Items for Discussion: A. Status of Board of Directors B. Status of River District Financial Condition C. Status of Structure of River District. All board members and members are invited.

Please e-mail this out to any River District members you have on your e-mail list now.

This special meeting will be held this Thursday to garner the 10 percent of the membership needed to call a full legal meeting and address the status of the issues before us and the agenda of that meeting. Please urge every member you know to attend. Check the River District website and click on “Membership” and “Entertainment.” We need every member we have there to make a good and fair decision, after we fully discuss matters at hand.

In the interest of fairness and the right of reply, the following e-mail was sent out by what must be the board of directors of the River District. It was unsigned, Sept. 7.—F.S.

Dear River District Members,

The following letter was sent to the editors of local newspapers.

On August 31, the River District Association (RDA) made the difficult decision to lay off its staff and cancel its scheduled events. Some community members have questioned how this could have happened, and they deserve an explanation.

The RDA’s expense structure was established years ago when it could count on consistent public funding.  The current reality is quite different, and the organization must adapt.

As a result of the recession, RDA ended 2008 approximately $25,000 in debt as community members and businesses reduced their levels of support to control their own expenses.  In 2009, the RDA eliminated this debt while holding all scheduled events and working to accomplish the organization’s goals, all in a terrible economy. Unfortunately, these efforts left the organization with no reserves going into 2010.

The RDA’s tenuous financial position at the end of 2009 was exacerbated in 2010, when it received a 50 percent cut in its funding from the city.  The RDA earns a substantial part of its income under a contract with the city to provide downtown revitalization services.  In April of this year, when it became clear that city funding was in jeopardy, the RDA called on its membership to come to its aid to help convince the city council that funding the RDA was a good investment. A handful of members responded to the call for help, and only four non-board members addressed city council in open meetings.  Ultimately, the council awarded only half the amount it awarded in the past, and city staff encouraged the RDA to pursue a state grant to make up the difference. The state repeatedly delayed processing the application and attached conditions the RDA could almost certainly not meet.  By the time the organization learned receipt of the grant was extremely unlikely, it was too late.

Some have said the organization should have pursued other income sources, even appealed to members to replace the $20,000 it did not receive from the city.  It did not do so because it and city staffers believed the state grant would be awarded. By the time the Board of Directors learned otherwise, it was forced to act quickly to avoid incurring liabilities the organization could not meet. The RDA certainly could not ask its employees to continue working if it could not pay them.

More importantly, even if the RDA could have raised enough money in the short term to meet its financial obligations, it had no reasonable expectation that funds would be available in the long term to support an expense structure predicated on consistent public funding. Certain aldermen stated during the funding debate this spring, and have made it clear more recently, that organizations like RDA should not expect to receive ANY city funds next year.  Coupled with falling revenues from other sources, and recognizing the toll the constant struggle to raise funds equal to expenses was taking on the organization’s ability to focus on its mission, it became clear the RDA must adopt a new business model.

The Board of Directors was saddened to cancel scheduled events and lose the dedicated support of RDA’s staff.  It did not make these decisions lightly.  RDA staff members were well aware of the organization’s financial situation and, to their credit, were extremely professional and gracious on their last day.  The Board is working to determine how the organization can work to support downtown initiatives and is seeking strategic partnerships with organizations that share the RDA’s vision of a revitalized downtown.

The RDA continues to have an active membership, and the Board of Directors welcomes any support the community can offer, especially now that the organization will rise or fall based on the dedication of those who believe in the revitalization of our downtown.

From the Sept. 8-14, 2010 issue

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum stands as a unique historic home in Rockford, Ill. It’s a registered historic building; a unique and beautiful landmark.  Also, it’s the home of one of Rockford’s early mayors and successful manufacturer…in the heart of original Rockford.

We have a chance to win a big grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation through their “This Place Matters” campaign. Winning the most votes, and the grant, would be a big win for Rockford…and would bring an important grant to our community.

WE CAN WIN!! Tinker Swiss Cottage is currently in the running for a $25,000 grant and is in second place out of 86 contestants.

 You can vote once for every e-mail address you have, and we have nine days left. Also, please forward to your family and friends!!!

You will be asked for your name, email and zip code. On the first click, you register with the site (you don’t have to accept their emails….check that box or not as you wish.) Then, the same screen will appear again with a “vote” button. Click on the “vote” button, and your vote will be counted. Go to: http://bit.ly/ahoqxk.

People can vote between now and Sept. 15. It’s one vote per e-mail address (yes…more than one address? You can vote more than once.)

Please go to the link above and cast your vote for Tinker. The winner will get $25,000…that’s a big deal!

I’d appreciate your help spreading the word…the more votes, the better. Let’s make it go viral! Our competition is stiff, but we know we can win with everyone’s help. Your vote and your help are much appreciated.

VOTE TODAY!

If you can’t get on the site, it may mean there’s too much traffic at that moment…please try more than once.

Thanks so much. We appreciate your support. We want to make Rockford famous (again) for something good!

From the Sept. 8-14, 2010 issue

From left, Tess Linker, Woody Davis, Mary Ann Dahl and Jill Kuntz pose with a kids' swimming inner tube around Woody's neck and the base from a driveway basketball hoop hauled out of the Pecatonica River during the Seventh Annual Pecatonica River Sweep Sept. 4. Photo by Frank Schier

From left, Editor & Publisher Frank Schier, Erik and Mason VanderWeit stand by their haul from the day, which included a 55-gallon plastic drum (not pictured), tire, cooler, squirt gun, 30-year-old Pabst can and the collar of a dead dog they found floating in the river. Needless to say, the group won the prize for "Most Unusual Item." Photo by Frank Schier

Wayat Hayes and Mike Easter flank Rusty Rhodes, all the way from Porta Gorda, Fla., who is here working on a ComEd crew repairing downed power lines from the July flood. Rhodes and his dog had collected more items than anyone else, including this huge chunk of steel Hayes and Easter are helping to unload. Photo by Frank Schier

Mike Easter and Wayat Hayes display a farmhouse door found during the 7th Annual Pecatonica River Sweep, while Brian Steele goes to load another boat. Photo by Frank Schier

Captain Scott Johnson's crew hauls in more river refuse and the biggest item of the day--a fiberglass speedboat. With the airlock vacuum, the upside-down boat was very difficult to remove from the river. Photo by Frank Schier

FatWallet has announced that local native Tim Storm is a finalist for Entrepreneur of 2010 (Entrepreneur magazine).  This prestigious award recognizes small business entrepreneurs for pioneering success within their industry and actively supporting their surrounding communities.  Finalist profiles are featured online and can be voted for through Sept. 10.

The contest could serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development in the local business community.

Lend your support to bringing a national winner to the community. “Storm the Vote”!  Help FatWallet generate a powerful message that global growth, leadership and progressive technology is alive and well in the Rockford region.

For more information about the contest, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/e2010/vote/established.php.

Effective with the start of the 2010-2011 school year, the Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) is making two changes to its student fare policy.

With the start of the new school year, RMTD operators will only accept area middle school and area high school-issued ID cards. All students attending other institutions of learning including advanced learning facilities such as Rock Valley College, Judson College or Rasmussen College or alternative education programs, must have an RMTD Student ID card to qualify for the student discounted rate of 75 cents. To obtain an RMTD Student ID card, a student must go to the downtown transfer center and verify his or her enrollment in an educational program by presenting a current class schedule or transcript. The student must also be able to verify he or she is 20 years of age or younger during the current school year. If these criteria are not met, the student can pay $2, and RMTD will issue the student an ID card signifying they qualify for the discounted student rate.

Additionally, the RMTD-issued Student ID card will now only be valid for one semester or six months. Student riders will be required to obtain a new RMTD Student ID card every January and June, as long as they are age 20 and younger and enrolled in a valid educational program. Anyone with questions about this policy should contact RMTD at (815) 961-9000.

RMTD provides more than 1.7 million rides each year. The district has a fleet of 64  fixed route and paratransit vehicles, and offers 18 hours of service Monday through Friday, 13 hours of service Saturdays, and eight hours Sundays. Rockford Mass Transit also provides service to Loves Park and Machesney Park.

From the Sept. 1-7, 2010 issue

Photo by Jon McGinty

The Muslim Community Center of Greater Rockford hosted an Interfaith Iftar (open house), which included a program about the Muslim religion and a dinner of authentic ethnic dishes. They are constructing a new masjid (mosque) near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Mulford Road.

From the Sept. 1-7, 2010 issue

During its Aug. 26 meeting, the Winnebago County Board will conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed issuance of $4,090,000 in bonds “for the purpose of buying real property and paying expenses associated with certain renovations/remodeling of the building to be used by the Winnebago County Health Department and incidental thereto, to pay bond discount, capitalized interest, reserve requirements and legal, other financing and related administrative fees and costs.”

The bond issuance could be forced to a Nov. 2 referendum, however, if at least 7.5 percent of eligible county voters file a petition with the county clerk within 30 days of the public notice, which was published in the Rockford Journal in the middle of August.

The issuance of debt is related to the board’s December decision to purchase the City Plaza, 555 N. Court St. in Rockford, for the building’s $775,000 market value as part of a plan to consolidate three Health Department facilities in one central location. Remodeling and upgrades to the building, much of which has already been approved by board members, will cost millions of dollars, however.

Earlier in August, McDermaid Roofing was awarded a $167,397 bid to replace the building’s roof. $245,500 for architectural services related to remodeling was awarded to Richard L. Johnson Associates, Inc., in March, followed by a $2,425,000 contract to Rockford Structures Construction for the physical work. In July, $405,464 was allocated for Trane, of Madison, Wis., to replace the four-story building’s heating and cooling systems.

Steve Schultz (R-2) and John F. Sweeney (R-14) are the only board members to have consistently voted against the expenditures, including the initial purchase of the building.

According to Mike Bacon, public health administrator, 60 percent of the purchase price would be covered by grant dollars. Property taxes and increased fees are expected to knock out the remaining 40 percent. The honoring of existing leases should be enough to cover debt service payments, officials anticipate.

Also during the Aug. 26 meeting, board members will vote whether to increase fees for the Health Department’s Environmental Division.

For a full report of the Aug. 26 meeting, see our online edition.

Zoning request involving septic to face a vote in September

In other upcoming board news, a petition to rezone approximately 10 acres at 56XX N. Main Road in Owen Township from agricultural to commercial is expected to return to the board floor Sept. 23 after having been laid over several times since July at the request of the petitioners.

The board’s Zoning Committee voted 4-3 to recommend denial of the request, despite a unanimous recommendation for approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The request is in conflict with the county’s 2030 land-use plan, which discourages new developments on septic systems.

Because the development is not planned for connection to public infrastructure, the City of Rockford has filed as a legal objector, which would mean the petition would require a supermajority—at least 21 of 28 votes in favor—for approval.

Todd Cagnoni, deputy director of the city’s Community Development Department’s Construction & Development Services Division, explained, “This property is within the city’s future urban development [area], and we want to ensure that the property develops in a positive manner on this important gateway to our community.”

When the issue came to the board floor for a vote Aug. 12, Zoning Committee Chairman John F. Sweeney (R-14) explained he’d received a letter from the petitioner’s attorney, Barton Henbest, requesting that the matter be laid over until the Sept. 23 meeting as negotiations continue among the city and petitioner.

“We are currently in discussions with the property owner and evaluating solutions that meet both our concerns,” Cagnoni indicated, noting that, for now, the city’s objection still stands.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

By Stuart R. Wahlin
Staff Writer

A long debate was settled Aug. 23 by Rockford aldermen, who’d been weighing the merits of two proposed projects tied together by New York-based LandWhite Developers, LLC. Both were approved.

For a year—some would say much longer—the fate of the former Church School on Blaisdell Street has been in limbo. Neighborhood residents, who purchased the building in 1997 as Progressive West Rockford Community Development Corp., planned to transform the building into a community center. The building and the property it is on eventually proved to be too much for the group to maintain, however, resulting in numerous fines by the city that led to a lien.

A year ago, the city began foreclosure proceedings to seize the property after the group refused to sell it to LandWhite, which plans to rehabilitate the structure into senior citizen housing.

Meantime, with the property now under city control, LandWhite has been busy finishing plans for a 158-unit apartment complex near the Southgate Shopping Plaza at Sandy Hollow Road and 11th Street, of which it is part owner.

Plans to rehab Church School, the developers say, can only come to fruition if the apartment project is approved, because only in tandem can LandWhite be eligible for the federal assistance and tax credits it needs for both projects.

All told, LandWhite expects the endeavors to total more than $25 million in investment, which will also include improvements at the shopping center.

The Rev. Earl Dotson Sr., of Progressive West Rockford Community Development Corp., submitted a letter to the council that stated: “It has come to my attention that the City of Rockford has been authorized to sell Church School to a developer. …Considering that the city normally puts properties up for bid, this seems an unwise deviation from that process, as it is unfair and potentially unprofitable. We therefore urge the city to continue the process of bidding properties, and halt the sale of Church School without bidding.”

According to city Legal Director Patrick Hayes, per the purchase agreement, LandWhite would acquire Church School for a sum of $100,000, “contingent on financing.”

Although some residents would prefer that Church School be turned into a community center, most aldermen were in agreement that rehabilitation of the dilapidated Church School in any form will be a big plus. Others, however, weren’t jumping for joy at the prospect of building apartments in a tax increment financing (TIF) district intended for commercial and industrial development.

Ald. Lenny Jacobson (D-6), who represents the area in which the Village at Southgate apartments would be built, expressed numerous reasons for his opposition to the proposal. He wants to see the area reserved for commercial and industrial growth.

“No. 1, the density. No. 2, the location,” Jacobson began. “In today’s society, with what’s going on with housing as you drive around our community, it’s pretty obvious to me that there are a lot of places for rent. There are a lot of houses boarded up. I’m a little bit leery as to the quality of life when you put someone between Bypass 20, and located behind Kmart.”

Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13) echoed his sentiments, particularly with regard to what she described as an “abundance of available housing” in the neighborhood already. She, too, preferred that the area remain dedicated to commercial development.

“That area along Sandy Hollow, and along 11th Street, is a business district for individuals that are west of the river prefer to go…rather than drive all the way east,” she explained.

The Village at Southgate project was first to come before aldermen in May. But after the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) recommended denial of LandWhite’s petition, the developers withdrew their request to restart the zoning process from the beginning. The petition failed at the ZBA level, because two board members were not present for the vote. Although three of the five present voted in favor, the vote fell short of four-out-of-seven majority required to recommend approval. This would mean that a supermajority of at least 10 affirmative votes by aldermen would be required for the permit to be issued. LandWhite’s petition skated through the ZBA the second time around, meaning only a simple majority vote by councilmen was required for approval.

In an 8-4 vote Aug. 23, the special-use permit for the 158-unit apartment development was approved. Aldermen Venita Hervey (D-5) and Bill Timm (R-9) joined Jacobson and McNeely in voting “no.”

The second component of the tied projects, a purchase agreement for LandWhite to acquire Church School, came to a vote moments later.

Although she’d voted against the apartments being built on the southeast side, Hervey supported the sale of Church School and its related rehab.

“One thing that we have a dearth of, in south Rockford in particular, is senior citizen housing,” she said. “My opposition to the other part is of the project that was sort of tied with this one is the preponderance of affordable housing in south Rockford. …But I am happy that this portion will be going forward.”

