Hold Your Nose & Vote

April 5 is election day, which falls on a Tuesday this year. For those forgetful or truant voters, Tuesday can be easily remembered as the day before Wednesday, hump day. Which brings to your LakeCountyEye's mind the Arabian proverb about the camel's nose:

If the camel once gets his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow.

Discerning operatives will discern in this little fable the Theory of Evolution writ large: No sooner does the nose of the camel sneak into the tent will it slowly but surely evolve into an enormous, spitting camel. Discerning operatives who discern a lede for another update to the LakeCountyEye Creationism-Tote-Board™ are two for two.

In this case the camel's nose is a candidate who wants to be inside the metaphorical tent that would be the Stevenson High School Board. According to the Daily Herald, school board candidate Charles Cardella ...

said he believes "any type of scientific theory" has strengths and weaknesses. Science has changed since Darwin's time, he said. "Why shouldn't students be informed — taught — about what we've learned (since then)?" he said. "Not everything in the theory is right. Not everything in the theory is bulletproof."
Stevenson candidate talks about the "strengths and weaknesses" of evolution

And doubtless there is no better way to examine its shortcomings than to compare and contrast the Theory of Evolution with a pseudo-scientific theory pulled from the theological grab-bag -- like Creationism. Your LakeCountyEye can note however that while not bulletproof, an enormous, spitting camel is capable of leaving an equivalent mess.

Checking the tote board, there are now seven -- possibly eight -- public high schools in Lake County retrofitted to teach Creationism.

The 2011-2012 School Year: Countdown to Creationism

LEGEND Creationist On Board Creationist Not On Board Creationist Conceivably On Board

Antioch High School

Barrington High School

Deerfield High School

Grant High School

Grayslake High School

Highland Park High School

Lake Forest High School

Lake Zurich High School

Lakes Community High School

Libertyville High School

Stevenson High School

Mundelein High School

North Chicago High School

Round Lake High School

Vernon Hills High School

Warren High School

Wauconda High School

Waukegan High School

Zion-Benton High School

Look for your LakeCountyEye in the faculty parking lot, with Joe Camel.

The Swift Boat of Truth

There are many school trustees on the April 5 election ballot, and your LakeCountyEye could not resist making light of both the County's School Boards and the voters who seat them. But with the polls now open to early voting and election day nearing, your LakeCountyEye recognizes a need to dial it down, if only for purposes of bettering the Republic with a well-informed electorate. Acknowledging that some may have been offended by recent, insensitive tweets ...

Q the Eye/03.14.11

your LakeCountyEye reiterates that there is no truth to the claim that conservative voters secretly desire a Swift return to fundamental principles where the mission of public education is to prepare raw & callow youth into a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled.

The aforementioned remarks were brooked for the purposes of Internet satire, and Internet satire only; your LakeCountyEye regrets any false misperceptions these may have created.

This is not to say, however, that conservatives wouldn't like to see the public schools eliminated in favor of private education -- preferably on the taxpayer's dime, and in the form of school vouchers. No doubt more than a minority would prefer to cut out the middleman entirely in favor of homeschooling; and would just as soon the whole public education system blew itself up.

The reason for their animosity toward the three Rs is the three Gs: God, Guns & Gays. An emboldened conservative base doesn't like to see Evolution being taught; they think educators should be teaching children how to recite their prayers -- i.e., their Our Fathers and Hail Marys and whatnot. Sex education is another anathema; they don't want to see their kids fraternizing with members of the opposite sex. Or the same sex.

It should be no mystery why the Tea Party, et al., have declared war on the Teacher's Unions and the public education system. They don't hold much value for what's on the curriculum.

All of which leaves the last G: Guns. They're also none too happy that the conceal-carry laws stop at public school boundaries.

Q the Eye/03.14.11

Dear LakeCountyEye,

So the great and powerful LakeCountyEye thinks our public schools should boost their revenue streams by franchising out space on school property to the likes of beer distributors and payday loan sharks. And you have the impertinence to call yourself a non-partisan blog? There's an old saying where I come from -- probably where you come from too that says -- fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, Oh the humanity!

The Thought Police

Dear Party Pooper,

It's no secret that most Lake County public schools are cost centers that hemorrhage revenue at the taxpayer's expense. Last week this blog published a range of options for school administrators and trustees on how they can turn their operations into revenue producing cash-cows for their constituent stake holders:

Coming Soon: Child-Proof Schools!

And already those with the foresight to invest in your LakeCountyEye's advice are reaping big dividends for their taxpayers. The Daily Herald covers the lesson learned by some schools ...

