And Now, Your Local Scores

In girls VB; Eastland 3,

In football; Pretzels 10,

In basketball; Highland 32,

Only knowing one side of the score sucks. No sportscast would long survive with such a policy, and yet we blindly accept receiving one side of political stories.

In a recent example, Sarah Palin’s endorsements sparked criticism from some, claiming her candidates hurt the Republican Party. I’ll let the pundits argue about that, it’s not the point of this missive.

My point is this: Every news outlet revealed how many of her endorsed candidates lost in the recent election. Did your news source give you the whole score? Did they tell you how many of her endorsed candidates won?

In more current news, many Democrats quote CBO data in saying the country can’t afford the $700 billion cost of extending the current tax rate for upper income earners. Did your news source cover anyone who referenced the same CBO data to point out the $3 trillion cost of extending the current rate for middle income earners? Does knowing the whole score change the nature of the argument? Is it about economics, or is it about wealth re-distribution and/or punishment for the perceived sin of simply earning too much money?

It’s apparent many of our so-called “news” sources are convinced broadcasting 1/2 of the facts is fine with us. Getting 1/2 of a sports score would be an annoyance – getting 1/2 of news which affects our children’s future is a bit more serious.

“Not being known doesn’t stop the truth from being true.” - Richard Bach

Terry Smith

Lanark

Morrison City Council

Morrison City Council Work Session was held on Nov. 22 at city hall. A good number of residents attended with all council members present. No reports were made by department heads. Bills payable were $61,186.07…how are we keeping those bills down?

Harvey Zuidema has done some research on past audits. Morrison has an accrual basis of accounting. The ’08-’09 budget audit had 9 pages of corrections by the auditors. It was also stated by the auditors that the accounting personnel of the city do not have accounting experience that is required to identify all adjustments necessary to convert these balances. The paper printed inaccurate city receipts on general funds. It was brought to the city’s attention-they said it was a typo…then the new report was printed and somehow, $700,000 proceeds listed as debits was transferred to credits for the fiscal 2010 closing entry. That is 1/3 of the general fund. Did we pay something ahead? Where is it supposed to be?

I asked about a report from Jim Dubois on the Sports Complex – I got a copy at city hall. I can’t make heads or tails out of it, but there are a lot of negative balances on the report. They are keeping the heat on in two buildings because drywall should not be left to get too cold (isn’t drywall stored at most lumber yards in unheated buildings?). Concession stuff (pop, water, etc.) is being stored there. I suggested moving the concession stuff to a city building that is already being heated until spring. The toilets will be drained, not sure how with a constant pressure flush system. (But why would you drain them if you are keeping the heat on???) I will try to get a meeting with Jim before the next meeting.

There is a seven person committee searching for a new city administrator: Jim Blakemore, Bob Snodgrass, Bill Shirk, Bob Vaughn, Suellen Girard, Chad Haskell and Jeff McIlrath. They meet for the first time this week.

I asked Gary Tresenriter what vehicles they scrapped about a month ago. He said it was two dump trucks, 1 squad car, 1 van and 1 pickup bringing in about $6,600. Proceeds from disposal of vehicles are to go into the respective department’s funds for replacement vehicles. Brian Melton has 3 vehicles that will be going up for public auction through a sealed bid process with monies going for future squad replacement.

Lester Weinstine is working on the tax levy. He is waiting for the final budget in order to put the proper information in the levy calculator. Budget revisions are still in the works (possible cuts). Dec. 13, 2010 they should be finalized so Lester can get the tax levy in by the Dec. 31, 2010 deadline.

Jim Blakemore and Bob Snodgrass have been working on proposals for residential refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection service. They will be advertising soon for bids. I will good to get a contract for this service. I hope it is something the citizens of Morrison like and want.

The next City Council meeting is December 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm. The PUBLIC IS WELCOME! The City Council members have a lot on their plates. Hopefully, it can all be handled to benefit Morrison. We’ll see if they are “team builders”, we’ve got plenty of hot water!!!

