Why Bill votes “no” on the wind farm ordinance?

This text amendment was initiated by Boone County Board’s PZB subcommittee. A considerable amount of resources have been expended. The full board gave no formal approval to proceed with the text amendment although the board’s lack of formal discussion and lack of a formal recommendation can be considered "tacit approval" for PZB's proceeding with the text amendment. I question the prudence of the previous board--this expensive text amendment process should begin only with a formal approval and discussion by the full board.

The Planning Department’s recommendation was for no action—to keep in force the current ordinance. This recommendation was based upon the Planning Department’s research of current wind farm ordinances in Illinois and generally accepted scientific information. The crux of much of the staff recommendation was that the health and welfare concerns of Boone County are properly addressed by the current ordinance and by the ordinance’s special use procedures. The department has not waivered from this position.

I see no compelling evidence to question the planning department’s recommendation.

Board members should be aware that even if the new ordinance passes, court action may well grant Mainstream vested rights because their options were purchased when the old ordinance was in force.

To reiterate my position, based upon the professional staff’s recommendation I will vote “NO”. I believe any concerns expressed by the public in the hearings will be addressed by the special use application, when and if an application is received.

Result:  The ordinance passed 7-5, however Section H on set back is sent back to PZB/ZBA  for a hearing on the proposed setbacks.

Exactly what is the wind ordinance that Boone County Board is voting this evening?

The new ordinance is 16 pages long and is available at the following:  https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/92YTVD793001/$file/Ordinance%2012-40.pdf

Thus far there are four possible amendments to the ordinance:  https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/92XRJY6E2BA8/$file/add'l%20floor%20motions%20for%20Ord%2012-40.pdf

UPDATE 12-20-2012  The ordinance has been passed however Section 4.8.7 H Setbacks has been sent back to ZBA/PZB for a public hearing.  This section in on page 6 of the new ordinance: https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/92YTVD793001/$file/Ordinance%2012-40.pdf

Numerous letters to editor, editorials and letters regarding Wind Farm ordinance

Here is short list of the more recently posted articles on Bill’s Boone County Watchdog Blog:

Letter: Wind power not so great an opportunity - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/letter-wind-power-not-so-great.html

Letter: Most people are not in favor of wind farms - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star:  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/letter-most-people-are-not-in-favor-of.html

RR Star View: Time for Boone County to embrace wind power - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star:   http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/rr-star-view-time-for-boone-county-to.html

Mrs. Newhouse’s response to former board member’s letter regarding wind turbines; Ms. Del Rose responds to Mrs. Newhouse’s comments:  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/mrs-newhouses-response-to-former-board.html

Wind Mills—Letters/Letters to Editors regarding 12-19-2012 county board decision:

http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/wind-millslettersletters-to-editors.html

How much did taxpayers pay Bill this month?

 

Because of the organizational meeting and retreat the per diem is $130 HIGHER than what would be expected in a normal month.  Per diem for all board members is now $65 per meeting rather than $75 as in the past. Only one per diem per day no matter the number of meetings attended that day. 

6 meetings times $65 equals     ……………………..  $390.00

6 round trips of 8 miles times 48.5 cents per mile …      23.28

Total…………………………………………..…………$413.28

2013 Boone County Board and Subcommittee Meetings

All meetings are held in the County Board Room, Boone County Administrative Campus

