Lawfer’s Omissions

Lawfer’s recent meandering diatribe directed against HOMES and regulatory agencies omits the chief reasons for the “loss” of the mega-dairy. The mega-dairy never applied for nor paid for a permit to fill a stream. The mega-dairy had several discharges. The mega-dairy discharged to waters of the state through a pipe. The mega-dairy did not complete tests required by the USEPA. The mega-dairy discharged a purple contaminated leachate to the waters of the state. These are serious omissions and actions. If a factory is polluting your rivers, it is certainly not a benefit to your community.

Sincerely,
Ken Turner
Warren

Democrats Won

President Obama and the Democrats WON–we voted for the top 2% to pay more (back to Cllinton era tax rates) and to protect the middle class. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid must be protected and are NOT part of the fiscal cliff problem the GOP created.

That’s why I signed a petition to Rep. Don Manzullo (IL-16), which says:

“We urge you to stand up for us and make sure any fiscal deal reached ends the Bush tax cuts for the the top 2% AND protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits from any cuts. This is what we voted for in November, and we expect you, our elected official, to vote the same way.”

Will you sign this petition? http://signon.org/sign/end-bush-tax-cuts-for-2?source=s.em.mt&r_by=4550631

Thanks!
Jim Heck
Galena, IL

Why I want to Opt Out

I am the owner of a historic building in downtown Morrison. I had a successful Gallery, Gift, and Antique Shop for over 20 years. I have filled out papers to have my property taken out of the Downtown Historic District. When I bought the building 19 years ago my family spent 3 months restoring the interior to its original state.

I retired and have been trying to sell the building on Main Street. Prospective buyers are concerned as what they will have to do to satisfy the Historic Preservation Commission (Tim Slavin, Bill Shirk, Lonnie Rice, Bob Vaughn and Sharon Moore). There are no restrictions to the interior. A new buyer can rip out all the historic shelving, cabinets and woodwork and haul it to the dump if they want – according to the Commission. The restrictions they impose are only on the exterior. They want to pick out the color of paint, windows, siding, etc.

When the Historic Districts were established, some of the property owners were not legally informed that a historic district was being formed. (I did not receive a letter). No record of actual notice of a Review Hearing was issued to all of the property owners. No record exists for the 60-day actual notice and the signatures of 24% of the property owners in favor of a Historic District. The city council granted powers of regulations and restrictions to the commission. Non-compliance can carry criminal penalties and fines up to a $25,000.

I want to opt out of the historic district because I want to sell my building. I wasn’t treated fairly during the entire process. I do not feel these 5 commission members should be making financial decisions for me. I do not understand why they care about my personal business. I believe in historic preservation as anyone that has been in my building knows. I feel we should have had input into this historic district as we own the buildings. Not one of the former or present commission members had a building when the district was established. Now some members are owners of 101 and 103 Main Street (that they bought from the city for $2.00 after the city spent half a million dollars rehabbing it as the commission recommended).

Two weeks ago the City Council was presented a list of properties that were being considered by the Historic Preservation Commission with designation of landmark status. The property owners had no notification from the commission prior to the meeting date.

I want the community to know why I want to opt out. The Historic Preservation Commission did not include property owners in any of the planning. They have made the rules so restrictive that it is impossible to sell or rehab the buildings. Two weeks ago a community leader said it is time for us to step up and volunteer. Get involved in the community and change the politics.

People have until Dec. 31, 2012 (it needs to be postmarked by this date) to fill out the paperwork to opt out of the Historic District. The last chance!!

Judy Zuidema
Morrison, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

At this writing, Monday December 3, 2012, we are beginning the second week of veto session. Primarily, this two week period is designed to deal with bills that the Governor has vetoed.

Here is the caveat. This week, as last, it takes a 3/5 majority to pass anything. Lame Duck session for all members of the 97th General Assembly, which we currently are in, will convene January 3, 2013 and run straight through until the new members, and those of us reelected, will be sworn in on January 9, 2013. Why is this important to you? As of January 1, constitutionally we go back to a simple majority to pass bills.

You have been hearing much of many controversial bills being discussed in Springfield - medical marijuana, concealed carry, drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, major pension reform, forcing corporations to disclose all of their income information, and let’s not forget gaming legislation.

These bills are in committee and being discussed at that level, in other words, being massaged and prepared for floor debate and you can take it to the bank that Speaker Madigan knows the tempo of each bill. Highly controversial? We’ll not see it until January 3rd. Plenty of votes to pass it? We’ll see it this week.

Well, Sacia why don’t we just wait until the new General Assembly is sworn in on January 9, 2013, then hit things hard? It’s a simple answer and if you’ve had a chance to see the movie “Lincoln” you will understand that not much has changed in 150 years.

You see, right now, forty one members of the House and Senate will be leaving us. From January 3rd through the 8th, Thursday through Tuesday, there are 41 less arms to twist very hard. If you are a strategist, and certainly Speaker Madigan is, it will be much easier to accomplish objectives if you have them - and rest assured, he does.

I receive hundreds of emails, and as I have often shared, Sally receives them first. She gets rid of the junk mail and prints what I should see on hard copy, then I write my response and she sends it on.

Arguably, thousands have come in this past week about these issues. The easy ones to answer are the ones you’ve received from various groups and told to send on to your legislators. Come on folks, use a little imagination. Almost a thousand identically worded emails are easy to respond to. I write one response, Sally sends it on. Tell me what you really think. I need your honest thoughts, not what some agency wants you to forward to your legislators.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at 815-232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.