Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Crystal Lake Vulcan Lake Project Is A Waste

November 20, 2008 by crystallakemod

 

Vulcan Lakes Project Bad Idea, Conservation Area Instead

For over 7 years Crystal Lake’s Vulcan Lake Project has gone nowhere. To help it along, the officials raised sales tax to get the money needed to create this unwanted recreational area. Wasn’t part of Vulcan’s tax put aside to buy the land back? What happened to the money? Did Crystal Lake blow the money on something else? As far as I am concern, using the Vulcan Lakes Project as the city’s escape goat to raise taxes is getting old. I say “Let go of the dream!”

The price of this project will probably hit near the 30 million dollar mark. That is 10 million more than originally estimated. Why waste that kind of money on a project that will be ruined by people anyway? Once you have the beach and the boats, the water will be polluted and the beach will not look any better than the one that is there now. In the end, Crystal Lake would take an area of beauty and turn it into a dump. I think Vulcan Lakes would serve the community better as a conservation area. “I Propose that McHenry County should buy the land.” Not only that, there are enough empty stores in Crystal Lake as it is. There is also another factor: the economy. I am sure a place like this will cost the public something…. nothing is free.

Red = Hiking/Bike Path    Blue = Boat Launch

I would very much like to see a large hiking path around Vulcan Lakes and a boat launch (no motors allowed). Sure,  The Hollows does not allow boat motors (unless you are the Cary Fire District- those bozos sure messed up that lake with their drills!)

For 30 million dollars, Crystal Lake could put the money where it is really needed.
I know! How about here:

Crystal Lake Library

The library, for one, is too small. I have seen how many people visit the library on a daily basis, it is just not large enough. The librarians complain that there are too many inter-library loans. Well, the Crystal Lake Library does not have enough materials due to it’s size and lack of funding. Even after the remodeling there is not that much of a difference…. maybe a little, but not a lot.

Technorati Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Posted in City of Crystal Lake | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Crystal Lake Coventry School; Parent seeking other parents for discussion

October 25, 2008 by crystallakemod

 

I was asked if I could help and post this message………………..

Moderator can you please help me. I am seeking other parents of kids who attend Coventry School in Crystal Lake to discuss school issues with.

I am looking for Coventry School parents to discuss any issues such as how classes and programs are being taught.
It has come to my attention the school is having the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Spanish. I believe that is wrong. Also it is wrong to make students stand for the Spanish version as well.
This is one of a few issues that I have. If any other parent has any issues, please let us discuss. There is a message board for Crystal Lake where we can communicate. The web address is http://crystallakeilmb.proboards100.com/index.cgi

Thank you,

CLParent

Posted in City of Crystal Lake | Leave a Comment »

Energy Saving Bulbs, Bad for the Environment, Bad for Health

June 18, 2008 by crystallakemod

[image]

Did you know that our government has plans to phase out the traditional light bulb by 2012 and replace them with these environmental poisoner’s.
The government is chipping away at our freedoms again!
Why go to something more harmful? The government should just pass out some anthrax.
Did you know that these light bulbs are only made in China. These light bulbs are more expensive than traditional ones, sometimes 4 to 10 times as much and that also means we are putting more money into China’s economy instead of ours.
Did you know that these bulbs contain mercury.
Not only has China poised our pet food and our children’s toys, now they will poison our landfills with these light bulbs. Do you think that people will follow the disposal procedures of the harmful light bulbs?

Look at the clean up procedure:
EPA Spills Source

Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room
*Have people and pets leave the room, and don’t let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
*Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
*Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
*Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
*Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
*Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
*Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug
*Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
*Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
*If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
*Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
*I also heard it is best to cut out and replace the carpet.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials
*If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
*You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
*If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials
*Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
*Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
*Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming
*The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
*Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

Posted in Other Interest | Leave a Comment »

Now opened, The McHenry County Message Board serving all of McHenry County

March 3, 2008 by crystallakemod

Plesae visit our new friends…………

"We would like to welcome you to the McHenry County Message Board. This message board is for people to talk freely about their community, concerns, and any other topics of interest. The forum is divided into various areas, according to the town that you live in McHenry County. There are also various other areas and topics, for everyone to post in.