1212 Logan Avenue, Belvidere,

January	02, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
January	03, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
January	07, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
January	07, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:30 PM
January	08, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
January	08, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:45 PM
January	09, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
January	11, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
January	16, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
January	25, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
February	04, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
February	05, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
February	06, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
February	07, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
February	07, 2013	Mental Health Advisory	6:30 PM
February	11, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
February	12, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
February	13, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
February	20, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
February	22, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
March	04, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
March	05, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
March	06, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
March	07, 2013	Health & Human Services	6.00 PM
March	11, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
March	12, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
March	13, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
March	20, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
March	22, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
April	01, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
April	02, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
April	03, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Administrative	6:00 PM
April	04, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
April	04, 2013	Mental Health Advisory	6:30 PM
April	08, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
April	09, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
April	10, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
April	17, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
April	26, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
May	01, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
May	02, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
May	06, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
May	07, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
May	07, 2013	Finance	6:45 PM
May	08, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
May	09, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
May	15, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
May	24, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
June	03, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
June	04, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
June	05, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
June	06, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
June	06, 2013	Mental Health Advisory	6:30 PM
June	10, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
June	11, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
June	12, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
June	19, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
June	28, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
July	01, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
July	02, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
July	03, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
July	08, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
July	08, 2013	Public Safety	6:45 PM
July	09, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
July	10, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
July	17, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
July	26, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
August	01, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
August	01, 2013	Mental Health Advisory	6:30 PM
August	05, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
August	06, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
August	07, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
August	12, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
August	13, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
August	14, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
August	21, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
August	23, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
September	03, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
September	04, 2013	Planning, Zoning & Building	6:00 PM
September	05, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
September	09, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
September	09, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:30 PM
September	10, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
September	11, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
September	18, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
September	27, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
October	01, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
October	02, 2013	Planning, Zoning, & Building	6:00 PM
October	03, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
October	03, 2013	Mental Health Advisory	6:30 PM
October	07, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
October	08, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
October	09, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
October	14, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
October	16, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
October	25, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
November	04, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
November	05, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
November	06, 2013	Planning, Zoning, & Building	6:00 PM
November	07, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
November	11, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
November	12, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
November	13, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
November	20, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
November	22, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM
December	02, 2013	Administrative & Legislative	6:00 PM
December	03, 2013	Roads & Capital Improvements	6:00 PM
December	04, 2013	Planning, Zoning, & Building	6:00 PM
December	05, 2013	Health & Human Services	6:00 PM
December	05, 2013	Mental Health Advisory	6:30 PM
December	09, 2013	Public Safety	6:00 PM
December	10, 2013	Finance	6:00 PM
December	11, 2013	City-County Coordinating	6:30 PM
December	18, 2013	County Board	6:30 PM
December	27, 2013	Ag Conservation & Farmland Protection	7:30 AM

Chairman Walberg’s Requests regarding Wind Farm Ordinance

 

E-mail to County Board Chair regarding “Responsible Bid” legislation

 

Chairman Walberg

At the Administrative and Legislative Subcommittee Mr. Karl Johnson discussed with the committee pending state legislation regarding a ”responsible bidder” bill. The committee recommended that you as Chairman of our board write our state legislators voicing our opposition to the bill. Mr. Johnson indicated that the legislation in question would effectively grant union labor unwarranted preference in bidding construction projects for state and local government .

I do not believe it is fruitful for our board to enter into highly charged partisan issues at the state and national level. Even when our only action is  advisory, I do not believe that we are serving the best interests of the people of Boone County. It only adds to the conflict and partisanship. We need to unite and help all of Boone County prosper.

Correct me if I am wrong, but all of state legislators representing Boone County are Republican. I do not believe that Boone County government needs to be a cheering section for our Republican representatives in Springfield. You and the other Republican members of Boone County Board may personally write legislators but I am very opposed to using the good name of Boone County government to support ostensibly partisan issues whether Democratic or Republican

I respectfully request that the issue of your writing state legislators regarding the pending “responsible bidder” bill be determined by a vote of the entire county board and that the vote be a ROLL CALL vote.

If you as Board Chairman must write our legislators regarding this matter, please include the results of that roll call vote in your letter.

Thank you

BILL PYSSON

Committee Meetings during this week

I attended all of the county board’s subcommittees.  Too many things to list-- here are a few things which I found interesting.  As you read, please understand that this is work and progress so you may wish to check back.

City-County 12-12-2012:  A monthly update on the many activities which Belvidere City  and Boone County governments share.   1.  342 people applied for the 911 dispatcher position.  A personality evaluation test will be administer January 5.  From the top 25 tested, interviews will then begin.  2.  Previously we knew that Mr. Luhman resigned from the Boone County Regional Planning Commission(see his resignation letter:http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/mrwalberg-decides-not-to-reappoint-bill.html  ).  There has been an additional resignation and with the expiration of terms there are NO MEMBERS currently serving this commission.  The commission opposed the Wind Farm ordinance presently being considered by the county board.

First Notable Accomplishment: Boone County provides full disclosure of employees’ salary and benefits

 

Illinois’ PL 97-609 required Boone County to provide public disclosure of wages and benefits for all employees whose combined cost of wages and benefits exceed $75,000 beginning with the new fiscal year beginning December 1, 2012.

Boone County’s initial disclosure provides no names only the positions. 

With the help of Cal Skinner, McHenry Blog ( SEE: http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2012/11/30/crystal-lake-loses-precedent-setting-foia-ruling-on-hidding-high-salaried-employees-names/) Bill relayed to the Boone County Administrator the June 2012 decision from the Attorney General requiring disclosure of names.

Based upon the information Bill provided, full disclosure was provided—:

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

This information:

Became the much more revealing as the employee names were revealed:

To see all county employees salaries and benefits go to:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/boone-countys-pl-97-609-compensation.html

Chairman Walberg’s requested procedure for the Wind Farm Ordinance at the upcoming County Board Meeting 12-19-2012

County Board members, State’s Attorney, Planning Department:

I want to thank everyone for attending PZB on Wednesday, December 5, 2012. I noticed that the whole Board attended and I feel that will have good value to us as we go through the remainder of this process.

We will be considering at the Board meeting a proposed ordinance as it evolved from the previous meetings. As a Board we will be able to amend it as we feel necessary. However, any amendments should originate from testimony given at the Public ZBA Hearing. I would like to ask of any Board member wishing to offer an amendment to cite the date, the page, and the lines from the ZBA Hearing testimony. This should be a huge contribution to the rest of the Board to follow and verify the rationale of the amendment being offered. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Bob

Planning, Zoning & Building: Wednesday 12-5-2012

 

I am not a member of this sub-committee however myself and the rest of the county board attended this very contentious meeting.

The text amendment for the Wind Farm was passed with many, many major changes and word changes.  The vote was 5-0 to forward it to the county board.  However at least one member indicated that he was opposed to the ordinance.

The 1,400 foot set back was basically maintained however it is technically now measured in terms of  a 2.8 X the height. A reference to the proposed ordinance past by PZB will be available here as soon as the documents are available.

The text amendment and special use request for Northwest Pallet was tabled for the reasons shown in the letter below:

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Committee Assignments

 

Bill is assigned to the City-County Coordinating, Health & Human Services (VIce-Chairman) and Roads and Capital Improvement

Bill receives the two year term—it was the luck of the draw

Monday, December 3, 2012, Boone County Organizational Meeting.

I was not allowed to draw—the other three elected members of District 1 drew first because they had a greater number of votes.  But I was allowed to demand that the basket was shaken a bit more. So I have no complaints—the luck of the draw is the law.

Mr. Bob Walberg was re-elected Chairman.  Ken Freeman (R)District 3 and Bill voted against Mr. Walberg.  Mr. Paul Larson was elected Vice-chairman 12-0.

Bill is in the center, just above Cathy Ward, the lone woman.  Everyone is taken the oath.

To read about the organizational meeting go to the Rockford Register Star:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/yourtown/boone/x1926895148/Boone-County-chairman-term-lengths-decided

Bill has been invited to Capron’s Tree lighting–Sunday December 2 at 4:30.

December 2012 County Board Committee Schedule

Bill will be sworn in on Monday, December 3, 2012.  At that  organizational meeting  the new county board will select the Board Chairman and the new board members will “draw straws” to determine whether their individual terms will be two or four years.

 

Zoning Board of Appeals 11-27/11-28-2012

I attempted to attend at least portions of these two meetings.

I attempted to attend at least portions of these two meetings.

The agenda of the two meetings of the ZBA is shown below:

The major issues were the Northwest Pallet text amendment and special use request and the Wind Farm text amendment.

For the background on the Northwest Pallet case and result go to:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/11/northwest-pallet-supply-seeking-new.html  and the updated story at:http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/12/northwest-pallet-still-seeks-mulch.html 

As a private citizen I asked the lawyer representing Northwest Pallet how they were using the new mulch being generating from their continued pallet repair and manufacturing operations.  He stated it was being sold mostly to be burnt as boiler fuel.

For a fairly brief summary of the Wind Farm issue go to: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/11/next-wind-farm-zoning-board-hearing.html

Hopefully  more recent newspaper accounts will be available soon.

It is official—Bill is elected County Board District 1.

Beginning in 2013 all elected officials in Illinois must past open meeting training

Bill’s statement to the board regarding Mr. Terrinoni’s salary increase

During the public comment session at tonight’s  Bill as a private citizen made the following statement.  Nonetheless the county budget was approved 8-2. Mr. Johnson was absent and Mr. Mattison’s seat left unoccupied due to his recent resignation.