Quote for the week: Team Builders are the “tea bags” of life-they are the people who perform when the water’s hot! (Roger Staubach)

A Morrison taxpayer,

Marti Wood

StephCo Board Watch

I attended the November finance and general board meetings to start “coming up to speed,” as the newly-elected representative for Stephenson County’s District I. My observations of these meetings again gave me the impression that the board is saying one thing, but doing the opposite.

Example 1: Statements were made to give the impression that all real estate tax levies are being frozen at 2010 rates. However, the facts are the general fund tax levy is being increased by over 30 percent from 2010 to 2011. This is an increase in real estate tax revenue of $375,000.

Example 2: The board has worked for several weeks to balance the general fund for 2011. But the facts are that the $276,000 interest payment of Mill Race is in a closed fund and will be paid by dipping into what’s left of the $6,000,000 capital borrowed for Mill Race.

The bottom line is: we would really have an additional $276,000 deficit in our general fund if I was the accountant.

This board knows that the amount of income tax revenues from our county has been dropping, which should tell us that our constituents’ incomes are dropping. To me it is counter productive to raise taxes during poor economic times, and yet, that is what this board is proposing to do.

With the County Board playing accounting games in their “budget,” it is very hard for a person to give constructive suggestions for our county’s budget.

So here is a reasonable solution for the budget. Our county’s population is nearly the same today as it was 25 years ago. I propose that every department be required to go back to the number of employees they had 25 years ago. Period. This cures our budget problem; leaves us monies to pay off our boondoggle debts; so when the debts are paid off we can lower our tax rate. Finally, under these limited government and taxation policies, maybe, business will want to come here.

Since the current general fund’s proposed “budget” does not include Mill Race’s interest payment of $276,000 and does include a $375,000 real estate tax increase, this current board is going down a dead end and leaving the next board to deal with the problems they created.

Jerry Clay

Future County Board

District I Representative

Dakota, IL

Security or Insanity

“Throughout the last century, the two major parties have fought fiercely over domestic policy while most often cooperating on international matters in order to show a united front to adversaries and allies. Republican Sen. John Kyl of Arizona nuked that tradition this week with an extraordinarily arrogant decision to place a ‘hold’ on ratification of a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia.” (standardspeaker.com Nov. 22, 2010)

The New York Times reported recently that Senator Kyl was demanding President Obama beef up the budget to rebuild nuclear factories to the tune of 87 billion dollars. The need for this is disputed by arms experts and the 87 billion is considered just a drop in the bucket. It is far worse than a bridge to nowhere.

The renewed S.T.A.R.T. Treaty is a key foreign policy achievement for the president and has the full backing of our military establishment. Why should there be a senate rule allowing one senator to “put a hold” on the vote for the treaty? Why would Senator Kyl of Arizona put denying President Obama a foreign policy achievement over our nations security? The Treaty deserves a clean up or down vote on its own merits and does not deserve to be held hostage to anyone’s political ambitions.

If it makes sense to eliminate all nuclear weapons; if the world would be safer without nuclear weapons, then this is just one tiny step toward nuclear sanity. The argument could be made that it is too small a step. But given the difficulty of getting anyone to agree on anything, this is a treaty that is in our and everyone else’s best interest.

Nuclear weapons are extremely expensive to make, to store, to target. It’s called MAD, mutually assured destruction, which is indeed mad, insane. The rogue nuclear countries might launch one or two nuclear missiles but would be wiped off the map. Anyone in the so called nuclear club that launches a nuclear bomb would initiate a holocaust that would destroy all life on the planet. So, what good are they?

If it is security we want, kicking butt isn’t the way to get it. As for spending 87 billion plus, the money would be better spent building schools and health clinics in impoverished countries. Additionally, we should quit selling arms to dictators.

Perhaps dismantling our empire and removing our military from some of the 130 foreign bases would help. Because we are the biggest kid on the block, we seem to think everyone should play by our rules and we are privileged to break them with impunity.

Given the rape of our country by the financial elite, the world is no longer thrilled with the idea of financing our arrogance. We have people of Senator Kyl’s mentality to thank for this madness. Let’s all pray that sanity prevails. Violence only breeds more violence and the threat of violence breeds resentment.

For Christians, the message of the cross is to transform violence into good. Threatening to destroy all of God’s creation on planet earth is not only unchristian, it is insane. Suggesting we’d better do more than just pray; we need to inform the Republican leadership that we will no longer tolerate this insanity. Senator Kyl should not be allowed to make our choice.

Arthur C. Donart, Ph. D.

Thomson, IL

Election Petitions Due Soon

Local elections for school boards and other local governing bodies are April 5th. You must pick up your packets now and have your petitions signed and filed between Dec. 13 and the 20th.

The Tea Party helped get some good conservatives on the county board and we will help you if you have a backbone and say no to tax and spend increases and yes to transparency.

The Stephenson County Tea Party wants transparency. We will work with board members who will work with us to make transparency a reality. We must say NO to new projects like rural transportation. I don’t care if there is a grant. The true costs almost always exceed the grant amount. Mill Race Crossing is a sterling example of that fact.

Government union workers currently sway many of our elected officials’ vote and we are seeing government employee pay and pension increases – even though the general public and small businesses can’t afford it. 61% of your taxes go into education. Private sector Stephenson county full time workers over 50 years of age, on a average make $2500 per month. The average pay for the top 50 teachers and administrators in Stephenson county is over $8400 per month.

The foxes are watching the hen house. We need more leaders like Gov. Chris Christie of N.J. and Gov. Mich Daniels of Indiana who will stand up to the government unions. Get off your duff and run for a board position. We will help you! We have Tea Party members in counties other than Stephenson who will work with you also.

We read Freeport wants a 20% plus increase to pay gold plated pensions. See www.NTUI.org for more information on IL. government pay and pensions. Our real estate values go down and our taxes keep going up. Enjoy your new real estate tax increases. It will get worse before it gets better if you don’t get involved.

Support the Stephenson County Tea Party, .

Bill Dietz

Lena IL

Mt. Carroll Giving Tree Program

The goal of the Ministerial Association Giving Tree Program is to make Christmas special for Mt. Carroll families who are unable to buy Christmas gifts for their children. This year, difficult economic times will expand the number of needy children in our community, but new privacy rules and regulations make it very difficult to identify families we can assist. We have made application forms available, but the information has not reached those who need it. As a result, only 49 Giving Tree tags have been requested this year.

The good news is that all these tags were taken at the Community Thanksgiving church service, and many families will benefit from this kindness. The bad news is that the remaining Giving Trees around town will be bare this year, yet we know many more families have a great need for community support this Christmas season.

What Can People Do Now?

While we are already working on how we can improve outreach for next year, we hope you will continue to support the Ministerial Association’s efforts through financial and other contributions. Our “Mile of Coins” program assists families who need help with heating, food or other bills throughout the year. Contributions are easy: just place your extra change in the specially marked jugs located throughout the community.

Over the years, Mt. Carroll residents have shared the Christmas spirit with those less fortunate through the Giving Tree and other generous programs. We thank you, and we thank our partners.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support.

Mike Risko

Volunteer,

Giving Tree Program

More Taxes

How ironic that last week I referenced the “money gushing” oil company and this week they could be leaving because of a tax increase. Referencing the Prairie Advocate article from November 17,2010, Stebbins said the city has received over $206,000 - but, no sewer repairs, no street repairs, just a $1,000,000 city hall in our immediate future. And, oh yes, “we have been very frugal with their money”… per Stebbins. And on the horizon the sewer and streets will be addressed right after that new city hall. How frugal is that?