Please come by and check it out!"

McHenry County Message Boards

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Blogroll, City of Crystal Lake, Gala Parade, Other Interest | Leave a Comment »

Mangling The Gala Parade, Louise Steinbach Ruins The Gala Parade

July 3, 2007 by crystallakemod

Gala Parade 2007
Now that the Gala Parade and Festival are over, what can we say about the Parade?? We know that the Peace Group and the Libertarian Party were not allowed to participate in the parade. This caused the Democratic Party to refuse to participate as well. So, what was in the parade? It was indeed entertaining, but much shorter. Only the Republican point of view was presented. I guess if one is a libertarian or espouses a view that the parade organizers and Louise Steinbach don’t share, then one cannot participate. This resulted in families who watched the parade being presented only one view. The Peace Group did have their float and it was off to the side in someone’s yard, but that hardly attracted anyone’s attention. A better way would be for them to take up their famous signs and bring up the rear of the parade, pretending that they were their own parade! But, this wasn’t done. Which would make anyone watching this parade think there was only one view in McHenry County and Crystal Lake- the Republican. Others just don’t count. One other thing? Supposedly the parade was not supposed to have any political views at all. What happened with that?? A white dove is not alright. Neither is a sign detailing how many young people sacrificed their lives in Iraq. But it WAS ok to have signs on floats asking God to bless the troops, or saying they support the troops. Whats the difference? How is that not political?? That is clearly a political sign showing support of the war effort, not just support of the troops. It would be hard to take it any other way, since it has been used in just such a way by a variety of organizations and political parties. So, that’s ok to have for Louise Steinbach. I guess that doesn’t go against her views.
I think, altogether, Louise Steinbach made a total fool of herself, as did those who supported her in this decision to ban certain groups. I read the letters in the NW Herald and not one person whose letter I read supported her decision.
And then one has to ask: when does it stop? We ban certain people whose views we don’t agree with, even though their peaceful and non-threatening, from participating in a parade. Why not ban spectators whose view we disagree with from watching the parade next year?? Why not ban books and movies that we disagree with the year after that. And so on. In a few years we won’t be any better off than any communist or fascist country. I thought the 4th of July was about freedoms in this country, such as freedom of speech. I guess to Louise Steinbach and parade organizers, this freedom of speech only entails their own freedom to express only their own views and try to ban and quash any view that doesn’t agree with their limited thinking.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Political Statement!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Political Statement!

Posted in Gala Parade | Leave a Comment »

Louise Steinbach is Un-American, Gala Parade is run by ignorance, some are disappointed in sponsoring businesses

July 1, 2007 by crystallakemod

The people have spoken, but Louise Steinbach is still squashing the Freedom of Speech. Look at the reaction that people in our community have had to the way the parade has been hijacked by Loiuse Steinbach and made into a private event, open only to the views that she herself and the parade organizers espouse. This isn’t freedom. Its a shame to our McHenry County communities who attend the parade. I am also surprised that the sponsors(such as Miller, Holiday Inn, etc.) of the parade have tolerated Louise Steinbach’s ignorance as well. It is bad business to back an orginization of elitist views, more appropriate to pre-colonial England. Maybe next time before I reach for that Miller beer or decide to stay at a Holiday Inn, or to maybe even open up an account at Crystal Lake Bank, I might think twice about it, because they support an event that is against our very values that made America what it is.