Boone County Board:

The increase in salary for item #401.151 County Administrator is out of line with the yearly increases granted to other administrative staff of his office. Mr. Terrinoni’s salary is increased $14,336 OR 13.6%. Salaries of the other members of his administrative staff increased 2.5%. That is a 5 and half times increase compared to his personal staff’s. This appears excessive.

The real outrage of the situation is the statement made by committee members that Mr. Terrinoini’s salary was increase to put it in line with other county administrators. I asked Mr. Larson to see their studies regarding this matter. He stated only that DeKalb County Administrator, now retired, received $160,000 per year. DeKalb is twice the size of Boone County and its administrator may have responsibilities twice as great as Mr. Terrinoni.

I request that Mr. Terrinoni’s salary increase be limited to 5% as the other department heads and that the remaining expenditure be held in a contingency account until the county board can adequately study if such a large increase is warranted. In other words, I request that item #401.151 be amended to $110,947 and the remaining $9,053 be held in the account for contingencies.

Thank you for your consideration.

BILL PYSSON

The above statement was also sent to the Editor of the Boone County Journal.  As a letter to the editor it is available in the Journal beginning this Friday and also on line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2012/Boone-County-News-11-23-12.pdf#page=1

Expected Board Actions for Monday evening’s Board Meeting—the last meeting without BILL

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

• PUBLIC HEARING ON THE Tax Levy
• Appointments

 

• Approve levy and budget  To see the budget for FY 2013 CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/923S5J710111/$file/2013CountyBudgetPublicLayoverRev2.pdf
• Consider buyers’ bid for two parcels of property owned by the county along Route 76.  Properties have been up for sale for some months.

These two contracts to purchase were “tabled”. As such, the contract  will expire11-30-2012 without the board taken any action.  Several board members spoke regarding the matter. Mr. Newhouse questioning that the price seemed low.

• Routine approval of the salary for civil engineer and appointment of Supervisor of Assessment
• Consider Liability Insurance bids
• TO VIEW THE ENTIRE AGENDA see photocopies below:

“Issues flying about” regarding county government

Here is a list of some current hot items and links to read more:

• Proposed expansion of Irene Intersection:  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/11/bcj-note-second-item-bombshell.html
• Chairman Walberg raises issue of splitting from city/county planning department, (see second portion of the article):  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/11/bcj-note-second-item-bombshell.html
• Chairman Walberg wished to use “votes received” as method to determine who receives two and four year term of county board members:  http://boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/11/election-2012-county-board-to-determine.html
• Northwest Pallet is seeking change in zoning to allow pallet mulch storage on agricultural land:  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/10/is-northwest-pallet-attempting-to.html  In case anyone  anyone forgot about Northwest’s mulch fire see the Utube AT:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/11/mulch-fire-in-belvidere-and-boone.html

• And of course the WIND FARM Ordinance.  Link to the latest newspaper account:  http://www.boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-boone-county-board-will-vote-on.html  BUT ALSO NOTE legal notice of November 27&27 ZBA meetings regarding the issue which is in posting directly below.

Zoning Board of Appeals to meet after Thanksgiving on Wind Farm Ordinance

McHenry County Blog | Boone County Blogger Gets County Board Post

McHenry County Blog | Boone County Blogger Gets County Board Post

Friday November 16, 2012 Ad in Boone Count Journal

 

Question: How do citizens access the county board’s “board packet”

Answer:  Since early this year nearly all of the communications and working papers which board members receive (either electronically or on paper) are available one or more days before the subcommittee or board meeting.

The county has altered its website just recently.  You can once again readily find the  link to Board Docs.

  FIRST:  GO to home page:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/   shown below”

On the left see “Quick Links”, click on upcoming meeting and the following page will appear.

In the center of the above page, in paragraph regarding Upcoming Meetings, click on the phrase in blue, Click Here to redirect to board docs.

After clicking on this link the following page should be seen:

Click on “Enter Public Site”  A page similar to the following will be obtained:

Click on the meeting which you are interesting in:

Now click on “View Agenda” and obtain the following:

Look at the items in the left column.  Any item which has a blue document symbol has documents to be view.  Click on the symbol and another screen with the document name (names) will appear.  See below

Click on the document you wish and it will appear.

A similar program is used by Belvidere School District 100.  The above guide should aid your search there.  The sometimes difficult link to District 100’s Board Documents is:  http://www.district100.com/District/Pages/Board-of-Education.aspx   Which will get you to this page, Just click on the green tree symbol. and follow the same instructions supplied above for the Boone County board packet.

Will Bill’s term be only two years? Now it appears not to be the chance of the draw.

 

Election 2012: County board to determine terms of office, elect chairman | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

…..He (Bob Walberg) said they could always award four-year terms to the top two vote getters in each district, with two-year terms going to those in third and fourth place.

More than likely they will consult with State’s Attorney Michelle Courier for the best way to deal with that question. She, too, was returned to office in the Nov. 6 general election though she had no opposition……

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Election 2012: County board to determine terms of office, elect chairman | Belvidere Daily Republican

Will Bill’s term be only two years? In the past it always was by the “draw of the straws”. 

Is this an omen regarding Mr. Walberg’s next term as board chairman?  The un-level playing field?  Anything goes if it is to your advantage?

I certainly will not play by such rules—although I may be subject to Mr.Walberg’s whims of power.

Veterans Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Veterans Day

Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who was killed in the Korean War.

Type
National

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday honoring armed service veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.^[1]

Most sources spell Veterans as a simple plural without a possessive apostrophe (Veteran's or Veterans').

History

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."^[2]

The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies.^[2] A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday: "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

In 1945, WWII veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. Weeks led the first national celebration in 1947 in Alabama and annually until his death in 1985. President Reagan honored Weeks at the White House with the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 as the driving force for the national holiday. Elizabeth Dole, who prepared the briefing for President Reagan, determined Weeks as the "Father of Veterans Day."

U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954.^[3]

Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since.^[4][5]

The National Veterans Award, created in 1954, also started in Birmingham. Congressman Rees of Kansas was honored in Alabama as the first recipient of the award for his support offering legislation to make Veterans Day a federal holiday, which marked nine years of effort by Raymond Weeks. Weeks conceived the idea in 1945, petitioned Gen. Eisenhower in 1946, and led the first Veterans Day celebration in 1947 (keeping the official name Armistice Day until Veterans Day was legal in 1954).

Although originally scheduled for celebration on November 11 of every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. In 1978, it was moved back to its original celebration on November 11. While the legal holiday remains on November 11, if that date happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, then organizations that formally observe the holiday will normally be closed on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively.

Veterans Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

County Road List | Boone County, Illinois

With the first “real” snow only a few weeks away it is good to review Boone Couny Highway Department’s responsibilities regarding snow removal..  First,  which roads are the primary responsibility of the county?

The following is a list of highways the County maintains:

• Angling Road (A-27); Denny road to McHenry County Line
• Beaverton Road (T-33); Hunter Road north to Manchester Road
• Caledonia Road (T-21);Illinois Route 76 north to Hunter Road
• Capron Road (T-41);Angling Road north to Hunter Road(excludes thru the Village of Capron)
• Cherry Valley Road (A-64);Winnebago county Line southeast to DeKalb County Line
• Crawford Road (A-49);Garden Prairie Road east to McHenry County Line
• Denny Road (T-41);Grange Hall Road north to Angling Road
• Garden Prairie Road (T-41);Crawford Road north to Woodstock Road
• Genoa Road (T-40);U.S. Route 20 southeast to DeKalb County line
• Grange Hall Road (T-41);Russellville Road east to Denny Road
• Kirkland Road (T-25);Cherry Valley Road south to DeKalb County line
• Logan Avenue (A-40);Belvidere Road to US Route 20
• Manchester Road (A-12);Winnebago County line east to State Line Road
• Poplar Grove Road (T-31);Kishwaukee River Bridge north to approx. one quarter mile south of Whiting Road and one half mile north of Illinois Route 173 north to Hunter Road
• Russellville Road (T-41)Woodstock Road north to Grange Hall Road
• State Line Road (A-12);Manchester Road east to Salt Box Road (Walworth, Wisconsin)
• Woodstock Road (A-32);Poplar Grove Road east to McHenry County line

Above is taken from the following:  County Road List | Boone County, Illinois

Second what the citizens should expect from the county?

What are the County policies regarding snow plowing

Home › What are the County policies regarding snow plowing

As was previously stated, one of the maintenance responsibilities is snow removal. While every highway authority provides snow removal in some form, they all provide a very different level of services depending on who the authority is. This variation in level of services is due to the availability of resources, or lack thereof. For example, the State has enough resources to run snow plows 24 hours a day, if necessary, by using temporary employees. On the other hand, the county has a far more limited number of maintenance employees, making a 24 hour per day snow removal operation impossible under the current limitations. Townships often have even fewer resources than the county, which limits their operations as well.

