• Next meeting from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, April 30

Editor’s Note: From Farce to BIG FARCE: After other “hearings” in Winnebago County on the Wind Ordinance, Asphalt Plant on East State Street, and even as far back as the Cannell Development outside Rockton, I have NO FAITH in this county’s democratic process when it comes to William Charles or any big developer. William Charles runs asphalt-shod over this county. This landfill represents millions of dollars to William Charles and the coffers of Winnebago County. Neighbors whose lives and property values will be ruined by this massive money juggernaut, get ready to be ignored by your elected representatives and the hearing officer. Politicians are scared to death of Willam Charles, and everyone is slathering over the big dollars to come. Democracy is dead here, and these hearings are nothing but a big joke of lying through the motions. The county board vote is a foregone exclusion of all the opposition to this landfill expansion. That’s my sad, realistic prediction. I’ve just seen this farce too many times before. The rule of William Charles is the new/old normal. Peasants, how do you like the low-dumping-rate rent, that cheap, rank taste of Chicago’s garbage?

— Frank Schier

Staff Report

As a result of a large number of anticipated attendees, the public participation meetings regarding the proposed expansion of the Winnebago Landfill have been moved to the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford.

The first meeting was Tuesday, April 24, and the remaining meeting will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, April 30.

The April 30 hearing will be held in the main arena of the BMO Harris Bank Center. Entrance is on Elm Street through the door immediately west of the ticket office, under the stairs.

Parking is available in the Concourse Parking Garage on the west side of the BMO Harris Bank Center on South Church Street.

During public participation hearings, members of the public are invited to appear and comment on the application for expansion of the landfill, 8403 Lindenwood Road, Rockford.

Written comments can be filed with the Winnebago County Clerk’s Office, 404 Elm St., first floor, room 104, Rockford, starting on the date the application was filed until 30 days after the last public hearing. Comments postmarked within that 30-day period (even though received later) will become part of the record and are to be considered by the board.

All interested citizens are reminded that no evidence or testimony outside of the public hearings or written comments sent to the county clerk can be considered by the Winnebago County Board chairman or Winnebago County Board members in its vote to approve or disapprove the proposed expansion.

The county board chairman and county board members are prohibited from considering conversations, phone calls, written materials, advertisements or information on websites presented to them outside of the hearing.

After the hearing and the comment period, a hearing officer will prepare and submit to the Winnebago County Board his report and recommendation. The county board will make its decision based upon the record from the public hearing and may also consider the recommendations of the hearing officer. The county board will then render its decision in a resolution.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue