Double Talk

Okay, now I’m aggravated.

The conservatives want to repeal “Obamacare” because it takes away their freedom, yet they want to take away my right as a woman to choose to have an abortion. They complain because “Obamacare” has been found constitutional under taxing authority. Did you forget that Medicare Part D has a 1% penalty if you don’t enroll on time? Or that there is a penalty if you sign up late for Part B? And isn’t there a penalty if you don’t have car insurance? They also complain that “Obamacare” is socialism. Well what is Medicare? It’s a single-payer system! Choose a side, people.

My complaint? I don’t have insurance; haven’t had it for years. I’ve worked with small companies most of my life who couldn’t afford to provide it. And now I’m over 50 so it’s even harder to obtain, IF I could afford it. Don’t take my opportunity to obtain health insurance from me just because you don’t like the sitting president and want to repeal anything he has accomplished.

Cheryl J. Heldt
Lanark, IL

Wood’s Morrison City Council Notes

Wood, Hayega, Zuidema, Sullivan, Rose and Blean were present with Kallemeyn and Thorndike absent at the July 9, 2012 Morrison City Council meeting.

There was no public comment. Administrator Wise is working on the contract with 1st Energy for the electrical Aggregation. I found out that the businesses have to negotiate their own rates and only businesses with incomes under a certain amount are eligible. Residents still have the opt-out option.

Attorney Zollinger is working on a Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Chief Melton announced the promotion of Larry Rice to Sergeant of Morrison Police Department after 12 years on the force. Congratulations to Larry on being sworn in. Brian also reported Sergeant Rice will be present at the next meeting in his absence.

Gary Tresenriter reported Layne Christensen will begin setting the 18 inch casings in Well #5. Drilling should be done by the end of the month. I found out they still have to drill deeper than the 863 foot depth for safer water (possibly another 800 feet).

Items under Consideration and Possible Action:

Request to purchase police vehicle: Chief Melton asked to purchase an additional vehicle – not a replacement vehicle - to add to the fleet. It will be a 2013 Dodge Charger. I felt that at this time the budget is bare bones, since it was not a replacement vehicle, it was not necessary. We still owe payments on the Jeep until August of 2013. So I voted against the purchase. The vote was 5 yeses, 1 nay.

Request to secure financing for the purchase of police vehicle: A motion was made to have CA Wise to secure financing for $39,093 (not to exceed $39,000) for a term of 5 years with a local financial institution. Leo Sullivan noted the equipment package was not included in the first vote. Mayor Drey said we would have to revote on the motion and correct for the equipment package. He stated he would vote this time too.

After the meeting, I asked Attorney Zollinger why the mayor would vote since it was not a tie breaker…He stated it was okay for the Mayor to vote -1) because he is permitted to vote as long as “more of a majority had voted in favor”. 2) That way if anyone ever challenged the vote to purchase a squad car tied to financing as being an “installment contract” – a 2/3rds vote of the corporate authorities is required for purchases of that nature. Attorney Zollinger didn’t think the arrangement qualified as an installment contract, but decided to err on the conservative side and advised Mayor Drey to vote. So the vote ended up being 6 yeses and 1 nay to purchase and finance a new squad car.

Bids are going out for the demolition of 703/705 West Morris. Pat Zuidema asked if there was a possibility of salvaging anything from the building. CA Wise said he would check.

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

The next Morrison City Council Meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the County Board Room. See you there—“the more the merrier!”

A Morrison Taxpayer,
Marti Wood

Free & Equal Speaks on Internet Censorship

On Thursday, Free and Equal Elections issued a statement on a recent executive order signed by President Obama; the order gives the executive branch control over the nation’s communications, including the Internet. The vested powers in the bill go beyond that of a terrorist attack or national emergency. The order has been criticized by civil liberties advocates as being an overreach of power.

“Free & Equal believes that numerous executive orders and legislation are signed into law due to the influence of money in politics today,” said founder and chair Christina Tobin. “While Free & Equal does not take a position on legislation, we do believe these decisions are substantially influenced by corporations and special interests.”

Free and Equal Elections has been outspoken in removing corporate and special interest influence from a political system that it deems, “biased.” Free & Equal’s advocacy is largely focused on lessening the stranglehold that special interests have in the election process.

“Democrats and Republicans often argue over minor details while the party leadership themselves have sold out to corporate and special interests,” said Tobin. “Our Constitution never mentions political parties or executive orders and a lack of transparency continues to keep independent ideas from being discussed.”

Free and Equal has recently announced a new online national database that will be launched in the coming months. The database will help voters determine which candidates are receiving money from special interests and corporations. It will also promote vetted organizations on issues such as the war on drugs, second amendment advocacy, genetically modified food and these United States’ current wars.

Further, the Free & Equal website also promises to inspire independent candidates to run for office and train them how to recruit volunteers, raise money and run winning campaigns. Their goal is to replace politicians controlled by special interests and corporations and give the power back to the people.

To learn more about the Free and Equal organization go to http://www.freeandequal.org.

CC Relay For Life Says ‘Thank You’

The Carroll County Chapter of the of the American Cancer Society would like to say “Thank You” to these sponsors for helping to make this years Relay For Life such a success:

Bronze Sponsors: Barkau Automotive, Brother’s Inn Restaurant, Brown Construction Company, Carroll County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Dambman Service, Inc, Exchange State Bank, and Pharmacy Center.