In order to minimize overtime expenditures the county tries to perform snow plowing operations during normal business hours (7 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.) However, there are times when that is not feasible without compromising the safety to the public. When work outside normal business hours is required, the county uses the following general guidelines:

As a general rule, the county makes every attempt to keep all the county roads passable during the time when a majority of the public will be at or traveling to/from work (7A.M to 6 P.M.), Monday through Friday. If through the night there is substantial snowfall of if wind causes substantial drifting of now, plowing operations will begin usually around 4:00 A.M. so that at least one round can be completed on all roads. On weekends starting times may be a little later in the morning.

If snowfall is minimal or has quit completely and drifting is not significant, snow plowing operations will stop by 3:30. If however, there is significant snowfall or drifting anticipated the county will generally stay on the roads until 5 or 6 P.M. The county may stay out until as late at 8 P.M. or so, although this is rare. The maintenance worker that is out until 8 P.M. is the same one that will be out the following morning at 4 A.M. Driving a snow plow truck, especially while it is dark and when there is little visibility, is a very exhausting job and rest for the driver is very important the safety of the worker as well as for the general public. Rarely will the county ever be out between 8:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M. For this reason, we suggest that traveling during this time period be kept to an absolute minimum during inclement roadway conditions.

Department:

Highway Department

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

For those seeking employment--

---------------THIS POSITION IS NOW CLOSED------------

For applications and openings for the Sheriff's Department please visit the Public Safety Building at 615 N. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008

Current Job Openings :

911 Telecommunications Dispatcher

Boone County Sheriff's Office is hiring for a
full-time position answering 911 calls, data entry, dispatching police,
fire, and ambulance services. Applicants must be able to multi-task,
work in a fast paced environment under stressful conditions, and be computer
and typing proficient. Applicants must reside within 21 miles of the
Belvidere/Boone County Public Safety Building in Belvidere, Illinois
within 13 months of employment, have a high school diploma or GED, and
be able to pass a thorough background investigation. Mandatory Orientation
and written testing to establish an eligibility list will be held on Saturday,
January 5, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at the Community Building of Boone County
located at 111 West First Street in Belvidere, Illinois.
Starting salary for this UAW Union position is $18.02 per hour with
an excellent benefits package.
Applications may be obtained at the Boone County Sheriff's Office
or printed out below. All applications must be returned or postmarked by
November 26, 2012 to the Boone County Sheriff's Office,
615 N. Main Street Belvidere, IL 61008.

Boone County Sheriff's Office
EOE

UNFORTUNATELY THERE NO LONGER ARE ANY OPEN EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT BOONE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