Ald. Ann Thompson-Kelly (D-7), whose ward is home to Church School, noted the senior housing facility will also serve as a police substation. She then took aim at those who would prefer the site to be a community center.

“This city, as well as myself and staff, spent many hours and dollars trying to work with the previous owner to develop it into something, and nothing ever happened,” she asserted.

The purchase agreement was ultimately approved, with only Jacobson and McNeely voting “no.” The measure will face final approval in the form of an ordinance during the Aug. 30 meeting.

Ordinance

→ Giving final approval to a development agreement with JMZ Properties for TIF assistance whereby JMZ will be reimbursed up to $47,290 of its eligible costs related to rehabilitation of a building at 110 N. First St. Aldermen Timm and McNeely voted “no.”

Resolution

→ Authorizing submission and execution of an application to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) on behalf of the Rock River Valley Greenway project. According to IDOT: “ITEP provides funding for community-based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure. Project sponsors may receive up to 80 percent reimbursement for eligible project costs. The remaining 20 percent is the responsibility of the project sponsor.” The application deadline is Aug. 31.

Committee reports

→ Authorizing a change order to provide Rock Road Companies, of Janesville, Wis., an additional $411,000 for city-wide residential street resurfacing, bringing the company’s contract total to $2,178,881.08.

→ Settling a $2,115.25 claim by Amber Sawyer, whose vehicle was sideswiped by a Human Services Department Head Start bus, according to city Legal Director Patrick Hayes.

Public comments

Robert Pfluger continued his history of the Federal Reserve, a private organization, and its direct connection to inflation through devaluation of currency. Pfluger argued the U.S. Constitution intended that Congress regulate monetary policies. He suggested that a federal lawsuit be filed against the Federal Reserve to take back such authority.

Prophet Yusef addressed the area’s lack of academic achievement. To combat this, Yusef proposed that parents develop a book-a-week program with their children as a means to achieve greater success in education and life.

Proclamations

Aug. 26 was proclaimed Pink Heals Day for cancer awareness. Now through Sept. 10 was proclaimed One Community to Storm the Vote in honor of Tim Storm, founder of FatWallet.com, who is one of four finalists in the running to be named Entrepreneur magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Votes may be cast at http://www.entrepreneur.com/e2010/vote/established.php.

Absences

Aldermen Nancy Johnson (D-8) and Bill Robertson (I-14) were absent.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

AMCORE Financial, Inc., parent of the former AMCORE Bank, reported Aug. 20 the company had filed a petition the day before in Chicago requesting permission to liquidate its assets under the federal bankruptcy code’s Chapter 11 protection.

April 23, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed seven financial institutions, including the failing AMCORE Bank, which had more than 60 branches throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named the receiver of AMCORE, whose failure was primarily attributed to excessive loans to homebuilders while also trying to increase its presence in the Chicago area.

AMCORE closed 2009 with a loss of more than $200 million, despite urging by federal regulators to improve the bank’s performance. Although AMCORE cut staff and sold 18 branches throughout the region, the bank’s financial outlook did not improve. Prior to its closure, AMCORE was the largest publicly-traded company in Winnebago County.

Branches reopened the following day as Harris Bank, which is owned by the Bank of Montreal Financial Group. Harris agreed to assume AMCORE’s $3.4 billion in deposits, plus $3.8 billion in assets, from the FDIC at a premium of .01 percent. AMCORE’s liabilities reportedly total $75.4 million.

Last month, Harris Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Kappel told The Rock River Times: “We will be closing 18 former AMCORE branches, mostly in the Chicago area, and centralizing the former AMCORE technology, operations, and corporate support functions to Harris. None of the branch closings are taking place in Rockford.”

AMCORE Financial’s bankruptcy came as a result of defaulting on a line of credit in December from lender JPMorgan Chase & Co., which is claiming $11.9 million, according to the Aug. 19 petition.

The liquidation plan is expected to be announced this week.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR YOUTHBUILD FRIENDS FROM ALL OF US AT THE ROCK RIVER TIMES: The members of this year’s graduating class are: Front Row (left to right): Paul Thompson, Tamisha Shivers, Shunkeyta Henderson, Michael Cooksey, Kenny Jones Jr., Sylvia Edwards; Second Row (left to right): Hector Flores, Sergio Ramos, Ella Saxton, Destiny Friar, Precious Tamayo, Zac Keller; Third Row (left to right): Arcadio Mendoza, William Thomas, Adrianna Hernandez, Seymone Dixon, Brandon Brown, Sherita Pouncy, Corprell Delaney, Phillip Ozier, Jernicka Moore, Collin Hardy, Dane Countryman, Sherancia Morrow; Fourth Row (left to right): Victor Banuelos, David Williams, Angelic Maclin, Tiera Pittman, Dominique Hightower, Jermaine Landry, Joqual Williams, Shaquaya Sago, Ryan Lawnduski, Eric Wolfe; Fifth Row (left to right): Takia Williams, Joyaparis Walston, Rosie Morrow, Gregory Cooper, Shavon Smith, Startisha Trammel, Brianna Anderson, Felicia Farris; Sixth Row (left to right): Dwayne Broom, Javon Lambert, Stephen Lindeman, Ashley Latino, Eddie Ortiz, Antoinetta Watson, Raeneshia Smith, Terrance Meadows. Photo by Melanie Richardson

From press release

Wednesday, Aug. 18, graduation ceremonies were held at Memorial Hall for the Class of 2010 of YouthBuild Rockford. The keynote speaker was Honorable Judge Ronald J. White, Winnebago County Circuit Judge. One-hundred eight young adults began the program in the fall of 2009, and the ceremonies marked the largest graduating class in the history of the program. In addition to diplomas and individual awards, the YouthBuilder of the Year Award was given to Sergio Ramos.

YouthBuild is recruiting for its next class, which begins Sept. 20. For eligibility information or applications, call (815) 963-6236 or stop by YouthBuild at 917 S. Main St.

About YouthBuild Rockford

YouthBuild is a comprehensive youth and community development program as well as an alternative education program. YouthBuild Rockford, one of 270-plus such programs across the nation, is a year-long program for 16-to 28-year-old, out-of-school, unemployed young people. Participants learn vocational skills in construction or computer technology and construction trainees build affordable housing for low-income families. Each student also participates in basic educational classes leading to a GED.

YouthBuild also provides young people with classes in leadership development, life skills, and employability, and helps youth achieve self-sufficiency through a combination of counseling, support groups and cultural activities.

Graduates of the innovative development program have careers, internships, apprenticeships and post-secondary education waiting for them when they complete the program.

YouthBuild Rockford is a program of Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc.

The YouthBuild Rockford Class of 2010

→ 94 graduates

→ 44 honors graduates, seven of whom were recognized as National YouthBuild Honors Graduates by YouthBuild USA

→ 23 received their GED while in YouthBuild

→ 46 received AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $82,000 to help pay for college or vocational school.

→ 85 have earned nationally recognized construction credentials, one from the National Center for Construction, Education, and Research (NCCER) and one from Home Builder’s Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Training (PACT)

→ The YouthBuild Rockford Class of 2010 has completed the construction of two new single-family homes, and logged 51,800 hours of community service in the Rockford area.

→ This class brings the total number of YouthBuild Rockford graduates to 524.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

The Rockford Area Libertarians meeting Thursday, Sept. 2, will feature a discussion of TIF (tax increment fininancing) districts and related issues with Jim Phelps, Midtown District president, and Paul Gorski, Winnebago County Board member (D-5). Other elected officials and the public are invited.

Meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the banquet room at Villa Di Roma Restaurant, 11th Street and Harrison Avenue. Arrive early to order food. Anyone interested is welcome for friendly political conversation.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

A large group of Tinker supporters stand on the suspension bridge at Tinker Swiss Cottage, holding This Place Matters signs. Photo by Marianne Larson Photography

From press release

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, a Victorian home with deep roots in Rockford, is competing against other sites across the country to get the most votes in “This Place Matters,” a community challenge program with a prize of $25,000 to the top vote-getter.

The competition, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, began Sunday, Aug. 15, and ends Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Votes are cast online by visiting http://www.preservationnation.org, clicking on “This Place Matters,” clicking on “Community Map” and clicking on the location icon in northern Illinois for Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens. This will take you to the Tinker webpage, where you can read information and place a vote. One vote per person, per screen name is permitted.

The program was created to spread awareness about special places that define our national heritage and help organizations start conversations in their community about places that matter.

Tinker Board of Trustees President Ruth Little explained: “Winning the $25,000 would certainly be a boost to the museum’s budget, but this competition also is important because it will draw attention to the museum locally and from across the nation. Tinker is authentic. It is very unusual among historic home museums in that it dates back to 1865 and is a complete package—an architecturally significant building filled with the original possessions of one family.”

Tinker’s entry is sponsored by the Friends of Tinker, the museum’s new support and membership organization. It is hoped that participation in this competition and the attention it will focus on Tinker will spark interest in a museum membership drive to be conducted this fall.

Other sites in the competition include historic churches, theaters, downtown districts and dwellings. Voters can cast just one ballot in the competition.

“It will take the whole community pulling for Tinker and voting for Tinker to put us over the top in this popularity contest,” Little said. “But I know we can do it. “

The Tinker website includes a Tinker’s Top 10 list of reasons the museum is important.

The This Place Matters Community Challenge program is just the second of highly successful This Place Matters annual campaigns conducted by the National Trust. It is made possible by support from Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and National Trust Insurance Services, LLC.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, a Rockford Park District affiliate, is an educational, not-for-profit institution, dedicated to the preservation of and access to historic Tinker Swiss Cottage, its collections and the legacy of the Robert H. Tinker family for the community-at-large. Tinker is at 411 Kent St., Rockford. For more information about the programs and tours offered by Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, phone 815-964-2424 or e-mail bbroyles@tinkercottage.org. Visit the museum’s website at www.tinkercottage.org to learn more about events and activities that will take place at Tinker this year.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

A group of local residents is asking for your help this month as they compete for a $1,000 grant to put on a festival to promote bike-friendly culture and sustainable living in Rockford.

The event, called Go Bike! Rockford, will be held Oct. 10, 2010, and is part of 350.org’s 10/10/10 Global Work Party. The 350.org is a worldwide movement to raise awareness about global climate change, and Go Bike! Rockford is being planned as one of the largest one-day events in Illinois for the Global Work Party.

“When we got together, we thought we’d put on a small bike fair, but it’s really turned into something amazing!” says Go Bike! Planning Committee member Rick Jones.

The Go Bike! Rockford Planning Committee has applied for a $1,000 grant through the 350.org to help fund the event. The winners of the grant are chosen by online vote. The members of the Planning Committee are asking for your vote so they can bring this grant home to Rockford.

“With the push for green jobs and the adoption of the Cool Cities Initiative, we really think we have a chance to make a difference,” says Eric Howanietz, a member of the Planning Committee. “This is a great opportunity for us to put Rockford on the map in a positive way!”

Go Bike! Rockford is also being supported through a partnership with Angelic Organics Learning Center Urban Initiative.

“When it comes to supporting sustainable practices, creating bike-friendly streets and building healthy local food systems fit naturally together,” says Danica Hoehn, director of the Urban Initiative and Go Bike! Committee member.

To cast your vote to support Go Bike! Rockford’s bid for the grant, go to northamericanfun.350.org/projects/GoBikeRockford. Voting is open now through Aug. 30. For more information about how you can be a part of Go Bike!, e-mail gobikerockford@gmail.com or search Facebook Groups for Go Bike! Rockford.

From the Aug. 25-31, 2010 issue

Photo by Frank Schier

Crew members from Artists’ Ensemble’s production of Steve Martin’s The Underpants are using the garage at the Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., to construct sets for the Sept. 10-26 show, courtesy of the Mendelssohn Club. Because of cost-cutting efforts at Rockford College and with the ensemble, sets are being constructed here and rehearsals are being held at Rockford’s Unitarian Universalist Church. Shows are held at Rockford College at 8 p.m., Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m., Saturdays and 2 p.m., Sundays. There is one discounted Thursday performance in the second week of the run for each production, and those shows start at 7:30 p.m. Crew members Angelo O’Dierno (left) and Steve Burnside say The Underpants, is a great show. Be sure to go!

According to documents obtained by The Rock River Times, Ald. Ann Thompson-Kelly (D-7), then-manager of business and administration for the Rockford Park District’s ice facilities, resigned her post in 2002 amid allegations of misusing a district credit card after a cash advance from the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin was revealed on a statement. The charge raised a red flag when the card statement was received in the district’s accounting division.

An Oct. 15, 2001, interoffice memorandum to Dan Gundrum, then-senior manager of recreation facilities, indicated: “There is a District MasterCard which is permanently assigned to Icehouses. As far as I know, Ann Thompson has possession/control of this card for the Ice Facilities. Our normal process with this credit card statement is to send a copy of the statement to Ann and she will forward receipts and account numbers to Accounts Payable so that the bill can be paid.”

The statement had reportedly only been received the day before, so no copy had been sent to Thompson yet.

“It appears to me from the statement that there is a possible misuse/non-business use of that credit card during the month of September,” the memo continued. “On September 9th there is a cash advance and a related finance charge for the cash advance which appears to have been taken at Grand Victoria.”

An investigation was requested to determine whether the charge was business-related.

A credit card statement obtained by this publication through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Park District confirmed a $212.99 charge at Grand Victoria Sept. 9, 2001.

A Nov. 26, 2001, memo from Gundrum to Thompson, with a subject line stating “Reconciliation of Park District Master Card Account,” indicated: “On two separate occasions, you were asked to supply information to reconcile the Master Card statement regarding the misuse of that card. Specifically, I am referring to the cash advance taken from the casino on or about September 9, 2001.”

A typed statement to district officials from Thompson explaining the charge indicated: “On September 9, 2001, coming from a [sic] event I had a [sic] accident. I hit something on Hiway [sic] 31. It puncture [sic], my front tire and blue [sic] my back tire out. I walked to the Grand Victoria to call a tow truck, the truck arrived and The [sic] amount it would be to tow me home $250. I did not have $250. [sic] With me, and he wanted to be paid because of the (40 miles). I only had $50.”

The statement from Thompson also noted $219.38 had been repaid in full to the district Oct. 26, 2001, more than a month-and-a-half after the cash advance from the casino.

In his Nov. 26 memo, Gundrum requested a handwritten receipt Thompson would have received for towing services rendered, a copy of the receipt for the cash advance received at the casino, and the name and number of the towing company she allegedly used. Gundrum asked for Thompson to present the documentation by Dec. 7, 2001, warning, “Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action for misuse of a Rockford Park District credit card.”

Gundrum, according to documents obtained by this publication, received no response from Thompson until Dec. 9. In her memo responding to Gundrum’s Nov. 26 request, Thompson explained she had only seen Gundrum’s memo that day. She, however, challenged Gundrum’s assertion that she failed to comply with two previous requests for information.

“I also indicated to you at that time that I did not have the receipts, that I would look for them, and as soon as I found them I would give you that information,” she argued. Thompson then followed this statement by alleging that Gundrum’s demand for towing and cash advance receipts “are new requests from you.”

