Murderer released from Cook County Jail

Good job, Chicago!!!

Convicted murderer Steven Robbins, 44, was released from Cook County Jail about 60 years early. Robbins had been brought to the Cook County Jail from the Indiana Department of Corrections (fancy name for prison system) for a 1992 case.

Why? If he's 44 and serving 60 years in Indiana, why fool around with a 1992 case?

What sleight-of-hand do you suppose Robbins pulled to get released onn Wednesday evening? How do they release people from the Cook County Jail? Do they ask, "Who wants to go home today?" Sounds like Robbins didn't even have to punch his way through an outside wall and tie together some bed sheets to escape. How'd he get out?

This kind of stupidity probably happens much more than the public hears about, when the fact is that it should never happen. How was that guy identified in the Jail? Didn't deputies (or corrections officers) know that he was not just visiting in town, but he was here with a round-trip ticket back to Indiana?

Seems to me that Sheriff Dart ought to lay off the law-abiding gun owners and pay more attention to what is happening in his jail...

Hate guns, but want protection?

Received from an out-of-town friend.

"A must-have in every home in America! For everyone who would rather not have a gun in the house! In view of the recent Supreme Court ruling, sales of this new product may skyrocket. Washington thinks they are going to take away our guns, so check this out. I like it!

"NAIL GUNS! And you don't even have to register them or have licenses for them! And you don't have to worry about them being concealed! Just a lot of good stuff to do with these!

Once in a while something so totally cool comes out that even a guy who doesn't normally even know what he'd like for Father's Day or Christmas would immediately ask for it.

Thank you, DeWalt!!!

New Nail Gun, made by DeWalt. It can drive a 16-D nail through a 2x4 at 200 yards. This makes construction a breeze, you can sit in your lawn chair and build a fence.

Hundred round magazine. Someone invades your home? Just nail their hide to the wall. ~~~

Mental Health Board vs. Northwest Herald

Recently the Northwest Herald bashed the McHenry County Mental Health Board, and the MHB has issued the following rebuttal. Hopefully, the NWH will publish it in its entirety and readers will spend as much time reading the rebuttal as they did Kevin Craver's article last week.

Rebuttal to “Mental Health Board’s way at stake”
By Lee Ellis, president of the McHenry County Mental Health Board
January 28, 2013

    The McHenry County Mental Health Board (MHB) deems it necessary to clarify information and correct inaccuracies presented in the article “Mental Health Board’s way at stake” by Kevin Craver published on the front page of the Northwest Herald on Jan. 24, 2013, and in the Northwest Herald’s “Our View” editorial on Jan. 27, 2013. 

    Both of these pieces fuel ongoing misperceptions regarding how the MHB manages taxpayer dollars designated for the treatment of mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical abuse, and traumatic brain injury.  At a time when social services are deeply affected by cutbacks and late payments by the state, our community needs to work together to meet the needs of our citizens. Effective collaborations benefit the people we serve, and effective collaborations can only begin with an understanding of the facts. 

    The MHB has dealt with differing opinions on how to manage tax dollars designated for the mental health fund since the people of McHenry County voted to establish a 708 Board, or Mental Health Board, in 1967. The Board frames its decisions on management of taxpayer dollars based on its mission and by the mandates of the Illinois Community Mental Health Act.  The mission and mandates require the MHB to provide leadership in planning, coordinating, developing, and contracting for quality services for our citizens.

    Transparency of MHB governance is an issue that comes up repeatedly. All MHB meetings are open to the public, and public comment is welcomed at each meeting.  Meeting agendas are posted on McHenry County and MHB websites, and on the bulletin board just outside the main entrance to the MHB building. All MHB meeting minutes are available on the McHenry County Government website.  The MHB also facilitates meetings of provider agencies monthly to share information and concerns.  Members of the community are welcome to contact the MHB at any time for clarification of any MHB related business.

    Discussion of allocation of taxpayer dollars designated for the mental health fund in Craver’s article is sketchy and presents an inaccurate picture.  He notes that a Jan. 13 financial report shows that of the $13.1 million in revenue from taxes, $8.7 million is designated for use by community social services agencies, and that the MHB keeps “more than $4.4 million for itself.”

    Craver does not explain that this $4.4 million includes funds for facilitation of community supports for family centered programs such as WRAPAROUND and Screening Assessment and Support Services (SASS). This part of the budget also includes funding for psychological evaluations, mentoring, and medication support, as well as for the CareTrak program and client transportation. It also includes scholarships for consumers and staff of funded agencies so they can attend trainings and conferences related to mental health. Costs for management of clinical records of former clients of Family Services and Community Mental Health Center fall under this category. It additionally includes MHB support of coordination programs such as Individual Care Grants, which are required as part of the SASS program, and support of Crisis Services.  All of these programs, and others, comprise a significant portion of the $4.4 million which Craver attributes to MHB administration.

    Craver’s article also references criticisms of the MHB’s decision on the building expansion project. The MHB used funds made available through the Americans Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the capital costs. These funds could only be used for capital projects and were not available to providers for services. The now completed expansion provides rent-free space for several consumer-operated community organizations and groups.  Just one example is  the McHenry County McCap program, which serves young adults with special needs; McCap uses two conference rooms Monday through Friday. 

    Another inaccuracy in Craver’s article references a contract with Virginia Commonwealth University to pay former Executive Director Sandy Lewis $150 per hour for consultation services. Craver obtained this information through a Freedom of Information Act request, but failed to check the status of this proposed contract.  This proposed contract was never fully negotiated and was never signed by either the MHB or by Virginia Commonwealth University. The MHB previously advised the Northwest Herald on Nov. 27, 2012 in a Freedom of Information Act response to Sarah Sutschek of the Northwest Herald that “…there are no ‘Independent Contractor Agreements with Virginia Commonwealth University’ that have been entered into by or on behalf of the McHenry County Mental Health Board.”

    Critics question funding of the former MHB Executive Director Sandy Lewis’ doctorial studies. The MHB negotiated tuition costs with Dr. Lewis to promote continuing education and quality leadership development on behalf of the MHB, and it benefited throughout the education process. The Board is currently reevaluating its policies on education benefits. . 

    The MHB is guided by a volunteer board of eight community members who are appointed by the County Board, and one County Government liaison. Its yearly budget is reviewed and appropriated by the McHenry County Board each year.  Additionally, MHB staff meets regularly with the Public Health and Human Services committee.  Furthermore, the MHB is CARF accredited, which is earned through a rigorous peer review process to ensure commitment to programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons serviced.

    The size of the MHB staff is frequently questioned by critics. It is important to note that mental health boards across the state are very different in size, scope, and levy. MHB staff size is driven by the community development required to effectively and efficiently support a community behavioral health system that serves the citizens of McHenry County. Accountability and compliance to the rules and regulations of federal and state contracts are another factor. 

    Questions from the community are always welcome. The next meeting of the Mental Health Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6 p.m. at 620 Dakota Street in Crystal Lake. For information call the MHB at 815-455-2828, or check out the MHB website: www.mc708.org. 
                                                                            ###

Say "Thank you, Mr. President"

Could any part of the following be even close to true?

"Recently, our friend Michael (a local realtor) shared his experience with an "Obama supporter" he encountered while showing homes to a low income, working family in Pontiac, MI. We asked him to please write it down so we could share it.  WARNING!!. YOU BETTER BE SITTING DOWN WHILE READING THIS: Michael says:------

"As a Realtor for the past 28 years I thought I’d seen or heard it all… Until now. I was showing homes in Pontiac, MI. one afternoon recently and showed up at a home at the 4:00 pm time my appointment was scheduled for.

"After I woke up the homeowner, she let us in and then proceeded to tell my buyers and I that she has already entered into a contract to sell the home on a short-sale. (A short-sale is a sale where the banks accepts less money than is owed on the home). After some chit-chat, she proceeded to tell us that she and her sister (who also lived in the area) were buying each other’s homes via the short-sale process. I mentioned to her that I thought relatives could not be involved in those transactions. She smiled and said "We have two different last names so no one knows the difference".

"She went on to tell us that each of them owed over 100K on their homes and were in the process of buying each other’s homes for about 10-15K cash. To top it off, they were each receiving $3,000.00 in government provided relocation assistance at the closing.

