Sunday, October 5, 2014
State Gas Taxes
The federal government imposes a tax that amounts to about $0.18 per gallon. The money raised through this specific tax is used to finance major repairs to interstate highways and bridges, as well as roads through national parks and other public infrastructure. Recently, the issues surrounding the desperate state of the nation’s road and bridge network have led many to believe that a tax hike might be in order to address the crumbling roads, freeways, and bridges unless another solution is proposed.
On a state level, the tax situation varies wildly from state-to-state. Automotive resource Mojo Motors examined a study recently that broke down the gas prices in each state respectively, and the results are rather intriguing: state-level gasoline taxes (excluding the federal tax) varied from $0.124 cents in Alaska at the least, to $0.505 cents in New York at the highest. You can check out the map below for a complete breakdown of where each state falls:
Read more: http://wallstcheatsheet.com/automobiles/this-chart-will-tell-you-how-much-youre-paying-in-gas-taxes.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3FKQQibwh
75 Abandoned Quarter Horses in Need of New Homes Before Winter
Hands and Hooves helped out several times in Boone County in years past.
Article below is from: http://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/75-abandoned-quarter-horses-need-new-homes-winter#.VDIJDY10zIU
The American Quarter Horses have been living at a facility that has insufficient space and did not provide adequate shelter.
By Amie Schaenzer | Patch Editor (Patch Staff)Updated October 3, 2014 at 7:54 am
Photo Credit: Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society website
Seventy-five recently abandoned American Quarter Horses are in need of new homes.
The horses’ owner lead in breeding American Quarter Horses and won several national champion halter titles at shows across the country. The owner became unable to care for the horses after falling on difficult times following the deaths of her husband, daughter and then the loss of her family farm in Harvard in 2012, said Donna Ewing, founder and president of Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society (HARPS) in Barrington.
Now, HARPS and Hands & Hooves are teaming up to help find new homes for the 75 abandoned horses before winter.
The horses have lived for the past two years at a leased equine facility in Hampshire that didn’t have sufficient space. Thirty of the horses were confined to stalls while the rest were left outside in four small paddocks that did not have adequate shelter, excess manure and very limited human handling, Ewing said.
“We have less than a month to get 75 of these horses off the leased property and into permanent homes. We are pleading with the horse community to come and adopt these animals and give them a new beginning in life,” Ewing said. “In addition to daily feeding, cleaning and turn-out, the horses need veterinary care and farrier work.”
Ewing estimates those costs to care for these horses will exceed $30,000. The registered Quarter Horses are halter broke and range in age from 6 to 27 years.
Anyone interested in donating to the Hampshire Quarter Horse Rescue Fund or adopting one of the horses, can contact HARPS at (847) 382-0503, P.O. Box 94, Barrington, Illinois 60011-0094 or visit the HARPS website.
- To fill out an adoption application, visit this link.
- To donate directly to the Hampshire herd, click here.
You can view more photos of the horses and learn more about how to donate on the HARPS website
Should Restaurant Sanitation Ratings be published?
Well based upon a recent posting from Cal Skinner’s McHenry County Blog--it appears that McHenry County is moving in that direction.
Click on the embolden title to read all of Cal Skinner’s posting.
CL Restaurant Sanitation Ratings – The Pizza Place – X-Treme Wheels
Posted on 09/29/2014 by Cal Skinner
Could a sign like this be coming to restaurants in McHenry County?
Restaurant customers may be on the verge of being able to figure out how clean their favorite establishment is.
The Public Health Committee of the McHenry County Board discussed making the Health Department’s quarterly inspections much more friendly to those who eat out.
A solid majority on the committee–Donna Kurtz, John Hammerand and Paula Yensen–were in favor of more transparency.
Mary McCann and Anna May Miller did not agree.
Over the last four days, the rankings for Crystal Lake zip code restaurants have been published in McHenry County Blog.
Today, you can read the results for those restaurants in the last part of the alphabet.
Here are some more of Cal’s posting on the issue:
CL Restaurant Sanitation Ratings – The Pizza Place – X-Treme Wheels
Posted on 09/29/2014 by Cal Skinner
Restaurant customers may be on the verge of being able to figure out how clean their favorite establishment is. The Public Health Committee of the McHenry County Board discussed making the Health Department’s quarterly inspections much more friendly to those … Continue reading →
Posted in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Board., McHenry County Department of Public Health, McHenry County Public Health Department, Ranking, Rating, Restaurant, Sanitation | 14 Replies
CL Restaurant Sanitation Ratings – Portarelli’s – The Morning Grind
Posted on 09/28/2014 by Cal Skinner
At its last meeting the McHenry County Board’s Public Health Committee looked favorably on more transparency concerning sanitation reports of area restaurants. The Committee split four to two with Chairwoman Donna Kurtz, John Hammerand and Paula Yensen coming down on … Continue reading →
Posted in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Board., McHenry County Public Aid Committee, McHenry County Public Health Department, Ranking, Rating, Sanitation | 3 Replies
Rating CL Restaurants on Cleanliness – Kumi Sishi – Pizza Hut
Posted on 09/27/2014 by Cal Skinner
This is page three of the spreadsheet of sanitation rankings of Crystal Lake restaurants. The most recent inspection and the one before it have been listed by the McHenry County Department of Public Health. Making the results of these inspection … Continue reading →
Posted in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Board., McHenry County Department of Public Health, Ranking, Rating, Restaurant | 4 Replies
Crystal Lake Restaurant Sanitation Ratings – CL Country Club – Krystal Thai
Posted on 09/26/2014 by Cal Skinner
