After 11 hours of testimony during three Boone County Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, committee members agreed Tuesday to wait until Dec. 26 before making a recommendation.
International wind developer Mainstream Renewable Power has discussed placing as many as 100 turbines on 12,000 acres in Manchester and LeRoy townships in Boone County. Company representatives said if leaders approve the amendment, it will likely damper any future wind energy development.
It certainly appears so, based upon their recent application to Boone County. The text change would allow wood mulch made from scrap pallets to be “stored or stock-piled” as a “special use” in A-1 Agricultural areas in the county.
The first meeting regarding the matter is tentatively scheduled for Regional Planning Commission on November 20, the Zoning Board of Appeals on November 27, then the county subcommittee PZB on December 5 and finally County Board on December 19.
Each of the county’s townships has the right to make recommendations regarding the issue. Contact your local township officials or attend the next meeting if you wish them to make recommendations. Their recommendations will be considered by the County Planning Staff when they write their findings and recommendations to the County Board.
Currently this type of land use is allowed only in the I-2, Heavy Industrial District. This is the first step in a tentative approval process. First the text must be amended and if that is approved a special use application could be submitted.
The actual paper verifying these items is shown below.
If you are interest in past articles regarding Northwest Pallet or the fire at their storage site on Woodstock Road and Route 76 go to the following. The last citation provides the most current legal status on the court case.
http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/06/mulch-fire.html
http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/07/update-on-thursday-7-5-2012-health.html
http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/07/rockford-register-star-boone-county.html
http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/07/boone-county-officials-examine-mulch.html
http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/10/current-status-of-mulch-fire-case.html
AGENDA
BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD
8200 Fairgrounds Road
November 6, 2012 – 5:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order/Roll Call
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Public Input
IV. Discussion and potential action on approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes
V. Discussion and potential action on Transfers
VI. Reports
a. Supervisor’s Report
b. Highway Commissioner’s Report
c. Assessor’s Report
d. Clerk’s Report
e. Trustee’s Report
VII. Unfinished Business – Discussion and Potential Action May Occur on the following items:
a. Orth Road Contract
b. Salvation Army Thanksgiving Request
c.
VIII. Legal
a.
b.
IX. New Business
a. Tax Levy-Town Funds and Road & Bridge Funds-Discussion and Potential Action on
b.
X. Discussion and Potential Action on Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Bills
XI. Closed Session
XII. Action on Closed Session Items
XIII. Adjournment
Next Meeting: November 23, 2012 @ 5:00 P.M.
The schedule shows pick up and drop off spots in Belvidere. The bus terminates at the East Transfer Station on Lyford Rod in Rockford. From the transfer point the rest of Rockford is available.
Click on the photocopy to enlarge:
Marchionne wants to use some of Fiat's Italian plants to export Chrysler products to the U.S., according to various European press reports.
Michael Robinet, director of automotive consulting for IHS Automotive, noted that Chrysler exports Jeep Grand Cherokees and a rebadged Chrysler 200 from Michigan to Europe.
"At some point, in the next three to five years, I think you will see some volume coming out of Italy destined for North America," Robinet said.
Fiat has spent about $2 billion to boost its stake in Chrysler. The two companies have shared engines, vehicle platforms and other technologies.
Written by Bob Balgemann
Last year some kind of smoke alerting system was necessary.
This year sprinkler systems are mandated when the haunted house is indoors.
…..
“It’s a state rule,” said Craig Wilcox, an inspector with the Belvidere Fire Department. “Municipalities are supposed to be enforcing it.”
New requirements aim to make haunted house visits safer | Belvidere Daily Republican
Written by Bob Balgemann
The new owner, Russell Caldwell of Garden Prairie, is transforming the building into a working letter press museum.
Playgrounds filled with mulch from wooden pallets: Are your kids at risk?
Yes, they are. A quick glance at some science and a few industry facts show how. Let’s take a look.
First, it’s well established that wooden pallets can harbor deadly pathogens and bacteria. Numerous tests on wood pallets across the country, followed by high-profile media reports, clearly show the risks that wood pallets pose to our food supplies.