"My buyers and I were amazed that she was outright admitting to fraud and yet, she continued. She began to tell us that the best part of her scheme was that because they currently were not working that they (both) are now receiving Section 8 Vouchers. I said I thought those were for renters and she said “That’s the best part; me and my sister are going to be renting each other’s homes so we don’t even have to move, and Obama is going to give us each $800.00 a month to pay the rent!” She then picked up a picture she had framed of Obama and did a little happy dance around her living room and while she kissed the picture she was singing "Thank you Obama.... thank you Obama."

"So here is the bottom line… Both of these scammers got at least $80,000.00 in debt forgiven, $3,000.00 in cash for relocation (when in fact they did not relocate) and to boot, you and I will now be paying (through our taxes) $1,600.00 in rent for each them each and every month.... perhaps forever!

"And I also would not be at all surprised if they are receiving food stamps and whatever other programs are available for anyone who is willing to lie to get assistance.

"These women went from working and paying about $900.00 each in mortgage payments to staying home and getting paid $800.00 each per month to live in the same home they had been living in and all they had to do was lie on a few papers. This craziness has to stop! I’m sure this kind of fraud is going on each and every day all across the country and no one wants to touch the subject of entitlements because they might OFFEND someone or lose a vote or two.

"By the way... she had an almost new SUV in the driveway, three flat-screen TV's and a very nice computer set up in her living room which was furnished entirely with nice leather furniture.

"IT'S THE NEW 'AMERICAN WAY'....."

County School sup't. FB page - ignored

Leslie Schermerhorn is the Superintendent of the McHenry County Regional Office of Education (ROE), and she started a Facebook page in December at "McHenry County School Forum" (include the spaces, when you try to find this page on Facebook).

In one month there are only 29 Likes. To me, this means no one knows about it. How many thousands of parents and students are there in McHenry County?

I thought it had something to do with promoting increased safety in McHenry County schools. Obviously, not.

The schools obviously have not promoted it. Even the ROE has apparently not promoted it. Why not?

It would be a simple and inexpensive step to get a few thousand business cards printed with the Facebook page. Just so they are sure to include the spaces; if you run the name together, you won't find the page by searching on Facebook.

Have you noticed how Newtown is now old news? No one is talking about it.

Well, they are people who are concerned about improvements in safety. For my two cents' worth, it is not about having Code Red drills in schools! What was the atmosphere in Cary-Grove High School this morning? Reporters weren't allowed in to observe.

What was the reaction of students? When the cops showed up, were their weapons loaded? With live rounds? As they ran down the hallways in the school? Or did they unload (and check and re-check) weapons, and then enter with dummy rounds? What about their AR-15s? Were they loaded? Did they use "practice" weapons? Was MARV called out? Were their "hot" responses by Cary PD or the sheriff's department?

MCC competes with private enterprise

Being a former pilot I was interested in this morning's article in the paper about McHenry County College's (MCC) adult education (Continuing Education) course for those wanting to learn how to fly airplanes.

There is a flight training school right over at Lake in the Hills Airport, where Blue Skies Flying Service has been operating for years. That's only six miles from MCC.

Instead, MCC has struck some kind of deal with a training school in West Chicago, which uses DuPage County Airport (28 miles south of MCC),

But the bigger issue for me is, why is MCC competing with private enterprise? Flight schools must be dying on the vine these days, with disposable income of many people down considerably. A local flight school offers the same training ("education") at the same price, yet MCC has decided to compete for those dollars. And it is doing so with an out-of-county business.

So, to me, it looks like Blue Skies Flying Service is a County taxpayer and supporting MCC, but MCC is spending money to compete with it.

Next thing we'll know ... MCC will be wanting to build a landing strip right on campus. No, wait; not enough room there. So they'll have to grab adjacent land by eminent domain. Heads up, folks!

I loved flying. When I was getting my private pilot license, I lived in Denver, and I'd drive to the airport early, before sunrise. I'd pre-flight the plane and take off before the tower opened, and then I'd land after the 6:00AM tower opening. After getting my private, I acquired my commercial pilot's license and instrument rating.

One New Year's morning I was invited to fly a 737. OK, so it was a simulator... It was the real deal. After the first time around the pattern, the trainer turned it over to me. Getting that 90 minutes' flight time was a truly memorable experience!

Like father, like son. the Joe & Beau Show

Looks like both Bidens have forgotten their oaths of office. You know - the part about upholding the Constitution?

A reader sent along this information. Thanks!

"http://minutemennews.com/2013/01/delaware-attorney-general-strips-county-sheriffs-of-arrest-powers/

"Maybe the McHenry County Sheriff is not vocal because he knows that the Madigan Machine will strip him of his powers?

"Can you say Posse Comitatus??  I love Sheriff Joe, they all need to have his contempt for the Federal Government instead of being little soldiers looking for the federal handouts and the MARVs as long as they follow and listen."

NW Herald admits error re MH Board

The Northwest Herald ran an article last week, blasting the McHenry County Mental Health Board for operations and expenses.

One of the items that infuriated readers of the Northwest Herald was a report that, after the Mental Health Board paid for a doctorate for its executive director, she left and moved to Virginia, and then the Mental Health Board entered into a contract to pay her $150/hour consulting fee while it searched for a new executive director.

Today the Northwest Herald admitted an error in its story and printed this correction:

"A story on page 1 of the Thursday, Jan. 24, newspaper incorrectly gave the status of a proposed contract between the McHenry County Mental Health Board and Virginia Commonwealth University.

"The Mental Health Board voted Oct. 29, 2012, to pursue a contract with the university, subject to legal approval, to retain the consulting services of former Executive Director Sandy Lewis. The contract never came to a final agreement.

"The Northwest Herald regrets the error."

On January 24 the Northwest Herald published "The board late last year also entered into a contract with Virginia Commonwealth University, her new employer, to pay $150 an hour, not to exceed $15,000, to consult Lewis regarding finding a successor, according to a copy of the agreement obtained under FOIA."

What it had actually received was an unsigned draft of a proposed agreement. Had careful attention been given to the document received, the absence of signatures would have indicated that the Board had not entered into a contract at that time. Looking back, the Board probably should not have released a draft of a proposed legal agreement; but then they might have been accused of withholding information, even if it could have legally been denied under FOIA.

The Northwest Herald has not amended its January 24th article. A reader looking at that article now would not find the correction issued on January 30th. It should amend the article to include the correction.

Another sheriff gets it right

Charleston County (S.C.) Sheriff Al Cannon says, “As a law enforcement officer, we have an obligation,… to enforce lawful laws… Constitutional laws. It’s very similar to the responsibility that a military member has to, on one hand, obey orders, but he’s also obligated not to follow unlawful orders and it’s left up to that individual to make that decision.”

Read more: http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/01/sc-sheriff-attempts-to-educate-media-liberal-on-having-a-conscience/#ixzz2JQEALukM

What do you suppose is the position in McHenry County, Ill. of the County Sheriff and the Chiefs of Police of the numerous municipal police departments?

Would Sheriff Nygren stand up in front of the press and the County Board and make an identical, or even a similar, statement? How about Undersheriff Zinke? Or are they really gun-grabbers?

And what about the Chiefs? Where do you suppose Chiefs Lowen, Black, Jones and Perkins stand? And how about the chiefs of the smaller departments in the County?

Is D-200 planning a Code Red drill?

Cary-Grove H.S.

Cary-Grove High School is planning a Code Red drill for Wednesday, including the firing of blank cartridges inside the school?

Let's see; a gun in a school? Sounds like a felony to me.

The Cary Police Department (Steven Casstevens, Chief) and his hot dogs will show up for a test response to an "active shooter".

Dumb? Stupid? Outrageous?

I've heard of some stupid things in McHenry County, but this one gets First Prize.

The District 155 School Board and spokesman Jeff Puma need to be spanked. Then stand them in the corners with dunce caps on.

Is Woodstock District 200 considering such a stupid action?

Parents, call District 200 at 815.338.8200 or the principal at your child's school and ask.

Women in combat - destroy the USMC?

Watch this address to a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee in 1991 by Gen. Robert H. Barrow, USMC (Ret.) from June 1991. That's 20+ years ago.

I wonder if Leon Panetta watched it. Probably not.

Watch Gen. Barrow's impassioned plea for Congress to retain control of whether women are put on the ground in infantry fighting positions. Gen. Barrow had 41 years of military service, in three wars, and was awarded the nation's second highest recognition for valor under combat conditions.