While most suburban school districts continue to struggle with a weak economy and unreliable state funding, a few have combined strong local tax bases with frugal spending to generate annual surpluses even before their state and federal funding arrives. Districts at the top of that list describe their approach to aggressive budgeting as a culture that permeates the thinking of not only board members and administrators, but teachers, parents and other community members.
Some school districts generating surpluses

But the point is well taken, your LakeCountyEye should cast aside the partisan goggles, and stop trying to pretend to be moderate and non-partisan. Only some ultra-liberal county-club conservative would expect his public school to generate him a surplus by merely operating under budget. A true conservative would want much more, a healthy, double-digit positive cash-flow from out of his child's school, and direct to his wallet.

The free market is all about transforming resources into profits. And what resources do the public schools have in abundance over all other competing units of government? That would be lots of pupils and lots of time. So your LakeCountyEye asks: Why aren't these abundant resources being put to good use? They would be if the free enterprise system wasn't crippled by onerous government regulations that go by the name of: Child Labor Laws. Your LakeCountyEye says it is high time these antiquated laws are finally eliminated from the books. Then the Lake County taxpayer will be looking at some real money!

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com

Coming Soon: Child-Proof Schools!

It's no secret that conservatives are winning the war they declared on the children. The median age of the GOP is now about 85 -- and these retirees show up at the polls every election to vote down school funding referenda. The Tea Party wants to blow up government because they don't like paying their property taxes, and most of these taxes go toward supporting the public schools. One way to blow up the schools is to demonize the teachers and bust their unions. Once the teaching profession becomes a minimum wage job, all the good talent will be lured away to the high-paying & long-term opportunities with employers like Taco Bell and Walmart. Parents will then be compelled to home-school their children, which doesn't cost the taxpayer anything. To quote Hannibal Smith: I love it when a plan comes together!

With the prospect of the schools being slowly bled to death -- or worse dismembered, parcel by parcel -- your LakeCountyEye would advise school administrators against divesting their assets & infrastructure to realize the quick buck and focus instead on those long-term strategies that will lock-in a healthy ROI for years to come.

Case in point, Fremont Elementary School. The Daily Herald has the blow by blow:

Fremont Elementary District 79 officials say they will sell 10 acres that will not be needed in the future. District 79 Communications Coordinator Margaret Van Duch said the undeveloped parcel at Route 83 and Ivanhoe Road will be sold through sealed bids to a potential developer. The district does not know when the bid process would begin. If no bids are received, a Realtor will be brought in to help sell the property, Van Duch said.
District 79 to sell "unneeded" parcel

But your LakeCountyEye asks, with 10 acres of prime, close-to-schools real-estate, why sell when you can turn that asset into a cash-cow money maker? There are a literal slew of development opportunities just waiting to transform your acreage into high-yield investment property, and a bigger slew of eager developers waiting to make it happen. Don't throw away taxpayer money by converting your land into unnecessary athletic fields and parking facilities. Instead, here are ten tried-and-true turn-key opportunities for improving that unused property into a developed asset, requiring little to no up-front investment from the principal stakeholders.

Ten Ways to Turn Unused School Acreage into Big $$$

Liquor Store Nuclear Power Plant Tattoo Parlor Army Recruitment Post Safe-House, Witness Protection Program Medicinal Marijuana Farm The Lake County Casino Thomson Correctional Center for Gitmo Detainees, Minimum Security Annex Route 53 Extension Chuck E Cheese

And look for your LakeCountyEye's newest University of Phoenix Degree Program: Blogging for the Big Bux

The Finagle System

Operatives familiar with this blog ...

Newton's Law of Promotion

know that Jim Newton will likely be Lake County's newest Board Commissioner. Ops, though, may not know that Newton is likely to be Lake County's latest illegally appointed Board Commissioner. Newton, hand-picked by Board Chair David Stolman, will replace Board Commissioner Suzi Schmidt, who resigned. According to the Daily Herald, however ...

By law, her replacement had to be a Republican living in her district. Newton voted in eight GOP primaries between 1992 and 2006, according to the Lake County clerk’s office. In 2008, however, he voted in the Democratic primary, and that was the last time he voted in a primary election, Clerk Willard Helander said. Stolman was aware of Newton's voting record and doesn't think it disqualifies Newton from the post. Newton has professed to being a Republican, Stolman said, and his record shows a predilection for the GOP.
Reporter tapped to join Lake Co. board

Absolutely. But we are a nation, if not a County, of laws. Is Newton, in the eyes of the law, a registered Republican or Democrat? Your LakeCountyEye is but a simple county blogger, and will defer a legal question of that nature to the experts with the Lake County State's Attorney.