It is also well documented that wood pallets contain virtual cocktails of toxic chemicals, both through direct application to kill pests and invasive insects and through materials used to make them (not to mention the chemicals spilled on them in their day-to-day use). For example:
- Methyl bromide is applied to wood pallets to kill invasive pests on shipments coming into the U.S. Because it is so toxic, methyl bromide will soon be banned through the UN’s Montreal Protocol.
- The chemical 2,4,6 tribromophenol, which is banned in the U.S. because of its toxicity, is applied to wooden pallets in other countries as a wood preservative and flame retardant. The chemical was applied to wooden pallets transporting J&J medicines, which contaminated millions of Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin and other J&J products. The chemical is blamed for the largest series of product recalls in J&J’s history, which began in December 2009 and continues today.
- Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of composite blocks, or “engineered wood,” used in millions of wooden pallets. Formaldehyde is listed as a potential carcinogen.
It’s also well established that old wooden pallets—millions of them—are ground up for mulch every year. An industry report shows that the volume of ground or chipped wood pallets increased from 92 million in 1992 to 303 million board feet in 1999. Industry experts estimate that more than one-half of the pallets ground or chipped by the pallet industry in 1999 went into the production of mulch. This mulch ends up in myriad places—from bulk mulch sold by landscape wholesalers and nurseries to bags sold at home improvement stores.
And here’s an important point: studies show that wood mulch can be hazardous and that pathogens and bacteria on wood chips can survive for more than two years. One study shows that samples of wood mulch were contaminated by arsenic, formaldehyde and other wood processing residues. Another study warns that using wood chips derived from wood packing materials—including wooden pallets—could increase the risk of introduction of pathogens to other areas and plants. The report notes that “infested wood chip mulch” can be a pathway for pathogens because pathogens can survive on wood chips for such a long time, exposing contamination risks to things coming in contact with the mulch. In fact, the authors conclude that risks associated with wood chip mulch are so real, they “justify stricter regulations on wood packaging materials.”
So, you think the wood chip mulch covering the playgrounds where your kids play is safe? Think again. The more you learn, the more you realize wooden pallets truly are a scourge and menace to each and every one of us—even our children.
Spread the word.
Playgrounds filled with mulch from wooden pallets: Are your kids at risk?
I urge you to vote for William (Bill) Pysson as your Boone County Board Representative, District 1.
Over the past three years, Bill Pysson has proven himself to be a trusted Boone County Watchdog and activist on all matters of government including our school system. Time and time again through his blog, boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com, he has drawn our attention to critical issues that affect our community that we need as a public to stand up and address.
Bill portrays the conduct and tenacity that we need on our County Board to maintain fiscal responsibility. Bill is a well-educated, experienced problem solver. Auditing is his greatest strength. On Nov. 6, please vote for Bill Pysson.
— Diann Helnore, Belvidere
Letter: Vote Bill Pysson for Boone County Board rep - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
The U.S. economy grew at a slightly faster 2 percent annual rate from July through September, buoyed by more spending by consumers and the federal government.
Growth accelerated from the 1.3 percent rate in the April-June quarter, the Commerce Department said Friday. Even with the increase, growth remains too weak to rapidly boost hiring.
Only Democrat, William J. Pysson and Republican Dennis Ellingson responded to Rockford Register Star’s Candidates’ questionnaire. The following information is taken from: http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/rockford12/index.do?i=6
-William J. Pysson (D)
Biographical Information
Address:9592 Denver Drive, Belvidere, Il 61008
Campaign Phone:(815) 544-5115
Website:boonecountywatch.blogspot.com
Email:bill.pysson@gmail.com
Age:63
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
William J. Pysson: I have attended Boone County Board meetings and subcommittees meetings for a number of years. I have been critical of many of their actions. I supply the following examples:
Based upon state law the county's CPA audits have at times been untimely. Those audits also reveal accounting issues that continue from audit to audit. The county refused to comply with the state requirement to publish their minutes on their website until I wrote the Attorney General. There have been questionable hiring practices and a lack of proper supervision in the Health Department and Housing Authority. Yet the county board chairman with the advice of the board re-appointed the directors of these two agencies.
The board has been for the most part been unaccepting of suggestions and deaf ear to requests from other than the friends of the board chairman and his gang. Boone County deserves a county board that takes its responsibilities seriously and makes certain that all its departments comply with the law. They need to represent the entire county.