The bulk of another memo to Thompson, dated Dec. 13, 2001, contained in the documents obtained through the FOIA request appears to have been redacted. The subject line, however, reads “Suspension pending investigation.”

The portion of the memo that was not redacted again appeared to be a request for the name and phone number of the towing company, as well as receipts for the wrecker service and cash advance.

“Once we have received this information, we will review what you present to us to assure that it supports your version of the events of September 9,” the memo from Gundrum and Human Resources Manager Diane Barber stated. “Please note that if we have not received the requested information by the close of business on December 18, 2001, we will assume that the information does not exist and make our decisions accordingly.”

A handwritten note from Barber below this warning reported, “As of 11:20 on 12/19, we have received no response from Ann.”

Soon after, Rockford Park District Police Department Detective Daniel Watton was asked to assist the Human Resources Department in its efforts to obtain the missing information. Specifically, district officials sought to determine whether the alleged towing company, Fernandez Towing, had any record of transporting Thompson’s vehicle from Elgin to Rockford.

Upon calling Miguel Fernandez, the company’s owner, Jan. 3, 2002, to inquire about towing records for the alleged Sept. 9, 2001, incident, according to Watton’s report, “Miguel then asked, ‘Is this about Ann Thompson?’”

Fernandez explained to Watton that he’d received a number of calls from Thompson, who had been requesting a receipt for the alleged towing of her vehicle.

“I asked Miguel if [he] had any information on file, and I was informed that he did not tow anyone by that name to Rockford from Elgin, but that he needed to check his records and also his two brothers,” Watton’s report continued, noting the brothers are the only employees of the company. Watton indicated he would meet Fernandez the following day to review records.

The next day, Fernandez asserted to Watton that neither of his brothers had towed any vehicle to Rockford with a female passenger. Watton, along with the three Fernandez brothers, then took turns reviewing stacks of service receipts for all of 2001.

“There was no tow receipt located for a name of Ann Thompson,” Watton indicated. “Miguel stated that the only way that the receipt could not have been in the file is if it was lost. (It should be noted that there were other receipts for that date).”

According to Watton’s report, Fernandez then called Thompson while in his presence.

“Miguel, however, said that he was not going to issue a receipt based upon his current knowledge that the vehicle was actually towed,” Watton stated. “Miguel asked if she had turned the information in to her insurance company, and I informed him that I thought this was mentioned. Miguel said that if she had done this, then her insurance company would have a copy of the receipt available for her. Miguel said that if she insisted on the receipt, that he would request her insurance company’s information, so that he could make contact with them, to get a copy of the receipt faxed to him.”

According to district officials, no such record was ever provided by Thompson or the insurance company.

Watton’s report to Barber was dated Jan. 4, 2002. Thompson’s resignation was effective the same day.

Thompson-Kelly refused to comment regarding the incident unless The Rock River Times would divulge the source of the anonymous tip that led to the FOIA request.

Cash advance incident predates another controversy

Thompson-Kelly, still just Thompson at the time, also came under fire in 2006 after it was learned her janitorial company received $526,804 to act as an intermediary between Sjostrom & Sons and concrete supplier Meyer Material during construction of the Winnebago County Justice Center’s foundation.

By her own admission, Thompson’s Galaxy Commercial Cleaning only handled paperwork, and none of her employees touched a single bag of concrete mix. Citing privacy, she never disclosed a profit or loss related to the deal, and did not disclose the business relationship with the county, including cleaning services performed for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, in her statement of economic interest when running to win back her Seventh Ward seat on the Rockford City Council in 2005. Thompson argued she was only required to divulge relationships with the city, such as her company’s cleaning services for the Rockford Public Library, which was disclosed in her financial statement.

Sjostrom & Sons had been awarded $3.87 million as a general contractor for work on the new jail, but with urging from the county to subcontract 10 percent of the work to companies owned by minorities or females, suggesting Sjostrom bolstered its numbers by awarding the concrete deal to Thompson in December 2004. Her cleaning company was also reportedly considered by Sjostrom for cabinets, doors and other hardware.

Although no criminal wrongdoing was determined to have taken place, only “bad judgment,” County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen (R) referred to the incident as “tokenism.”

The ill-timed controversy emerged as Thompson was pushing fellow aldermen to commit to awarding 25 percent of the city’s procurement contracts to minority-owned businesses, and 5 percent to businesses owned by women. She later revised her proposal to 20 and 10 percent, respectively. The policy, however, was approved without specific percentage benchmarks for women and minorities. The policy’s lack of substance was widely attributed to the questionable example set at the county level, which compromised the credibility of such a diversity policy.

From the Aug. 18-24, 2010 issue

In February, when aldermen on the Rockford City Council’s Codes and Regulations Committee agreed to table a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal for anti-abortion activists to come within 8 feet of patients or employees within a 100-foot radius of a clinic entrance without consent, the possibility of revisiting the issue months later was left open.

The proposed “bubble zone” ordinance, championed by Ald. Karen Elyea (D-11) and drafted by city attorney Jennifer Cacciapaglia, was modeled after a similar measure approved by the Chicago City Council in October 2009. Because Chicago’s law now appears to be crumbling in the courts, Rockford leaders aren’t likely to discuss the ordinance again.

Aug. 13, the second case against a person charged with disorderly conduct under Chicago’s law was dismissed. David Avignone, a student at Chicago’s Loyola University, was arrested July 8 outside the city’s north side Planned Parenthood clinic. Avignone’s alleged crime, according to court documents, was “offering a pamphlet and verbal counsel.”

“We are pleased that, for the second time, the City of Chicago has dismissed the false charges of disorderly conduct against a man who was properly and legally exercising his First Amendment rights on the public way,” responded Peter Breen, executive director and legal counsel for the Thomas More Society. “We hope these two baseless cases involving alleged ‘Bubble Zone’ ‘infractions’ show the Chicago City Council why it should repeal this controversial ordinance altogether and cease efforts to scare pro-life people away from Planned Parenthood.”

Ten days earlier, the city dismissed similar charges against Northwestern University graduate student Joe Holland, who was arrested outside the same facility while praying the rosary.

“David and Joe, arrested within a week of one another, were arrested even though they were both standing still, which is perfectly legal under the ordinance,” Breen noted.

In Avignone’s case, Breen asserted the defendant never physically approached the woman, and that she spoke with Avignone for more than one minute, which Breen argued implied consent.

From the Aug. 18-24, 2010 issue

Long-held assumptions about the nature of Totalitarianism prevent Americans from combating the worldwide growth of this insidious ideology, or so says Michael Kleen, a local historian, folklorist and author, who will host a reading and discussion of his article “What is Totalitarianism?” at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Stockholm Inn in Rockford.

First published in November 2009 in two parts, “What is Totalitarianism?” challenges long-held beliefs about the nature of Totalitarianism (defined as “total state control”) and lays out the “what” and the “how”: what it is (a way of organizing society, not a type of government) and how it operates (by erasing the distinction between public and private). Finally, Kleen describes the reality of Totalitarianism in the world today, and how some individuals, sometimes unwittingly and with good intentions, promote Totalitarianism.

“Now more than ever, it is important for Americans to understand the reality of this ideology and how to combat it in a free and open society,” Kleen says.

Michael Kleen is the publisher of Black Oak Presents, a quarterly digital magazine of Middle American art and culture, and proprietor of Black Oak Media. He holds a master’s degree in American history from Eastern Illinois University, and his columns have been published in a variety of outlets, including local newspapers like The Rock River Times.

The dinner and discussion will be held in the Family Room at the Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. General admission is $5 pre-ordered or at the door. Door opens at 6 p.m.; discussion begins at 6:15. Dinner is not included with the cost of admission. For more information, or to order tickets, visit http://totalitariandiscussion.eventbrite.com or http://michaelkleen.com.

From the Aug. 18-24, 2010 issue

Savannah Marie Peters, 16, (left) is crowned the 2010 Miss Boone County by outgoing queen Kristina Duran at the Boone County Fair in Belvidere, Ill., Tuesday, Aug. 10. Peters will be a junior at Belvidere North High School this fall and intends to attend the University of Minnesota and major in nutrition and dietetics to become a licensed dietitian. She was sponsored by boonecountysports.com and her platform is “Raising Self-Esteem In Young Girls.” (Photo by Curtis Clegg)

From the Aug. 18-24, 2010, issue

Residents from the Rockford/Chicago communities have started to rally support to rebuild Haiti and restore hope. The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor will host their ninth annual fund-raising event, An Evening in the Tropics, Saturday, Aug. 21, at Giovanni’s restaurant. Proceeds will be used to complete the construction of a self-sustaining village in Chastenoye, Cap-Haitien, Haiti.

Delane Bailey-Herd, Food For The Poor’s Haiti project manager, recently returned from Haiti, and will travel to Rockford to speak at An Evening in the Tropics event. She told how she observed families with young children living in makeshift tents on the median of a busy highway.

National Public Radio (NPR) reported soon after that approximately 1,000 people are living in shacks made only of bed sheets, sticks and tarps in an 8-foot-wide stretch of median in the middle of a six-lane road that is one of Haiti’s busiest. They all lost their homes in the earthquake, according to the report.

The Hope Friendship Village in Chastenoye, Haiti, will provide a new community for those who have been displaced by the earthquake, as well as those who are living in the disease-ridden, swamp area of Prolongé. Proceeds will be used to complete the two-year project that includes the construction of 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, an artesian well, a community center, animal-rearing and agricultural projects, and two solar panel lights.

An Evening in the Tropics will include a steel drummer, reception, silent auction, and formal dinner with friends and members of the surrounding communities. Bidding on silent auction prizes such as exclusive art and collectibles from the Caribbean and Latin America, designer jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages offer opportunities for guests to shop and donate to the cause.

For additional information regarding the An Evening in the Tropics event, sponsorship levels, and tickets, available at $100 per person, call, 1-888-404-4248 or visit the website foodforthepoor.org/rockford.

Masters of ceremonies for the event are co-chairmen Tom Lorden, Pat Bachrodt and Peter Roche. Members of the Rockford-based Hope for Haitians Committee have traveled to Prolongé and met the people who live in thatched homes built on rotting trash in the muddy swamp. Children and their families here are forced to share meager meals and have no access to safe, clean drinking water.

Committee members included: Pat Bachrodt, The Rev. David Beauvais, William Clancy, Mike Delany, Brian and Missy Hand, Frank Haney, Msgr. Robert Hoffman, Danny Lorden, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Philip Nicolosi, Al and Terry Provenzano, Patti Rangel, Pete Roche, Jody Schumacher, and Jerry Weber.

An Evening in the Tropics sponsors included: AAA Quality Limousines, LTD; Lou Bachrodt Automotive Group; Barrick Switzer Long Balsley & Van Evera; William & Catherine Clancy; Crowe Horwath LLP; Mike & Colleen Delany; Tony & Jean Domino; Focus Financial Advisors; Giovanni’s Restaurant; Joseph Geraghty; Brian & Missy Hand; Joe Hansberry; Holy Family Church; Kelley Williamson Company; Thomas & Leslie Killoren; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Krogh; Lindgren, Callihan, Van Osdol & Co., Ltd; Our Lady of Good Counsel Church; Lorden Charitable Foundation; Robert & Mary Lou McLaughlin; Nicolosi & Associates, Inc.; Papa John’s Pizza; R.C. & Rhonda Pottinger; Risch Family Foundation; Riverside Community Bank; Peter & Sandy Roche Family; Savant Capital Management, Inc.; Smith-Gramley Ltd.; St. Edward Church; St. James Church; St. Katherine Drexel; St. Thomas the Apostle Church; SupplyCore Inc.; Warner Specialized Petroleum Services; Gerald & Patti Weber Jr.; and Williams-Manny Insurance.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, visit FoodForThePoor.org.

From the Aug. 18-24, 2010 issue

By Stuart R. Wahlin
Staff Writer

The price tag to remove the downtown Main Street pedestrian mall and restore two-way traffic goes well beyond the $1.9 million in sales tax proceeds many believed would be the extent of the project cost. That’s because three separate budgets are contributing to the project, and the $1.9 million only applies to physical construction. City officials say, however, the more than $3 million overall price to taxpayers is not out of line with original expectations.

By the end of 2008, design engineering and construction observation costs paid to Homer L. Chastain & Associates had reached nearly $350,000. The original downtown streetscape agreement with Chastain was for $151,876, but the increase was attributed to the discovery of more underground vaults than had been anticipated. City officials said they knew vaults were there, but that they wouldn’t know the extent of the challenge they’d pose until they were unearthed. In September 2009, aldermen approved another increase of $52,042, bringing Chastain’s contract to more than $400,000 for the project.

“The original agreement did not include inspection and design engineering for the numerous vaults, to replace the water main, and provide new service connection to buildings along the two blocks of Main Street from Elm to Mulberry,” a statement from the mayor’s office explained. “Typical for a project of this complexity, there have been several project issues once the subsurface environment was exposed. These issues have required additional redesign work and construction observation by Homer L. Chastain.”

As a rule of thumb, engineering fees are said to be 10 to 15 percent of a project’s cost. According to city officials, engineering and construction observation costs eventually reached approximately $449,000.

In June 2009, Rockford aldermen awarded a $1,897,815.75 contract to Stenstrom Excavation, despite a bid from Ringland-Johnson Construction that was about $17,000 lower. Aldermen followed a recommendation by city staff, which argued that Ringland-Johnson lacked experience installing brick pavers. Stenstrom, on the other hand, noted it would employ an experienced subcontractor for that portion of the job.

“Unforeseen” conditions related to work on vaults, utilities, irrigation, storm sewer, On the Waterfront preparations, pavers, a water main and specialty décor later led to an increase of $551,363.74 to the Stenstrom contract.

Additionally, a $38,133.26 change order from the Water Division added to what was originally anticipated to be approximately $291,000 from its budget, according to Patrick Zuroske, the city’s capital improvement program manager. Zuroske explained the department opted to replace a 100-year-old water main during construction, rather than down the road after the project was completed.

“When they got into the system, they realized they were dealing with pipe from 1908, 1911 and had some real issues, especially at Main and Mulberry, that had to be taken care of,” he said. “So, they budgeted dollars for these types of instances. They’re the ones who wanted to make the improvements, so they had the dollars set aside to do that.”

Another $85,081.96 was also approved on behalf of the Rock River Water Reclamation District, for which Zuroske said the city would be reimbursed by the tax-funded district.

According to Zuroske, $92,466 remains in the $2.65 million three-year budget supported by sales tax revenues, which he said will be used for additional lighting.

“We have 24 light units to purchase and install,” he indicated. “Each light unit averages between $6,000 and $8,000 to purchase and to install. So actually, we’re probably not going to be able to afford to do all of it at the same time. We’ll probably have to do it in phases.”

If Zuroske’s estimates for lighting are correct, the $92,466 won’t come close to covering the cost. On the low end, at $6,000 apiece, the 24 lighting units will cost $144,000 to purchase and install. On the high end, the cost would be $192,000. In the long run, he says, the endeavor would save the city money, however.

“We like to do it ourselves, simply because, frankly, if we went with the ComEd lighting, we pay forever for the rental of those units,” Zuroske explained. “So, we have learned that it’s much better to spend some dollars upfront to get lighting in that is our own, as opposed to allowing us to use some units that ComEd provides us.”

