Read what reporters at the L.A. Times had to say about Sheriff Lee Baca:
"Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca admitted Friday that he broke state law by making a political endorsement while in uniform for an online campaign ad touting Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich for district attorney.
"Baca's acknowledgment came after inquiries from The Times about a video on Trutanich's campaign website that shows Baca wearing his badge and his department-issued sheriff's uniform."
Now, contrast that (OK, it's California state law that was violated by Sheriff Baca) with the white shirt, sheriff's department patches and badge of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department being worn by Undersheriff Andy Zinke at McHenry County political gatherings.
Whether or not Illinois law allows or prohibits it, Zinke should not be wearing his uniform to political events, whether in preparation for his own 2014 campaign or someone else's 2012 campaign. It's common sense not to do so!
Note that I don't mention any 2012 campaign by Zinke. Basically, all he has to do is keep enough distance from hot water and wait for Keith Nygren to retire as soon as Nygren hits the 28-month mark before the next General Election for the office of sheriff. That mark will hit about July, and rumor has it that Nygren will bail out (err, "retire") in August.
It's a sure thing that Nygren will stall on Seipler's reinstatement and leave it in Zinke's lap. In other words, Seipler will get another six months of back pay, all because of Nygren's ego. Nygren lost all his hands in the poker game with Seipler. Nygren lost before the arbitrator, before Judge Meyer, before the Appellate Court, and at the Illinois Supreme Court, which refused to hear his case (of course).
Didn't his lawyers tell him that he was holding a losing hand and that a bluff wasn't going to work against Seipler?
Yet Nygren still won't "give up". He can't "retire" now, or it would throw the sheriff's office into the November 2012 election cycle, where a lot of people are ready to vote for any strong candidate who will face off against Zinke.
So expect to continue to see the white shirt at future political events. Unless, of course, some small shred of integrity grabs Zinke in the gut and he changes clothes before showing up at the political gatherings.
Gee, by now, maybe Zinke is wishing he'd found my email in his Spam file a year ago in September. Or did he really read it after I sent it but choose to ignore it? Maybe, if he had just acknowledged it or even replied to it, I might not hold the opinion today of him that I do.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Woodstock parents - Attention!
Apparently, a grade school lunchroom watchdog didn't like that a kid brought a brownie in her lunch from home. The aide, according to Cal's article, told the kid that the brownie wasn't good for her and that she couldn't eat it.
Pardon me???????????
Maybe she had a food allergy that her mother had disregarded... (I doubt that.)
Did the brownie have some special ingredient that Brinks, the Woodstock PD K-9, would have noticed? I doubt it.
Was the kid maybe a little on the chubby side?
Well, the aide ought to look around at the teachers. Take aware their brownies! Was the aide a Size 0? What did she do with the brownie? Did she eat it herself?
If this story is true (and why wouldn't it be?), then the Principal and the aide both owe apologies to the student and to the parents, in writing, and hand-delivered on Tuesday..
Schools are closed on February 20. Maybe the staff will be home and baking brownies...
Who knows which grade school in Woodstock was involved?
The D-200 School Board will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00PM at the District Administrative Services Building. (The address was not given in the agenda; the meeting may be at 227 W. Judd St.) The only agenda item is an Executive Session for a personnel issue, so it may have to do with the recent suspension of a WNHS teacher.
Keep in mind that District 200 is a "public body" and all meetings of the School Board are open to the public. The public cannot attend the Executive Session, but you can be there before and when it end. The School Board is not to make a decision in private. It must leave the Executive Session, re-convene in public session, take a rollcall vote of members still present in the re-convened open session and then act only on any motion made in the public session.
No public comment item is included in the agenda. My guess is, if 100-200 parents showed up Tuesday night, the Board might be willing to listen. You probably wouldn't even have to wait long. The Executive Session could be as short as five minutes, if they all have their minds already made up.
Are you registered to vote?
Thanks to McHenry County Advocate I came across the "Peace and Quiet" video produced by the NRA Freedom Action Foundation to promote voter registration. Watch the video here.
You'll enjoy R. Lee ("Gunny") Ermey make the point about registering to vote. From www.imdb.com comes the following: "A talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the US Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and later was bestowed the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant by the Marine Corps, after he served 14 months in Vietnam and later did 2 tours in Okinawa". Check out his movie credits at www.imdb.com
The next election in McHenry County is March 20. If you aren't registered to vote (or are not sure if you are correctly registered (like, if you have moved)), you must take care of this by this Tuesday. Call 815.334.4242 and be prepared to go to the Elections Office at 667 Ware Road, if necessary.