Northwest Herald
To the Editor:
I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor the soldiers serving our country than making informed decisions about the true cost of this war – in dollars and human lives.
And for this reason, the Gala committee claims it is banning a peaceful group from participating in the parade. I would expect this type of intolerance in Iraq, not in the United States of America.
Bobbi Pierce
Crystal Lake

Northwest Herald
To the Editor:
As a child, I learned the 4th of July was for celebrating our independence. Our country has been admired for its freedoms, one being the freedom of speech.
I also had the impression that parades held around the Fourth, were for celebrating those liberties we cherish. However, Steinbach, of the Gala Festival, stated in the Northwest Herald: “This is not an Independence Day parade, this is a Gala Parade.” This is news to a great many people in Crystal Lake. The Gala’s Web site certainly looks like a celebration of Independence Day.
Consequently, the McHenry County Peace Group’s float, featuring the Statue of Liberty, was barred from this year’s parade because of last year’s float. It featured a dove, statistics of war dead, and the war’s cost in dollars.
There was no political statement. There is nothing in the Gala’s requirements that indicated statistics were unacceptable.
Last year’s float created no disturbance.
There was positive input along the parade route. It is ironic that a parade, once celebrating a very political act, no longer has anything to do with Independence Day. It appears the purpose of the parade has been hijacked by a small group of people. How sad.
Anthea Estergarad
Crystal Lake

Northwest Herald
To the Editor:
The Gala’s co-chairwoman says, “we like the parade to be, just fun … and things that are going to make people happy.” This is their justification for banning the McHenry County Peace Group from marching in the parade. Apparently the peace group’s signs in last year’s parade made a few people unhappy.
Can’t have that now, can we?
Or should we? The war the peace group reminded us of last year rages on. It continues to take American lives and dollars. To endure a moment of unhappiness seems a small price to pay in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice the parents of more than 3,000 American soldiers have made.
War should make us unhappy. For many Americans, this war is a remote thing, a news item. Most American’s lives have not been affected at all. Perhaps we need the peace group’s factual reminders of the sacrifices and costs of waging a war, for whatever reason.
It’s the Gala’s parade so they can have it their way. Their parade will have flags and fireworks, plenty of red-white-and blue, but apparently no reminders that we are a country at war.
Bill Weller
Crystal Lake

Northwest Herald
To the Editor:
Re: The Northwest Herald’s June 21 editorial “Gala wrong to ban group.”
I agree with the Northwest Herald’s superb editorial about the wrong-headed decision by the Gala organizers to un-invite the McHenry County Peace Group from the parade held every year around the Fourth of July. Each new edict by the Gala to avoid political controversy has left them drenched in it. It’s difficult for the Gala to transform the parade into an nonpolitical event. The theme ensures a political flavor, because it includes a VFW honor guard, bands playing patriotic marches, the waving of countless U.S. flags, and various political candidates (except Democrats this year).
The peace group has been dead right about the Iraq war and that unnerves some people.
Ernest Hemingway once called his Oak Park hometown a community of “broad lawns and narrow minds.”
To modify that expression, the Gala organizers possess “broad misconceptions and narrow minds.”
The organizers have said that the Peace Group’s actions offend military families. I doubt that. Most of them are tired and anxious. They yearn for an end to the Iraq conflict. For example, our family is related to a military one, and we so wish our nephew wasn’t headed back to Iraq for the third time.
Jim Bauman
Crystal Lake

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Gala Parade | Leave a Comment »

Louise Steinbach Messing Up The Gala Parade Again

June 24, 2007 by crystallakemod

This year, Louise Steinbach and the Gala festival have again incited controversy. Over the same issue. Last year, Steinbach told various groups, such as the McHenry County Peace Group and the Libertarian Party, that they can march in the parade, but not express any views. That in itself denied those groups their first amendment rights and was blatantly unfair, because other “groups”, such as various politicians could both march in the parade and express their views. Why not the Peace Group? This year, Steinbach took it one step further. Not only are those groups not allowed to express views, they are prevented from marching in the parade in the first place! That’s right, the McHenry County Peace Group and the Libertarian party are not even allowed to participate in the parade. Why? Well, Ms. Steinbach feels that the parade is a private parade for families to enjoy, so political views do not have a place for it. Of course, she means not just political views, but the views that she doesn’t agree with. Its alright for the Republican parties, and various politicians and church groups to shower people with their views, hold up signs stating what they stand for and believe in, but if it’s something Steinbach and the parade organizers do not believe in, then those groups may not be allowed in the parade. Taken to this extent, what is the parade, really? Why, it’s a way for Steinbach and those who planned this to allow their political parties and their views to be expressed, while others are banned from so much as marching in the parade. This is as elitist as one can get. We have gotten to the point in McHenry County where we celebrate the 4th of July, the day of Independence for the whole country, by banning people from participating because we don’t agree with their views. That’s very pathetic. We can and should do better than that.
Source – Northwest Herald