Public Works Director Tim Hanson indicated the additional lighting isn’t likely to be installed before next spring.

Aldermen ‘dumbfounded’

During the Aug. 8 Finance and Personnel Committee meeting, a number of aldermen appeared surprised the overall project cost would reach $3 million or more.

“It’s just somewhat amazing to me as the new kid on the block,” said Ald. Bill Robertson (I-14), “that a $2 million bid—and we go over by a million, but we’re OK.”

Zuroske countered by arguing the project had not gone over budget.

“If you look at the budgeted amount, which is what appears in the CIP [Capital Improvement Program] book, we had a budget of $2.65 million,” he asserted. “That’s sales tax money for sales tax-related items only—not water, not sanitary, or anything else. We have gone under that budget. We actually have not spent all of that money.”

Ald. Venita Hervey (D-5) seemed dissatisfied by the notion that vault-related difficulties had been unforeseen.

“I was just sort of leery that it was going to come in at $1.9 million, and I kept saying, ‘Are these guys considering that this is one of the oldest parts of the city, and as soon as they open it up, they’re going to find a rat’s nest?’” she said.

“We did anticipate that,” Zuroske responded. “We knew that that first phase was going to be $1.6, $1.7 million. This is sales tax money, again. Don’t confuse that with the $1.9, because you’re adding water on there. Well, if you look at our planning, we allocated, ourselves, about $200,000 for change orders based on these vaults, because we knew we were not going to be able to provide the full set of plans until we took the street off, and we took the top of these vaults off. It’s just impossible. Well, the dollars that we spent in this $551,000 change order is about $200,000 worth of additional vault work, which is what we had planned. So, our thought process was actually quite consistent to what we ended up spending.”

He added, “I’m happy to say that we were able to keep those dollars within what we had planned in the first place.”

But Ald. Pat Curran (R-2) also seemed shocked by the project total.

“The original contract is roughly for a million-nine,” he began. “There were some concerns whether we should spend that kind of money down there or not. When you total it up, we spent three-million-one, or three-million-two. That’s a 67 percent overrun.

“I’m just dumbfounded that we’re that far off,” Curran added. “I just don’t remember a $2,650,000 estimate for the cost of the project.”

Asked whether the city expected this cost all along, Zuroske responded: “I wouldn’t say that we expected all of it. I mean, certainly, there are aspects of this project that, once you start taking apart the oldest part of your city, and you begin to start looking at the subsurface environment, and you begin to discover some things that you had no idea were there—I mean, you ran into some old building foundations, some old steam lines, and there are no maps, or any other ability for us to know exactly where all of that is located. There were some areas that certainly, without question, surprised us. But, you know, in a project of this nature, this size and complexity, I don’t think we were so surprised that we felt like it was something out of the ordinary.

“We planned for a project that was complex and layered, and we set aside funds through the CIP process over three years to make the investment, because we felt like not any one given year should bear the brunt or entire financial burden of this project,” Zuroske continued. “So, we put aside money to do that. The ’08 money, for the most part, helped pay for the design of the project. We spent around $450,000 getting the project designed and having the construction observation done. So, if you realize that you’ve got about…I believe it was $449,000 that, right off the top of that $2.6 million. So, right off the bat, you’re at about $2.1 million for construction, and we have spent less than that.”

Ald. Carl Wasco (D-4) pointed to engineering fees as a big culprit behind the alleged overruns, but Zuroske maintained that is not the case.

“The engineering fees we had anticipated,” he asserted. “Typically, they are in, roughly, the 10 percent, the 15 percent range of the overall project. They’re a little higher here, because we knew going in that the level of construction observation was gonna be significantly more than what we had anticipated. As we went along…we had to do design on the run on a variety of things where we had vault work. We have a great building department that requires plans for those vaults, and requires us to get individual permits for some of the electrical work and the gas work and the plumbing work required once we have these vaults exposed. So, our original contracts with them were actually close to the 15-20 percent range of the construction cost, but we ended up paying a little bit more as we went along, because we had to do individual sets of plans and permit applications for all of the water, the electrical, the gas and physical, structural nature of the vaults themselves.

“On a project of this size and complexity, I think that, overall, we’ve performed pretty well,” Zuroske concluded. “Were there some surprises? Absolutely. I’m not sure some of those were avoidable. Certainly, there were some that I think, in the future, we need to do a better job of really rolling our shirtsleeves up and understanding the dynamic of that subsurface environment a little bit better. We learned a lot on this project about what we’re going to find when we start to dig up these streets of this age and vintage in the future. But overall, I think we’ve managed to stay within a reasonable project budget, and I think that’s really the goal of our capital construction projects once we get under way.”

Zuroske said the learning experience from the mall removal and street reopening will allow for more accurate financial planning with regard to other projects in older areas of the city, like South Main Street.

From the Aug. 11-17, 2010 issue

Members of the Rockford City Council Codes and Regulations Committee will soon weigh the merits of amending the city’s solicitation ordinance to take a tougher stance against prostitution. The measure, brought forth by Jennifer Cacciapaglia, a city attorney, would allow police to impound vehicles used during solicitation of a sexual act.

“My thought is to model it after the sound amplification ordinance,” Cacciapaglia indicated. “I am chair of a committee called RAASE (Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation), and that committee is pushing this ordinance. The idea is to utilize fees for intervention and rehab programs for victims of sexual exploitation.”

Recently, during undercover operations, police have shifted their focus from arresting prostitutes to charging those who patronize them. Additionally, news organizations have been encouraged to publicize the names and photographs of those arrested.

The proposed amendment will come before the Codes and Regulations Committee for consideration Aug. 16.

From the Aug. 11-17, 2010 issue

In an 11-2 vote Aug. 2, Rockford aldermen ratified a notice of trespass issued to frequent public speaker Jim Buckingham at the request of Mayor Larry Morrissey (I), who said he felt Buckingham physically threatened him during comments to council members July 12. (See “Silenced—public speaker barred from City Hall” in the July 21-27 issue).

During his July 12 remarks, Morrissey has noted, Buckingham referred to his military training and oath to defend against foreign and domestic enemies, while also asserting the mayor had been placed on his “domestic enemies list.” Buckingham denies that his words were intended to be a threat, but he was served a notice of trespass July 19, indicating he could be charged with a misdemeanor if he sets foot on City Hall property during a one-year period from the date of his comments.

While talking with WNTA’s Ken Decoster after the incident, Buckingham’s interview quickly came to an end after Decoster asked him to clarify the term “domestic enemies list.” Reportedly, Buckingham was promptly removed from the air when he tried to respond, “What do you want me to call it, a s–t list?”

Although Morrissey said the notice was already legally enforceable on its own, he and Legal Director Patrick Hayes indicated ratification by aldermen would strengthen the banishment. Some aldermen, however, were not ready to support the measure July 19, and the matter was referred to committee, only to return to the council floor Aug. 2.

Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13), for one, did not interpret any of Buckingham’s statements to have been said in a threatening manner, however. Instead, she alleged the notice of trespass was nothing more than retribution for Buckingham’s critiques of the mayor.

“I don’t think that’s what we’re here for,” McNeely told Morrissey. “I don’t think we’re supposed to use [our elected offices] for our anger. I think we’re supposed to use it for the good of this city, for the good of the residents of this city. And at no point did I think Mr. Buckingham was going to do anything to you.”

McNeely also noted that the state’s attorney’s office did not believe criminal charges were warranted under a state law related to threats against public officials, which Morrissey had cited previously.

But McNeely, who is often at odds with the mayor, was not alone in opposing the notice of trespass. Although she acknowledged having felt “a little bit nervous” during Buckingham’s comments, Ald. Karen Elyea (D-11) said she reviewed a written transcript of the remarks and decided there was no threat made, especially after the state’s attorney determined there was no criminal misconduct.

“I, as a council member, am not comfortable abridging his First Amendment freedom of speech here with this,” she said.

Ald. Ann Thompson-Kelly (D-7) disagreed, adding she felt Buckingham’s comment was a threat.

“If any constituents come and take that type of manner with me, the only thing I’m gonna be asking is, ‘Officer, why don’t you have him in cuffs, out of here?’” she responded. “This is not something that should be tolerated by anyone in a public forum. We’re here to serve our community, and to listen to our constituents. That doesn’t mean we should be abused. I feel he did abuse by his manner, his tone, his gesture.”

Ald. Venita Hervey (D-5) noted that times have changed in the age of terror, adding that such comments simply cannot be brushed off.

“People try to make their comments as veiled as they possibly can,” she said. “That tells you that a person is trying to go as far up to the line as they can without going over.”

Hervey indicated she believes Buckingham did cross the line, adding: “Twenty-five years ago, I would have said, ‘Nah, that’s a little thin-skinned.’ That was before we had people killing federal judges. It’s before we had people placing bombs in federal government buildings, and killing children in daycares and innocent people who were working, because they have some perceived grievance against the government.”

In the end, only McNeely and Elyea voted against supporting the notice of trespass.

Buckingham, who has since taken his message to the sidewalks outside of City Hall during council meetings, said he was not surprised by the vote.

“It’s not over with yet,” he asserted, hoisting an American flag in the air as he demonstrated outside the city’s capitol building. “After what I’ve seen in there, it doesn’t even faze me.”

Buckingham reported a legal fund has been established in his name through Chase Bank, and that he plans to challenge the action taken against him.

Committee reports

→ Awarding a $222,857.94 bid to Norwest Construction, of South Beloit, for reconstruction of Chicago Avenue.

→ Awarding an $82,112 bid to Stenstrom Excavation for reconstruction of an alley between East State and Walnut streets.

Appointment

Dan Ross was appointed to a three-year term, expiring July 2013, on the Library Board.

Public comments

Rockford Tea Party Coordinator David Hale urged aldermen to adopt a non-binding resolution demanding that the federal government cut taxes and spending by downsizing to only provide the essential services it is required to. He argued government is not intended to be a philanthropic organization.

Neighborhood Network Executive Director Cyndie Hall urged the community to take part in the Community Garden Veggie Tour being held at 16 sites throughout the area Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Sharon Wegler, a site coordinator for the Ellis Heights Weed & Seed program, urged donations and participation in the Tools for Schools Pencils in the Park event Aug. 14, from noon until 4 p.m. at Fairgrounds Park, to provide school supplies for needy children.

Community activist Prophet Yusef argued that innovation is the best way for the country to create sustainable jobs. He also suggested tax breaks for companies involved in research and development. “Without innovation, there is no economic recovery in sight,” he added.

Proclamations

Aug. 3 was proclaimed National Night Out. Aug. 14 was proclaimed Tools for Schools Pencils in the Park Day.

Absence

Ald. Frank Beach (R-10) was absent.

From the Aug. 4-10, 2010 issue

Photo by Curtis Clegg

United States Army Rangers from the 3rd Ranger Batallion, 75th Ranger Regiment, carry the coffin of fellow Ranger Sgt. Anibal Santiago of Belvidere, Ill., to a military honor commital service at Harvest Bible Church in Elgin, Ill., Wednesday, July 28. Santiago was killed in Afghanistan from injuries sustained in a combat operation Sunday, July 18.

Photo by Frank Schier

This saturday, Aug. 7, will be the last day Parthenios Luncheonette, 132 N. Church St., will be open, said John Parthenios. John and his brother Jim have operated the restaurant since 1968. When asked why he was closing, John said: “Because enough is enough. How long am I supposed to go? I’m 73 years old!” Jim has been in St. Anthony’s Hospital for three months with a variety of health problems. The Parthenois brothers began their restaurant careers in Beloit in 1962 with the State Café, Coney Island and Park Avenue Doughnut Shop. They also owned the Redwood Restaurant at 307 S. Main St. (now Sammy’s) from 1968 to 1995. They owned Johnson’s Restaurant, 312 W. State St., from 1969 to 1973. John said the Church Street business is for sale: “If they have brains, they can come here and make money. It is an excellent location. Call (815) 229-1984 if you are interested.”

Two fire stations on the chopping block remain open for the time being, and four firefighters remain on every engine, but Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) says that’s little solace for city leaders who are trying to close a projected budget deficit ranging from $5.2 million to $8.7 million for next year.

In an effort to save $500,000 this year, plus $1 million each year thereafter, the mayor had planned to close Station 8, 505 Sherman St. Additionally, Morrissey is poised to shutter Station 3, 1520 S. Main St., at the start of 2011 as part of $1,837,600 in cuts he’s demanding of the Fire Department.

The closures, he says, are the only option to make those savings, unless the firefighters’ union is willing to reduce manning to three on each truck, instead of keeping the fourth that was added in the late 1990s.

Because the fourth firefighter and a minimum daily staffing of 64 are part of the collective bargaining agreement through 2011, the station closures are Morrissey’s way of trying to get around the contract, or to force concessions by the union.

The mayor has accused firefighters of not bearing their fair share of the burden imposed on other city departments, but union leadership disagrees, arguing its sacrifices have saved the city nearly $5 million the last couple years.

The union, which is strongly resisting the closures and additional concessions, was able to obtain a court order July 13 to prevent the city from closing Station 8. The temporary restraining order will keep the station open until at least August while arbitration is scheduled to settle the matter.

“We’re doing everything we can now to expedite that process,” Morrissey said. “In the meantime—and I think, simply, facing the prospect that an arbitrator could rule for or against us in that particular setting—we, as a council joining our community members, have to continue this very difficult task of asking, ‘If not in these particular cuts in the Fire Department, where else can we look to make cuts?’”

During the July 12 Rockford City Council meeting, Ald. Frank Beach (R-10) offered a suggestion. He proposed that all city employees, including the mayor’s office and aldermen, voluntarily take a 5 percent reduction in pay.

“When you shake it out, as far as the adjustment of your taxes…there’s very little impact on the actual take-home pay. That would bring in over $5.3 million,” Beach indicated. “No jobs would be lost. You could, perhaps, say no fire stations close…if that could be done. But that would have to be a willingness on every single employee to do it.”

Meantime, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 413 President E.J. Dilonardo said aldermen can exclude the union from that plan, arguing firefighters have already bitten the bullet.

“I feel bad that the firefighters, before anyone asked us to, took what equates to approximately a 10 percent pay cut in 2009 and 2010,” he posted on the union’s website, referring to wage freezes and furlough days. “Had we waited longer and not been proactive in late 2008, we could have given the alderman what he is asking for, and would have taken half as big of a loss of pay.”

After a review of Beach’s proposal by the legal and finance departments, Morrissey reported the 5 percent cut isn’t nearly enough to stave off budget woes for 2011.

“One of the suggestions that Ald. Beach had made, which I think is a very worthwhile analysis and discussion, had to do with, what are the opportunities for looking at an across-the-board cut?” the mayor responded. “Even though it might seem difficult, if we had cooperation from our various bargaining units, what would it take to try to prevent the types of cuts that we would otherwise be looking at?”

According to Morrissey, across-the-board pay cuts would have to be nearly double the percentage Beach proposed to meet the minimum projected shortfall of $5 million.

“The 5 percent, from our Legal Department analysis and our Finance Department’s analysis—even that wouldn’t be enough, because of some of the particularities of our budget,” Morrissey explained. “You know, the general fund is, give or take, let’s say $100 million, but the percentage of the budget in the general fund dealing with the personnel that you’d have to cut from is not $100 million, so you’d actually…it’d be over 9 percent that we’d have to look at for every person covered by that general fund to make a cut in order to reach the types of numbers that we’re dealing with on the low side, $5 million.

