almost ready at Japan nuke plant | Seattle Times Newspaper
A nearly completed new power line could restore cooling systems in Japan's tsunami-crippled nuclear power plant, its operator said Thursday, raising some hope of easing the crisis that has threatened a meltdown and already spawned dangerous radiation surges.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesman Naoki Tsunoda said the new power line to the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant is almost finished and that officials plan to try it "as soon as possible," but he could not say exactly when.
The new line would revive electric-powered pumps, allowing the company to maintain a steady water supply to troubled reactors and spent fuel storage ponds, keeping them cool. The company is also trying to repair its existing disabled power line.
Nation & World | New power line almost ready at Japan nuke plant | Seattle Times Newspaper
Are WI unions seeking help from Canadian Labour?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Bank of Montreal buying Scott Walker backing M&I bank
With $1 billion of pension funds invested in M&I bank, Wisconsin unions have initiated a "Move your Money" campaign against the bank, one of biggest financial supporters of union-busting governor Scott Walker. Not a good time to buy a union busting bank. And, if the Bank of Montreal completes its purchase of the bank, will the Canadian bank continue M&I's support of right-wing US politicians?
A senior union researcher estimates that unions have at least $1 billion invested in M&I Bank, mostly through pension funds. Discussions are going on at the highest levels of the labor movement about how exactly to leverage this financial clout in the political debate in Wisconsin. Since the Bank of Montreal is in process of purchasing M&I Bank, US unions have reached out to the Canadian Labour Congress to urge their involvement in a disinvestment campaign
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