His points still make sense today. There are many places in the military for women. On-the-ground combat duty is not one of them.

DLs for illegal aliens - should be illegal

Northwest Herald, Page 1. "Ill. 4th state to grant illegal immigrants access to licenses"

Isn't it great what legislators can do with laws? Where is it that they are missing the word "illegal"?

First of all, the people who have come to the United States illegally aren't "immigrants". That word should be reserved for those who entered the USA legally. What are they? Illegal aliens.

Should Illinois residents be proud of coming in Number 4, right after New Mexico, Washington and Utah? Not hardly.

"They" don't want fingerprints used in the application or issuance procedures. Well, duhhh.... Might be able to trace them; right? And the facial recognition deal? What a joke.

How many newly-licensed drivers will buy auto insurance and pay one month's premium, then let the policy lapse? Therefore, no insurance! But they will still have the insurance card in the car. Will cops ask if the insurance is still in force? Probably not.

Does anybody know the Bill number that became law, so we can look and see who voted for this piece of nonsense?

I had a good laugh when I read that the special driver's license would not be good for identification. I remembered applying for a driver's license when I moved to Illinois the first time in the mid-1960s. At the DMV the clerk demanded a Social Security number, and I refused. Right on my card, it read, "Not for Identification". Finally, she said that they had the number, anyway, and I said, "If you have the number, anyway, then you put it on." And, sure enough, when I got my driver's license in the mail, my Social Security number was on it!

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police wanted a fingerprinting requirement in the law, but the legislators stiffed them.

Oh, and the auto insurance requirement in New Mexico? What a joke. Twice, when I registered my car in New Mexico in different years, I stood right under the sign that read, "You must have auto insurance and prove it" and waited for the clerk to ask me for my insurance card. She never did, in either year. In New Mexico about 35% of the drivers had auto insurance.

This law is a piece of garbage. It will turn out to be very expensive for the law-abiding, insurance-buying, residents of the U.S. and those who are legally here. Why are Illinois politicians giving away this state?

The answer is VOTES, of course.

Saturday's People-in-Need Forum

The People-in-Need Forum last Saturday at McHenry County College was very attended and very well organized. This event was for providers and community citizens who are interested in helping others. A huge amount of information was available, both in seminars and at display tables scattered throughout the Commons.

I was "bad"; I didn't sit in on any seminars, even though there were several that interested me. I was more interested in spending time with those who had set up display tables and in talking with them one-to-one about their programs.

One of the sponsors, First Midwest Bank, offered a flash drive with the current Resource Directory. A printed copy of the bi-lingual Directory was included in the gift bag distributed to each attendee. The Resource Directory is available to all at www.mchenry.edu/peopleinneed Choose English or Spanish for your download or viewing.

If you want to see what you missed, go to the same website. This fall, watch for the announcements of the 2014 People-in-Need Forum, which is probably be held at the end of January 2014.

As you do business around McHenry County, be sure to thank the sponsors of this year's event:
Ace Coffee Bar
Barnes & Noble
Family CARE Wellness Network
First Midwest Bank
Friends of McHenry County College Foundation
Kohl's
League of Women Voters McHenry County
McHenry County College
Northwest Herald
Walgreens

Obama cannot be stupid...

... but sometimes he sure acts like it.

Today's FoxNews.com headline: "Obama suggests Republicans unwilling to compromise in gun control debate"

What does he think there is to compromise on?

Obama would like to end gun violence. So would the NRA. So would the Republicans. So would the Democrats. So would I.

So we agree. What is there to compromise on?

Obama wants to take guns away from law-abiding citizens. OK, so there is no compromise available on that point.

Take them away from the criminals. No need to compromise on that point.

Take them away from the shooters in Chicago who are killing 1-2-3-4-5 people every day. No need to compromise on that point.

As I wrote to Illinois Lt. Gov. Simon, I want guns to 1) defend myself and 2) defend the USA against all "enemies, foreign and domestic".

My pistols will be adequate against home invasion. They will not be adequate against "domestic enemies." For that, I'll need a semi-automatic assault-type rifle with high-capacity magazines.

I hate the thought of having to defend myself against "domestic enemies". Who might they be? Obama, Pelosi, Feinstein, Emanuel, Quinn, Madigan, Cullerton.

But I will do so. There is no doubt about that. There is no compromise possible on that.

As long as We the People are strong and adequately armed, we need not fear our own government - too much ... yet...

Survey for readers in McHenry County

What do you think are the most pressing issues in McHenry County? Which group needs the most attention?

Please rank the following 1-7, with 1 being the most in need, and 7 being the least in need of attention. Thanks!

Unemployed
Low Income workers
Seniors
Latinos
Developmentally disabled adults
Homeless
Mentally ill/substance abusers

Use the Comment box right under this article. Copy and paste in the seven choices, and then prioritize them. Thanks!

Beth Bentley - gone 140 weeks

Beth Bentley vanished on about May 23, 2010. That 140 weeks ago.

When a person disappears and is gone this long, is it reasonable to think that she is still a missing person?

Where does a person hide out for 140 weeks? How does a woman live without apparent means of support and without contact with her children?

What transpired on the week-end of May 20-24, 2010? Did Beth really leave Woodstock on Thursday evening, May 20, 2010? Her car was in the garage of the Woodstock house rented by her friend, Jenn Wyatt. Supposedly, Beth and Jenn traveled by rental car to Mount Vernon, Ill. that Thursday night.

What time did they leave? By what route did they travel? Who drove? Did they use the Illinois Tollway? Did the police ever view Tollway videos to confirm who was in the rental car when it passed through the several toll booths?
What do the rental car records reveal? How many miles was the car driven? Were tolls charged to any transponder in the car? Where was gas purchased?

At what time did they arrive in Mount Vernon? Were Ryan and Nathan Ridge interviewed separately and more than once about the arrival time and events of the week-end?

Did Jenn drive Beth to Centralia on Sunday, May 23? By what route? What did she do after she says she dropped Beth off near the train station? Was Beth's phone used to order a pizza from Pogue's Pizza in Mount Vernon right about the time Beth was being driven to Centralia? Was the pizza picked up or not?

When did Beth's dinner with her father on May 23 for his birthday get canceled? Who canceled it? Doesn't anyone else think it strange that a daughter blows off her father's birthday celebration with an out-of-town trip? Why did some think that Beth and Jenn went to Wisconsin, not to Mount Vernon?

What were the arrangements for Jenn to meet Beth on Monday and return to the Woodstock house, where Beth would pick up her car and go home? What time did Jenn, who didn't have a valid driver's license, leave Mount Vernon? What route did she take back to Woodstock? Again, tolls paid? When did Jenn realize that Beth wasn't showing up?

Telephone records don't seem to indicate a lot of worry before Beth was reported missing?

A brand-new investigation should be started, right from the beginning. There is information available now that wasn't available then. Why not use this information and go back to the beginning of the case and start fresh. Re-interview all the people in Beth's life: family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances. Track down all the connections. Build a matrix and connect the dots.

If you were missing, would you want people to stop looking?

Open letter to Ill. Lt. Gov.

Dear Lt. Gov. Simon,

I am a resident of Woodstock, Ill., 73 years of age. I am a former police officer, former reserve deputy sheriff, and former candidate for County Sheriff.

I have never been more upset and disappointed in my entire life than I am right now with governments in Washington and Springfield.

No one (except the criminals) wants gun violence. The problem is not with the guns. The problem is with the violence. I own guns because I want them for self-defense and as my Second Amendment right. These are not the same issue. Law-abiding citizens should not be blamed or penalized for the criminal acts of the few.

I request that you argue and fight against the proposed gun bans on assault-type rifles and magazine capacities. I have little concern about self-defense with a handgun with 7-10 rounds. It will not help me if I must fight all "enemies, foreign and domestic". For that, I will need an assault-type rifle with a high-capacity magazine.

I am appalled that Illinois still prohibits concealed carry. The 7th U.S. Court of Appeals has now ordered Illinois to come up with a law by June. I am disappointed that Attorney General Madigan is wasting taxpayer dollars with her appeal. I pray that the legislature comes up with a good law, such as last session's HB0148.

Will you please inform me of your position?

I volunteer to serve as a knowledgeable, law-abiding citizen on any committee you may form on this issue.