“That being said, I still think it’s a very good exercise to go through, and to have those types of discussions as we look at options moving forward,” the mayor added. “The short and simple mathematics that we have to face is that our revenue is down. …The types of revenue numbers we’re seeing now we haven’t seen for probably close to a decade, if not even longer. …Our expenses have gone up during that time, so we’re in this tough position of cutting staff, but seeing personnel costs go up.”

In a memorandum to aldermen, Hayes stated, “Budget estimates for 2011 predict a $5.2 million shortfall in the city’s general fund, which would perhaps rise to over $8 million if the local distributive share of income tax is reduced by the state as suggested in the original budget proposals.”

He added: “A 5 percent reduction in wages across all city departments would produce $2.7 million savings in the general fund. It would take a 9.25 percent reduction in order to save $5 million in the general fund, and 15 percent in order to save $8 million.”

The heart of the matter

The mayor reasserted a need for pension reform, which he’s stated to be his No. 1 legislative priority in Springfield this year.

“We’re looking directly for some relief to come on the pension side in the fall veto session,” he indicated. “I think it’s easy to get lost in all the discussion statewide about the state’s problems, and the state can look to the fact that they did pass pension reform for a lot of state employees. The reform hasn’t occurred yet for local police and fire pensions, which is where the biggest challenge is?

Morrissey indicated approximately $3.5 million of next year’s projected deficit is directly attributable to fire and police pensions.

“So again, even though we may be cutting staff, those costs for every retiree, even if the employees today took a pay freeze or a pay cut—existing employees, if they did that—all of our retirees get a pay increase every year,” he noted. “We can’t do a thing about it. It’s controlled by the state legislature. And even if they pass the type of pension reform they’re talking about, it wouldn’t impact existing employees. It wouldn’t impact existing retirees. So, we will continue to pay 3 percent increases every year. We now have more retired firefighters, in fact, than we have active firefighters. This is the type of dilemma we face.”

According to city leaders, the general fund deficit in 2011 could exceed $8 million, depending on what action state lawmakers take.

“The state has essentially only dealt with about a half-year’s budget, and their budget is on a different schedule than ours,” Morrissey said. “So, depending on what they do in November, that’s why we’re leaving open the upper end. You know, it’s probably gonna be at least $5 [million] at this point. It could be higher, closer to $8 [million], so a 9 percent cut from every single employee covered in the general fund would be enough to cover, let’s say, that $5 million side, but not enough to cover the upside.”

More immediate concerns

“Other things can happen between now and the new year,” Morrissey acknowledged. “One of the things that has to happen is our immediate focus on 2010’s budget, because the numbers that we received in June, coming off of May revenue figures, were worse than we expected, by a pretty significant margin. Therefore, we’re planning for additional cuts that have to be made right away to deal with the shortfalls coming in 2010. Therein lies the challenge and the problem of the judge’s decision…on closing fire stations. …If not those cuts, what else is there?

“I’d love to be able to say that we could just take closing fire stations off the table, and we’d be left with some other real easy option,” he added. “Well, when you look at the types of dollars we’re talking about, the types of work that we do on a day-to-day basis, it is public safety that is our first and foremost budget concern, and our first and foremost concern for the community. And when you look at it, if fire personnel is off the table, what’s left? The biggest areas, by far, are police and public works. And so, if we save a firefighter, we’ll have to lose a working police officer. What’s going to be more important than folks dealing with the crime, the public safety and the shootings in their neighborhoods?

“Frankly, I’ve been very direct about it: We have more room to make cuts in fire on a manning side, but we don’t have the control locally to make that decision,” the mayor lamented. “Unfortunately, our state has given more power to a judge and more power to an arbitrator, and to the fire union, to control how we allocate our resources, as opposed to the duly-elected public representatives that come here every week and look at these challenges. We are now suffering from the fact that our tools are extremely limited in what we can do.”

Even absent a budget crisis, Morrissey has vowed persistence in reducing the minimum manning per truck from four to three firefighters, arguing only 30 percent of communities opt for the extra body.

Meantime, if an arbitrator does not rule in the city’s favor, other options to offset the budget gap include raising taxes, diverting Motor Fuel Tax funds from road projects, and, of course, layoffs.

From the July 28-Aug 3, 2010 issue

Rockford aldermen unanimously confirmed the sale and authorized the issuance of $3.4 million in general obligations bonds during the July 26 meeting. The bonds are to defray the cost of the city’s ongoing $75 million water system rehabilitation project. According to city Finance Director Andres Sammul, the bond issuance marks the final financing installment required for the upgrades.

The city’s bond counsel, Kevin McKenna, of Spear Financial, reported the morning’s Internet bond sale had yielded five bids, the lowest of which was by Nashville, Tenn.-based Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc., with offices in Chicago, for an interest rate of 3.6691 percent. The highest bid received offered a rate of 4.5873 percent.

“It was very strong bidding,” McKenna indicated. “I think the rate was very good. For whatever reason, we timed it very well. There was a housing report this morning that indicated that things are looking up in terms of resale of houses, and the market was very strong this morning.”

Sammul noted Moody’s Investors’ Service downgraded the city’s bond rating from Aa2 to Aa3.

Banned speaker says he’s not going away

Jim Buckingham, a frequent public speaker at council meetings who was banned for one year by Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) a week prior, carried an American flag as he paced the sidewalk outside of City Hall in protest. Morrissey said he felt physically threatened by remarks Buckingham made during the July 12 meeting. (See “Silenced—public speaker barred from City Hall” in the July 21-27 issue.)

In particular, Morrissey took exception to Buckingham’s comment that the mayor had been placed on his “domestic enemies list.”

Referring to the oath he swore when he joined the Army in 1980, Buckingham argued, “He’s not doing things in our best interest,” specifically with regard to the mayor’s proposed cuts in public safety.

Buckingham said he will continue to demonstrate outside of City Hall during council meetings, and that he’s considering legal options to challenge the mayor’s action against him.

Per the notice of trespass that Buckingham was issued by city Legal Director Patrick Hayes July 19, Buckingham could be charged with a misdemeanor for setting foot on City Hall property, despite the fact State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato (D) determined no criminal charges were warranted after Buckingham’s July 12 comments.

Ordinances

→ Authorizing the sale of a city-owned vacant lot at 617 Fisher Ave. for a minimum bid of $550. Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13), who has indicated the starting bid is too low, voted “no.”

→ Approving the Human Services Department’s lease of office space in the county-owned City Plaza at 555 N. Court St.

Committee reports

→ Awarding an $18,341.94 bid to Freeport Metal Specialties for repair of a street-patching truck.

→ Awarding a $169,976.91 to Northern Illinois Service Co. for drainage improvements in the Sixth Ward.

→ Awarding a $266,072 bid to Norwest Construction, of South Beloit, for various street repairs.

→ Amending a professional services contract for environmental site assessment with Fehr-Graham & Associates to include up to $75,000 in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant funds.

→ Amending a professional services contract with Tetra Tech EM, Inc., based in Pasadena, Calif., to include up to $75,000 in U.S. EPA grant funds for site assessment in the West State Street corridor.

Public comments

Prophet Yusef offered a number of suggestions for bringing manufacturing back to Rockford, including lower taxes, energy, workers’ compensation, liability and health insurance and costs, as well as looser regulations and more aggressive incentives.

Proclamations

The week of July 26 was proclaimed Rockford Airfest 2010 Week and ArtsPlace Emerging Artist Week.

Absences

Aldermen Frank Beach (R-10) and John Beck (R-12) were absent.

From the July 28-Aug 3, 2010 issue

Phase I of the Keith Creek demolition project began Monday, July 26, with the first demolition taking place at 1662 Seventh Ave.

The objective of the project is to remove flood-prone structures from the flood plain, permanently mitigate future flood risk for these homes, and complete a priority-one action item identified for the City of Rockford within the Winnebago Countywide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

To date, of the 34 homes targeted for this project, 12 have filed flood claims totaling more than $680,000 in damages. This proposed project is part of a comprehensive city-led effort to mitigate the risk of flooding and enhance the quality of life in this neighborhood. The City of Rockford has been working closely with affected homeowners, initiating and incorporating public input, and continuing partnerships with experienced contractors, consultants, and local and state officials.

The city will utilize an experienced in-house project manager to facilitate the project and manage costs and project schedule. A lead and asbestos inspection and abatement company will be used to assess and abate (if present) each property. Northern Illinois Service will be demolishing the homes during this phase of the work. Once demolition has been performed, the land will be maintained by the city as open green space and prevented from future residential or commercial development.

The City of Rockford worked closely with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity throughout the project to ensure all other existing regulations and requirements are fulfilled.

About the Phase I Keith

Creek demolition project

The objective of the project is for the demolition of flood-prone structures from the Keith Creek flood plain, permanently mitigate flood risk for these structures, and complete a priority-one action item identified for the City of Rockford within the Winnebago Countywide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The project consists of the demolition of 33 residential structures and one commercial structure for a total of 34 structures.

Based on an evaluation of the bids received, Rockford City Council awarded a contract to Northern Illinois Service in the amount of $390,593 for this demolition work. The final contract amount will be based on final quantities measured in the field at completion of construction.

The demo contract will be funded by a CDAP Disaster Relief grant that has been awarded to the City of Rockford by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Once demolition has been performed, the property will be maintained by the City as open green space, and future development will not be allowed.

From the July 28-Aug 3, 2010 issue

During the July 19 Rockford City Council meeting, one familiar face was absent—by order of Mayor Larry Morrissey (I).

Jim Buckingham, 48, is a retired professional soccer player and proud Army veteran—with a son now serving in Afghanistan—who often addresses members of the council regarding city business, particularly in support of police and fire personnel after being rescued from a fire in January 2009.

But after delivering sharp criticisms of the mayor during the July 12 meeting, Buckingham has found himself barred from City Hall for one year, allegedly because the mayor felt threatened by what Buckingham had to say

The following is a transcript of Buckingham’s July 12 remarks in their entirety:

“Fasten your seatbelts, folks. As a young boy, I was constantly being told I was slow, dumb and stupid—that I wouldn’t ever become much. Unfortunately, this is far too often the case for people growing up with ADD. After many years of studies, the facts are quite clear: ADD recipients are considerably more intelligent and observant than the average bear. I have often mentioned that I have this gift, or, to some, a curse, to [those] who are unable to embrace it. I have, for much longer than 16 months of my involvement with the city proceedings, been quite clear, honest, sincere and transparent about who I am and my position in the community I reside. Some might even say, perhaps, to a fault, but I know who I am, and believe my position is abundantly clear. I am a fierce warrior and defender of this great nation’s way of life. I am also the voice of the powerful silent majority—a sleeping giant, if you will. I loathe liars, deception, greed and smokescreens, unless, of course, I’m on the battlefield, as these are tools that are common, encouraged and perfected. I was taught—and by the very best, I might add—about war tactics and the identifying of the different types of smokescreens, and how to use them to my advantage. With that said, I will tell you my favorite quote is this: ‘Your actions speak so loud I can’t hear what you’re saying.’ So, here are just a few observations I have noted in your mayor’s big top. On several occasions, I have witnessed this mayor use what I would call strong-arm tactics in dealing with some of our aldermen. I consistently hear the word ‘transparency’ from this mayor, but I also noticed that he manipulates and controls it as he sees fit. Oh, yes, the mayor’s been a bad boy with the city funds. From the dollar figures I hear of, eye contact, facial expressions, body language and dancing being done in here, I’m shocked there aren’t more skirts being worn in here. Nevertheless, I am thoroughly convinced there’s plenty of money to protect the citizens of Rockford with the safety they are comfortable with, and not what this mayor is comfortable with. I’ve been witness to this mayor’s shell game for some time now. I’m just not sure what shell, if any, the money is hidden. I would be amazed if this mayor had less than $12-$15 million socked away for what he alone considers a rainy day. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. These dollars are not for the mayor to treat as his own personal piggy bank. On a number of occasions, I warned the mayor not to mess with our personal safety. He often makes the police and fire chiefs face and dance to his music to appear as they embrace his irresponsible views. I’m sorry for the way he has misused you folks, but I do commend you both for being professionals with your attitudes. In 1980, I took an oath to protect this land from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Larry Morrissey, I told you before I don’t like soggy Cheerios, and you are hereby given notice that you are on my domestic enemy list. This is not the last you will hear or see of me, especially if you intend to run again. And now, I must wash my hands of you. That, my fellow citizens, is how you deal with bullies.”

No criminal charges warranted, city lawyers embrace trespassing law

The Rock River Times received a tip July 18 that the mayor had sought criminal charges against Buckingham for his comments. State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato (D) confirmed he’d been contacted by Hayes July 13. Hayes asked Bruscato to review a tape of Buckingham’s statement. After having reviewed Buckingham’s remarks, he said, the comments did not warrant criminal charges, however.

Instead, Buckingham was told by city officials he was barred from attending council meetings.

Reached by phone the afternoon of July 19 to comment regarding the situation, Legal Director Patrick Hayes responded: “I’m gonna have to figure out what we might be saying publicly about that. I can talk to you tonight about it.”

In the moments before the council meeting began, this reporter witnessed Rockford Police Sgt. Doug Pann deliver Hayes proof of service that Buckingham had received a “Notice of Trespass.”

“Served,” Pann told Hayes, who then thanked the sergeant.

The notice from Hayes informed Buckingham, “Based on your threatening comments directed toward Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey on July 12, 2010, wherein you declared the Mayor to be on your ‘domestic enemy list,’ you are hereby notified that you are forbidden from entering City Hall…on or before July 11, 2011.”

Hayes added that any violation could result in a Class B misdemeanor for criminal trespass under state law. While barred from the property during the coming year, Buckingham was advised to contact Hayes regarding any city business that would require him to visit City Hall.

Mayor felt threatened

During the meeting that night, with full knowledge this press organization planned to run the story, the issue was instead made public by the mayor.

“It’s not a friendly environment, oftentimes, when you’re talking about cutting staff, when you’re talking about cutting service levels. And that’s why…I think it’s absolutely vital that we set the bar, set the standard, for how to engage in public discourse on these issues,” Morrissey told council members. “What I saw demonstrated here, however, last week from one of our public speakers crossed the line and is not protected public free speech. Mr. Buckingham, who addressed the council, who was threatening to me and to my family—I’ll tell you how difficult it is to have a conversation with your wife and your children, discussing what they should do should they see someone approaching them who doesn’t look like they have well intentions.

“I don’t know exactly what Mr. Buckingham was getting at when he identified me as being on his list of domestic enemies, but when someone who is retired military, trained in the business of killing people, comes into this chamber and threatens to put me, or has already put me, on this domestic enemies list, I take that as a very serious charge intended, at a minimum, to chill public discourse and the public’s business,” he added. “I’m not gonna sit here and let this chamber be defiled by that type of conduct.”

But Morrissey did sit and let it happen for the nearly 4-minute duration of Buckingham’s comments the week prior, even saying “Thank you” to the speaker at the conclusion of his statement. Public participants are asked to keep their comments to 3 minutes or less, but at no time did the mayor interrupt Buckingham to advise that his remarks were out of line, or that he’d exceeded the allotted time.