If elected I will strive for a more open and transparent government without back room deals and back room budget discussions.
I believe that my education, MBA DePaul University, and 24 years of residency in Boone County provide a good knowledge base to tackle our county's problems.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
William J. Pysson: The 2013 budget is nearly finished and should be passed before the current election. If elected I will be unable to change this budget. Thus there will be no programs which I could eliminate.
However I believe that there is no need for a full time coroner. A full time coroner has existed only during the last four years. A half or 3/4 time position would appear to be adequate based upon current conditions. This is an elected position which cannot be altered until 2017. Statistics should be made public to detail the benefits which the county obtains each year from the coroner's department to determine if the position could be cut.
Several departments received increases in manpower. Statistics regarding workloads and backlogs should be kept during FY 2013 and the FY 2014 budget process should review the information to insure that backlogs are reduced and production increased. In past years board committee members have asked department heads to compare manpower, production and backlogs with similar departments at similar sized counties (such as Ogle and Stephenson Counties) I have seen no such figures. I believe that such comparison should be again requested and would be a benefit both for Boone County and the counties compared.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
William J. Pysson: Boone County is currently reviewing its wind farm ordinance and is in the process of taking public testimony regarding a proposed amended ordinance. I believe that current and prospective board members should refrain from comments until all the evidence is provided by both sides of the issue. On October 23 testimony will continue with a possible continuation on October 30.
Nevertheless I do find it highly irregular for members of the board (even those not seeking re-election) to prepare the detailed research required by this new wind turbine ordinance and to effectively write the new ordinance. Two of these board members gave oral and written statements regarding the ordinance and also gave personal testimony recommending the approval of the ordinance. That also appears irregular. From what I understand the staff recommended no change to the present 1,000 feet set back ordinance. Under most conditions the county board should accept the professional opinion of its staff.
Dennis Ellingson (R)
No Picture
Biographical Information
Address:22931 POPLAR GROVE RD, POPLAR GROVE, IL 61065
Campaign Phone:(815) 292-3394
Email:denny@northernstarfarm.com
Age:61
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Dennis Ellingson: I have lived in Boone County all of my life. My wife, Janet, and I raised our three sons in Boone County with the help of many many Boone County friends. I have previously served on the North Boone School Board, the Boone County Soil & Water Board, and the Boone/Winnebago Regional School Board. After watching the Boone County Board deal with tight budgets and increased demands on County tax revenues I feel compelled to offer my help to the people of Boone County to make this an even better place to raise a family, run a business,and enjoy life.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Dennis Ellingson: I am not prepared at this time to announce cuts of services or salaries without further study and discussion with others. I am committed to operating our county within a balanced budget. I also feel it is important that the Boone County Board budget will include all known income and expenditures when budgets are approved.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Dennis Ellingson: The Boone County Board seems to be taking the right steps to establish guidelines for the possible establishment and operation of wind turbines in Boone County. They need to review both the realistic revenues that an industrial wind turbine region may generate for the county, as well as review what effects such a wind turbine project will have on the health, safety, and welfare of the people living in Boone County and within the borders of industrial wind turbine region. If the board finds that a wind turbine project is compatible in Boone County and its' residents then the board needs to set guidelines for construction, operation, and removal of these turbines according to the current rules for special use permitting.
- Brad Fidder (R)
Biographical Information
Address:18687 Burr Oak Road
Capron, IL 61012
Campaign Phone:(815) 569-2415
Age:50
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
Biographical Information
Address:18687 Burr Oak Road
Capron, IL 61012
Campaign Phone:(815) 569-2415
Age:50
Address:325 N. Wooster Capron, IL 61012
Email:topcutlawn@yahoo.com
Age:46
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
Kenneth Grzybowski II: Candidate response is not yet available.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Kenneth Grzybowski II: Candidate response is not yet available.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
Kenneth Grzybowski II: Candidate response is not yet available.
Bob Walberg
Biographical Information
Address:12000 Russellville Rd.
Belvidere, Il.
Campaign Phone:(815) 670-1170
Email:BoardChairman@BooneCountyIl.org
Age:68
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Bob Walberg: Candidate response is not yet available.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Bob Walberg: Candidate response is not yet available.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Bob Walberg: Candidate response is not yet available
The following are taken from the Boone County Journal for Friday, 10/26/2012
Mr. Marcellus also paid for an ad.