Operatives may recall that the County Board tackled a strikingly similar case back in 2009, when Collin O'Rourke was appointed to replace Bob Sabonjian. The issue then was whether O'Rourke was a member of the Democratic or the Green Parties. In 2008 O'Rourke voted with the Greens but in 2009 he took a Democratic ballot.

Then County Chair Suzi Schmidt solicited the opinion of the county State's Attorney. Michael Waller's office obliged with an unambiguous opinion that since O'Rourke last voted in a Democratic Primary, O'Rourke was a Democrat. No ifs ands or buts about it. Move along please.

The unambiguous details were reported on this blog ...

A Blink of the Eye: 07.14.09

Operatives demanding video proof can tune in to about 09:45 for the State's Attorney's unambiguous opinion:

Lake County Board 07-14-2009

Now fastforward to 2011. Jim Newton, by the State's Attorney and the County Board's own criteria, is a Democrat. Full stop. And appointing Newton to replace Schmidt would be a violation of Illinois State Statutes. Operatives are urged to call Michael Waller's office and demand that he arrest the County Board before they embarrass everyone again and vote to illegally appoint Newton to their Board. Send Waller the video!

Ha ha.

Your LakeCountyEye said it before and will say it again: The Lake County Board makes up its own rules as it goes along. Because Michael Waller can be counted on to carry water for the elephant. If Jim Newton says he's a Republican that's good enough for Chairman Stolman: Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!

A Blink of the Eye: 07.14.09

Your LakeCountyEye has been conducting a seminar on how to protect the corporate brand during times of adversity. To Charlie Sheen. All night.

In the meantime, please enjoy this encore presentation of a 2009 post:

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Will O'Rourke be Borked? For operatives just tuning in: With the defection of Bob Sabonjian from the County Board (for that executive figurehead position in his dad's organization), County Board Chair Suzi Schmidt is increasingly desperate to find a suitable replacement. One recent candidate has evaded attempts at contact and is believed to be in the Federal Witness Protection Program. The latest applicant, Collin O'Rourke, is thought to be a member of the Green Party. Illinois law stipulates that Sabonjian -- a Democrat -- must be replaced by a member of the same party. At issue is O'Rourke's voting record. In the 2008 Presidential Primary he voted for a Green candidate. In the 2009 Municipal Primary, O'Rourke took a Democratic ballot. Is O'Rourke a Green or a Democrat? County Commissioner Angelo Kyle thinks Green. Kyle, carrying water for the donkey, argues that the 2009 Waukegan Primary didn't have any Greens on the ballot; or Republicans or Whigs or any other party besides the Democrats. So the 2008 Primary ballot would be the true indicator of O'Rourke's party loyalties. But, not so fast, says an Assistant State's Attorney speaking on behalf of Michael Waller's office. The ASA argues that they're the ones with the law degrees and they say the last ballot is the one that matters. And that makes O'Rourke a Democrat, case closed. So move along, there's nothing here to see. Tune in to about 09:45 for the actual exchange between Kyle and the ASA: SAS (10:55) The focus when we're trying to answer the question as a matter of law -- is this person a Democrat -- is: what was the last political party ballot that he pulled? And we're focusing on him, his voting record, not whether someone in some other municipality might have been able to vote or not vote a partisan ballot at that time. We looked at his last vote, his last political party ballot. And I have spoken with the County Clerk and she has told me that the last party ballot that he pulled was a Democratic party ballot. And for that reason I told the Chairman and I told the other County Board members who have asked that I think he is qualified, he is a Democrat for purposes of Illinois law. And the fact that he once voted a Green Party ballot in a primary would not disqualify this person from being appointed to the vacancy created by Sabonjian's resignation. SAS (15:15) I think what's important here is Mr O'Rourke most recently voted as a Democrat. Lake County Board 07-14-2009 Note to operatives: the Lake County Board can make up its own rules as it goes along, because Michael Waller can be counted on to carry water for the Suzi. So be careful how you vote in that next Primary. That party ballot you ask for -- Democratic, Republican, Green, whatever -- is your legal & binding declaration of Party affiliation. No exceptions! For the record, the County Board went on to approve the O'Rourke appointment by a vote of a zillion to nothing. Posted by Barney Baxter at 12:19 AM 121 comments Labels: Suzi Schmidt, Robert Sabonjian, Michael Waller, Collin O'Rourke

Your LakeCountyEye: keeping an eye on the past since 2011!

The Descent of Man

What does Charlie Sheen think, now that the Lake County Schools are riddled with Creationism study units? Sheen is uncharacteristically reticent. But if Sheen was your LakeCountyEye, it is virtually certain the beleaguered actor would be nonplussed. Operatives who surmise they are looking at another update of the LakeCountyEye Creationism-Tote-Board, would be correct. The Daily Herald provides the latest wrinkle in this shar-pei-caliber shaggy-dog story ...