12-3-2012

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

The above is taken from the Boone County website; go there for more details 

Duties of the County Board - Sec. 2-20 Boone County Code

Duties of the County Board - Sec. 2-20 Boone County Code

1. Budget and appropriation ordinances:
   The board shall prepare and submit a tentative budget and appropriation ordinance, showing the balance on hand in each fund, the anticipated receipts, and the amount of money to be raised by taxation at the October meeting of the Board, which ordinance may be revised by the board prior to adoption at a recessed meeting to be held at a convenient date prior to December first. The annual budget and appropriation ordinance and tax levy shall be made conveniently available to public inspection at least fifteen (15) days prior to final action thereon.
2. Appointment of committees, boards and commissions.
   The board shall appoint such committees, boards and commissions as are required by the Illinois Revised Statues and such other boards or committees as shall be deemed advisable and in the public interest.
3. To provide buildings and office space.
   The board shall provide such buildings and office space as the county may require, house each elected official as required, and provide such parking areas as the board deems advisable.
4. Installation of elected officials; bond.
   The board shall install each newly elected official, provide an adequate bond at county expense, and release such official upon the expiration of his term when the provisions of the statutes are complied with fully.
5. Bond coverage for officers and employees.
   The board shall provide, as it deems fit, adequate bond coverage for employees and elected and appointed officials in positions of trust.
6. Insurance
   The board shall insure against loss, as it deems fit, all property and equipment belonging to or being used by the county. Each county office or any entity with the responsibility of caring for county property shall submit an inventory of all tangible property, annually, to the appropriate committee.
7. Health and welfare services
   The board shall provide such services in the fields of public health and welfare as are required by statute or as the board deems appropriate.
8. Taxes
   The board shall establish and implement the assessment policy in the office of the supervisor of assessments for the county, enforce the collection of taxes, and defend the county in tax suits.
9. Probation service; provision for dependent children
   The board shall cooperate with the courts in the establishment of a probation service and adequate provision for dependent children.
10. Public health and welfare
    As it deems fit, the board shall enact such ordinances for the control of liquor, lodging, recreation, livestock health, rabies control, public health, plats, subdivisions, week control, garbage disposal, names of streets and highways, and other items as detailed in Chapter 34 of the Illinois Revised Statutes.
11. Finances
    The board shall supervise all purchases, expenditures of all funds appropriated, check the semiannual and annual reports of all appointed and elected officials so required to report, and cause the books, records and accounts of the county to be audited for each fiscal year by an independent certified public accountant. Such audit shall cover the records and transactions of all funds and accounts of the county and of its officers and agents. It shall be made in accordance with generally accepted standards of audit procedure. The county board shall establish its over-all control of the fiscal affairs of the county through its annual budget and by such other actions as they shall deem necessary from time to time.
12. Filling of committee vacancies
    The chairman of the county board has the authority to fill committee vacancies and committee chairmanships.
13. Rules revision
    The chairman of the board from time to time may consider the revision of the rules of the board and committees and may make recommendations to the administrative and legislative committee.

Thank you

Thank you for your votes of confidence.  Thank you for all the well wishes.

BILL PYSSON

Newcomers make strong showing in Boone County race - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Boone County Board candidates William Pysson (from left), Bob Walberg and Dennis Ellingson listen as other candidates speak during a debate Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at the Community Building in Belvidere.

Newcomers gave incumbents a run for their money Tuesday evening in the Boone County Board race.

Seven of the nine current members seeking re-election were won. There are three districts on the board, each made up of four members.

Newcomer Bill Pysson ousted incumbent Ken Grzybowski by 152 votes for a District 1 seat. He will join Bob Walberg, Brad Fidder and Dennis Ellingson as District 1 representatives.

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  Newcomers make strong showing in Boone County race - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Bill Wins—Bill Wins—Bill Wins

Read Bill’s response to organizations’ questionnaires

• To read Bill’s response to the ZONTA Club’s Candidates’ Night click on the following: http://www.boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/candidates-night-october-15-2012.html

• To read Bill’s response to the questions regarding farmland protection click on the following: http://www.boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/only-5-of-15-candidates-for-county.html
• To read ALL OF Bill’s responses to the Rockford Register Star’s Candidate’s questionnaire , click on the following: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/10/only-one-republican-responds-to.html
• Also read this personal antidote as to why Bill is running: http://boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-bill-is-running-for-boone-county.html
• Where does Bill stand on some current issues:  http://boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/09/where-does-bill-stand-on-current-county.html

This week’s Ads and Articles about Candidate Pysson

Letter to Editor

Letter: Vote Bill Pysson for Boone County Board rep - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

I urge you to vote for William (Bill) Pysson as your Boone County Board Representative, District 1.

Over the past three years, Bill Pysson has proven himself to be a trusted Boone County Watchdog and activist on all matters of government including our school system. Time and time again through his blog, boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com, he has drawn our attention to critical issues that affect our community that we need as a public to stand up and address.

Bill portrays the conduct and tenacity that we need on our County Board to maintain fiscal responsibility. Bill is a well-educated, experienced problem solver. Auditing is his greatest strength. On Nov. 6, please vote for Bill Pysson.

— Diann Helnore, Belvidere

Letter: Vote Bill Pysson for Boone County Board rep - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Read Bill’s response to organizations’ questionnaires

• To read Bill’s response to the ZONTA Club’s Candidates’ Night click on the following:   http://www.boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/candidates-night-october-15-2012.html
• To read Bill’s response to the questions regarding farmland protection click on the following:  http://www.boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/only-5-of-15-candidates-for-county.html
• To read Bill’s responses to the Rockford Register Star’s Candidate’s questionnaire , click on the following: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/10/only-one-republican-responds-to.html

 

Also read this personal antidote as to why Bill is running:  http://boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-bill-is-running-for-boone-county.html