Gus Philpott

What a real sheriff says

Photo credit: Tom Lynn

Here's what a real sheriff says. A real sheriff, who tells the truth.

"Milwaukee County (Wisc.) Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. tells residents personal safety isn't a spectator sport anymore...  Clarke urges listeners to take a firearm safety course and handle a firearm 'so you can defend yourself until we get there.'"

This, in a state that long had open-carry and which has allowed concealed carry since November.

Read the article for yourself here.

And listen to Sheriff David Clarke right here in the audio of his message.

Source: WisconsinCarry, Inc. and Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

If you like to read an impressive biographical sketch of Sheriff Clarke, go here. "Clarke graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University Wisconsin with a degree in Criminal Justice Management."

Who shoots on sheriff's range?

Who gets to shoot on the shooting range of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department?

Who should get to shoot there? Or, better, who should not get to shoot there?

Should civilian employees, even highly-favored ones, be able to shoot at the range? Should an office employee be able to get in range time? Would that employee drive to the range in her take-home department car and go on "company" time?

Should that employee be required to observe all range safety requirements, such as fore-finger off the trigger, when distracted on the firing line?

Was the civilian employee using Department firearms and ammunition? Did the employee even have a FOID card?

What is the County's liability if a civilian is injured at the range?

Do you suppose that there are CALEA standards that prohibit visitors to the range?

Dolphin rescue in Hawaii

Here's a really cool video of scuba divers' interaction with a dolphin who had a hook and line caught in a fin.

Who says dolphins are wild?

Thank you, readers

Click for clearer image

1,000,000 page views! Thank you, readers.

On April 15, 2007, I wrote the first article on this blog. 

Almost two years later the City of Woodstock refused to provide regular crime reports to me for a different blog I wanted to start for reporting crimes in Woodstock. They cited low readership of my blog. It seems the word "blog" was not in the statute that also mentioned electronic media. 

On January 3, 2009, I placed the counter on this blog. I considered estimating the number of past page-views for a starting number since this blog was 21 months old at that time, but I started it at zero.

Yesterday afternoon it hit 1,000,000. This is the number of page views, not unique visitors. 

Thank you to all readers.

Naperville Police - illegal act?

A woman in Naperville watched as workers from a power company entered her yard without permission to install a "smart reader" at her home. And not only entered without permission and against her orders to stay out, but with police escort!

Since when do the police permit trespassing?

Police told the homeowner that they would arrest her, if she interfered with the installation and also ordered videotaping of the event to stop. A woman with a videocamera recorded the installers crossing a locked fence to trespass on the property and install the smart reader, even though the owner had refused entrance and had locked her gate. She also recorded the cop who was present.

A Naperville police officer can be seen on-camera. The homeowner was outside without a coat, but the cop was freezing.

Read the article on Champion News and watch the brief video, which resulted in the arrests of two women.

Apparently, word has not yet reached the Naperville Police Department that it is not illegal to videotape police officers outside during the performance of their duties. 

Newtown resident speaks out

Read what this resident of Sandy Hook, Conn. has to say about elected officials, starting with the President of the United States. This letter was published in the Newtown (Conn.) Bee.

Elected Officials Are Fundamentally Dishonest

To the Editor:

This letter was forwarded to Barack Obama, John Boehner, Chris Murphy, Dick Blumenthal, Elizabeth Esty, and Harry Reid

I live in Sandy Hook, CT. My family and close friends weren't harmed on December 14. That day impacted 26 families with an indescribable, staggering pain and anguish. For most of Sandy Hook, it merely affected us with an inescapable intensity of sadness and grief.

Gun control has long been a focus of many in this country. Though I'm not knowledgeable of all the nuances of the Second Amendment, based on the Founding Fathers' circumstances, it had far more to do with enabling the citizenry to protect themselves against tyrannical government than against local psychopaths. It is about providing a balanced firepower so when King George's successor came knocking on your door, you could fight back. Government today is no less inclined to abuse its authority than it was then. Based on the absurd and ongoing power grab that is present day Washington, it's as threatening as ever.

That so many of you view the NRA with its resistance to further restrictions on firearms as intransigent lunatics has far more to do with how you conduct yourselves in office than it does with the NRA's actions.

You in public office are fundamentally dishonest people. You lead lives of deception at every turn, structuring your lives as comfortably as you can while governing with an indifference and arrogance that is absolutely maddening. When the country is reeling from financial disaster, you waste a trillion dollars on a health care bill we can't afford and you've never read. You claim it's critical because health care costs are killing this country... no they're not, you are! You are killing this country. You endorse the ongoing slaughter of millions of unborn children and whine when terrorists are water boarded. You can't lecture us right in Newtown High School about not doing enough to keep our children safe, while simultaneously slaughtering the unborn. You fabricate the intense, media laden drama of the fiscal cliff and lack the courage to do anything about truly reforming the obscene gluttony of government. You know you'll be out of office before the bill comes due… you don't care and have no integrity nor honor.

You lie whenever and wherever you need to to move forth your agenda. Were you able, you would purge the US of guns… every last gun in the country, if you could. So please forgive Wayne LaPierre and those of us who don't trust you as far as we can spit. You're a dishonest lot, motivated by a distorted worldview. If mass murder prevention were truly your goal, you would welcome armed security wherever needed. It is outrageous that we protect our money with far more firepower than we protect our children.

I have never owned a gun, nor wanted to as intensely as right now. You'll stop restricting guns when only you have them.

Brendan Duffy

Source: Newtown Bee

Madigan's appeal challenged

A report on TheSouthern.com informs readers that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's appeal of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in December on concealed carry will not go unchallenged. You can read about it here.

Thousands of dollars are being spent to fight our own government. We the People must fork over many, many dollars to push back against the Madigans, Cullerton, Emanuel and a whole bunch of Cook County Democrats who are blocking concealed carry for law-abiding citizens in Illinois.

Whom do you know in Chicago? In Cook County? We need a list of names and email addresses, so that we can begin educating Cook County residents on available steps to make their families and them safer. Only they will be able to persuade Cook County state representatives to change their votes to YES for concealed carry.

Who is paying for the legal effort to fight our own state? We are. Hopefully, you are. Join the Illinois State Rifle Association now at www.isra.org

We're at a fork in the road. You can sit on the fence and then gripe later. Or you can get off the fence and speak out now - loudly, and with your money. Joining ISRA will only cost you $25.00. You can kick in more, if you want to. Every gun owner in the State of Illinois should be a member. And everyone who is concerned about personal safety and independence should join. Join the NRA, too.

And, hopefully, within a few days you'll be able to show your support for a re-energized McHenry County Right to Carry Assn.

You may not wish to own a gun or carry a gun. But you will be safer, when we law-abiding citizens can carry. The criminals will not know who is armed. Right now they know no one, besides law enforcement personnel, is (except for Chicago alderman and a few people in high places with a lot of money for protection).

Police chiefs in many parts of the United States have eaten their words of worry, after concealed carry went into effect in their states.

NWH Editor calls citizens "fools"

There are thousands of people in McHenry County who are called "fools" by Northwest Herald news editor Kevin Lyons this morning.

He wrote, "Now the only people who still might believe McHenry County Undersheriff Andrew Zinke tanked a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency operation by tipping his close friend and campaign contributor to an investigation into marijuana shipping are a handful of fools."

As the news editor for the Northwest Herald, the newspaper must bear some responsibility for his writing. After reading Lyons' first sentence, I was ready to call and cancel my newspaper that is delivered each morning. Perhaps I'll get in contact with some of the major advertisers, unless a public apology is quickly printed on the front page or the editorial page.

His editorial contains errors of fact. For example, he wrote, erroneously, "Strike 1: A judge wouldn’t appoint a special prosecutor because he couldn’t even find a crime alleged."

That is not the reason the judge did not appoint a special prosecutor. The judge said that it was the role of the McHenry County State's Attorney to investigate.

And, while Bianchi's office did investigate, it appears they believed that no Illinois statute had been violated.

Lyons was right that the whole, smelly deal was embarrassing for Zinke. When a high-ranking law enforcement officer does something as stupid as Zinke did, he ought to be embarrassed.

Did DHS warn LE agencies like this?

Watch Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (U.S. Army, Ret.) in this not too recent video. He is a former United States Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

www.morningstartv.com/oak-initiative/marxism-america

Is the U.S. headed for Marxism and socialism?