Mr. Ellingson is one of my four Republican opponents in the District 1 Boone County Board election.
The following is taken from page 3 of Friday, 10/26/2012, Boone County Journal
The following are taken from the Boone County Journal for Friday, 10/26/2012
The also is a paid advertisement.
The above is taken from the Farmland Protection website: http://fppbc.org/
Apparently only five candidates need the votes of farmers or at least the farmers who are trying to save the county’s farmland.
Bill’s response to Farmland Protection Project request was based upon these three questions which were sent by letter on October 4, 2012. The complete letter follows the response.
Click on the photocopy to enlarge:
A few years ago many county residents feared that Boone County was becoming a massive subdivision with few if any working farms. The “Great Recession” changed many of our views. The major concerns today are: the number of empty and foreclosed homes in the towns and rural subdivisions; the falling real estate values and tax base; and JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.
Now is a very opportune time to review farmland protection programs and possibly alter them to today’s realities. Unlike residential real estate, farm land has increased in value over the last five years. That may make some farmland protection programs prohibitively expensive. National, state, county and municipal budgets are under heavy stress; subsequently government funds for farmland protection are subject to possible cuts.
Farm land protection is important to Boone County because Boone County will consist primarily of farmland for the next twenty to thirty years. During that time government and the county’s farmers must construct innovative plans to maintain productive farm land for the generations yet unborn.
Abiding closely to zoning ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan is the county’s primary tool. Industrial development as well as new residential subdivisions should be confined to the designated areas. This must be done without partiality.
There appears to be very few farms applying for the Agricultural Conservation Easement. Farmers often do so based upon their personal beliefs and generosity. Their gifts should be told in the local news media. Perhaps a plaque describing their donation should be placed at a prominent public place such as the statue at the fairgrounds.
The zoning ordinance granting a home site in exchange for agricultural easement appears to have been used just once. Perhaps the ordinance needs more publicity and perhaps to be revised. A sunset clause or a mandated county board review of the ordinance may encourage farmers and investors to apply for this zoning change now.
I trust that I have answered your three questions. My answers are very different from my thoughts of two or three years ago. In my view the “Great Recession” has changed the course of economic development for some time to come. Unfortunately I see no way for the county to increase funding for farmland protection in the next several years based upon the severity of county finances. However it should not change our furor to responsibly protect America’s and Boone County’s farmland. I look forward to reading all the candidates thoughts on this important topic.
BILL PYSSON
Democratic Candidate
Boone COunty District #1
ZBA Chairman Norm Stimes repeatedly asked residents to focus on the text amendment at hand. Issues surrounding specific projects are addressed in special use permits; zoning code amendments address general requirements of all wind power projects.
“What I’m hearing is emotional reaction without a straightforward, calm presentation of a proposal,” said Darrel Davis, who a member of the ZBA. “It is ridiculous. I would just (like them to know) how it hurts their cause to perform like this.”
However, ZBA member Joan Krumm said all testimony must be heard, no matter how long it takes. She said she intends to base her vote only on information presented during these meetin
Read the following to read the entire article: Boone leaders disagree on wind energy comments - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By ANNIE LOWREY | New York Times
That study found, in short, that Mr. Romney could not keep all of the promises he had made on individual tax reform: including cutting marginal tax rates by 20 percent, keeping protections for investment income, not widening the deficit and not increasing the tax burden on the poor or middle class. It concluded that Mr. Romney’s plan, on its face, would cut taxes for rich families and raise them for everyone else.
By Kim Geiger
Indiana GOP Senate candidate Richard Mourdock opposes abortion even in the case of rape and incest, he said at a Tuesday night debate, because pregnancy from rape is "something that God intended to happen.”
Mourdock, who is in a tight race with Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly, was responding to a question about whether abortion should be legal in cases of rape or incest.
Click on the following for more details: Indiana Senate candidate Mourdock calls rape pregnancy God's will - chicagotribune.com
Illinois added more than 13,800 jobs in September and the state's jobless rate dropped from 9.1 percent in August to 8.8 percent in September.
