REFERENDUMS

OWEN TOWNSHIP REFERENDUM

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Owen Township Road District, Winnebago County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 35% above the limiting rate for the levy year 2009 and be equal to .1938% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2010.

(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $141,924.55, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $191,924.55.

(2) For the 2010 levy year the approximate amount of additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000.00 is estimated to be $16.86.

(3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2010 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

Some roads in Owen Township are in pretty tough shape, but so are many house- hold budgets. Foreclosures and job losses are up. This increase in property taxes boils down to almost $17 on a $100,000 home. Again, hear the rattle of “the death of a thousand pennies” by nickels and dimes. People in the township are going to vote with their wallets and purses. No recommendation either way.

PROPOSITION TO FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS VIA A SALES TAX BY THE VILLAGE OF CHERRY VALLEY, WINNEBAGO & BOONE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS

Shall the Village of Cherry Valley, Illinois, for expenditure on Capital Improvements impose a Sales Tax of one percent (1%) of gross receipts on persons engaged in the business of selling or transferring personal property other than food, medicine and titled property, at retail or incidental to sale of service until June 30, 2016?

Enough already! Businesses have had to learn to live within their shrinking cash flow in these hard times, and so do governmental bodies. Sales taxes have to be saved by businesses and then sent in at the appropriate time. Just like collecting, tracking and paying payroll taxes, this is a burden and a temptation for many small businesses. Will it drive business away from already struggling retail? How competitive is CherryVale Mall with other retail centers? Since everyone is watching their pennies right now, you do the math. No more “death by a thousand pennies!” Vote “NO.”

VILLAGE OF MACHESNEY PARK

PROPOSITION TO CONTINUE LEAF BURNING IN MACHESNEY PARK

Should the Village of Machesney Park continue to permit burning of leaves within the Village limits?

For some, the leafy question of “To burn or not to burn” is the question of “To breathe or not to breathe.” After a 40-year cigarette-smoking career, I quit during a flu bout last New Year’s Eve. All of a sudden, I’m sensitive to stuff my tar-coated membranes ignored before. It’s really weird. Not so oddly, I am now much more sympatico with those who go loco with allergies. Leaf burning sets them off. Imagine trying to breath with a paper grocery bag over your head and rubber bands closing it off around your neck.

Also, leaf burning contributes, in its own small way, to global warming. If you haven’t set up a compost system in your back yard, this might be the year for it. I just started one two years ago, and my neighbor maintains it. So, I get to go dump my rotting leftovers from my fridge and coffee grounds and veggie peelings and eggs that are too old under the tarp and watch how fast they decay when mixed in with the yard waste.

Some leaves will have to be bagged or put to the curb for vacuuming. But some can go on the compost pile (chop ’em up with the mower) and it’s fun to watch em’ become dirt. Go to: www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/earth-day-composting.php ^[1], or, even better, www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/facts/COMPOST.HTM ^[2]. Save some lungs, itchy eyes, air pollution and space in the landfill. Vote “NO.”

VILLAGE OF MACHESNEY PARK

PROPOSITION FOR NON-PARTISAN VILLAGE ELECTIONS

Shall candidates for President and Trustees of the Village of Machesney Park be elected in non-partisan primary and general elections?

Who likes a party? I’ve been to some good ones and some very bad ones, depending on the personal results. The personal results we have received have not been enjoyable from the main party providers known as Democrats and Republicans. Now we have the Green, Libertarian and Tea parties. From what I’ve seen, they’re all duds.

However, when someone says they’re Independent, we all get hopeful. Stop it. Raised a Democrat, Independent Mayor Larry Morrissey is largely surrounded by a bunch of Republicans, known as his “Kitchen Cabinet” or “The Catholic Boys’ Club.” I can say that with a grin because I graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School, too; but rest assured, I’m not sitting next to the stove, sink or refrigerator. They’d like me in the freezer, on the grill or buried in the compost pile. Turn off that shredder!

Technically, if Machesney Park elections excluded parties (HA!), then big money like that of the Syverson/Wilson spendfest could not be invited in from party leaders in Springfield. We all know about technicalities; they are made to be broken. But toss the party hat, let’s try it, and pin the Republican on the Democrat! Vote “YES.”

VILLAGE OF WINNEBAGO

PROPOSITION TO INCREASE WINNEBAGO VILLAGE PTELL LIMITING RATE

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Village of Winnebago, Winnebago County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 46.77% above the limiting rate for levy year 2009 and be equal to 1.0327% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2010?

(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $367,143.46 and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the referendum is approved is $531,627.38.

(2) For the 2010 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $99.27.

(3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2010 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

DON’T DO IT! The Tax Cap Law made them have to ask this question! That’s a huge jump in the rate! I don’t care what kind of sewer system they’re trying to sprawl out before you, FLUSH THIS! Make them come back from the bathroom with a lower rate to bring to the table. Wear those Tax Caps proudly! Vote “NO.”

SEWARD TOWNSHIP

PROPOSITION TO REPEAL SEWARD TOWNSHIP LIQUOR BAN

Shall Seward Township, Winnebago County, Illinois, repeal the ordinance placing a total ban on the sale of liquor within the Township limits in order to allow the sale of beer and wine in licensed restaurant establishments?

Come on into the new century! The Blue Laws are out like Al Capone is dead; however, quite a few of his type of weasel does hang out in that neck of the woods.

Yes, it’s time to have a drink now and then; and with the wind farms chopping into local landscape, everyone might like to go to the restaurant for several drinks because it might be too noisy at home from the sound of many wind turbines. Say, “Thank you, Winnebago County Board! And have them buy the first round. Enjoy yourselves! Vote “YES.”

DEKALB, KISHWAUKEE

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Proposition to Issue $52,600,000 Community College Bonds

Shall the Board of Trustees of Kishwaukee Community College District No. 523, Counties of DeKalb, Kane, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Winnebago and Boone and State of Illinois, be authorized to build, equip, alter, renovate and repair community college buildings and facilities, including parking, roadway and other improvements, build and equip additions to community college buildings, install technology improvements and issue bonds of said Community College District to the amount of $52,600,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Because of the economy, more people are returning to school. Because of the economy, many people cannot afford a four-year college, which if it is public costs around $8,000 to $12,000 per year, which if it is private costs around $30,000 to $50,000 per year. Stay-at-home community colleges like Kishwaukee cost around $3,000 per year to attend.

Think quality. Think education. Think future quality of life. Think education for a quality future. Education is a must, or we will be a third-world country in the future. In hard and good times, invest in education. Vote “YES.”

PROPOSITIONS

STREET LIGHT PROPOSITION TO INCREASE WASHINGTON PARK STREET LIGHT PTELL LIMITING RATE

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Washington Park Street Light District, Winnebago County, Illinois, be increased by 31.28% over last year above the limiting rate for the year 2009 and be equal to 0.7017 of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2009.

I think raising a tax cap rate is a mistake even when it is sold under the “safety” sale sign. Vote “NO.”