The following is from the McHenry County Elections webpage: "REGISTERED VOTERS who have MOVED FROM ONE PRECINCT TO ANOTHER within the County since last registered, or from one address to another within the precinct of their residence, MUST NOTIFY the County Clerk, in writing, by signing an application for change of residence or by returning their present voter's card to the County Clerk's Office specifying the new address, on or before Tuesday, February 21st, 2012." (Capitalization is in the original; Emphasis is red was added)
Early voting will be permitted on February 27-March 15, inclusive.
Remember, it's the Second Amendment that protects your rights under the First Amendment.
You'll enjoy R. Lee ("Gunny") Ermey make the point about registering to vote. From www.imdb.com comes the following: "A talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the US Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and later was bestowed the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant by the Marine Corps, after he served 14 months in Vietnam and later did 2 tours in Okinawa". Check out his movie credits at www.imdb.com
The next election in McHenry County is March 20. If you aren't registered to vote (or are not sure if you are correctly registered (like, if you have moved)), you must take care of this by this Tuesday. Call 815.334.4242 and be prepared to go to the Elections Office at 667 Ware Road, if necessary.
The following is from the McHenry County Elections webpage: "REGISTERED VOTERS who have MOVED FROM ONE PRECINCT TO ANOTHER within the County since last registered, or from one address to another within the precinct of their residence, MUST NOTIFY the County Clerk, in writing, by signing an application for change of residence or by returning their present voter's card to the County Clerk's Office specifying the new address, on or before Tuesday, February 21st, 2012." (Capitalization is in the original; Emphasis is red was added)
Early voting will be permitted on February 27-March 15, inclusive.
Remember, it's the Second Amendment that protects your rights under the First Amendment.
Beth Bentley - gone 91 weeks now
How does a week pass so quickly? It seems only yesterday that it was Beth's birthday, but it was a week ago, on February 12, at the 90-week mark.
Is there anything going on in the case? Any further investigation? Any leads?
The Illinois State Police (ISP) denied a FOIA request for all information, even such innocuous information as their last contact with the Woodstock Police Department. What in the world could be top-secret about that?
ISP stalled me and asked for seven additional days to respond, claiming the records were somewhere other than in Springfield. Of course, they are somewhere else. Probably in DuQuoin, at the ISP Investigations zone office there.
The reasons for denial were remarkably similar to the reasons that Woodstock P.D. gave me when denying my FOIA request to it. "On-going investigation". Release of information could ...(you can guess the rest). I'm debating whether to file a Request for Review with the Attorney General's Office. I certainly don't see how providing the date of the last contact with the Woodstock PD could jeopardize any investigation.
How can missing women all over the country get so much publicity and be found so quickly, but a missing Woodstock woman can't even merit occasional press conferences by the police chief or the family with some real information? When the police department has nothing to say in a case that is now 21 months old, the public can reasonably believe that nothing is happening. Is nothing happening?
Obviously, the missing women who are murdered and found quickly get the headlines. There are probably thousands of women missing. Are all the cases as cold as this one?
How many of those women are likely to be women who did disappear on their own, fleeing abusive husbands who had threatened to kill them? It's a whole lot better to run than to be found dead. But tell someone you're going; okay?
What's even better is to buy a good gun and learn how to use it. Line up a good teacher, practice a lot and be on Red Alert all the time. And, if he breaks in and comes for you, drop him. No warning shots. No "shoot to injure". Don't try to shoot the knife out of his hand.
Remember to keep your mouth shut until your lawyer is with you. About all you'll want to say is, "He broke into my house, came at me with a knife and said he was going to slit my throat." Then shut up!
Is there anything going on in the case? Any further investigation? Any leads?
The Illinois State Police (ISP) denied a FOIA request for all information, even such innocuous information as their last contact with the Woodstock Police Department. What in the world could be top-secret about that?
ISP stalled me and asked for seven additional days to respond, claiming the records were somewhere other than in Springfield. Of course, they are somewhere else. Probably in DuQuoin, at the ISP Investigations zone office there.
The reasons for denial were remarkably similar to the reasons that Woodstock P.D. gave me when denying my FOIA request to it. "On-going investigation". Release of information could ...(you can guess the rest). I'm debating whether to file a Request for Review with the Attorney General's Office. I certainly don't see how providing the date of the last contact with the Woodstock PD could jeopardize any investigation.