Click on the following for more details: Illinois jobless rate falls below 9 percent - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
the editorial, Romney said that "if General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye." Romney argued that the auto companies should seek a privately financed managed bankruptcy, with the government providing guarantees to their loans.
Oct 22, 2012 @ 09:00 PM
Mainstream Renewable Power representative Matt Boss explains the company's proposed $300 to $400 million wind energy project. The turbines, which would be located in northern Boone County, could generate $1 to $2 million in property tax revenue for the area.
Proposed Boone County wind energy project explained - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
BELVIDERE — The 12-member Boone County Board makeup could change if voters choose one of the six newcomers or three Democratic candidates in the Nov. 6 election.
All seats will be contested. There are five candidates — four Republicans and one Democrat — vying for four spots in each district…..Voters will cast ballots for Dennis Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Kenneth Grzybowski II, William Pysson and Bob Walberg for District 1;
Click on the following for more of the story: All 12 Boone County Board seats contested in election - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
October 18, 2012
Dennis J. Meyers, Director
Department of Court Services
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
Winnebago-Boone Counties
403 Elm Street
Rockford, IL 61101
Dear Dennis:
The unilateral position on Boone County Probation Department wages the Chief Judge and you have dictated creates a problem for the evaluation process the Boone County Board was attempting to conduct. Generally speaking, the county was trying to keep wage increases in the 2-1/2 % range--considering fairness to all departments in the county. The arbitration award for the Boone County Corrections unit amounted to a 1.5% increase for FY 2013.
The fiscal restraint and fiscally prudent manner in practicing sound business management falls on deaf ears in Boone County because your decision was made without consideration of the unilateral impact on the County Board Finance Committee's goal to create a sensitive and fair wage package.
It was not a team decision, and apparently was made without thought to the impact it would have on the whole of Boone County.
I disagree with your process, and your decision.
Sincerely yours,
cc: Hon. Joseph G. McGraw, Chief Judge 17th Judicial Court
Harold V. Hawkinson - Deputy Director, Boone County
Two nearby blogs mentioned in this report. Cal Skinner’s McHenry County Blog and Algonquin’s First Electric Newspaper. McHenry COunty Blog was #10 in the 2009 survey.
According to the March 23-24, 2012 survey, the top 10 independent or “mom and pop” Illinois blogs that provide news and commentary on Illinois politics and local government as well as the rankings for the other 57 blogs are:
- Chicagoist: 9,554
- Gapers Block: 31,074
- Windy Citizen: 52,817
- Chicago Progressive Talk: 82,267
- Illinois Review: 99,9387
- The Illinois Observer: 117,789
- Capitol Fax: 118,745
- Progress Illinois: 128,165
- Beachwood Reporter: 142,124
- Marathon Pundit: 149,827
- The Chicago Phoenix, 157,519
- The Expired Meter, 174,686
- McHenery County Blog, 195,789
- Center Square Journal, 209,732
- Illinois StateHouse News, 226,701
- Publius Forum, 238,467
- Evanston Now, 249,304
- Peoria Pundit, 265,288
- Roscoe View Journal, 297,945
- Bean Soup Times, 298,465
- Chicago Daily Observer, 325,252
- Illinois Policy Institute Blog, 369,186
- Welles Park Bulldog, 465,635
- Catalyst Chicago, 466,491
- Better Government Association Blog, 466,491
- Civic Federation Blog, 565,004
- Sloopin Chicago’s South Loop, 587,175
- Chicago Talks, 598,501
- Community Media Workshop Blog, 631,349
- OpenlineBlog, 645,726
- Fred Klonsky, 727,246
- First Electronic Newspaper, 740,259
- Southwest Observer, 1,141,010*
- Chicago News Bench, 2,065,730*
- Metropolitan Planning Council, 2,671,137*
- Illinois Issues, 3,195,513*
- Edgeville Buzz, 3,16,315*
- Live Here Oak Park, 3,724,700*
- The Sixth Ward Chicago, 4,598,735*
- Respublica.typepad.com, 4,681,096*
- Grand Old Partisan, 5,047,428*
- Area Chicago, 5,054,293*
- Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, 5,501,779*
- Tenth Congressional District Democrats, 5,693,695*
- Chicago Argus, 5,817,926*
- IADDA Blog, 5,906,493*
- TASC Blog, 5,977,847*
- Backyard Conservative, 6,148,868*
- A-Ville Daily, 6,415,169*
- Team America’s 10th, 7,313,059*
- Bill Baar’s West Side, 7,979,023*
- Hyde Park Progress, 8,208,673*
- Archpundit, 8,935,012*
- 600 Words Esther Cepeda, 9,340,765*
- Prairie State Blue, 9,874,483*
- Sierra Club Illinois, 10,163,002*
- SallyDuros.com, 10,269,091*
- Rogers Park in 1000 Words, 10,467,406*
- Chicago Radio and Media, 13,191,324*
- The Daily Whale Chicago, 13,430,229*
- Latino Policy Forum, 16,138,227*
- Progressive Advocacy, 20,206,745*
- The Decatur Navigator, 20,958,663*
- Quincy Pundit, 22,612,489*
- Russ Stewart, 23,072,761*
- Laura Washington, 23,549,183*
- Lake County Eye, 24,132,409*
New Survey: The Top 10 Independent Political and News Blogs in Illinois « THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
By Jennifer Wheeler
BELVIDERE — Motorists may see another change to Spring Creek Road’s speed limit if the Boone County Board approves conducting a speed study.
