Thanks for the support

I would like to express my appreciation to the many readers who send me emails and letters of support. I appreciate them very much, and I understand completely why you don't post comments on this blog.

The fears of retaliation are strong. You need your jobs - absolutely. So I thank you.

Who can provide me with information about any use of unauthorized, illegal GPS tracking devices on employees' vehicles? Whatever would give a supervisor or member of the command staff of a sheriff's department the impression that he could order or allow a GPS tracking device to be placed on an employee's vehicle, except by court order?

Was there ever a law enforcement or civil rights investigation of such an action?

Protect & Serve becomes Stuck & Wait

There was a great P.R. piece in the Northwest Herald this morning under the headline "Sheriff has help rescuing motorists." When I read the article, I thought how great it was for the top dog at the sheriff's department to venture out into the blizzard and "commandeer" a truck and its driver, Dan Bitton.

In my mind I pictured the sheriff pounding on the driver's window and pressing Bitton into service of the County.

And then I learned that Bitton is a long-time friend of the sheriff. Suddenly, all the flowery language in the article turned into that stuff that is left in the field after the cattle are herded into pens.

According to reporter Joe Bustos, "Bitton, of Johnsburg, complimented Nygren for sticking it out with his staff in the snow and wind. Nygren directed traffic as ice fell from his face, Bitton said."

Joe, you got suckered. They couldn't see another car until they were inches from it?

Where was the sheriff's $75,000 Chevy Tahoe with the heated leather seats all this time? Did he give it to a deputy to run calls? Or was it parked in the garage at the sheriff's department?

How many four-wheel-drive vehicles are assigned to patrol staff? 12? 15? 18? Were there really only three on use? Where were the rest? Parked in garages or driveways of the take-home-car deputies? Why weren't these vehicles ordered into Woodstock and made available to on-duty deputies?

And where were the snowmobiles owned by the sheriff's department? Were they in use? Or were there parked safely in the trailer at the sheriff's garage on Russel Court?

How many deputies were stuck in their "regular" squads cars during this blizzard? And for how many hours? Not only were they at risk, stuck in snow on a County road, but they were not able to perform their duties or assist County residents!

Reporter Brett Rowland wrote, "... about half a dozen sheriff's deputies were stuck in their cars all over the county in spots including Marengo and Harvard. Many spent the night in their cars."

I hear that more than a few patrol deputies are mad, angry and disappointed. And well they should be. Of course, they aren't allowed to speak out without violating General Orders.

Sorry, deputies. Mail me your stories and your gripes. I'll publish them - without your names.

Get a shot (reminder)

No, not the one at the bar....

Get a shot for that furry little critter hiding in the corner right now...

On Angels' Wings Inc (Thrift Store & Pet Adoption Center) is having a low-cost vaccination clinic on Saturday, February 5th, from 1-3 p.m.  For anyone on a tight budget (or anyone who is just cost-conscious), this is a good opportunity to get your dog its annual Rabies vaccination at a good price.  It also helps out the non-profit group at the same time. And they're not just picking on dogs; they are equal opportunity sticker. Take your cat, too.

The cost is $20 per shot (plus McHenry County Dog Registration fee, if applicable).  Distemper, Bordetella, and Parvo vaccinations are available for $20 each.  No appointment is necessary; both cats & dogs are welcome.  (Well-behaved dogs, please - on a leash and under the owner's control; please bring cats in an animal carrier to minimize the risk of escape.)

On Angels' Wings Pet Adoption Center is located inside the Thrift Store at 5186 Northwest Highway, Suite 133, in Crystal Lake (behind Exceed Flooring, next to Honey-Baked Ham).

Questions? Call On Angels' Wings at (815) 356-8170.

Not even one error!

