Saturday, September 27, 2014

Are you registered to vote?

 

If you are not sure it is easy to find out.

Click on the following:  http://www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/RegistrationLookup.aspx

After clicking, complete the screen shown below and you can find out if you are registered and where you should vote.

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Voter Registration for Boone County

The Oct 7 deadline is misleading—see the highlighted information

Mary S. Steurer, Boone County Clerk, announced that Tuesday, October 7, is the last day to register to vote for the November 4th General Election.  You may register in the County Clerk’s Office Monday and Tuesday from 8:30am – 5:00pm.  You must have 2 forms of identification, one must have your current address.  If you missed the October 7th deadline you may grace period register from October 8th through November 4th in the County Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The same identification is required but you must also be prepared to vote at that same time.

Above is taken from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/news/october-7-last-day-register-vote-november-4th-general-election

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Voluntary and Paid Job Openings in Boone County Government

 

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CURRENT OPENINGS:

Adult Probation Officer

The Boone County ProbationDepartment is currently hiring a full-time Adult Probation Officer.  This position supervises adults placed on a Court Order for Probation, Court Supervision and/or Conditional Discharge. Duties include writing Bond Reports and Presentence Investigations; other duties may be assigned. Bachelor's degree required in social science, behaviorial science or criminal justice. Experience in counseling, probation or corrections a plus. Starting salary of $36,283 DOQ. Boone County is a EOE.

Send Resumes to:
Deb Jarvis
601 North Main St.
Belvidere, IL 61008
or electronically to: DJarvis@BooneCountyil.org

Deadine: October 3, 2014

Posted by bill pysson at 10:52 PM No comments:

Boone County Housing Authority announces vacancy
APPOINTMENT VACANCIES:
The following are volunteer Boards of the County of Boone that have vacancies:
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BOONE
One (1) vacancy for a term that will expire January 1, 2016

Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008. Please respond by October 10, 2014 to assure being considered.

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  • Posted Sep. 27, 2014 @ 4:00 pm

    BELVIDERE — The Housing Authority of Boone County has announced a vacancy for a term that will expire on Jan. 1, 2016.
    Interested parties should send a letter and resume to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg at 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008. Respond by Oct. 10 to assure consideration.
    For information: 815-547-4770.

    Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140927/News/140929527#ixzz3EaPBD1AO

  • Friday, August 29, 2014

    SEPTEMBER 17, 2014: Highlights of the September Boone County Board Meeting

     

    Below in black  is the agenda taken from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/CBAgenda%2009-17-2014.pdf

    Important Highlights as seen by Bill

    5.1.  Marshall Newhouse is appointed to Health Board by a 7-5 vote.  Mrs. Ward spoke at length how the Health Board needed another women or a Latin, to reflect the county’s and clinic’s demographics. Prior to the vote a motion to repost the appointment  for 60 days  was proposed by Bill Pysson.  The motion was defeated 5 to 7.

    9.1. The Garden Prairie Peaker Plant special use permit was unanimously.  Neighbors of the proposed facility addressed the board requesting denial.  Board discussion reviewed original decision and clarification what were proper basis for approval and denial.

    9.2  Voice vote unanimously approved clarification of the right to build a residence on a   “lot of record”.

    9.3  In keeping with the state legislation on medical cannabis only Industrial Zoned property (I-1) is allowed for either growing or dispensing cannabis. Vote was unanimous. 

    10.2  Based upon a recommendation of the States Attorney, the county board did not add to the Animal Service referendum the projected cost of borrowing $800,000 for the new building.  Bill Pysson asked if a “resolution” could be passed to answer the question of costs.  The answer was “Yes” however because this resolution was not on the agenda it could not be voted at this meeting. Sadly the advocates of the referendum will not have a cost for this proposed building for another month.

    11.1  For the first time—the county’s farmland was leased based upon the highest bid (rather than private negotiation).  Despite a fall in commodity prices in 2014, the lease price increase $30 per acre to $280.  After some discussion regarding the lease terms the vote was unanimous.