The decision would save drivers minutes along the 4.6-mile stretch of road.
The board approved reducing the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph from the Winnebago County line to Illinois 76 in December 2009 after dozens of residents voiced safety concerns. The decision went against a speed study recommendation from Belvidere Township Road Commissioner Richard Lee.
By Jennifer Wheeler
District 1 candidate Bill Pysson said the housing authority, Health Department and Sheriff’s Department must be held accountable to ensure that domestic abuse and homelessness are addressed.
The board has limited power over these agencies’ operations, members can ensure that those appointed to leadership positions are qualified and will disclose the groups’ finances. He said many board members are unwilling to question current practices.
“New volunteers are needed for the housing and health boards, and their meeting times should be moved from the noon hour to times when the public and prospective new members can attend,” Pysson said.
Is this right? Is this the American way?
Koch Industries, the Wichita, Kan.-based company run by the billionaire Koch brothers, sent a voter information packet to 45,000 employees of its Georgia Pacific subsidiary earlier this month.
In it was a letter, dated Oct. 1, from Koch Industries president Dave Robertson implicitly warning that "many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences" of voting for President Obama and other Democrats in the 2012 elections, a list of conservative candidates the company's political action committee endorses and a pair of editorials: one, by David Koch, supporting Mitt Romney, and the other, by Charles Koch, condemning Obama.
UPDATE: Even More on Bain Moving Sensata to China
17
53permalink
171 Comments / 171 NewHere is more info on Romney/Bain moving Sensata factory to China.
But first, watch this 10 second video.
And then watch the video below the fold...
• Romney makes $450,000 per week from his blind trust.
• Bain is closing a factory and shipping equipment and jobs to China
• The US government has paid $780,000 retraining fired Sensata workers.
• Bain can deduct the expense of moving to China from US taxes.
• US workers at the Sensata factory have to train their Chinese replacements.
• Romney owns about $8 million worth of Bain funds that hold 51 percent of Sensata’s shares.
• These are high-tech, well paid jobs performed by skilled American workers.
• Workers in the Sensata factory in China make 99 cents an hour.
• Chinese laborers work 12 hour shifts, 7 days per week.
• Chinese workers are housed 2 to 3 to a room in barracks
• The American workers set records for profits for Sensata
UPDATE
How Mitt Romney will benefit from closing Sesnata.As mentioned in the bullet-points above, Bain/Romney will receive tax deductions after closing the factory in Freeport. Huffington Post takes a closer look at the tax benefits for Romney.
• Romney transferred $701,703 worth of Sensata stock to the Tyler Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit controlled by Romney.
• Moving the stock to his nonprofit brings Romney twin benefits. First, he gets to deduct the full value of the stock. At a 35 percent tax rate, that's nearly a $250,000 benefit. At 15 percent, it's just over $100,000.
• Romney is able to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the stock price increase. Romney's returns list no cost for the stock, and indicate he obtained them as part of a partnership interest in Bain. Avoiding capital gains taxes on the full increase would save an additional $100,000.