Did the Department of Homeland Security send a memo to law enforcement all over America saying that the future threats to America were right-wing Christian groups, pro-life groups, Second Amendment groups and returning veterans? He says that Islamic terrorist groups were not mentioned.


Read his military and civilian background on wikipedia.com and more at www.TheOakInitiative.org

Before you dismiss his message, I suggest you keep in mind: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

Boycott Groupon

Apparently, Groupon is cutting back onor eliminating, firearms-related offers, such as discounts at gun ranges.

I have sent the following email to Groupon headquarters:

"Because you are not going to continue to offer firearms-related offers, I shall not be doing business with Groupon. I do not understand why you kowtow to extremists who are gun-grabbers and gun-control freaks. I am a law-abiding citizen, former police officer, former deputy sheriff, former candidate for Sheriff. Until you revoke your narrow-minded stance, I shall not even consider Groupon."

If you are a law-abiding citizen who feels likewise, communicate with Groupon (and other businesses adopting the same position). Go to its website and find the Customer Support link at the bottom, under Get Help.

Drug arrests in Woodstock & Crystal Lake

Last week the Woodstock Advocate reported the arrest of Robin L. Moore, 38, on drug charges, and today's Northwest Herald reported her arrest and the arrest of Jose Calderon, 32, both at 1022 Clay Street in Woodstock on January 18.

A press release posted on the Sheriff's website today reports the arrest of three men in Crystal Lake on January 18 by the MCSD Intelligence-led Policing Unit. One of the men arrested in Crystal Lake, Joseph M. Munts, 26, lives at 1022 Clay Street.

The Crystal Lake arrests involved cannabis including plants, paraphernalia and cash ($4,000). Martin Dunn, 27, and Angel De Jesus Marin, 26, were also arrested in Crystal Lake.

The Woodstock arrests involved cocaine, paraphernalia and cash ($655).

Inauguration Cost - $170,000,000

I'd like to use the words of the DEA agent to Sgt. Koziol in expressing my outrage at the cost of Obama's second inauguration, but I'll refrain. But you know the words; right?

His swearing-in should have been public, and a "crowning" and a buffet lunch would have been sufficient to boost him into his second term.

I was thinking about this before yesterday. If I were President and won a second term, the first day of that term wouldn't be much different than the last day of the first term. No need to change the sheets; no packing; no good-bye notes to the faithful staff.

But $170,000,000? Was it all raised from donations of Democrat supporters? How much did it cost the taxpayers?

M.I.A.T.; why not in Feldkamp/Bloom case?

M.I.A.T. - Major Investigations Assistance Team

In McHenry County how does this Team function?

I invite officers and chiefs of the police departments, who have hands-on knowledge, to weigh in.

An anonymous commenter offered up that M.I.A.T. is a :subsidiary of MCSO" (the McHenry County Sheriff's Department.

I don't think so!

As I understand it, the purpose of M.I.A.T. is to make officers from several departments with higher levels of expertise available to help the lead investigatory agency. Thus, no one department has to staff up to be able to handle every serious crime.

A huge benefit of M.I.A.T. is that the officers, although assigned to M.I.A.T., are much more independent and more free to do their work right. They don't have to worry about pleasing the boss. They can call a spade a spade.

I was reminded of the June 2011 homicides in Marengo, in which Jack and Audrey Feldkamp and Doran Bloom died.

Was M.I.A.T. called in? No.

I've read all the reports - several times. Less than 24 hours after the event, Sheriff Nygren held a press conference and announced what happened. On what did he rely? A telephoned report of one detective's 30-minute hospital-bed interview with one person. Nygren rushed to proclaim what had happened, without waiting for investigators' reports and laboratory testing if, indeed, lab testing was ever done. It appears not to have been.

Nygren would have received that detective's telephoned report immediately before the press conference. In fact, it appears he delayed the press conference for two hours (from 11:00AM until 1:00PM), while he waited for the hospital interview to be conducted at 12:30PM.

What if M.I.A.T. had been involved? What if a dozen police officers from municipal police departments across McHenry County had been called to the scene? What if dozens of MCSD deputies had not trooped through the scene, contaminating evidence? M.I.A.T. officers would have made an independent investigation and analysis, and my belief is they might have come up with an entirely different scenario.

But what MCSD deputy was going to say anything that contradicted Nygren's statements at the press conference on the very next day? Certainly, no deputy who wanted to keep his job.

Even though there has been little mention of this case recently, readers should not assume that it has been forgotten. The estate handling is a mess. Probates are in the hands of the third successor executor; i.e., the fourth executor.

The Executor apparently cannot locate assets that were in the estates of Jack and Audrey Feldkamp in June 2011. The original executor is no longer in the State of Illinois and left months before he was replaced by the Probate Court, and without giving notice to the Court. An attorney acted for months as attorney for the estates without ever filing the required Appearance. The Probate Court judge told that attorney that he (the judge) was very concerned about the late filing of the Appearance.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is upset about the real estate escrow account and books that were removed from the State of Illinois. At least one buyer has been forced to wait many months for the return of his money from the escrow account. It left the state in May when the books, required to be kept in Illinois and in the real estate office, went to Florida.

Had MIAT been called in on the Feldkamps/Bloom homicides, I suspect matters would have been handled quite differently. Officers who would have investigated ALL the evidence and would very likely have disagreed with Sheriff Nygren's hasty conclusion.

M.I.A.T. called in non-suspicious Woodstock death

An updated (6:31PM) article in the Northwest Herald about a Woodstock man's death early this morning reported that the Major Investigation Assistance Team (M.I.A.T.) was "called in to help." Help with what? Passing out handwarmers?

For crying out loud. A 70-year-old man falls down outside on the property where he lives, and M.I.A.T. is called?

Let's see, when else was M.I.A.T. called out in McHenry County?
When Kurt Milliman was fatally shot in May 2011, was M.I.A.T. called out by the McHenry County Sheriff's Department?

When Jack and Audrey Feldkamp and Doran Bloom were killed near Marengo in June 2011, was M.I.A.T. called out?

When Bobby Delisi was found dead on the railroad tracks near the Woodstock Police station in September 2011, was M.I.A.T. called out?

When Beth Bentley vanished in May 2010, was M.I.A.T. called out?

No, no, no and no. But when an elderly falls and is found dead with no suspicious circumstances, then M.I.A.T. gets called out.

Anybody else think there is something wrong with this picture?

The re-write of the article eliminated the mention of you-know-who from the sheriff's department.

Zinke sticks nose in Woodstock death

The online edition of the Northwest Herald reported at 11:08AM (updated at 2:04PM) that an elderly man was found dead outdoors just west of the Woodstock Square. The Woodstock Police were called about 7:00AM to Hayward Street and Calhoun Street.

Now, why is Undersheriff Andy Zinke of the sheriff's department sticking his nose into this and hogging all the credit in the Northwest Herald? And why is the Northwest Herald featuring Zinke, when Woodstock Police Department has its own chief and was investigating the death?

Was the Woodstock Police Department closed today? Was the chief gone? There were a lot of cars in the parking lot? Did the department rent a bus and take all the officers skiing for the holiday?

Zinke is at the sheriff's department. The sheriff's department handles crimes and other law-enforcement events in the County. Hayward & Calhoun is clearly within the jurisdiction of the Woodstock Police Department and nowhere near the County line.

Something is phony baloney here. Maybe it's just a preview of coming attractions and how the Northwest Herald will probably handle the election season coming our way later this year, when candidates file their petitions this fall to run for Sheriff.

The dark side of MCSD radio

It used to be that you could listen to radio calls of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department on your own scanner. Or you could tune in through your computer at www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?action=wp&feedId=4946

However, on January 16, 2013, at 2:00PM CST, the MCSD radio went to the dark side.

Now you won't be able to know whose dog got loose or which deputy is hanging out at McDonald's. Or where the latest crash is. Or anything else.

It's not like thousands are driving around McHenry County with scanners or with their SmartPhones tuned to the MCSD radio. How many "ambulance chasers" are there these days?

And what about reporters? How will they learn where to show up for stories and crash photos?

Deputies will still be calling certain reporters from their personal cell phones, just as they "discuss" calls for service off the air.

All official communications should be on the MCSD radio frequency, where they are recorded and where times are noted, not on cell phones. They may be now, but we'll never know.  Until we figure out how to break the encryption ...