Politics step to forefront of parade
By JOCELYN ALLISON - jallison@nwherald.com

CRYSTAL LAKE – The McHenry County Democratic Party announced Thursday that it will withdraw from the Crystal Lake Gala Parade in response to the parade committee’s decision to bar the McHenry County Peace Group.Democratic Party Chairman Thomas Cynor said that the move was in response to growing concern about what appeared to be the Gala committee’s decision to ban groups based on their message.“At some point, I think we have all come to realize that this is a slippery slope,” Cynor said. “Basically what the Gala committee has started to do is cherry-pick groups and/or issues they feel are inappropriate for the Gala Parade.”Gala co-chair Louise Steinbach said Thursday that the peace group was not being allowed into the parade because it broke rules that prohibit groups from expressing political statements.“We’re not banning them,” Steinbach said. “They broke the rules, and we’re not inviting them back because they broke the rules.”The Gala committee established rules after the 2005 parade, when the Libertarian Party pretended to arrest people along the parade route as part of their Homeland Security float. At that same parade, the McHenry County Peace Group held signs about the war in Iraq that upset some parade-goers. Last year, the peace group carried signs indicating the cost of the war in lives and tax dollars, a statement that Peace Group member Libby Pappalardo said she considered more of a fact than an opinion. Cynor said several organizations, political parties and candidates for public office regularly carried signs in the parade promoting themselves, and that the rules should be applied fairly to all groups. “We had a sign that said, ‘For the future, vote Democrat,’” Cynor said. “If that’s not a political statement, I don’t know what it is.” Pappalardo said that she did not want to disrupt the parade, but thought there was cause for concern in the Gala committee’s actions. “To me, this parade isn’t just for a good time,” Pappalardo said. “Parades are fun, but when you think about it, the purpose of the parade is to celebrate the Fourth of July, and we’re really celebrating our rights, including our right to free speech.” Steinbach said that the parade was not the time nor place for political statements, and that the parade was not an Independence Day celebration but a chance for families to gather and enjoy the festivities. “If they want to have a political parade, then have a political parade,” she said. “This is not an Independence Day parade; this is a Gala Parade.” The Gala Parade, which will take place July 1, was funded by about $3,000 in advertising fees from businesses, plus about $14,000 in costs the committee offsets through sponsorships and festival revenues, Steinbach said. Crystal Lake provides police protection for the event, but does not contribute taxpayer funds, she said. “We have a fantastic parade and everyone comes out and enjoys it, and it’s really disappointing that a few people have to steal the headlines from what the Gala is really all about,” Steinbach said. Cynor said that he planned to ask elected officials not to participate in the parade if the Gala committee did not reconsider the peace group’s application.  

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Gala Parade | Leave a Comment »

Bogus Disorderly Conduct Charges Dropped Against Teen Who Wrote Essay – Police Chief Ron Delelio And States’ Attorney Louis Bianchi Are Both Morons

June 13, 2007 by crystallakemod

Copied from: Crusade for Justice (CBS) WOODSTOCK, Ill. The disorderly conduct case against a high school student who wrote a disturbing essay has been dismissed.

Prosecutors said they dropped the charges partly because the teacher at Cary-Grove High School in McHenry County didn’t want the case to continue.

As CBS 2’s North Suburban Bureau Chief Katie McCall reports, Cary-Grove senior Allen Lee will now be able enlist with the U.S. Marine Corps in 5 months.

Just a month ago, his dream of becoming a marine was nearly shattered when he was charged with disorderly conduct for alleged threats he made in a school essay.