Media Sponsors: The Carroll County Review, Mt. Carroll Mirror Democrat, Savanna Times Journal, The Prairie Advocate News, and WCCI 100.3 FM.

Event Sponsors: GM Productions DJ Service, Manny’s Pizza and Sievert’s Steak & Stuff.

Also, 4-H Thomson Sand Burr’s, Al’s Quality Service, American Cancer Society, Beach’s Supper Club, Bella Foods & Spirits - Mt. Carroll, Bella Pizza - Lanark, Berners Cheese, Blarney Stone, Boy Scout Troop #45, Brothers Restaurant, Bryan’s Repair, BSD Printing, Bubba’s Shannon Lanes & Lounge, Burning Lamp Prayer Room, Carla Grishman, Carroll County Auto Parts, Casey’s General Store - Shannon, Catwalk Salon, Charlotte Arvelle Glass, Chuckco’s, Cimino’s Little Italy, Cost Cutters - Walmart in Freeport, Country Junction, Cub Foods, Cub Scout Pack #48, Dairy Queen, Driftless Area Stillroom, End of the Road Antiques, Engels, FHN, Flower Fan-A-See, Freeport Family Chiropractic - Dr. Roger & Nicole Sdao, Fulton Meat Locker, Gene Kock, Hair Do’s 4 You, Hampton Inn, Hannah & Corinne Nye, Hannah Seavey, Heritage Antiques, Hickory Hideaway, J. C. Carey Motors Inc., JoAnn Lichamer, Karen Hoffman, Kathy Felton, Kellery Farms, Kunes’ Country Auto Group, Ladies of the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church, Lake Carroll Golf Course, Lanark Food Center, Lanark Lions Club, Land of Oz, Land-Mark Homes & Construction, Lundquist Tree Farm, Maria’s, Massbach Winery, Matt Lundquist, Maxine Dittmer, Mike Wilcox, Milledgeville State Bank, Milledgeville High School Junior Class, Mills Machine, Mt. Carroll American Legion Post #67 Honor Guard, Mt. Carroll Banking Center, Mt. Carroll Home Center, Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church, New Morning Glass, Oakville Country Club, Outback Dee-Zign Salon & Spa, Pampered Chef – Donna Althoff, Pauline Miller – Mary Kay, Peg Haffey, Pharmacy Center, Plein Air Studio, Poopy’s, Pretty Stitches, Quality Water, Red Gate Embroidery, Rev. Rick Koch, Roger’s Photography, Sally Kock, Sandy Kuske, Savanna-Thomson State Bank, Schneider House Furniture, Schrader Reality, Shannon Café, Shannon Lions Club, Shaws, Sheryl Stohecker, Special Touch, St. Wendelin’s Catholic Church, Stone House Fudge, Straddle Creek Co-op, Sullivan’s, Sweet Life Bakery Café, Swiss Colony, Tangles, Tee Lee Popcorn, The Answer Fitness & Tanning, The Headquarters, The National Bank, World’s Famous Chocolates, Z-Team Pest Control and Kentucky Fried Chicken – Savanna.

Thank You to Everyone,
The Carroll County
Relay For Life Committee

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Are we becoming a nation of free loaders, a total entitlement society? The answer is a simple and resounding yes! I so want not to believe that, but the evidence is increasingly clear. Why work if the government will pay me? Oh, I can’t work – I’m on “disability”.

Would you believe me if I told you food stamps (link cards in Illinois) have increased by seventy percent in the past four years nationwide? Are seventy percent more people going hungry without them? Oh yes, I mentioned disability. In 1992 less than one million Americans were drawing disability payments. Twenty years later we are now well over eight million people on “disability”. Are they legitimately disabled? Some of course are, but many have learned how to bilk the system.

Unemployment compensation – yes many are legitimately out of work, but far more have learned how to milk it. A case in point, Denmark at one point offered up to five years unemployment. Most found work just before the five years were up. They lowered it to four years – you are right, most found work just coming up on four years. They cut it in half – yup you guessed it, back to work just as time runs out. In America we can receive up to ninety nine weeks unemployment. The number that find work just as time runs out is staggering. The real problem, as you know, is many could find work sooner if they really tried.

Our own business, and many of yours, often receives calls that go like this, “are you hiring”. Certainly not if you don’t have the decency to clean yourself up, walk in the front door, offer your hand, a smile, and a resume then maybe a business will talk with you. This is not rocket science. What it is is common decency and a real desire to go to work.

When I got out of the Army in the mid 1960’s some encouraged me to “get your sixteen weeks unemployment.” I was offended, I was healthy, I could work, I started knocking on doors and before long I was working.

I often write of losing our moral compass. Sadly our own government, both state and federal, more and more encourage entitlement behavior.

I have been defeated three consecutive years in efforts to get photos on link cards and drug tests for welfare recipients. Why? because Chicago area legislators state we must have these entitlements and it’s insulting to citizens to have these requirements. John Stossel, who I’m growing increasingly fond of, reports that a study by him and his staff learned that within five blocks of a welfare office, interviewing seventy nine businesses, forty were hiring.

All of the signals are there. Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute points out we are on a path of Greece, Spain, and other socialist countries with the government offering entitlements that are rapidly disappearing and cannot be sustained.

The National Park Service asks us “please do not feed the animals”. Their stated reason is because animals will become dependent on handouts and will not learn to care for themselves.

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.