How can missing women all over the country get so much publicity and be found so quickly, but a missing Woodstock woman can't even merit occasional press conferences by the police chief or the family with some real information? When the police department has nothing to say in a case that is now 21 months old, the public can reasonably believe that nothing is happening. Is nothing happening?
Obviously, the missing women who are murdered and found quickly get the headlines. There are probably thousands of women missing. Are all the cases as cold as this one?
How many of those women are likely to be women who did disappear on their own, fleeing abusive husbands who had threatened to kill them? It's a whole lot better to run than to be found dead. But tell someone you're going; okay?
What's even better is to buy a good gun and learn how to use it. Line up a good teacher, practice a lot and be on Red Alert all the time. And, if he breaks in and comes for you, drop him. No warning shots. No "shoot to injure". Don't try to shoot the knife out of his hand.
Remember to keep your mouth shut until your lawyer is with you. About all you'll want to say is, "He broke into my house, came at me with a knife and said he was going to slit my throat." Then shut up!
How's the food at the MCSD Jail?
Yesterday's article about a prisoner lawsuit in Chicago about inmate food got me thinking about the food in the McHenry County Jail. Fortunately, I haven't had the "opportunity" to taste the "cuisine" there, but I'm starting to hear that even the rats might turning up their noses at it.
You can read about the Chicago lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) here. I'm sure there is more in the Chicago papers. There, the prisoners are complaining about the amount of soy products in their food.
From that article, "The Illinois plaintiffs say they had up to 100 grams of soy protein per day in their prison diet, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 25 grams.As a result, the plaintiffs say, they suffered maladies ranging from thyroid disorders and allergic reactions to digestive distress and weakened immune systems"
Could the food served at the McHenry County Jail be related to the number of serious ailments and hospitalizations of McHenry County Jail inmates? What happens when an inmate complains of a stomach ache or a pain in his side. Could it be appendicitis?
Nahh, just take a couple of Tums or maybe Ibuprofen.
Have two inmates suffered burst appendixes recently? Who pays for that? The County? You?
I've heard the breakfasts described as "slop".
Just exactly what is the diet provided to inmates and detainees? The calorie count can be held up high with a little peanut butter on the side. But what about the overall nutritional value of the meals? Is there a Federal or a State standard? Well, probably IDOC shouldn't be asked, since the state inmates are suing over the soy levels.
Why is fiber in diet important?
My guess there is plenty of money already available to feed the inmates. What happens when you feed them slop? They get unhappy. What happens when inmates get unhappy (unnecessarily)? The danger level for guards and inmates themselves goes way up.
What's cheaper? A couple of more dollars a day for food per inmate, or putting down unrest (or a riot) with injuries and fatalities and resulting lawsuits?
You can read about the Chicago lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) here. I'm sure there is more in the Chicago papers. There, the prisoners are complaining about the amount of soy products in their food.
From that article, "The Illinois plaintiffs say they had up to 100 grams of soy protein per day in their prison diet, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 25 grams.As a result, the plaintiffs say, they suffered maladies ranging from thyroid disorders and allergic reactions to digestive distress and weakened immune systems"
Could the food served at the McHenry County Jail be related to the number of serious ailments and hospitalizations of McHenry County Jail inmates? What happens when an inmate complains of a stomach ache or a pain in his side. Could it be appendicitis?
Nahh, just take a couple of Tums or maybe Ibuprofen.
Have two inmates suffered burst appendixes recently? Who pays for that? The County? You?
I've heard the breakfasts described as "slop".
Just exactly what is the diet provided to inmates and detainees? The calorie count can be held up high with a little peanut butter on the side. But what about the overall nutritional value of the meals? Is there a Federal or a State standard? Well, probably IDOC shouldn't be asked, since the state inmates are suing over the soy levels.
Why is fiber in diet important?
My guess there is plenty of money already available to feed the inmates. What happens when you feed them slop? They get unhappy. What happens when inmates get unhappy (unnecessarily)? The danger level for guards and inmates themselves goes way up.
What's cheaper? A couple of more dollars a day for food per inmate, or putting down unrest (or a riot) with injuries and fatalities and resulting lawsuits?
Open Letter to MCSD Merit Commission
The following is an open letter to the five members of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department Merit Commission. These civilian members, appointed by Sheriff Keith Nygren and confirmed by the County Board, should represent fairness to all employees of the Department. Although they are hand-picked by the sheriff and, at least in some cases, are significant financial contributors to the sheriff's election campaigns, they serve the Public.