• In 2010, Romney gifted $170,000 worth of Sensata stock to his charity, saving $25,000 in capital gains taxes that year.Originally posted to Z. Woof on Sat Oct 13, 2012 at 08:40 AM PDT.
Also republished by The Bain Files.
The following is from Saturday, October 13, 2012 Rockford Register Star, page A4.
Property values are down; levies up slightly; rates drastically increasing. Your actual tax dollar paid for township should be closed to the same as last year assuming your assessed valuation has decreased at least as much as the 13.3% decrease in total EAV.
If your assessment is frozen (as many seniors with moderate income,under $55,000) expect sizeable increases in dollars paid for taxes.
There were many comments on a Rockford Register Star Guest Column by Don Ellingson (http://www.rrstar.com/opinions/whatyouresaying/x1711843888/Guest-Column-Minimum-wage-has-had-a-negative-impact-on-U-S). Mr. Ellingson is opposed to minimum wages he views such laws as a drag on the economy and recovery.
One interesting comment on the RRStar’s website concerned farm subsidies. Were they not the same thing as minimum wage? Did Mr. Ellingson receive any such subsidies?
I researched a bit and found these interesting statistics and facts.
First, Don and Terry Ellingson are in business together. As noted from:
http://illinoisholst
Ellingson, Don and Terry
Ellingson’s White Hill Farm
4996 Ellingson Rd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
Phone: Don (815) 765-2189
Terry (815) 765-3159
And then Terri Ellingson is one of the largest recipients of farm subsidies in the county. As shown below Terry Ellingson is #26 largest recipient of farm subsidies in Boone County, $284,304.46 for period 1995-2011. See highlighted item in yellow.
Statistics taken from:
http://farm.ewg.org/search.php?fips=17007®ionname=BooneCounty,Illinois
Federal Farm Subsidies to Boone County Illinois 1995-2011
Subsidy Recipients 1 to 30 of 163 in zipcode 61065
Recipients in this zipcode received $21,484,334 from 1995-2006
Rank
Name
Location
Subsidy Total
1995-2011
1
Richard A Britton
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 1,508,357.47
2
Patrick Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 1,153,328.28
3
Charles Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 1,016,767.65
4
James R Johnson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 944,600.00
5
Frank Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 942,298.19
6
Shari L Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 939,863.29
7
Britton Farms Inc
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 939,630.53
8
Joie Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 934,624.76
9
Doetch Farms
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 925,136.71
10
Raymond N Morse
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 874,531.11
11
David T Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 821,357.60
12
Stanley Hullah
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 808,892.88
13
Kay F Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 727,892.34
14
Harris Farm Oaklawn Ltd
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 668,030.91
15
Thad Johnson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 646,079.24
16
Terri L Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 435,559.92
17
Michael W Meier
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 409,974.11
18
Dale Worley
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 407,584.34
19
Prairie View Grain Farms LLC
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 407,389.67
20
Gordon Kasper Est
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 387,788.47
21
Gail Worley
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 344,592.24
22
Roy Stohlquist
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 334,421.04
23
John Pepper
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 333,646.36
24
Daryl J Stohlquist
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 329,198.97
25
Scott Mueller
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 313,089.06
26
Terry W Ellingson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 284,304.46
27
Donald Bottcher
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 246,601.82
28
Robert Harold Goeddeke
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 232,679.08
29
Brian L Crull
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 226,336.05
30
Bruce Stennerson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 205,687.47
Rank
Name
Location
Subsidy Total
1995-2011
1
Terry W Ellingson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 284,304.46
2
Kris Ellingson
Geneva, IL 60134
$ 2,011.00
3
R J Ellingson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 409.20
4
John Ellingson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$ 252.00
5
Patricia A Ellingson
Mt Zion, IL 62549
Farm Owner
Below is taken from:http://farm.ewg.org/regionsummary.php?fips=17007
CLICK ON THE PHOTOCOPY TO ENLARGE:
Top Twenty Recipient
(* ownership information available)
Location
Subtotal, Farming Subsidies
2011
1
Mark D Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$35,876
2
Lisa L Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$35,876
3