Buckingham snubbed by mayor’s office the week before?

Asked by this publication whether the ban was solely the result of Buckingham’s comments the week prior, or if there was more to the story, Morrissey explained that Buckingham had visited the mayor’s office prior to the July 12 episode, and that he’d allegedly threatened to go to Morrissey’s home. The mayor noted his wife is pregnant with another child due in November.

“I did feel threatened for my physical safety. I was looking over my shoulder, calling my wife, telling her to be careful,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going through his mind. All I could tell you is the words that he spoke, putting me on his domestic enemies list, referencing multiple times, like he always does, his military career and his oath that he swore to protect the country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And I’m a domestic enemy? In the age that we live in, I don’t think it’s any stretch at all to wonder: ‘What is this guy saying about me? Did he just threaten me?’ I think he did.”

Buckingham, however, said his visit to the eighth floor of City Hall was because the mayor had not responded to his request to meet with him to discuss public safety issues. He reported that staff simply told him the mayor was out of the office, but that he would be given the message. Buckingham reported he never heard back from the mayor, adding that he never said he was going to the mayor’s house.

Morrissey’s version is that, “When he was told that I was unavailable, and I wasn’t in the office at the time, he became very irate and threatened to come to my home that night.”

The mayor indicated he met with committee chairmen just before the council meeting to advance a resolution ratifying the mayor’s action of having barred Buckingham for one year. Meantime, council members will review the future of public comments during meetings.

“There is a state law (see breakout box regarding state law) that directly is on point that deals with threats against public officials,” Morrissey explained. “And the standard is, what would a reasonable person believe was the impact of the comment? And in my opinion, there’s no doubt in my mind that the comments last week from Mr. Buckingham were intended to be a threat.”

Meantime, Ald. Nancy Johnson (D-8) had introduced a measure June 21 that would limit public speakers from addressing the council more than five times per year. Johnson said July 19 she wanted to allow a “cool-down period” for her proposal until after Labor Day, but that is no longer the plan. Instead of voting immediately on Morrissey’s resolution regarding Buckingham, the Codes and Regulations Committee will now look at both measures to decide how public comments will be conducted from now on.

Morrissey indicated, “Mr. Hayes and our legal department will look at that and make sure we’re reflecting in our own local rules what the state law embodies in terms of protecting public discourse and protecting public officials, elected officials, from having to be afraid for their safety.”

The barring of Buckingham is not a first, noted Johnson, who said a constituent had been banned under the administration of former Mayor Charles Box (D) after allegedly bringing a baseball bat into the Public Works Department.

Even without ratification by aldermen, Morrissey told The Rock River Times, the notice of trespass is still enforceable, but that council support of the ban would be “helpful.” According to Hayes, the council’s Rule 23 gives the mayor authority to bar individuals from the building for alleged disruptive conduct.

“When I was questioned on the enforceability of such a ban, I suggested the resolution procedure,” Hayes indicated, leaving one to wonder whether Buckingham could challenge the mayor’s edict sans aldermanic support. When Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13) questioned the mayor as to why ratification by aldermen was necessary, he told her it would be appropriate to discuss that issue in committee.

“If he wants to challenge it, he could challenge the ruling, but I think we’re in very good standing, given the record that was created,” Morrissey said after the meeting.

McNeely, however, did not construe Buckingham’s comments to be threatening toward anyone. She asserted she would not support barring the frequent public speaker from airing grievances, concerns or opinions at City Hall.

“I’ve been here for several Mondays when Mr. Buckingham has provided us with his perspective of whatever issue,” McNeely said. “I, personally, did not feel that what he said last Monday was so threatening that we, as a council, should be addressing it and should be denying him the opportunity to come to this public place—which he pays tax dollars for—to address us, or even just to sit in and listen to us.”

She told the mayor, “I realize that, as a public servant, people are going to say things to you that you may not like, that may make you feel somewhat uncomfortable, but I don’t believe Mr. Buckingham has any intention of hurting you or your family.”

Following the meeting, Buckingham could be seen outside his apartment building just beyond City Hall property, with several police officers stationed in the parking lot, apparently poised to arrest him if he trespassed. After The Rock River Times approached Buckingham for an interview, the officers soon dispersed.

He said he first learned of the issue a day after making his comments. Buckingham indicated when he returned home July 13, he found a card had been left by a Rockford police detective. Upon calling the detective, Buckingham said he was advised, “You scared the hell out of the mayor.”

Although a tape of Buckingham’s July 12 remarks was the focus of review by police and the state’s attorney’s office, he said, “If the detectives and that would have saw all 10 of my [public addresses to the council] that I’ve done over here, they would have seen that it was quite literally in line with all the others.”

Buckingham called the suggestion of harming the mayor “ridiculous.”

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s a domestic enemy,” he acknowledged. “I don’t think I need to kill my enemies. Like I told him, I said I wash my hands of him. I want nothing to do with him.”

Responding to the fact Bruscato would not levy charges against him, but that he was barred anyway, Buckingham noted: “I either did something wrong over there, or I didn’t. And if I did, I should be in the jailhouse right now, instead of them trying to hee-haw and trying to run me off. So, obviously, I think it’s quite clear that I’ve become too big of a pain in his a–, and he thinks this is gonna help him control me and keep me at a distance, where it’s just gonna make it worse for him, because I have this whole town, except for inside that building…to let people know what a schmuck he is. And I’ve got nothing better to do than to do that.”

Asked what he planned to say to the council when the ban lifts in a year, Buckingham answered: “The same things. I’m not gonna change for him. If he thinks that’s the deal, then he hasn’t been listening to a word I’ve said over the last 16 months.

“So, I don’t know who’s stupider, him or me,” he joked.

Meantime, Buckingham said he’s planning to picket on the sidewalk outside of City Hall before the July 26 council meeting.

From the July 21-27, 2010 issue

Resolutions

→ Appointing Kim Ryan as the city’s authorized Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund agent.

→ Amending the city’s personnel policy to include information regarding military leaves of absence.

Committee report

→ Approving a $40,000 task order for Strand Associates, Inc., to perform filter-breakthrough testing as part of ongoing water system upgrades.

Public comments

Prophet Yusef applauded the leadership of the Rockford Mass Transit District in promoting public transportation. Yusef suggested expanding to 24-hour service.

Bruce Roberts asked aldermen to inform the public regarding possible service cutbacks that would result from reductions to the city’s public safety workforce.

Jackie Pryor explained the difficulties she and her children face after she was seriously injured in a car accident, resulting in medical bills of more than $100,000 that caused her to lose her home. She was asked to speak with the Human Services Department.

In anticipation of a vote expected that night whether to grant a $75,000 funding request to the organization, Ron Clewer argued the value of The Element, which aims to turn downtown into a cultural district. After a motion by Ald. Karen Elyea (D-11), the matter was referred back to committee for further review. Although she said she supports the measure, the $75,000 for the downtown-based group would come from the Seventh Street Tax Increment Financing District in her ward.

Absence

Ald. Lenny Jacobson (D-6) was absent.

From the July 21-27, 2010 issue

July 13, 17th Circuit Judge Edward Prochaska granted a temporary restraining order blocking City of Rockford officials from closing a neighborhood fire station at Auburn and Sherman streets, at least until August. Meantime, the union wants an arbitrator to rule on the city’s proposal to close two stations by Jan. 1, 2011.

The decision came as the ongoing tension between Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 413 has hit its highest point since the mayor’s re-election campaign last year. But the argument hasn’t changed.

The Morrissey administration maintains that if the union isn’t willing to concede on the issue of one less firefighter on each truck, then the only opportunity to realize staff savings in the department without union consent is by eliminating two fire companies.

Per the collective bargaining agreement now in effect, the union requires four firefighters per engine and at least 64 on duty each day through 2011. If the union is unwilling to take Morrissey’s bait, however, closure of the stations may be the only option the city has to cut fire personnel in spite of the contract, which is why the union would rather put the matter in the hands of an arbitrator.

Although Station 8, 505 Sherman St., was originally to close July 1 to save $500,000 this year, public outcry against the closure caused the mayor to delay the shutdown for two weeks during the June 28 council meeting. The following day, IAFF 413 and station neighbors filed for a temporary restraining order to enjoin the city, mayor and Fire Chief Derek Bergsten from closing the station. According to IAFF 413 President E.J. Dilonardo, “The firefighters asked the court to rule to keep the station open while we ask an arbitrator to rule on the city action of permanently closing stations.”

Dilonardo suggested, however, that the city is resisting arbitration.

During a June 17 meeting with the city, Dilonardo reported, IAFF’s attorney suggested that, based on unyielding disagreement among the parties, the matter should go directly to arbitration to decide whether Station 8 and Station 3, 1520 S. Main St., slated for closure Jan. 1, 2011, should remain open. City Legal Director Patrick Hayes refused, according to Dilonardo.

Hayes, however, told The Rock River Times the city has not resisted arbitration.

“In fact, the union has delayed the arbitration by waiting until the last date possible under our contract grievance process to agree to meet to discuss the grievance, the last day possible to file the written final position of the union, and the last date possible to file the intent to arbitrate,” Hayes responded. “All together, this has delayed the arbitration by nearly a month. We have invited the union to select arbitrators and are awaiting their reply. The city believes the contract provides that it may reduce stations and thereby reduce daily manning and lay off firefighters due to budget issues.”

Meantime, the union clearly views arbitration as its best chance to resolve the issue in its favor.

“The city has taught us over the last five years that if we do not agree to every demand, we will need to look to the arbitration process, and thus we have,” Dilonardo noted. “We even had to force the city to take our offer of wage freezes for 2009 and 2010 in the arbitration process that yielded, by some accounts, up to $5.3 million in savings and an additional $250,000 per year, every year, into the future.”

Had no injunction been ordered, Hayes and Morrissey asserted they would have proceeded with the closure in short order.

The night before the ruling, Morrissey said: “My hand and interest is still out there to the fire union to try to see if we can work out some accommodation through the manning reduction that we’ve discussed. If not, then we will take the action that we discussed two weeks ago on the closure of the first fire station. That’s not something that I want to do. It’s something that we will be forced to do if we don’t have an option. And the options right now are, as we’ve discussed, in the hands of the union.”

Since the 1990s, the city has grown accustomed to four firefighters on every truck. As city Finance Director Andres Sammul has noted, however, the difference between four and three per truck is about $650,000 annually.

Station closures a red herring?

Hayes denied a suggestion that the proposed station closures have been a ruse all along to persuade firefighters to make concessions.

“The economic reality for the city is that we employ too many firefighters,” Hayes asserted. “If the union insists on four firefighters on an engine—a staffing level beyond most Illinois communities, including Aurora, Bloomington, Elgin, Joliet and Peoria—then the city needs to deploy fewer engines.”

The administration submits that, by reducing to three-person crews, there would be no need to close fire stations. Hayes noted the department safely operated with crews that size through the late ’90s.

The administration has wasted no time getting its message out. In a nutshell, the mayor is telling the public that firefighters are to blame if the closures proceed, because they are unwilling to share in the staff cuts forced throughout the rest of the city’s departments. Police, fire and public works, he says, account for about 90 percent of the city budget, and that it’s time for the union to share the responsibility of providing services taxpayers can afford.

Because the station closures would not require approval by aldermen, Morrissey would stand alone as the target of blame from outraged citizens. Instead, he has been trying to make the union share public pressure to rise victorious from an old dispute.

For the last couple years, Morrissey has argued that one less firefighter on each truck could amount to huge savings for the city. Facing a projected deficit of up to $8 million next year, he says, this savings opportunity simply cannot be ignored. He described this alternative to station closures as the “safest option.”

Even during his re-election campaign, Morrissey vowed he would continue his fight to reduce manning to three, even if there were no budget crisis.

With many of their own re-election campaigns in full swing in March 2009, during which time unions are more apt to make political contributions, aldermen balked at the mayor’s unpopular proposal when passing the 2009 budget. Instead, cuts were borne by non-union employees for the time being, but the city’s financial forecast is still gloomy through at least next year, and public safety is too juicy an apple for the administration to ignore.

As he promised during the June 28 Rockford City Council meeting, Morrissey has waged a public relations campaign, courtesy of the local media, to justify the need for cuts in the Fire Department, which has been asked to trim approximately $1.8 million from its 2011 budget of more than $35 million. Also in the public safety arena, the city is looking for more than $2 million in cuts from the Police Department.

The mayor isn’t alone in taking advantage of the opportunity to spin the debate in his favor, and the PR campaign isn’t taking any holidays. On Independence Day, the daily’s Web site published a letter from Ald. John Beck (R-12) to his constituents, pleading the administration’s case.

Beck stated the city has done everything it could to avert cuts to public safety in the past, but economic conditions simply require concessions by the union. There’s no other place to make the cuts, he added.

Morrissey and Beck say comparably-sized, wealthier cities make do with three firefighters per truck, adding only 30 percent of U.S. communities opt for a fourth crew member.

Morrissey argues the city needs to better align its resources to the needs of the community. In addition to reduced manning on fire trucks, the mayor favors more resources on the ambulance side, and less on fire suppression, based on the nature of calls. Last year, according to Bergsten, 280 calls were in response to structure fires, while more than 15,000 were for emergency medical services. Morrissey is also a proponent of outsourcing ambulance services.

All along, however, the union’s position has been that fewer firefighters mean greater risk, both to firemen and the public.

The mayor, meantime, suggests the Fire Department hasn’t made its fair share of sacrifices endured by other city departments.

Heading off possible suggestions by the union that the administration should make deeper cuts higher up, Morrissey issued a preemptive response.

“If you were to eliminate the entire mayor’s office, city council pay that we get, legal department, finance department, IT department and human resources department, it’d be under $7 million when we’re looking at a $5-$8 million deficit for next year,” the mayor argued. “When that’s [police, fire and public works] 90 percent of what you’re spending money on, it makes it really unrealistic. And financially, it’s not a path that is tenable.”

Dilonardo, however, asserted firefighters have made substantial sacrifices in recent years.

Firefighters painted into a corner

Dilonardo was quick to note the union offered savings through wage freezes in 2009 and 2010, and through furlough days every year for firefighters.

That counteroffer came at a time when the administration was threatening eight layoffs of rookie firefighters last year. The city offered an early-retirement package—which Dilonardo indicated saved the city more than $350,000—as a possible alternative to the layoffs, but the union would have to agree to either a reduced minimum staffing level, or a 7-percent wage reduction through 2010, to be promised no firefighters would be laid off.

An arbitrator ultimately ruled in favor of the union’s proposed wage freezes and furlough days, which Dilonardo says have saved the city nearly $3 million. Dilonardo also noted firefighters agreed to pay higher health insurance premiums, and that the department closed 2009 nearly $500,000 under budget.

He’s also quick to point out that the city has saved approximately $1 million by not filling vacant positions in the department. According to Bergsten, the department has four administrative vacancies and eight unfilled positions for fire suppression, meaning the department is operating with 12 fewer employees than budgeted for the year.

All told, Dilonardo argues, sacrifices by firefighters have resulted in nearly $5 million in savings in recent years. As for four firefighters per engine, Dilonardo maintains firefighters and the public have paid for that level of service.