When I read Joe Walsh's statement about the Senate's failure to repeal ObamaCare on McHenry County Blog, I spotted an error that should never have been allowed in print:

“I am gravely disappointed by the outcome of tonight’s vote in the U.S. Senate,” said Walsh. “The failure to repeal ObamaCare is yet another dangerous step in the wrong direction by Senate Democrats. Once more, we are able to see how out of touch they are with the American public, who’s referendum on ObamaCare was made clear in November’s election results.”

Now, I met Joe last year and I like him. I don't know if he wrote his own press release or if someone else typed it. Either way, the error is inexcusable.

The correct word is "whose". Sure, it sounds like "who's". It's like "its" and "it's."

The problem is that schools today are not teaching English. They are too busy doing other things. Do kids today have a clue how to diagram a sentence? Do they study cases? Agreement in number between subjects and verbs?

If somebody wrote that for Joe, fire him or her and hire somebody who knows the difference.

If Joe wrote it, get somebody in there who will read his writing before it is published.

Sorry, no pass on that!

Foreclosure support group starts Feb. 24

Principled Minds to Launch Foreclosure Crisis Support Group

Woodstock—A support group for individuals and families facing a crisis because of the loss of your home due to foreclosure or inability to meet your mortgage payments is being formed by Principled Minds, a non-profit organization based in Woodstock that seeks justice and equality for all persons in McHenry County.

The first session will be held at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd Street at 7 P.M. on Thursday, February 24. 

According to Principled Minds President Dan Larsen, “Our purpose is to provide different kinds of assistance to you and to find ways that families in this position can help each other.”

Space is limited.  To register or for more information, e-mail Dan Larsen at dplarsen1073@att.net

Free guardianship program Friday at MCC

Do you know a parent of a student with disabilities? Please forward this announcement today to him or her. You can use the small white envelope below this article to forward this information about a free workshop tomorrow at MCC.

The Special Education District of McHenry County

&

McHenry County Transition Planning Committee

Presents:

Panel Discussion: Guardianship Issues for Students with Disabilities

When:        Friday, February 4th, 2011

Where:       McHenry County College

Room A102

Time:          1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Join us for a panel discussion regarding guardianship and hear about different philosophies and options parents have from individuals with expertise in this area.

Topics such as guardianship, power of attorney, trust funds, planning for adulthood, legal services, and advocacy will be discussed.

Speakers will include:

ü    The Law Office of Brian Rubin & Associates

ü    Robert H. Farley, Jr., LTD-Attorney at Law

ü    Annette Hammortree-Hammortree Financial Services

ü    Options & Advocacy for McHenry County

ü    Equip for Equality

ü    Individual with a Disability

                              

There is no cost to attend this event.

Please RSVP to Jeweldean Drechney: jdrechney@sedom.org

Yet another NIXLE failure!

Hello? Just what does it take to get the employee at the McHenry County Sheriff's Dept.who handles NIXLE advisories to wake up and pay attention? READ what you are about to send out, before you press Send. (At least, you didn't send a text message at 4:05AM, and I thank you for that.)

Today's gaffe?

At 4:05AM Thursday (that's today, February 3, 2011) MCSD emailed the following message via NIXLE:

"Advisory Message has been issued by the McHenry County, IL Sheriff's Office.

"Tuesday February 1, 2011 3:00 PM CST

"All County of McHenry buildings open to the public will be closed on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. Travel Safely.

"With heavy snow, high winds and blizzard conditions anticipated for the next 24 hours, McHenry County facilities will be closed Wednesday, February 2, 2011 for normal business.  Please check the County website at http://www.blogger.com/ in the future for additonal information."

Thus, the dangers of copy-and-paste become abundantly clear once again. Is this "just" a clerical error? Assuming that it takes some level of authority at MCSD to approve a NIXLE message before it is sent, just where does the buck stop on this one?

What about the Jail? Was the jail open for business; i.e., could an inmate be bonded out? Was bond court held? Is that "normal" business?

This County is full of people who would be happy to work for $30,000/year and who wouldn't make these kinds of mistakes? Why does the Sheriff's Department pay $100,000/year to someone to oversee these mistakes?