In the same article Lindeman wants to go with Henderson Truck Equipment of Manchester, Iowa for $27,893.00 despite it being a higher bid by a slight $700.00. How many trucks have we purchased from this company and how many times have we paid higher to them than the lowest bid available, and why would we do this? Who is getting an advantage out of this and what are they getting? And, our council voted unanimously for this purchase. Frugal?

They make decisions like this with the possible loss of Palatine Oil and we are faced with Moon’s prediction of raised property taxes to pay for street repairs and Stebbin’s threat of gravel roads. Stebbin’s also said he “couldn’t gamble with Savanna.” Isn’t that exactly what he is doing when he allows $1,000,000.00 to be spent on a new city hall? A very frivolous expenditure for this economy and this town where the businesses are dropping like flies.

If the oil company pulls out and more businesses close, how will the city maintain it’s lifestyle? And, let us not forget the roads and sewers that are on the horizon, always on the horizon. I think it’s time to cut salaries, jobs and frivolous spending. Let’s just watch and see what comes first, their raises or our gravel roads. How are you betting?

Penny Gharst

Savanna, IL

Correction

In the Nov. 24 issue, a correction and clarification is required regarding the article entitled “Carroll County Board Passes Budget . . . Finally”.

In reference to the “discussion over the Clerk’s Salary,” it must be clarified that this discussion centered around the CIRCUIT Clark’s salary, and not the Clerk/Recorder. “Even though (she) is an elected official, (her) salary can be reduced or increased in yearly budgets, according to States Attorney. Picolotti pointed out that it didn’t seem fair, that it was increased originally to make it even with the treasurer and tax assessor.”

The Prairie Advocate regrets the error, and apologizes to Clerk/Recorder Brian Woessner for the inconvenience.

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Thanksgiving arrives at a very unique time of the year. It’s soon to be bleak and cold. Heat bills, ice and snow! The message to me, to quote from one of my favorite Dolly Parton/Willy Nelson songs: “Everything is beautiful in its own way”.

It’s a time of reflection, if we take the time to do it and each of us should. Many of you face unbelievable hardships, others great joy, still others a combination of both.

To me Thanksgiving is all about the people in our lives and how they affect us, some, of course, very negatively, others very positively. As I grow older. I’m increasingly appreciative of both and I learn so much from every person.

Case in Point: Having grown up in rural Wisconsin, my first direct contact with an African American was in 1962 as a new Private in the Army. My drill instructor was Staff Sergeant Johnson. Back then he would have been called a Negro. To this day I often think of him and how positively he affected my life. His attitude on life was nothing short of magnificent. After five weeks of training and our first weekend pass, I learned that the South was very segregated, as I walked past a toilet stating “Whites Only”. Further on a shanty of a toilet hand written “Negros”. I never forgot it or Sgt. Johnson’s explanation on his acceptance and thankfulness for his life. “It’s not what it should be, it’s better than it used to be and it’s getting better all the time.”

Very ironically I never heard that phrase again until Wednesday this past week, and it was stated on the House Floor by one of the finest men I know, on the occasion of his retirement from the House of Representatives.

In my eight years as your State Representative never have I seen nor heard more respectful comments for one person, State Representative Arthur Turner. Art is an African American. His abilities as a consensus builder are legendary. Art Turner has been a part of my life, for that I will always be thankful.

I left Springfield late Thursday to be able to present the “Rural Physicians of Excellence Award” to Dr. David Reese of FHN, at 8:00 am Friday. If there is an attribute in people that I admire most it’s humbleness. That sums up the good Doctor. His gracious attitude of stating at least one hundred doctors deserve this as much or more than he. He commented that as he watches great foot races, be they Olympians or others, he is reminded that somewhere in the world some tribesman just ran down a deer to feed the family but will never be recognized outside of the hungry family.

Sgt. Johnson, Representative Turner, and Dr. Reese - I am thankful to know each of you. Each of you makes me see, many times life isn’t what it should be, it’s better than it used to be, and it’s getting better all the time.

To each of you a Blessed Thanksgiving.