On Wednesday, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office dropped the charges.

The essay included discussions of mass murder and sex with the dead, and warned a teacher not to be surprised if she inspired the first shooting at the high school.

Lee’s teacher, Nora Capron, was alarmed by Lee’s essay and called her department chair, who then spoke with Cary-Grove Principal Susan Popp.

Popp called police and signed the disorderly conduct complaint shortly afterward, prosecutors said, and Lee was arrested on April 24. The arrest jeopardized the straight-A student’s dream to join the Marines and forced him out of school for a period of time. He has been back at school since May 4.

On Wednesday, the McHenry County state’s attorney’s office dropped the charges, saying Lee did not pose a threat to himself or others. He may now pursue his planned career in the Marine Corps.

Lee’s lawyers said all along it was the assignment and not the student’s words that were to blame.

Attorney Dane Loizzo said, “A little bit more care should be placed in the types of assignments that we are giving these children.”

In the assignment, students were told not to censor themselves. Lee addressed his teacher in his essay, saying not to be surprised if she inspired a school shooting.

“It would seem to me that the teacher would then put in there do not write anything that refers to sex drugs alcohol or violence,” attorney Tom Loizzo said.

McHenry County State’s Attorney said he decided to drop the charges, but still believes the school did the right thing. “Freedom of speech is not absolute,” he said.

Bianchi said had they not brought charges and a tragedy took place at the school, this would have been a very different story.

“It was always about safety his safety the teacher’s safety the school’s safety,” Bianchi said. “The arrest and charges were clearly warranted by the Cary Police Department. … The police were obligated in the circumstances to do whatever legally possible they could to ensure the safety of Mr. Lee the students and the school.”

Lee has been back here at Cary Grove since May 4th and will graduate this Saturday with his class.

Appeared Here

Allen Lee’s Essay

Blood sex and Booze. Drugs Drugs Drugs are fun. Stab, Stab, Stab, S…t…a…b…, poke. “So I had this dream last night where I went into a building, pulled out two P90s and started shooting everyone…, then had sex with the dead bodies. Will, not really, but it would be funny if I did.” Umm, yeah, what to wright about…… I’m leaving to join the Marines and I really don’t give a F*** about my academics, so why does the only class that’s complete Bull S***, happen to be the only required class…enough said. The model citizen would stay around to vote in new board member to change the 4 years of English policy, but no one really stays around to vote for that kind of local crap, so whoever gets there name on the Ballet with a pretty face gets to do what the F*** ever they want with local ordinance. A person is smart, but people are dumb selfish animals. We can’t make rules for ourselves so we vote others to do it for us, but we can’t even do that right, I meen seriously, Bush for President? And our other option was John Kerry who claimed to partake in Vietnam Special Forces missions that haven’t been declassified….F***ing Bull S***. So Power Flower Super Mario. Pudge, hook, rot, dismember “Fresh Meat.” Most new/young teachers are laid back, and cooperative with students as feedback and input into the curriculum and atmosphere. My current English teacher is a control freak intent on setting a gap between herself and her students like a 63 year old white male fortune 500 company CEO, and a illegal immigrant. If CG was a private catholic school I could understand, but wtf is her problem. And baking brownies and rice crispies does not make up for it, way to try and justify yourself as a good teacher while underhandidly looking for complements on your cooking. No quarrel on you qualifications as a writer, but as a teacher, don’t be surprised on inspiring the first cg shooting.Tags: , , , , , , ,

Posted in McHenry County | Leave a Comment »

Needed repairs likely to be done by developers, Director Victor Ramirez Stated

April 2, 2007 by crystallakemod

Read more: Needed repairs likely to be done by developers
Tags: , , , , ,

Posted in City of Crystal Lake | Leave a Comment »

Barbarians of the Justice System, Nichole Owens, Louis Bianchi

April 2, 2007 by crystallakemod

Read more: Barbarians of the Justice System
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in McHenry County | Leave a Comment »

Older Posts »