Sunday, December 5, 2010

Is High-Speed Rail Travel in America's Future?

 

two out of three Americans (62%) would "definitely or probably  use high-speed rail for leisure or business travel if a system was built. Another 27% said they weren't sure while only 11% said they "probably or definitely would not†use it….

service is expected to save one-third of the energy per passenger of airplanes and one-fifth the energy per passenger of automobiles

So it all comes back to you dear reader. Do you want to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, travel relatively inexpensively between cities 500 to 800 miles away or continue to fight the clogged roadways? You could also choose between passing nakedly through scanners or being groped by strangers instead of getting on a train that could have you at your destination in about the same time you'll wait to board your plane.

Click on the following for more details:  Is High-Speed Rail Travel in America's Future?

Northwest Herald | Analysis: As values fall, property tax bills expected to rise

All of this is equally true of Boone County.

Area taxpayers are in for a rude awakening in 2011 if they believe that their property tax bills will shrink along with their equalized assessed values. In fact, the effect of falling EAVs under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, or PTELL, is that property tax rates are expected to increase across the board, local tax experts said.

current tax cycle, the rate of inflation has been established at 2.7 percent….Districts can raise their levies – which is the total amount of money they seek to capture from property taxes – this year by 2.7 percent, as well as capture new growth….

Because they are requesting more money and equalized assessed values are down, tax rates will rise to make up for the difference.

Northwest Herald | Analysis: As values fall, property tax bills expected to rise

Cal Skinner Prediction: Reapportionment Scenario to Pit Manzullo Against Walsh, the Winner to Face Franks

Cal Skinner, retired Republican Representative for the Crystal Lake area (73-81, 93-01), predicts that U.S. House District # 16 (Manzullo, R. Rockford) and #8 (Walsh, R.McHenry ) will be merged by the Democratic controlled reapportionment process.  Manzullo may either retire or hammer is out in a primary with Walsh in 2012.  And then Democrat Jack Franks will challenge the winner.  One Congressional seat is expected  lost because of the 2010 Census. 

Click on the following to read Mr. Skinner’s conclusions:  McHenry County Blog | Reapportionment Scenario to Pit Manzullo Against Walsh, the Winner to Face Franks

Saturday, December 4, 2010

What is the status of Bel-Mar?

Phone calls to the club house say:  “close indefinitely”.  This Boone County institution has existed for 91 years yet the news media has been silent. 

 

 

As of July 2010

Bel-Mar Board Directors:


President Paul Mahon Todd Proffit: Finance Steve Cooper: Grounds
Secretary Dean Chambers: House Chairman Bob Wagner: Building Renee McClenthen: Social
Treasurer Dennis Leslie Gordie White: Proshop
Golf Pro: Matt Peterson
Banquet/Bar Manager: Christine Kunde
Chef: Jake Poulisse

Friday, December 3, 2010

Who is Mr. (or Ms.) Anonymous ?

Yesterday I received this letter from someone.  Apparently several Boone County Board members also received the letter.  I assume someone  wishes to make a statement regarding the organization meeting this Monday in which the board will elect a new chairman.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Danger 1

danger 2

Boone County Website is on Page 3C

The Rockford Register Star printed this article regarding the Boone County website and Illinois Attorney General.

webdesign

This article is available online at:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/yourtown/boone/x1817609725/Website-redesign-cited-for-delay-in-publishing-Boone-minutes

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Blog Count

Since September 1, 2009:  11,888 visits, 6,619 separate visitors
Last 30 days:  941 visits, 606 separate visitors
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