The letter has been sent to the secretary of the Merit Commission at McHenry County government headquarters. The letter reads:
Chairman Janelle Crowley and Members Patrick J. McAndrews, William (Bill) Mack, Brian Goode and Gloria Urch:
The Merit Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 12, 2012, at 10:30AM for the monthly Regular Meeting. A matter of significance needs to be addressed by you, and that is the status of employment of Sgt. Gregory Pyle.
For whatever reason, Sheriff Nygren and Undersheriff Zinke did not bring that matter before you at the February meeting, which was canceled. While Sgt. Pyle is entitled to a presumption of innocence in court, he has brought great discredit to the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. I believe that, by doing so, he has most likely engaged in a serious violation of General Orders.
Should the Sheriff or Undersheriff attempt to cancel the March meeting, I ask you to refuse to cancel it and to hold the meeting at its regular time.
The letter has been sent to the secretary of the Merit Commission at McHenry County government headquarters. The letter reads:
Chairman Janelle Crowley and Members Patrick J. McAndrews, William (Bill) Mack, Brian Goode and Gloria Urch:
The Merit Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 12, 2012, at 10:30AM for the monthly Regular Meeting. A matter of significance needs to be addressed by you, and that is the status of employment of Sgt. Gregory Pyle.
For whatever reason, Sheriff Nygren and Undersheriff Zinke did not bring that matter before you at the February meeting, which was canceled. While Sgt. Pyle is entitled to a presumption of innocence in court, he has brought great discredit to the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. I believe that, by doing so, he has most likely engaged in a serious violation of General Orders.
Should the Sheriff or Undersheriff attempt to cancel the March meeting, I ask you to refuse to cancel it and to hold the meeting at its regular time.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
What's up with City's website?
Something goofy is going on with the website of the City of Woodstock. Check it out at www.woodstockil.gov
Last week I noticed that no events were posted on the Community Calendar on the homepage. Usually City Council and board/commission meetings are posted. Not now.
Then I began looking more closely.
Groundhog Day 2012 has, obviously, come and gone. It would take about five minutes to put up some interesting pictures from the festivities and a "See you on Feb. 2, 2013" message.
The notice for Christmas tree collection is still there. Huh? The collection period was January 2-20. Here we are - a month later. Why is that notice still there?
And the Route 47 IDOT study? The second meeting was held September 15, 2010. That's 17 months ago. How about some new news? Except there probably isn't any.
The Coffee with the Chief link goes to a 404 Error.
The logo for the 2007 selection of Woodstock as a historic designation is dead in the water. Maybe a 5-year-old award ought to be removed? In place of the logo is this message: "please do not hotlink images". Did the City not have approval to use the image that had been there?
The City lost its standing in the Illinois Main Street Community organization, when funding dried up. The City and an insufficient number of business owners apparently did not think that a few dollars toward the (now-defunct) Woodstock Downtown Business Assn. was a worthwhile investment. It was. Now that information is way past time to be removed.
Some say that Woodstock is a jewel. Well, it needs polishing!
The City's website is dull and boring. Its stagnant condition will not attract viewers to return. It needs an entire make-over to instill some LIFE into it. Is there someone in City government whose job is to maintain the website? Did that person retire or was the position eliminated?
The City's response is invited and will be posted here, if one is received.
Last week I noticed that no events were posted on the Community Calendar on the homepage. Usually City Council and board/commission meetings are posted. Not now.
Then I began looking more closely.
Groundhog Day 2012 has, obviously, come and gone. It would take about five minutes to put up some interesting pictures from the festivities and a "See you on Feb. 2, 2013" message.
The notice for Christmas tree collection is still there. Huh? The collection period was January 2-20. Here we are - a month later. Why is that notice still there?
And the Route 47 IDOT study? The second meeting was held September 15, 2010. That's 17 months ago. How about some new news? Except there probably isn't any.
The Coffee with the Chief link goes to a 404 Error.
The logo for the 2007 selection of Woodstock as a historic designation is dead in the water. Maybe a 5-year-old award ought to be removed? In place of the logo is this message: "please do not hotlink images". Did the City not have approval to use the image that had been there?
The City lost its standing in the Illinois Main Street Community organization, when funding dried up. The City and an insufficient number of business owners apparently did not think that a few dollars toward the (now-defunct) Woodstock Downtown Business Assn. was a worthwhile investment. It was. Now that information is way past time to be removed.
Some say that Woodstock is a jewel. Well, it needs polishing!
The City's website is dull and boring. Its stagnant condition will not attract viewers to return. It needs an entire make-over to instill some LIFE into it. Is there someone in City government whose job is to maintain the website? Did that person retire or was the position eliminated?
The City's response is invited and will be posted here, if one is received.
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