If there is a hostage situation at Dunkin' Donuts ("Gimme those donuts with the chocolate sprinkles, or else!"), OK, take it to Channel 2. The other stuff? Leave it out for the public to hear.

What do you suppose this move cost the taxpayers?

Glenview gun-grabbers meeting

The Illinois State Rifle Association issued a statement today that included the following description of a meeting held yesterday at the Glenview (Ill.) Police Department, to which it was moved, reportedly, because space at the Glenview Library was estimated to be too small.

"Thanks go out to everyone who attended the gun control meeting in Glenview on Sunday.  It was good to hear that gun-rights supporters’ numbers were so overwhelming that the fire department had to restrict admittance to the auditorium.  So many gun rights supporters showed up so early that gun controllers got locked out of their own meeting!  We have heard from a few people who had never been to such a meeting in the past.  They were shocked at the level of disrespect for the U.S. Constitution displayed by the gun-controllers who organized the event.  One attendee compared the hatred for American traditions spewed by the gun-controllers to the rhetoric he heard from Taliban prisoners he guarded in Afghanistan.  Our people were shocked further by the unabashed lies and misconceptions about private firearm ownership that were pushed by the gun-controllers who spoke.  The impression that one attendee took away from the meeting was that the gun-controllers hate law-abiding firearm owners more than they dislike the people who commit violent crimes.  Again, thanks to everyone who turned out for the Glenview event.  The gun controllers need to understand that preservation and protection of gun rights is not a joke to us and that we will challenge them every time they attempt to attack the constitution."

The ISRA notice did not identify the "gun controllers" who organized the meeting.

Perhaps their names and addresses should be published, so that "polite" communications could be sent to them with what to expect if the criminals attempt to take over Glenview.

No, no, don't reject me

Have you ever felt rejected? Ever wonder how many days in a row you could go without a sale? Ever think you'll never find a job or get a date again?

Know the Col. Sanders' story?

Have you ever seen the old Vince Lombardi sales training video, Second Effort. Does anybody have a copy of that?

From the Go For No newsletter today came this amazing video by Jia Jiang, who decided that he would have to go through 100 days of rejection, in order "to build 'the necessary entrepreneurial skill sets' - overcoming fear of rejection being something he wanted to conquer first."

You can read Jia's blog at Hope From Nope blog. He found Jason Comely's Rejection Therapy concept and became determined to go through 100 days of Rejection Therapy. He decided to "succeed" at one rejection per day by making requests that couldn't be filled.

Until he got to Krispy Kreme in Austin, Texas, and ran into Jackie. Watch the video above - right to the end.

Also, visit the Go For No website. The book is great, too!

The infamous 23 Executive Orders

What 23 Executive Orders did Obama sign while keeping children out of school on January 16?

You can read all 23 right here on Slate.com

Suppose it's too late to run out and buy a couple of .223 Bushmasters and a half dozen 30-round magazines? Oh, and a dozen boxes of cartridges?

Wait, will a dozen boxes be enough? 50 x 12 = 600.

Yes, that will fill six 30-round clips. OK, good.

The way Big O is going, we'll likely to need these sooner than later. I'm thinking a safer place to live will be Oregon or Utah or Montana. Or maybe New Mexico or Arizona or Texas. Or Oconee County, Georgia.

Concealed carry is not going to be enough. That'll just take care of personal safety on the streets. A Colt or a Glock or a Kimber or a Kahn or Smith & Wesson or Browning ought to be okay for self-defense. Maybe one of each...

But if a revolution starts? A sidearm will not be enough.

Heard the story about the trooper who stopped a driver, and the driver offered his concealed carry permit with his driver's license? The trooper asked if he was armed.

"Yes," he said, and he explained he had a weapon on his belt, one in the glove compartment, one under the driver's seat, a rifle on the back seat, and one in the trunk.

The trooper asked what he was afraid of.

"Not a darned thing," the driver answered.

Look what N.Y. is trying

Here are 15 good reasons to stay away from New York state and, perhaps, not to do busy with any company in New York.

1. Confiscation of "assault weapons"
2. Confiscation o ten round clips
3. Statewide database for ALL Guns
4. Continue to allow pistol permit holder's information to be replaced to the public
5. Label semiautomatic shotguns with more than 5 rounds or pistol grips as "assault weapons”
6. Limit the number of rounds in a magazine to 5 and confiscation and forfeiture of banned magazines
7. Limit possession to no more than two (2) magazines
8. Limit purchase of guns to one gun per person per month
9. Require re-licensing of all pistol permit owners
10. Require renewal of all pistol permits every five years
11. State issued pistol permits
12. Micro-stamping of all guns in New York State
13. Require licensing of all gun ammo dealers
14. Mandatory locking of guns at home
15. Fee for licensing, registering weapons

Where did this come from? Try The Commentator. This is what the Democrats in New York are going for. Is there any reason to think this might be Obama's plan, too?

While you are there, watch the short video.

Texas state rep. hits the target

"'The thing that so angers me, and I think so angers you, is that this president is using children as a human shield to advance a very liberal agenda that will do nothing to protect them,' said Texas (state) Rep. Steve Toth, referencing last month's elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn."
Source: Associated Press

Toth scored a bullseye right on the target with this comment. It was despicable for Obama to use children for the photo op ceremony at his signing of the 23 Executive Orders aimed at gun control.

The first question has to be, why weren't they in school? Next, how were they picked?

I can hear the question now, "Want to be in picture with President Obama?"

"Sure, mommy."

Maybe Obama should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor by truancy.

One in the chamber? or not?

Recently a friend and I were discussing whether a handgun should be carried with one in the chamber or not. He was talking about a semi-automatic pistol.

A revolver, we know, can be carried with the hammer against an empty position in the cylinder. Assuming it's a double-action revolver, a pull of the trigger will rotate the cylinder and drop the hammer on a live round.

What about a semi-automatic pistol? Thoughts? Carry a round loaded in the barrel?

A number of questions come to mind, but the first is, is you need to fire, will you be able to rack the slide and load a round? Will you have time to do so? What if you have only one hand available, and that's the one with which you are holding the weapon?

Let's say your need to fire is not immediate? You hear a window breaking elsewhere in your house late at night, awakening you from sleep in your bedroom. Fine. You've got time to rack the slide, load a live round, move to a safer position, dial 9-1-1. Time; you've got time...

Now, let's consider that you answer your door during the day. As you open it, some thug pushes his way in and grabs you by the arm. Now you're down to one loose arm. You grab your pistol from the holster. But you don't have a round loaded.

How are you going to get a round into the chamber?

This is why I recommend carrying a semi-auto pistol with one in the chamber. If not double-action, hammer back. Safety on, with one in the chamber. Ready to fire with only one hand free, if necessary.

Thoughts?

Beth Bentley - gone 139 weeks

Beth Bentley vanished 139 weeks ago today. That's 973 days! If someone ran away, where does she go for 973 days? On what does she live?

Or maybe she "got a little help from her friends" ...  Some friends, eh?

Maybe it wasn't the kind of "help" that was wanted...

There were rumors immediately after Beth vanished that she was pregnant. Was she? In a photo on Facebook (before some unknown person accessed Beth's Facebook account and deleted all the photos), it sure looked that way. And to more than one person.

A patient's rights under HIPAA are certainly important, but at what point can the line be crossed, allowing a doctor to cooperate with police investigators?

It shouldn't be any secret what doctor(s) Beth was seeing. Did she go to local doctors at Centegra or Mercy? Was she seen at either Centegra Hospital in McHenry County for diagnosis, treatment or lab work?

It should be of interest to the police, if Beth had been pregnant, because of other rumors about relationships, liaisons, and out-of-town trips. Did police create a matrix of all possible partners and track them down? Friends would know of the alibis that were provided.

What if police never considered this case other than a Missing Person case? Would they be able to get at the same medical information, or would they be able to dig more deeply into a health background if a crime were suspected? Or would they even try, if it's "only" a missing-person case.

What might keep a "friend" from offering up information that could help the police find Beth?

Certainly, one thing that might cause a friend to clam up is if the friend's life isn't so clean itself. What if you don't want the police snooping into your own life? What if the police might uncover "indiscretions" in your life or even participation in some criminal activity? If you keep your own mouth shut, maybe they won't nose around and find it.

