There was a nice story in the Northwest Herald this morning about the new Lost Valley Visitor Center of the McHenry County Conservation Center. The public is invited to the "Grand Opening Celebration" tomorrow, Saturday, August 14, 10:00AM-2:00PM.
What the Northwest Herald didn't tell you was about the ribbon-cutting and special reception today for elected officials and other "special" people.
What more special people could there be than those who coughed up the $6,750,000 for this project. MCCD has been squirreling away (sorry, chipmunks; no slight intended) for this over the past ten years.
One paragraph in the story began, "If the district (MCCD) exists to restore and preserve land in its most natural state, ..." Well, if it does so exist, does it really need a $6.75 million project like this? Why didn't it just buy the 31 acres it wanted. Did it need a palace there?
Too bad the "powers" didn't think enough of the taxpayers to have a "real" Grand Opening and have it tomorrow with the general public. Well, maybe the elected officials would have considered that their private lives were being infringed upon. Would they have shown up in the same numbers?
I'll be interested in seeing the bills for today's "party" and what amounts went for catering, hors d'oeuvres and whether wine, beer or mixed drinks were served. Where's that FOIA request form???
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5 comments:
Has MCCD has grown to be pretty secretive about it's doings. They sure have a lot of building and vehicles.
I wonder how many special people were able to fish the nice waters at the Rt. 14 and Bunker Hill Rd. facility before it opened to the public.
Guess I did not write a big enough check. Come to think of it I did not write a check at all because they get enough out of my taxes. If they can sock away that kind of cash I guess they are getting to much of my tax offering.
Seems like MCCD and the townships have nice next eggs from our tax dollars. Wonder who else?
MCCD should be changed to a Forest Preserve District. For too long it has been controlled by NIMBY's that fear people and want the land secluded. Do you know that MCCD has used McHENRY Co taxes to purchase land in Lake County? Yes the entire part of Hickory Grove called Lyon’s Prairie is in LAKE County and was purchased by MCCD. Lake County didn’t want it so MCCD bought it. How about BOONE county Yes,over by County Line Rd. in Garden Prairie and again off County Line North of Rte 173. Don’t bother checking their site maps because they don’t show up. Hush,its a secret. DRIVE there and the MCCD signs are clearly posted. Just like many abandon railroad right of ways that were purchased. They don’t show up on any site maps. YOUR MCCD tax money at work.
With a Forest Preserve District the board members are ELECTED. Conservation Districts are appointed by who else? The COUNTY BOARD. Forest Districts build for the PEOPLE, not build fences to keep people out. Cook, Lake, Kane have Forest Preserve Districts comprised of Golf Courses , Boat landings, picnic areas. MCCD is fenced in paths through prairie land to valuable for CITIZENS to enjoy, they may step on a wild flower. PLUS they have a BIG police force to stop you.
Well said Nota! I've known about the Hickory Grove for years riding by it on the river. I rememeber when they purchased it and then spent more of OUR tax money to put in paths, buildings etc. It was swamp and nobody would ever by it except the McHenry CO Cons Dist.
After I read your entry I checked the Conservation Website and your right, most their holdings are not listed. I drive past the property on County Line by Garden Priaire quite often in fact they bought land all along the Kiswauakee River East toward Thorne Rd. Hundreds of acres of overgrown weeds and thickets.Flooded half the year.
I think the property off 173 is part of the bike path that goes to Caledonia and Boone COunty now has their signs up there.Before it did say McHenry CO CD and as I remember McHenry bought it to connect to their bike path. Maybe Boone Co bought it from McHenry Co.
How can we change it to a Forest District? I agree that then the public has more input.
I forgot about the conservation police force. WHY does McHenry Co Conservation District need so many cops? In Cook County we called them the Tree Police. Out here Conservation have heaven knows how many cops that do what? More than most area towns. When was the last time you heard they made an arrest? Isn't this something the Sheriff could do? Hire extra deputies and streamline county government. How many Sgt's Lts does County conservation have at huge salary?
I getting tired of paying for all these government employees that do nothing. How about the State DNR Police Game Wardens. Couldn't they do it or are they too busy checking fishing licenses at Moriane Hills?
Just, using your logic why stop there? Use the Sheriff or State Police for everything? No more Bull Valley, Holiday and Prairie Grove PD. Not a bad idea. These little towns are jokes anyway. They already nixed Port Barrington PD and the Sheriff Patrols there and correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't see the sky fall. HAf these little burbs rely on the Sheriff for anything major anyway.
Why does the Illinois have the Secretary of State Police, Il DNR police, IL Commerce Commission police and let’s not forget the Central Management Services Police doing nothing but guarding State Buildings. There are many others within the State agencies with police powers. Couldn't they roll it all into one agency and do it cheaper? Each has its own top heavy command earning big bucks. Did I hear the State was broke?
Does Crystal Lake need Park District Police? Now I see they want MCC to have police. Next you'll see townships hiring cops. "Have tax money will spend!"
Where’s Bob Anderson when you need him?
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