Yesterday I wrote of the McHenry County Board’s Public Health Committee having given a thumbs up to posting sanitation reports for restaurants. Donna Kurtz, John Hammerand and Paula Yensen were in favor. Mary McCann and Anna May Miller were opposed. … Continue reading →
Posted in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Board of Health, McHenry County Board., Ranking, Rating, Resturant | Leave a reply
Telling Customers Cleanliness of Restaurants, CL Ratings 1776 – Crystal Brewing
Posted on 09/25/2014 by Cal Skinner
Led by McHenry County Board members Donna Kurtz, John Hammerand and Paula Yensen, the Public Health Committee supported having restaurant inspections made more public than they are now. Opposing the proposal were Mary McCann and Anna May Miller. You may … Continue reading →
Posted in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Board., McHenry County Health Department, Ranking, Rating, Resturant, Sanitation | 5 Replies
Rating Restaurants
Posted on 08/12/2014 by Cal Skinner
The McHenry County Health Department inspects restaurants. I’m (Cal Skinner) told that the minimum passing grade is 70% and some restaurants are satisfied with ratings that barely pass. But, as a consumer, you wouldn’t know about that. The information is available through … Continue reading →
Posted in Grade, Inspection, Kentucky, McHenry County Board of Health, Restaurant, Sanitation, Score | 6 Replies
School District 100’s and Belvidere Education Association’s Final Offers: Strike as early as October 17
The final offers are available at: http://www.district100.com/District/Pages/Contract-Negotiations.aspx
For your convenience click on the following for each item:
Board of Education Last and Final Offer: http://www.district100.com/District/Contract%20Documents%20and%20Information/Board%20of%20Education%20Last%20and%20Final%20Offer.pdf
Belvidere Education Association Last and Final Offer: http://www.district100.com/District/Contract%20Documents%20and%20Information/Belvidere%20Education%20Association%20Last%20and%20Final%20Offer.pdf
Answers and Clarifications (Prepared by District 100 Administration): http://www.district100.com/District/Contract%20Documents%20and%20Information/Answers%20and%20Clarifications.pdf
Dueling over Boone County appointment process
My View: Men dominate Boone boards under Walberg’s leadership
The lack of women on Boone County Board’s appointed posts took another step backward in September despite pleas of five of 12 board members to give women and minorities a chance on the Boone County Board of Health.
Chairman Bob Walberg presented Marshall Newhouse for the open spot making the ratio of men to women on that board 10-to-1. No minorities of either gender were presented. No County Board committee was asked for advice on the appointment as was done by previous chairs.
This appointment dismayed many board members and observers, as did the recent appointment of Brian Van Laar to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The ratio on that board is 4 men to 1 woman.
Both Newhouse and Van Laar are outspoken opponents of wind farms, as is Walberg.
Since Walberg was elected chair five years ago, he has only recommended men to the open seats on the County Board. Those Walberg nominated were David Mace, Bernard O’Malley, Paul Larson, Brad Fidder, Ken Grzybowski and Chris Berner. The ratio on the County Board is 11 men to one woman, and only men chair any of his board committees.
A check of his appointments in the past five years find the overwhelming majority have been men. In the past year, only a handful of women have been recommended for any opening.
Five board members — Ken Freeman, Bill Pysson, Craig Schultz, Marion Thornberry and I — asked for a postponement of the health board appointment to give women and minorities a chance. It was denied by the same 7-to-5 vote, despite the fact that other appointments have been postponed and despite the fact that many women and minorities, most likely the majority, seek help from the health board.
Obviously Boone County has dozens of highly intelligent, qualified and talented women and minorities who could serve on these boards and should.
The seven board members who voted for Walberg’s choices are Chris Berner, Denny Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Karl Johnson, Paul Larson, Ron Wait and Walberg. Berner, Fidder and Larson were all recommended for appointment to the board by Walberg during his term of office.
Berner, Ellingson, Fidder, Johnson, Larson, and Walberg are all outspoken opponents of wind farms, a proposed multi-million investment, still a highly controversial topic in Boone County.
A couple things could reverse this vote at the October meeting. One of the men voting for Newhouse could ask that it be reconsidered or Newhouse could decline the appointment and give women a chance.
Some board members who voted for Newhouse suggested it might be a good idea to give women or minorities a chance for a post. Maybe next time, they said. Maybe.
Cathy Ward, District 2, is a member of the Boon County Board.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20141004/Opinion/141009753#ixzz3FHBqv1xq
My View: No change in percentage of women, men appointed to Boone County Board of Health
Without seeing Mrs. Ward’s letter, but anticipating her comments, I would like to respond. At our last County Board meeting I was criticized for not appointing a woman or a minority to the Boone County Board of Health.
People who ridicule usually don’t have the facts on their side. Going back to 2002, Chairman Anderson (2002-2006) appointed 77 percent men and 23 percent women, Chairman Ward (2007-2008) appointed 73 percent men and 27 percent women. During my term as Board Chairman (2009-present) I have appointed 76 percent men and 24 percent women. I was in the middle of the two previous chairmen.
Statistically there was no change for men and woman appointed. However, Anderson appointed two minorities, Ward appointed two minorities, and I have appointed nine minorities. My goal as board chairman is to select the best candidate to serve our county.
The truth is Mrs. Ward always used the administration committee to screen interested persons. When there is more than one interested person, I select a committee with expertise or a related field to interview the interested people. Each committee has individual qualifications to assist in giving a professional opinion in the selection.
I hope this information I have provided will help clarify this topic.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20141004/Opinion/141009734#ixzz3FHCoZN2M