How prevalent was the use of drugs among Beth's circle of friends and acquaintances? Who were the drug users at the places where she hung out? More importantly, who were the drug dealers in those places?

One of her friends was just arrested on drug charges. How hard will the police try to find out who her drug dealer is? She is starting at a felony charge. Could she get time in the Illinois Department of Corrections? Would that risk loosen her lips about her dealer?

How hard did the police agencies (Woodstock Police, Mt. Vernon Police, Centralia Police, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police) look at the possibility of a drug connection? Did Beth use marijuana? Coke? Heroin? Did police investigate that angle?

The Woodstock Police treated Beth's disappearance as a Missing Person case. There has never been any public announcement to change that. In fact, a poster still exists on a webpage of the Woodstock Police Department indicating that this is still a missing person case. The poster was placed on November 11, 2010, and is currently scheduled to remain there (invisible to almost all) until May 11, 2013. That poster still says that she was dropped off at the Centralia train station on May 23, 2010.

Isn't it more the case that one person says (only) she dropped Beth off there. Nothing else. Did she? What do the others who were with Beth that week-end have to say?

Come on, folks. Is there anyone who still thinks this is a missing person case?

Compliment due at courthouse

When you find something out of order at, say, the courthouse in Woodstock, what do you do?

Ignore it? Grumble? Complain to others?

Do you ever send a request for repair or correction?

I wish to express my appreciation to the staff for keeping the courthouse as clean as they do.

What have I reported?

Lack of coat-hanging hooks in single-person restrooms? (I didn't like putting my winter coat on the floor.)

Lack of notice on courtroom door, when a trial is scheduled and all other cases have been moved to other courtrooms. Incorrect information on hallway monitors.

Graffiti carved in the wooden wall in front of courtroom seating.

Trash on the ground outside court entrance; lack of a nearby trash container.

The extremely prompt attention to last week's request was very much appreciated.

Last week a number of water bottles and used coffee cups littered the sidewalk at the west entrance one afternoon, which must have resulted from arriving visitors being told that they could not take them into the building. A waste receptacle was moved to the courthouse-side of the driveway. Hopefully, people will use it.

Nygren's dangerous talk

I have been asking where the sheriffs in northern Illinois stand on Obama's plans to tread on Constitutional rights of Americans when he talks about gun control and signed 23 Executive Orders recently.

Sheriffs in Georgia, Utah and Oregon have not been bashful in telling Obama exactly on what not to attempt to interfere.

Now we know where McHenry County's own sheriff stands.

In this morning's Northwest Herald, buried at the end of a front-page article, are these words of Sheriff Keith Nygren...

"We're talking about restricting our freedoms..."

Well, I've got news for you, Keith. Now would be a really good time to stop talking about "restricting our freedoms" and start observing your Oath of Office, which is to support the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Illinois. And not only to support them but to obey the laws. The People - We, the People - are not going to let you restrict our freedoms!

No doubt you remember the day I was in your office and played a tape for you of a message you left on my home answering machine. Your message had been to stop wasting the time of your deputies with serious traffic violations that I had witnessed, because a judge would never convict a driver on a civilian witness's testimony. Had you checked, you would have found that the string of convictions (on my complaints) was eight in a row.

During our conversation you told me that you "had to" drive 20MPH over the limit in Wisconsin just to keep up with traffic. I was too polite at the time to challenge you on why you, as the top cop in McHenry County, would not be following the laws and driving at the posted speed limit. Was that because you believed you could "badge" any cop who stopped you and talk your way out of a ticket?

When was that? 2006? 2007? Now I know more about you. Now I believe that you feel that the laws are for us, but not for you.

Gun ban backfires in Australia

"Get off your butt now" or lose your guns. Watch the reaction of Australians.

Watch this video.

If I can figure out how to get it onto my phone, I will. And I will ask everyone I meet to watch it. Gun owners should walk the streets in Chicago and round up enough law-abiding citizens to run Emanuel and Preckwinkle, Madigan and Cullerton, and about 50 Cook County Democratic State legislators out of this country.

Utah sheriffs blast Obama - read all of this!

Three cheers for the Utah Sheriffs' Association. Take a look at the letter they sent to the Gun-grabber-in-Chief, Barack Obama:

Utah Sheriffs’ Association Tell Obama to Keep His Un-Constitutional Orders Out of Their State

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We, the elected sheriffs of Utah, like so many of our fellow Americans, are literally heartbroken for the loved ones of the murdered victims in Connecticut. As Utahans, we are not strangers to this kind of carnage—one of the latest being the 2007 Trolley Square murders wherein nine innocents were gunned down—five losing their lives.

We also recognize the scores of other recent domestic massacres, which have decimated countless honorable lives. As Americans, we value the sanctity of life. Furthermore, similar to our inspired Founders, we acknowledge our subservience to a higher power.

With the number of mass shootings America has endured, it is easy to demonize firearms; it is also foolish and prejudiced.

Firearms are nothing more than instruments, valuable and potentially dangerous, but instruments nonetheless. Malevolent souls, like the criminals who commit mass murders, will always exploit valuable instruments in the pursuit of evil. As professional peace officers, if we understand nothing else, we understand this: lawful violence must sometimes be employed to deter and stop criminal violence. Consequently, the citizenry must continue its ability to keep and bear arms, including arms that adequately protect them from all types of illegality.

As your administration and Congress continue to grapple with the complex issue of firearm regulations, we pray that the Almighty will guide the People’s Representatives collectively. For that reason, it is imperative this discussion be had in Congress, not silenced unilaterally by executive orders. As you deliberate, please remember the Founders of this great nation created the Constitution, and its accompanying Bill of Rights, in an effort to protect citizens from all forms of tyrannical subjugation.

We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake, as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution. No federal official will be permitted to descend upon our constituents and take from them what the Bill of Rights—in particular Amendment II—has given them. We, like you, swore a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional interpretation.

The Utah Sheriffs’ Association

Wayne Beto (1937-2013)

Wayne Beto, 76, passed away this afternoon. Remember Wayne - of the David & Goliath battle in Crystal Lake in front of the old Viking Dodge?

Wayne was born on January 19, 1937, and died today, his 76th birthday, in Woodstock.

I met Wayne one day, when I passed his parked car with all those signs taped onto it, where it was parked in "Wayne's Spot" on U.S. 14 in Crystal Lake, just east of IL 176. You know the spot. IDOT ought to put up an historic marker on that patch of shoulder.

Wayne had a beef with Viking Dodge, and he just wouldn't let it go. He was right, you know. He told me the story. I told him and others often, if Viking Dodge had just apologized, it would have been all over. On one hot July day when he was carrying his sign and picketing right in front of the dealership, had they brought out a couple of lawn chairs, a beach umbrella and a cooler with a few bottles of cold water or soda, that would have been the last they would have seen of him.

But Wayne was tough. And the rougher they wanted to play, the more resolute he became.

It was a pleasure to know Wayne. I visited him often at his Marengo home, where he lived with his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. Wayne was honest, strong and cheerful. He cared about others. I don't think we ever had a conversation when he didn't ask me how my stepson was doing.

Wayne was ready to go. We had some fine conversations during the past few weeks, and I feel privileged that Wayne and I were friends. Godspeed, Wayne. You're free now.

(Author's note: Wayne Beto was born in 1937. Dates above have been corrected. 1/22/13)

Open season for concealed carry

On January 13 Illinois State Rep. David Reis (R-109 (Olney, Ill.)) filed House Bill 0154, which may be the first concealed carry bill of the new session. What does it say?

The synopsis reads: "Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Provides that the Department of State Police shall issue a license to carry a loaded or unloaded handgun to an applicant that meets specified qualifications, has provided the application and specified documentation, and has submitted the requisite fees. Provides that a license to carry a handgun entitles a licensee to carry a loaded handgun, either concealed or openly, on or about his or her person or in a vehicle, except in certain prohibited locations. Provides that the license shall be issued by the Department of State Police within 45 days of receipt from a sheriff and shall be valid throughout the State for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance. Provides for renewal of licenses. Establishes qualifications for licensees, certified firearms instructors, and instructor trainers. Provides for home rule preemption. Provides that the provisions of the Act are severable. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Prohibits from inspection and copying information about applications for licenses to carry a handgun and about license holders contained in the database created by the Family and Personal Protection Act, except as authorized by that Act. Amends the State Finance Act and the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately."