John W Brockmann
Belvidere, IL 61008
$33,629
4
Doetch Farms ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$32,909
5
Larry D Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$31,262
6
Britton Farms Inc ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$28,717
7
Roger H Miller
Belvidere, IL 61008
$28,644
8
James R Johnson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$28,613
9
Donald Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$27,931
10
Robert Petersen
Belvidere, IL 61008
$27,616
11
Scott Mueller
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$27,381
12
Michael A Frank
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
$25,884
13
Kenneth Book
Harvard, IL 60033
$25,585
14
Michael Book
Woodstock, IL 60098
$25,585
15
Stanley Hullah
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$25,572
16
Cheryl Lindberg
Caledonia, IL 61011
$25,476
17
Frank Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$25,296
18
Kay F Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$25,296
19
Curt A Bottcher
Capron, IL 61012
$24,650
20
Chad Osterberg
Roscoe, IL 61073
$24,125
Rank
Recipient
(* ownership information available)
Location
Subtotal, Farming Subsidies
2010
1
Joie Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$62,972
2
Patrick Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$62,972
3
Shari L Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$62,972
4
Charles Morris
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$62,777
5
Warren A Kelm
Genoa, IL 60135
$41,639
6
Gina R Kelm
Genoa, IL 60135
$41,639
7
Frank Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$41,261
8
Kay F Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$41,261
9
Curt A Bottcher
Capron, IL 61012
$35,215
10
Mark D Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$35,208
11
Lisa L Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$35,208
12
James Marrs
Garden Prairie, IL 61038
$34,639
13
John W Brockmann
Belvidere, IL 61008
$34,604
14
Britton Farms Inc ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$32,077
15
James R Johnson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$32,037
16
Paul Buzzell
Belvidere, IL 61008
$31,416
17
Doetch Farms ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$31,277
18
Larry D Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$31,262
19
Hildebrandt Farms ∗
South Beloit, IL 61080
$31,166
20
Jeff A Lane
Kirkland, IL 60146
$30,968
Rank
Recipient
(* ownership information available)
Location
Subtotal, Farming Subsidies
2009
1
Hildebrandt Farms ∗
South Beloit, IL 61080
$92,852
2
James R Johnson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$65,584
3
Manni Farms ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$52,584
4
Family Af-ayr Farm LLC
Caledonia, IL 61011
$38,644
5
Todd Aves
Belvidere, IL 61008
$37,933
6
Mark D Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$35,208
7
Lisa L Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$35,208
8
Britton Farms Inc ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$33,356
9
Scott Mueller
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$33,075
10
John W Brockmann
Belvidere, IL 61008
$32,650
11
Doetch Farms ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$31,338
12
Larry D Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$31,262
13
Brian L Crull
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$28,893
14
Roger H Miller
Belvidere, IL 61008
$28,644
15
Donald Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$27,931
16
Raymond Wennmacher
Belvidere, IL 61008
$27,929
17
Dennis Gene Luckey
Caledonia, IL 61011
$27,866
18
Brent R Mueller
Garden Prairie, IL 61038
$26,060
19
Stanley Hullah
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$25,572
20
Paul Donley Jr
Capron, IL 61012
$25,531
Rank
Recipient
(* ownership information available)
Location
Subtotal, Farming Subsidies
1995-2011
1
Roger & Connie Osterberg ∗
Belvidere, IL 61008
$1,108,106
2
Larry D Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$979,310
3
Mark D Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$968,526
4
Britton Farms Inc ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$934,332
5
John W Brockmann
Belvidere, IL 61008
$907,983
6
Larry R Anderson
Belvidere, IL 61008
$875,459
7
Doetch Farms ∗
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$861,123
8
Karlson Farms ∗
Belvidere, IL 61008
$841,809
9
Donald Fowler
Belvidere, IL 61008
$836,503
10
Roger H Miller
Belvidere, IL 61008
$815,866
11
Richard A Britton
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$813,303
12
Raymond N Morse
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$772,156
13
Lisa L Priest
Capron, IL 61012
$764,589
14
James R Johnson
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$743,802
15
Richard Judson Daniels
Belvidere, IL 61008
$712,798
16
Stanley Hullah
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$702,740
17
Michael A Frank
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
$694,760
18
Donald Lindberg
Caledonia, IL 61011
$691,437
19
Frank Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$683,686
20
Kay F Bullard
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
$678,573
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