    21.1 Collective Bargaining Agreement with Correction Departments is approved.

    21.2  A proximately $13K compensation settlement was approved.

    Wednesday, September 17, 2014
    Boone County Board Meeting
    COUNTY BOARD ROOM, 1212 Logan Ave., Belvidere, 6:30 P.M.
    1. Call to Order
    1.1 Opening of Meeting
    2. Roll Call
    2.1 Roll Call
    3. Approval of Agenda
    3.1 Approval of Agenda
    4. Minutes
    4.1 Approval of County Board Minutes
    5. Appointments and Recognition
    5.1 Appointments and Recognition
    6. Public Comment
    6.1 Public Comment
    7. Reports from Community Agencies
    7.1 Growth Dimensions
    7.2 Council on Aging
    7.3 Court Appointed Special Advocate
    7.4 Board of Health
    7.5 Other (RREDD)
    BoardDocs® LT https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/Private?open&login
    1 of 3 9/12/2014 2:03 PM
    8. General Consent Items
    8.1 Fund Transfers
    8.2 Road Projects
    8.3 Raffle Permits
    9. Standing Committee: Planning, Zoning, and Building
    9.1 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-42 Extending the Special Use Permit for the Garden Prairie Peaker Power
    Plant for Powers Venture Group. PZB (4-0); CB()
    9.2 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-43 Amending the Boone County Zoning Ordinance regarding Section
    3.2.3.B.3 Lot of Record Language. PZB (4-0); CB()
    9.3 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-44 Amending the Boone County Zoning Ordinance Establishing Medicinal
    Cannabis Dispensaries and Cultivation Centers. PZB (5-0); CB ()
    9.4 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-45 Granting a Zoning District Change from B-1 General Business to
    Traditional Neighborhood Residential at 1082 Irene Road. PZB (4-0); CB ()
    10. Standing Committee: Finance, Taxation and Salaries
    10.1 Motion to Approve Claims with the Understanding that Kenny Freeman Abstains from Voting on all Claims
    Presented by William Charles and Associates and Karl Johnson Abstains from Voting on all Claims Presented by
    HD Supply. (Approved 5-0)
    10.2 Motion to Approve the Following Language be added to Describe Animal Services Building Ballot "The Owner
    of a $100,000 home would pay about $8.50 each year for three years". (Approved 5-0)
    11. Standing Committee: Roads and Capital Improvements
    11.1 Motion to Approve High Bid from Ed Kasper for the Farm Rental Agreement in the amount of $280.00/acre,
    Contingent on the current tenant, Gerald Hulstedt, having until September 30th to match the offer and remain
    the tenant. (Approved 5-0)
    11.2 Motion to Approve Resolution 14-46 Allowing Membership of the Rockford Mass Transit District to the
    Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning Policy Committee. (Approved 5-0)
    12. Standing Committee: Health and Human Services
    12.1 Motion to Approve Intergovernmental Mutual Aid Agreement for the Establishment of the Illinois Public
    Health Mutual Aid System. (Approved 4-0)
    13. Standing Committee: Administrative and Legislative
    13.1 Motion to Approve Creation of the "Foreclosure Mediation Fund" for the Foreclosure Mediation Program to be
    implemented by the by the 17th Judicial Circuit. (Approved 5-0)
    13.2 Motion to Approve Boone County Holiday Schedule 2015. (Approved 5-0)
    14. Standing Committee: City-County Coordinating
    14.1 Motion to Approve Scope of Work from TRC for Landfill Gas Collection System repairs at Landfill #2 in the
    amount of $12,750. (Budgeted)
    14.2 Motion to Approve Proposal from CERONI Piping for Landfill Gas Collection System repairs amount to be
    determined. (Budgeted)
    14.3 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-47 extending the Boone County Enterprise Zone until July 1, 2016.
    15. Standing Committee: Public Safety
    BoardDocs® LT https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/Private?open&login
    2 of 3 9/12/2014 2:03 PM
    15.1 No Motions
    16. Special Committee Reports
    16.1 Workforce Investment Board
    16.2 Community Building
    16.3 UCCI (United Counties Council of Illinois)
    16.4 Farmland Protection Committee
    16.5 911 Board
    16.6 Other Committees
    16.7 Scheduled Committee Meetings
    17. Unfinished Business
    17.1 Unfinished Business
    18. New Business
    18.1 Drug Court Grant for 2015
    19. Informational Items
    19.1 Informational Items
    20. Executive Session
    20.1 Litigation
    20.2 Collective Bargaining
    20.3 Land Acquisition
    21. Anticipated Motions From Executive Session
    21.1 Motion to Approve Collective Bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police for the Correction's Department.
    21.2 Motion to Approve Workman's Compensation Settlement with Sandra Rogers.
    22. Adjournment
    22.1 Adjourn the meeting