Referring to the $1,837,600 budget reduction mandate he was handed, Chief Bergsten said he’s already reduced or eliminated costs related to capital expenditures, contracts and supplies, as well as “non-core” services, such as information technology, fire prevention education and inspections, and recruitment.

“We’re at the point now where reduction of personnel is our only option to achieve that amount of money we were given [to cut],” Bergsten said.

Should the union be unwilling to accept the reduced manning proposal, the city’s Plan B is to close the two fire stations to force a reduction of fire personnel. Bergsten explained the areas served by stations 3 and 8 would be absorbed by several surrounding stations that already overlap into their service areas, or stills.

Bergsten made no bones about it; closing the stations would increase response times throughout the city, because already busy companies would have larger areas to cover. Stations 3 and 8, he said, were marked for closure based on their lower volumes of calls.

“We’re trying to create the least amount of increased response time, and the increased risk to that area,” he said

But are there other options for saving money? Ald. Frank Beach (R-10) seems to think so.

July 12, Beach suggested city employees across the organization, including aldermen and the mayor’s office, consider a voluntary 5-percent pay cut.

“When you shake it out, as far as the adjustment of your taxes…there’s very little impact on the actual take-home pay. That would bring in over $5.3 million,” Beach said. “No jobs would be lost. You could, perhaps, say no fire stations close…if that could be done. But that would have to be a willingness on every single employee to do it.”

Cadet program on back burner

During his most recent State of the City address, the mayor also proposed a firefighter cadet program.

“This new cadet program is being examined as a way to achieve cost savings by introducing lower-cost approaches to meet our service needs,” he said. “We believe we can expand public safety and service by delivering and leveraging our full-time force with appropriate levels of volunteer and part-time cadet or auxiliary support.”

Morrissey explained, “Typically, the costs are lower, because they are paid for part-time work without incurring the same pension and insurance costs.”

But the union would also have to agree to the mayor’s plan. In 2007, an amended state law was passed that does not allow the city to meet staffing requirements with part-time personnel.

Hayes indicated the legislation gives the union “significant control over the inclusion of any volunteers or part-time firefighters as a staffing element for the department.”

Asked how the city could overcome that obstacle, Hayes responded: “Without discussions with the union, the nature of the program will need to be developed at a later date. We would only staff with fully-trained individuals, similar to our surrounding volunteer and paid on-call departments.  Whether they were paid or strictly volunteer would be part of that program development. The city believes that the program would capitalize on the ACE [American Council on Exercise] high school program that debuted last year and could help local students segue from school to volunteer to full-time fire fighters.”

From the July 14-20, 2010 issue

Members of the Rockford City Council convened in closed session July 12 to discuss, among other things, “personnel matters regarding specific employees.”

About an hour before the council meeting, the city issued a press release announcing the outcomes of the Police Department’s internal investigation of the Aug. 24, 2009, officer-involved shooting death of Mark Anthony Barmore. This, along with two federal lawsuits related to the shooting, were likely the focus of discussion behind closed doors.

Barmore, who had an outstanding arrest warrant, was being sought for questioning after a woman alleged he’d threatened to cut her throat with a knife the night before. Once spotted by officers Oda Poole and Stan North, who were advised the suspect may be armed, Barmore fled inside of the Kingdom Authority International Ministries church at 518 N. Court St. Barmore was cornered in a basement boiler room, where daycare staff and children were present nearby. Barmore allegedly tried to wrestle Poole’s gun away, resulting in the use of deadly force.

Although a grand jury, as well as other agencies, ruled the shooting justified, aldermen gave the nod to commission an outside investigation by Independent Assessment & Monitoring (IAM), of Oakland, Calif., whose principal consultants have histories of pursuing alleged police abuse cases. IAM’s report, publicly released last month, agreed the shooting itself was justified, but alleged that the officers had not acted according to department policies and training in the minutes leading up to the deadly use of force. The report also identified a number of other alleged deficiencies, including no apparent supervisory oversight during the incident.

Since the report was made public, the Police Department has completed its own review and has now released details regarding disciplinary action handed down to the officers.

Sgt. Mark Jacobi, the officers’ direct supervisor at the time of the incident, was issued a letter of reprimand.

For the time being, no action is being taken against North, pending the outcome of his application for disability, which is being considered by the Rockford Police Pension Board. He and Poole have been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.

July 12, Poole was suspended for 30 days and will be subjected to a fitness-for-duty evaluation before he may resume full-time duties. The press release noted, “Officer Poole has the right to seek review of the discipline, either before an arbitrator, or before the Rockford Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.”

The police union is expected to appeal disciplinary action against Poole, and may also file a grievance regarding Jacobi’s reprimand.

Poole’s wife, Robin Babcox-Poole, issued the following “Open Letter to the Citizens of Rockford” within hours of the announcement:

“Chief Chet Epperson has informed my husband, Officer Oda Poole, that he violated three ‘rules of conduct’ of the Rockford Police Department on August 24, 2009. Using vague, non-specific ‘rule violations,’ Chief Epperson and the administration of the City of Rockford are, for their own personal, political and professional benefit, apparently attempting to convince the public that Oda, as an officer of the law, acted improperly while acting to apprehend a reportedly ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect allowed into a daycare center.

“Chief Epperson informed Oda that he violated the following vague and non-specific rules without specifying how Oda violated such rules:

“Rule 2: Any action or conduct which impedes the Department’s efforts to achieve its goals, or which brings discredit upon the Department.

“Rule 9: Incompetency or inefficiency in the performance of any assigned duty.

“Rule 49: Any other act or omission of an act contrary to good order and discipline or constituting a violation of any of the provisions of the Rules and regulations of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, the Rules and regulations of the Rockford Police Department, the written Orders of the Rockford Police Department.

“Since the time of the occurrence, amongst other missteps, Mayor [Larry] Morrissey [I] and Chief Epperson stood in front of cameras and proclaimed, respectively, ‘The actions of officers North and Poole leading up to the shooting violated RPD policy and were not consistent with RPD training or sound tactics,’ and, ‘I have grave concerns about what occurred that afternoon. It’s out of alignment with policies and procedures.’

“The administrative charges do not specify what Oda did to amount to a violation. The rules of conduct are so vague, general and non-specific that they fail to inform any intelligent person as to what the alleged violations are. Training, tactics, and policies or procedures are not referred to in the administrative charges against Oda.

“On August 24, 2009, Officer Oda Poole and Officer Stan North bravely performed their professional responsibilities according to their training and acted consistently with the rules and regulations of the Rockford Police Department. Had they failed to attempt to apprehend Mr. Barmore, they surely would have been accused of not properly fulfilling their responsibilities to the community and Rockford Police Department. The facts are absolutely clear that Mr. Barmore lunged at my husband and grabbed the barrel of his gun, attempting to direct it back at Oda. It must respectively be remembered that Mr. Barmore’s unfortunate death was caused by his own misconduct.”

Meantime, the city’s press release stated, “Ongoing efforts to improve the department will proceed in addition to any corrective action involving the individual officers.”

Epperson explained: “We are working on a number of initiatives throughout the Police Department to put the lessons learned in this event to good use. These include improvements responsive to the recommendations from the Independent Assessment and Monitoring, LLP, report, the department’s analysis of the incident and our ongoing community mediation process through the Department of Justice.

“The Rockford Police Department recognizes the need to improve our police organization,” he added. “I have every confidence that our organization will improve and will work every day to earn the trust of our community.”

Committee reports

→ Denying a request by developer Dan Tonnesen, president of Anchor Group, who is asking the city to forgive 30-year Community Development Block Grant loans totaling $324,000. The loans were issued in 1995 as part of the St. Paul’s Place Target Area program to house social service clients.

→ Approving a $30,000 funding request by the Midtown District for 2010. The funds will be allocated from Midtown’s successful Seventh Street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. Aldermen Linda McNeely (D-13) and Joe Sosnowski (R-1) voted “no.” Rather than being used solely for reinvestment in Midtown, the TIF district’s revenue is also being used to fund other groups, and to help other TIF districts that are in the red. July 19, aldermen will decide whether The Element—a downtown-oriented organization—will receive $75,000 from the Seventh Street TIF District.

→ Approving a $75,000 task order for McMahon Associates for work related to site decommissioning as part of the city’s ongoing water system rehabilitation. Ald. McNeely voted “no.” In related news, a public hearing was held regarding the issuance of $3.4 million in general obligation bonds related to the water system upgrades.

→ Appointing Ellen Burgeson & Associates as the grant administrator related to the Keith Creek flood mitigation program. The firm will be paid up to $22,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant funds used for the project.

→ Authorizing the Human Services Department to lease office space in the county’s City Plaza building at 555 N. Court St., which was purchased recently for $775,000.

→ Authorizing the sale of a city-owned vacant lot at 617 Fisher Ave. for a minimum bid of $550. Ald. McNeely voted “no,” suggesting the starting bid was too low.

Resolutions

→ Authorizing the allocation of $700,000 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for work related to the Kishwaukee Street bridge over Keith Creek.

→ De-obligating $436,774 in unused federal stimulus dollars left over after recent road projects to be used for the resurfacing of Spring Brook Road, per an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The city’s cost for the project is expected to be $58,226.

Public comments

Jim Buckingham accused Mayor Morrissey of “strong-arm tactics,” questionable transparency and playing games with city funds.

“I’m convinced there’s plenty of money to protect the citizens of Rockford with the safety they are comfortable with, and not what this mayor is comfortable with,” Buckingham said, alleging the mayor has millions of dollars tucked away for other “rainy day” projects. “These dollars are not for the mayor to treat as his own personal piggy bank.”

Buckingham also accused the mayor of misusing the police and fire chiefs to carry out his alleged agenda with regard to cuts in public safety, adding that Morrissey is now on his “domestic enemy list.”

Prophet Yusef encouraged city leaders to consider a variety of musical events downtown from week to week, including gospel, blues, country, Motown, R&B, doo-wop, Hispanic and jazz. Yusef said that, by offering more diverse musical programming downtown, area businesses and the city would benefit from additional dollars generated by visitors.

Proclamation

The week of July 12 was proclaimed Rockford Chamber of Commerce Week in honor of the chamber’s 100th anniversary July 13. All 14 original charter members are still in business today, and the group’s membership has risen to 1,400.

Absences

Ald. John Beck (R-12) was absent. Ald. Doug Mark (R-3) left the meeting early.

From the July 14-20, 2010 issue

As one of four $1-million contributors, Martin Glass, president of Woodward Turbine Systems and chairman of Woodward Charitable Trust, spoke July 12 to other donors who made the expansion of the Burpee Natural History Museum and the Discovery Center possible. Alpine Bank’s President Rob Funderburg’s efforts were noted to match a Kresge $800,000 challenge grant, which met the goal of $10.5 million. Photo by Frank Schier

Describing Rockford’s original baby dinosaur, www.burpee.org/exhibits/index.asp states: “After four years of preparation, Jane is now on display as the centerpiece of a new exhibit at Burpee Museum. Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur. Come discover what happened during the 66 million years she lay buried, visit the expedition’s Montana base camp, and view Jane’s fully restored 21-foot skeleton.” Visit Burpee Museum of Natural History at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., daily. Photo by Frank Schier

Since the discovery of the juvenile Triceratops, Homer, whose skull is shown above, the museum has been under construction to expand its facility’s lab, exhibition hall, classrooms and public spaces. Homer’s exhibit will open in 2012. A team left Rockford July 13 to recover the rest of Homer from his Montana discovery site. Photo by Frank Schier

City and Park District workers help Michelle Gearhart-Minick (right) plant flowers along the new Main Street July 1. Photo by Frank Schier

From press release

Nearly 750 perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses and climbing vines were planted July 1 in eight landscape planter boxes, at the base of 10 festival poles and in planting beds along the re-opened Main Street in the downtown Rockford River District. An additional 1,684 bulbs (tulips and daffodils) will be planted in the fall.

Almost $5,000 was raised to purchase the plants. Donations came from downtown business owners, organizations and individuals.

City of Rockford, Rockford Park District, Angela de la Uz of ADV Enterprises and CMM Landscapers volunteered staff to install the plants. ADV, CMM and Meridian Landscaping provided the plants at wholesale cost.

The following businesses, organizations and individuals donated funds to purchase the plants: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau; City of Gardens, a program of the Rockford Park District Foundation; Fridh Corporation (owner of Stewart Square); Octane; The Element; Fuzz Salon; Rockford Chamber of Commerce; J.R. Kortman Center for Design; Trekk Cross-Media; Rockford Ald. Doug Mark (R-3) and his wife, Sally. Small signs will be installed in the planted areas noting the names of the companies, organizations and individuals that donated to the effort.

From the July 7-13, 2010 issue

Three Rock Valley College Astronomy students have received certificates of appreciation from NASA and the Astronomical Research Institute for making a near Earth object observation. The students are Evelyn Pulkowski, Matthew Kelley and Zachary Harker.

A near Earth object (NEO) observation is the discovery of a previously-unknown asteroid and confirmation that its trajectory will cross Earth’s orbit. Near Earth objects pose a danger to Earth. Once discovered and confirmed, NASA tracks each NEO and determines the potential risk of impact or collision with Earth. Students in Dr. Richard Ross’ astronomy classes at Rock Valley College were selected to be among students selected at 14 institutions around the world to participate in a project to find near Earth objects as part of the International Asteroid Search Campaign. The search campaign took place during the spring 2010 semester.

Dr. Ross expressed gratitude for funding for this project through an RVC Foundation grant, stating, “The RVC Foundation has been the sole supporter of innovative instructional technology for astronomy at Rock Valley College.”

From the July 7-13, 2010 issue

The following is the second part of a series (see part one in the June 23-29 issue) detailing the findings of a report commissioned by the City of Rockford from Independent Monitoring & Assessment (IAM), an Oakland, Calif.-based consulting firm whose principals, Kelli Evans and Christy Lopez, are civil rights attorneys with backgrounds in cases of alleged police abuse.

Rockford City Council retained IAM at a rate of $280 per hour, for a total now exceeding $60,000, to conduct an assessment of the officer-involved shooting of 24-year-old Mark Anthony Barmore, an unarmed African-American, on Aug. 24, 2009, by white police officers Oda Poole and Stanton North.

Barmore was being sought by police after allegedly threatening to slash a woman’s throat the previous night. He was also wanted on a warrant, and officers were advised he may be armed.

Barmore was spotted by North and Poole outside of Kingdom Authority International Ministries, also known as House of Grace Church, 518 N. Court St., at which time he reportedly tried to elude officers by entering the building and hiding in a small room in the basement, where daycare staff and children were present.

While police attempted to take the suspect into custody, Barmore allegedly struggled with Poole for the officer’s service weapon. Approximately two minutes after being identified outside the church, Barmore lay fatally shot by both officers in the basement.

The report was, in large part, sought in response to an outcry from the African-American community for an independent investigation. Meantime, two civil lawsuits have been filed against the city and the Rockford Police Department (RPD) in federal court as a result of the shooting.

The local police union, however, questions the objectivity of the consultants, as well as the determinations contained in their report, which was released to the public June 15.

Conflicting witness statements

Forensic evidence, according to the IAM report, supports the accounts of a struggle for Poole’s weapon, but some witness accounts appear to conflict with the finding.