To get the whole nine yards, read HB 0154. Be sure to click on Full Text to get the big picture.

Rep. Reis is the sole sponsor at this time. Where's everybody else? What happened to Rep. Phelps HB0148 in the 97th Session?

Notice key provisions:
- shall issue
- loaded handgun
- concealed or openly

Should hope it puts a stopwatch on a sheriff. Just imagine the delays in Cook, Lake, Kane, DuPage and McHenry Counties, if the sheriff can pigeon-hole an application and let it gather dust.

Awww, would that happen in McHenry County? Here come more lawsuits!

If this bill makes it out of the House Committee, it will need a super-majority to pass, because of the home-rule pre-emption provision.

The clock is ticking on concealed carry in Illinois, thanks to the three judges in the 7th Court of Appeals. Watch the countdown timer to your right.

Beth Bentley pal arrested

This Sunday it will be 139 weeks that Beth Bentley has been missing.

One of her Beth's pals was arrested yesterday, January 18, on drug charges and spent the night in Hotel Nygren. As of this time she is still in custody.

Robin Moore, 38, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance (2 counts) and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. She was confined at 6:41PM yesterday and is there on a $10,000 bail. If somebody will come up with $1,000, she will breathe fresh air again.

She is scheduled to appear in Courtroom 302 on Wednesday, January 23, at 9:00AM.

Could she know something about Beth's disappearance?

Woodstock Police had a chance to "talk" with her when they arrested her for DUI on May 14, 2011. She was convicted on November 22, 2011 and it cost her $3,362 in fine, court costs and fees. Plus, probably, a big chunk in legal fees from her Woodstock attorney, Ray Flavin.

Conditions of her sentence included, in addition to the fine and costs, DUI school and 240 hours of public service.

Notice that no jail time was part of the sentence. That's how serious McHenry County is about drunk driving.

Attend County Board meetings - from home

Have you ever wanted to attend a McHenry County Board meeting, but you just don't want to drive over the the County Administration Building on Ware Road?

Maybe you don't live in Woodstock and it's not just an easy drive up Seminary Avenue to the parking lot. Maybe you don't relish the haul from Harvard or Marengo or Algonquin or Cary. It's not just the time for the meeting, but also the time and cost of the commute.

Did you know you can listen to the audio of the meeting?

All you have to do is go to the County's website at co.mchenry.il.us (or www.mchenrycountyil.gov)

Under Quick Links, click on "McHenry County Meetings"

Click on Meeting Documents

Locate your meeting in Past Meetings. On the far right end of the line, click on Audio.

I don't know whether meetings are broadcast live.

Where are Nygren and Zinke on guns?

Where do Sheriff Keith Nygren and Acting Sheriff (errr, Undersheriff) Andy Zinke stand on guns?

Are they ready to take them away from law-abiding citizens?

Or are they in the group with Sheriff Ronald B. Bruce (Hinsdale County, Colorado) and Sheriff Scott Berry (Oconee County, Georgia)? Never heard of Hinsdale County and its 843 residents? That's 843, for the entire county!

Sheriff's Bruce and Berry have made it clear that they understand the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens?

Think anyone could get a statement like that out of Nygren (if you could find him) or Zinke?

A while back, this Pledge was circulating.

“I, ______________, will never, by use of force or any other means, confiscate firearms lawfully possessed by the citizens of my community.”

Let's make a list of all the chiefs of police in McHenry County and get them and the Sheriff and Undersheriff to sign this pledge.

And then we need to go to the Mayors and City and Village Managers and get them to sign it, so that they will not order their chiefs to go out and confiscate our guns.

Read this - fight or not?

Please read the following article by Dean Garrison of DC Clothesline as published, with permission on FreedomOutpost.com

My thanks to McHenry County Blog for bringing this to the attention of area readers.

If the Government comes for your guns, are you going to surrender them? "Government" could be the Feds, the State, the County, the City.

Lately, guns have been in the news a lot. Are they for self-defense - only? Are they for protecting the USA (all of us) from "enemies, foreign and domestic"?

Obama, Biden, Bloomberg, Feinstein, Quinn, Emanuel, Madigan, Cullerton and many others will tell you that you don't need a .223 Bushmaster and a 30-round magazine (or some rifle with a 100-round drum) to defend your home against a home invasion.

But you are going to need them, if the Government (those named and others) send the stormtroopers to your door to collect your guns and destroy your Second Amendment rights.

The author reminds us that our country is not a democracy; it is a constitutional republic. Then he offers this quote:

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Get it?

Quotes from S.C. State Troopers

These are actual comments made by South Carolina Troopers that were taken off their car videos:

1. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through."

2. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while."

3. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document."

4. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."

5. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you."

6. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?"

7. "Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?"

8. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

9. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"

10. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop."

11. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven."

12. "In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC." (National Crime Information Center)


13. "Just how big were those 'two beers' you say you had?"

14. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can."

15. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail."

AND THE WINNER IS....

16. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign here."

Round 1: car vs. house

Last Friday night was pretty exciting in Woodstock, when a driver heading south on Birch Road must have forgotten to stop at St. Johns Road and paid a visit to the family across the intersection.

A reader asked me why this didn't make the Northwest Herald and whether someone "connected" might have been the driver.

Honest! That was the question posed to me.

And it's a reasonable one. There is not all that much going on in Woodstock to keep the police busy; at least, according to what the daily newspaper prints. So why wouldn't a "car meets house" crash hit the paper?

Is there a Daily Blotter at the Woodstock Police Department? Can a reporter drop by at any time and read it? Could it be online, so that anyone in town could read it? Sure could...

Or at least it could be on a table in the lobby at the police department, where anyone could drop in and read it.

There is a "Blotter" at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Of course, you have to park in the parking lot, hoof it to the front door, pass through security, go to the second floor and way down the hall to the Sheriff's Department Administration office before you can read it.

Does any reader know what happened last Friday night? I'm not too excited about forking out my own $5.00 for a crash report to find out what happened.

County Board votes down referendum proposal

At a Special Meeting this morning, the McHenry County Board voted down a proposal to place a referendum on the April ballot about popular election of the Chairman.

Twenty Board members (of the 24) were present, which meant 11 votes would decide the fate of the referendum.

Public comment was offered by one person before the Board discussion began.

Considerable discussion about the proposal centered on incomplete information being available on which to decide. A number of Board members voiced the willingness to have the question decided by voters, but there were questions about the cost, effectiveness, duration of such an elected chairperson's tenure, the rush to consider the question and other concerns.

More than a few of the Members said they were against such an election by the voters and would actively campaign against it if it appeared on the ballot, but that they were willing to vote Yes today to get the issue before the voters.

When the rollcall on the vote was taken, 11 voted against it; 9 voted for. The question will not appear on the April ballot.

Gun Appreciation Day - Tomorrow

From the Illinois State Rifle Association -

"IMPORTANT ALERT – SUPPORT YOUR GUN RIGHTS!
ISRA URGES GUN OWNERS TO TAKE PART IN GUN APPRECIATION DAY

As many of you know, Saturday, January 19th as been declared “Gun Appreciation Day” across the nation.  The ISRA is pleased to support Gun Appreciation Day and urges all of our subscribers to participate in activities in their area.

Here are some suggestions for observing Gun Appreciation Day:

1.  Introduce a friend to the shooting sports.

2.  Go to your local gun dealer and buy something – - anything.

3.  Have a frank talk with your kids or grand kids about the importance of private firearm ownership to America’s freedom.  Try to undo some of the damage inflicted by some of their leftist teachers and media.

4.  Make a pledge to aggressively stand up to and beat down attempts at gun control in your community.

5.  Learn more about your enemy - the gun control movement.  Do what you can to dispel their lies and be prepared to confront them when necessary.

6.  Join, renew, or upgrade your membership in the ISRA and other firearm rights groups.

Your participation in Gun Appreciation Day will help send a message to those who would take your guns away.  Given recent events, Gun Appreciation Day will certainly be covered by the media – we want a good showing!  Don’t forget that Obama’s reinstallation as president takes place on Sunday the 20th.  Let’s steal his weekend from him!

Please pass this alert on to your gun owning friends and family. Also, please post this alert on any Internet blogs or bulletin boards to which you may belong!"