    Monday, August 25, 2014

    Estimated referendum cost for Animal Service Building on a $100,000 HOME

     

    Here are the estimates that the Finance Committee will be discussing at 6:00PM on Tuesday, August 26.

     

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    The above figures are from:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9N97RM76BD59/$file/Animal%20Services%20Referendum%20Impact%20To%20Taxpayers_201408221635.pdf

    Plote being sued by States Attorney for violation of Boone County Zoning Act

    The following appeared on the 17th Circuit, Boone County website today.   SEE: http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_history.jsp?court=IL004015J&ocl=IL004015J,2014CH170,IL004015JL2014CH170D1

     

    Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

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    It was only last month that Plote was granted an extension of it special use permit by the Boone County Board.  Bill Pysson voted against the extension because “the county did not have an adequate inspection procedure established’.  The complaint alleges Plote was  operating outside the approved hours.

    Boone County Appointment Vacancy

    APPOINTMENT VACANCIES:
    The following are volunteer Boards of the County of Boone that have vacancies:

    BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

    One (1) vacancy for a term that will expire July 1, 2016

    Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008.  Please respond by September 5, 2014 to assure being considered.

    Guest Column-- My View: Boone County Board ethics questioned

    Cathy Ward

    By Cathy Ward

    Posted Aug. 24, 2014 @ 11:00 am

    The Boone County Board likely made history on Aug. 18 at a special meeting, hastily called and not much liked by the packed house and five of 12 board members — and many seriously questioned the ethics of this meeting.
    At issue was putting a referendum regarding building an animal shelter on the Nov. 2 ballot. As far as anyone connected with the Boone County Board could recall, no board has ever tried to call a meeting on such short notice on such a controversial topic which had never been debated in open session.
    Board members learned of this special meeting on Aug. 15 at 4 p.m., when a notice came via email that four board members had signed to have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 18. The meeting had to be Monday, you see, because the deadline for getting the referendum on the ballot was midnight Monday.
    What bothered many of us was the fact that putting a referendum on the ballot has never been debated at any committee, had never been debated at any board meeting, and yet it was coming before us for a final vote just five hours before the deadline. Also, this notice came late Friday afternoon, giving very few taxpayers and those interested notice of the meeting. Not all of the dozens and dozens who packed our meetings have minute-by-minute easy access to email.
    Board member Ron Wait took credit for calling the special meeting, saying he called nine board members, and all said they thought a referendum could be considered. He said that’s the way they did it Springfield.
    Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier said the meeting was legal and putting it on the ballot was legal, too. I believe her. Michelle does her homework thoroughly and completely.
    However, I believe there is a considerable difference between legal and ethical. I don’t consider this an ethical way to do business by elected officials for our taxpayers. Luckily, word spread to dozens and they came to see what our board would do. The vast majority were not happy by the results when the proposed referendum passed 7-5.
    While I totally believe in referendums and have supported many, I don’t believe last-minute, down-to-the wire, hastily called meetings on topics never debated should be decided at the last minute at meetings called just hours before. Our people, the people we represent, deserve better.
    Board members voting for the referendum were Chairman Bob Walberg, Vice Chairman Paul Larson, finance chairman Karl Johnson, Denny Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Chris Berner and Wait.
    Board members voting no were Bill Pysson, Marion Thornberry, Craig Schultz, Ken Freeman and me.
    The whole scenario was very disappointing.
    I would not advise other boards to follow this tactic.

    Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140824/Opinion/140829735#ixzz3BPZMzKlC