Most recently, four of the candidates running for the Round Lake Unit District 116 board were asked to share their stances on the issue during a discussion at the Daily Herald's Lake County office. Three of the candidates favored teaching creationism in science class.
Dist. 116 candidates talk creationism's role in science classes

For those keeping score: seven down, twelve to go ...

Got Creationism? Where to Look in Lake County

Antioch High School

Barrington High School

Deerfield High School

Grant High School

Grayslake High School

Warren High School

Highland Park High School

Lake Forest High School

Lake Zurich High School

Lakes Community High School

Libertyville High School

Stevenson High School

Mundelein High School

North Chicago High School

Round Lake High School

Vernon Hills High School

Wauconda High School

Waukegan High School

Zion-Benton High School

LEGEND Creationist On Board Creationist Not On Board Creationist Conceivably On Board

With new census figures coming in, Lake County is expected to overtake rival McHenry County as the Dukes-of-Hazard epicenter of Northeastern Illinois.

Newton's Law of Promotion

Operatives who pour over the Daily Herald, like your LakeCountyEye does, no doubt have seen The Soapbox. This Herald end-of-week column is a potpourri of undeveloped story ideas that pass as editorial commentary (and not to be confused with Darts and Laurels, the News-Sun's end-of-week potpourri of undeveloped story ideas).

Buried in this week's Soapbox was this golden nugget of deadpanned humor:

Is it difficult for us to believe that newspaper reporter Jim Newton would end his 27-year career serving the community for a seat on the Lake County Board with an annual salary of $42,480 plus benefits? It's something we don't see in our business much. But difficult to believe? No, no it isn't.
Not in it for the money

Jim Newton is the News-Sun reporter tapped to replace Suzi Schmidt on the Lake County Board. And the Herald, quite plainly in disbelief how anyone could walk away from a high-salary job in the local newspaper business to be a poorly-compensated County Commissioner, was full of admiration.

How substantial a sacrifice is it, to become a public servant? The Barrington Patch (not to be confused with a local-focus Internet blog) has the numbers:

Newton, 48, a resident of Lindenhurst, has worked as a reporter for 26 years. He said he's covered the county board for more than a decade. He plans to leave his newspaper job before being appointed. Newton said the $42,480 county board salary is a lateral move, in financial terms.
Newspaper Reporter Prepares to Serve on Lake County Board

But, ha ha, don't think for a minute it would've been a lateral move had he been working for the Daily Herald (or for that matter, working for the LakeCountyEye).

The Conversation Has Begun....And Democrats Are Doing The Conversing

Back in January, the 7th to be precise, an Eye Operative posted a You Tube Video of Avon Township Sam Yingling discussing his tax levy reduction. In that same video, Yingling said it was time to begin having a dialogue with the community about the necessity for township government.

Also in January, Senate President John Cullerton expressed a desire to "re-examine the need for so many units of local government that results in higher taxes and less efficiency"

On Wednesday this week, a Think Tank for the Better Government Association wrote an article titled "Township Reform Pops Up on Illinois Lawmaker's Radar". You can read the entire article at http://bgathinktank.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/township-reform-pops-up-on-illinois-lawmakers%E2%80%99-radar/

Lake County's very own Avon Township Supervisor is highlighted as a "rare" township employee (actually he is an elected official) who is advocating for the elimination of his own job.

What is the role of township? It varies and because the "people" have not been engaged (less than 30% voter turn-out for these elections in Lake County), township's in many regards have become a duplication of villages, counties and countless other government agencies that help people. Essentially, they have gone "unchecked" and the result is redundancy, nepotism, outlandish salaries for "part-time" elected officials and an additional layer of bureaucracy. Not to mention your own wallet getting lighter.

In Lake County, only 2 of 18 townships asked for less of your tax dollars in 2011. Avon is on record with a 7.2% reduction and we believe Shields asked for 2% less. All other townships asked for the maximum levy increase that is allowed by the archaic law. Top billing goes to Warren Township again this year. Over five and half million smakeroos. Yes they have a gorgeous campus, change the flowers on a regular basis but really, over 5.5 million taxpayer dollars to do something that other agencies in Lake County are providing? We ask....Gurnee, Wildwood, Gages Lake, Park City and eastern Grayslake "Is this OK with you?"

Perhaps one day voters will have an opportunity to say "yes" we need our township or "no" our township has outlived it purpose and other local government entities meet our needs. The best part is that this type of legislation would be dynamic and not a "one rule" applies to all.

What are your thoughts?