“In a statement provided a few hours after the shooting, the daycare teacher in the basement at the time of the shooting stated that she ‘heard some struggling going on behind me,’” the report noted. “In a later statement to the ISP [Illinois State Police], [the teacher] stated that she is certain that she did not hear a struggle.

“Other than possibly the children in the basement, the only apparent civilian witness to Officer Poole’s shooting of Barmore said in the written statement she gave to RPD the day of the incident that she saw Barmore come out of the boiler room with his hands up and saw one officer shoot Barmore from about four feet away,” the reports said of a statement by Marissa Brown, the 17-year-old daughter of House of Grace pastors Melvin and Shelia Brown. “The witness states she then stepped out of the doorway and heard two or three additional gun shots after that. This formal statement is consistent with the information she gave to an officer while still on-scene, moments after the shooting. Later media reports quote this witness as stating that ‘[t]he officer shined his flashlight into the boiler room and told him to come out. He came out real slow with his hands up and his head down, and they shot him. He fell over into the sink. He tried to get back up, and they shot him again. A heavy-set officer was the one who was shooting him while he was on the ground.’ The witness’ initial statement to police is at odds with Officer North’s and Poole’s version of events in some respects, and consistent with their version of events in other respects.”

Brown’s statement to police the day of the shooting indicated that she had retreated from the doorway before the final “two or three” gunshots were fired.

“This witness’ later reported statements to the media are significantly different than her initial statements to police and are not supported by the forensic evidence,” the IAM report noted.

“Many of the witnesses to this incident refused to provide statements to RPD or ISP after the day of the incident, and RPD has been asked by an attorney representing several witnesses not to contact them,” the assessment added.

Although the report appears to discount comments alleging Barmore tried to surrender peacefully, IAM consultants did find fault with the decisions of officers leading up to the shooting, indicating their actions put officers and civilians at “increased risk of serious harm” and conflicted with RPD training and tactics.

‘Entry into the church’

“It appears that each officer was acting independently, with no coordination or communication with each other,” the report indicates. “There is no evidence that officers made an attempt to contain Barmore in the church or considered doing so. Officers did not establish a perimeter, summon back-up, evacuate the church, inquire about the number of potential occupants in the church, or ask about the layout of the building or basement, including the location of entries and exits.”

IAM’s determination added: “In our view, officers violated fundamental tactics and placed themselves at a dangerous disadvantage from the moment they entered the church. Rapid gathering of readily available information and coordination should be routine in such encounters.”

The assessment acknowledged that neither North nor Poole had been interviewed as part of IAM’s review, but that previous statements provided to RPD had been consulted.

“When writing these statements, the officers had the opportunity to consult with independent legal counsel, their union representatives and legal counsel, and anyone else, including each other,” the report said of the statements provided days after the shooting. “The officers provided little additional information to the Illinois State Police investigators, with one officer stating he could not recall anything about the incident beyond what was in his written statement.”

‘Attempt to Immediately Remove Barmore from the Boiler Room/Failure to Evacuate Children and Day Care Workers’

The report also questions the officers’ attempts to immediately apprehend Barmore, who was contained in the closet, or boiler room, with only one way in or out. The report suggests the basement should have been evacuated before any such attempt was made.

“There is no evidence that Officers North and Poole were concerned that there might be another exit from the boiler room beside the door they were covering,” the IAM assessment stated. “The fact that they were told the room was a ‘closet’ further makes reasonable their belief that there was only one means of exit from the room.

“When Barmore fled to the boiler room and refused to surrender to police, he was in effect barricading himself. RPD policy defines a ‘barricaded person’ as, ‘[a]n armed or potentially armed person, having control of any location, whether fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with police demands for surrender,’” the report noted. “Like most professional policing agencies, RPD has a number of policies that directly speak to such situations, and has provided training to officers on these policies. RPD General Order 40.14 provides, among other things, that: ‘[o]fficers may want to avoid confrontation with people or hazardous situations in favor of isolation and containment until supervisor, trained tactical or special response and units arrive.’

“There is no evidence that there was any exigency requiring immediate removal of Barmore from the boiler room,” Evans and Lopez asserted. “Instead, the facts known to the officers, alongside their training, required that the officers, upon learning that Barmore had barricaded himself inside the boiler room, take steps to ensure their own safety and the safety of others in the room before attempting to remove Barmore from the boiler room. This is particularly true here where the officers had reason to believe that Barmore might be armed with a knife or other weapon and where they knew there were many children in the room.”

The reportedly stressed staff and children should have been evacuated before any further action was taken to bring Barmore into custody.

“We found it striking that none of the documentation related to the investigation of this incident references the pertinent fact that there is a clearly marked exit leading directly outside of the church from the basement next to where the children and their teachers were huddled during this incident,” the report stated. “The existence of this exit means that the officers had the ability to have the teachers evacuate the children rapidly and safely from the basement via an exit that did not pass in front of the boiler room door.

“Instead the officers chose to engage in a course of conduct that was extremely risky for themselves and these civilians,” Evans and Lopez determined. “Sound tactics and training required that officers evacuate the children and teachers and then call and wait for the arrival of back up before attempting to extract a potentially armed barricaded suspect.”

Responding to this assessment, Police Chief Chet Epperson acknowledged: “That was definitely a concern that I had after the review. Hence, there is an internal investigation.”

Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) concurred.

“It was a concern to me when I saw that we had children in a basement of a church, and we had an unarmed suspect who was barricaded,” Morrissey said, stressing again that the city had voluntarily commissioned the report. “There was aspects of our policies that were violated, in our opinion, which comports with the opinions presented by the consultants in the report.”

The report added: “Sound tactics and training do not support the assertion that officers had to extract Barmore from the boiler room because of potential danger to the children if he were not immediately apprehended. Professional police practices, consistent with RPD training and policy, have long recognized that a mobile suspect is generally a greater threat than a contained one.”

Evans and Lopez added the officers had “nearly perfect containment” of the suspect, but that the threat was “needlessly escalated” by attempts to extract Barmore without first evacuating civilians and waiting for backup.

‘Decision to Close the Distance on a Potentially Armed Suspect’

“The consequences of the officers’ immediate attempt to remove Barmore from the boiler room were exacerbated by the tactics Officer Poole used in attempting the removal,” the report states of the incident once officers gained access to the room into which Barmore had fled.

“Officer North employed proper tactics in ensuring a safer distance between himself and a potentially armed suspect in a darkened room by stepping back,” it was noted. Poole, however, reportedly advanced on Barmore.

According to a statement by North: “Officer Poole reached his left arm out, either to push [Barmore] back or grab onto him. As Officer Poole had hold of his shirt, I recall the suspect using his right hand, grabbing onto Officers (sic) Poole’s left wrist area. As this happened, Officer Poole and Barmore were in the doorway. I was still about 2-3 feet to the left rear of Officer Poole. I saw that Officer Poole had his pistol leveled, close to his own chest, in a close quarters combat style hold. Instantly, Barmore reached outward with his left hand, and grabbed the barrel of Officer Poole’s pistol.”

According to the report, Poole’s account is consistent in that it suggests he did not maintain a safe distance from the suspect.

The report determined: “Pushing or grabbing an armed resisting suspect is a bad tactic. Doing so while holding a gun in one hand compounds the tactical error. The greater the distance between officers and suspects, the more time officers have to react to a suspect’s actions. … There is no evidence, including in the statements by Officers North and Poole, providing a legitimate rationale for Officer Poole’s decision to employ this high-risk tactic in these circumstances. …This close confrontation allowed Barmore the opportunity to take hold of Officer Poole’s firearm. Once Barmore was able to take hold of Officer Poole’s weapon, the decision to use deadly force was consistent with RPD policy.”

‘Additional Tactical/Policy Concerns’

Other issues cited in the report include a “lack of intermediate weapons,” such as use of non-lethal pepper spray and expandable batons, both of which are mandatory equipment per RPD policy. Both officers reportedly had pepper spray at the time of the incident, but only Poole was equipped with a baton.

“It is not possible to know for certain whether the use of an intermediate weapon would have been feasible during this incident,” the report acknowledged. “The facts indicate that it may have been. Officer North may have been able to use a baton to assist Officer Poole during his struggle with Barmore, if he had it available.”

The report also noted that neither officer was wearing a protective vest.

“RPD policy ‘strongly encourage[s]’ that sworn personnel assigned to field patrol or special unit duties wear their protective vest during their shift but does not require it,” the report states. “Sworn personnel assigned to field patrol or special units are required to have a protective vest ‘readily available,’ i.e. ‘accessible for immediate use by the officer in the field.’ Sworn personnel participating in ‘pre-planned high-risk tactical situation[s],’ which includes ‘high-risk felony warrant arrests,’ are required to wear a protective vest.”

The report noted, “Officer Poole had previously been counseled by a supervisor about not wearing his protective vest.”

Supervisory concerns

As noted in part one of this series, an unnamed third officer is also the subject of a complaint signed by Chief Epperson, which led to an internal investigation. Presumably, as suggested by the report, which alleges a “lack of active supervisory involvement” during the incident, the third officer is likely a supervisor.

“Once the supervisor became aware that Barmore had been seen in the area he supervised, the supervisor should have directed officers to ensure that the area was efficiently and effectively searched, and should have instructed officers on what to do if Barmore was found,” Evans and Lopez asserted. “We are aware that there was a very short time period between the time when Officers North and Poole reported Barmore fleeing from them and the time they used deadly force against him. Nonetheless, this time period appears sufficient to have allowed the officers’ supervisor to provide direction and perhaps slowed down the officers. We were unable to detect any supervisory participation in the events leading up to the shooting or any explanation why there was no supervisory involvement.”

According to the report, however, the larger problem may be systemic.

“RPD’s supervisory and shift structure makes it difficult to provide consistent supervision,” it states. “According to RPD personnel, during a typical week, officers may be supervised by a different supervisor each work day, and thus may have as many as five different supervisors in a week. This makes it difficult to establish a close supervisory relationship and would seem to make consistency in supervision and performance evaluation virtually impossible.”

Responding, Morrissey said: “That’s exactly why we’re moving towards geographic-based policing. That’s why we’ve looked at making sure we have a strong connection between the people in our community, the areas where they live, and the management system we have in place to make sure that whatever we have on paper in terms of a policy, practice and procedure is being aligned with our training and our management on a daily basis.”

Asked what responsibility he takes for the apparent lack of coordination leading up to the shooting, Epperson responded, “I’m chief of police, and I take full responsibility for the entire department.”

Other supervisory issues noted in the report included “misdirection of officers by dispatch.” According to IAM’s review of dispatch recordings, additional officers were sent to the wrong location, because the dispatcher allegedly did not hear North and Poole state that they were at the House of Grace. Although the report could not definitively conclude that this affected the outcome, it noted, “However, in general the consequences of directing officers to the wrong location are potentially disastrous for officers and civilians.”

Mayor Morrissey was quick to note the dispatch center is not managed by the Police Department, but is instead manned by fire personnel.

Additional concerns and recommendations

Although the report acknowledged the department responded appropriately after the shooting, IAM pointed to a number of areas with room for improvement when investigating use-of-force incidents.

The report recommended establishment of an official “deadly force roll out,” consisting of representatives from various agencies.

“The intent of a multi-disciplinary roll out is to help ensure that evidence is properly preserved and collected during the first critical minutes and hours after the use of deadly force; and to facilitate investigative objectivity and neutrality from the outset,” the report explained.

Although North and Poole were separated for walkthroughs of the scene after the shooting, the report noted, “However, much of the benefit of this immediate separation and walk-through was severely compromised because the officers’ written statements regarding the incident were not provided to RPD until days after the shooting, and neither officer was interviewed until months after the incident, and then only briefly. …The lack of a prompt interview also diminishes the perception of reliability and credibility of later statements and interviews.”

The report also asserted that the walkthroughs should have been videotaped, and that photographs should have been taken of North and Poole at the scene. The report also suggested that witness statements should have been recorded, rather than simply written down.

“According to RPD, it does not record interviews unless it is a suspect interview in a murder investigation, in which case the recording is required under state law,” the report indicated. “Professional policing standards require that all statements in officer-involved shooting cases be recorded. …Recordings also help disprove allegations of unprofessionalism, coercion or dishonesty in an agency’s description of witness accounts.”

IAM also suggested that witness interviews were not as thorough as they could have been, which became a problem when some refused to be re-interviewed later.

The report also identified a lack of scene diagrams and photographs, as well as shortcomings in evidence collection practices, and described the city’s Use-of-Force Review Board, composed of police officers, as “ineffective.”

Additionally, the report stated: “RPD’s system of complaint intake and investigation is inadequate. Countless individuals, including witnesses to the incident and family members of the decedent, have made clear allegations the officers in this incident committed misconduct. Yet RPD’s complaint intake and investigation system, as currently structured, does not authorize an administrative investigation based on those complaints.”

The report, along with its recommendations, serves as the guide for the internal, administrative review, according to city officials. Once the investigation is complete, Epperson will decide whether the officers will be disciplined, and to what extent. The results are expected to be made public within weeks.

Early warning too late?

The report acknowledged the department’s recent creation of the Personnel Early Warning System (EWS), in an “attempt to identify, evaluate and assist Department employees, sworn and civilians, who appear to exhibit signs of performance and/or stress related problems requiring intervention.” However, the report indicated, the system “does not contain any data of events or incidents occurring before November 2008.”

Both North and Poole were involved in use-of-deadly-force incidents prior to the Barmore shooting.

“First, the system does not include uses of physical force such as punching, kicking, kneeing, or other physical force, unless it results in injuries requiring treatment at a medical facility,” the report stated, noting that all uses of force should be reported, monitored and investigated, depending on severity. “Departmental supervisors should be alerted if officers are engaging in any type of force at unusual rates, compared to officers working similar assignments, or in circumstances that should have been handled without resorting to force. By not including all uses of force in the system, the EWS may be giving supervisors and managers a skewed and incomplete perspective on officer conduct resulting in missed opportunities to remediate any problems promptly.”

Evans and Lopez added, “We do not know whether this is a systemic problem but were concerned that the Barmore shooting did not appear on EWS reports for Officers North and Poole despite the fact that the reports were produced nearly two months after the shooting had occurred.”

Consultants in crosshairs of police union

Terrence Peterson, president of the Police Benevolent & Protective Association Unit 6, provided to The Rock River Times a document being prepared by the union that brings into question the findings of Evans and Lopez.

The document refers to a June 7 brief titled “Disorderly (mis)Conduct: The Problem with ‘Contempt of Cop’ Arrests,” penned by Lopez, published by the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy.

The union alleges Lopez is “currently marketing [the] article selling services to local municipalities,” and that she and Evans have allegedly created for themselves a lucrative industry targeting alleged police misconduct.

The union also argues that neither consultant has tactical training in law enforcement, despite their numerous judgments regarding “sound tactics.”

“The attorneys padded their bills by meeting with the mayor and ‘ministers and other community members active in Rockford,’ and observing the community mediation,” the union document notes. “These people have no relevant information to give in determining the lawfulness of Stan North and Oda Poole’s conduct.”

Referring to remediation proposed by IAM in the report, including possible termination of the officers, the union also questioned what authority the consultants have to decide what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate.

Union representatives are also suspicious of language in the IAM report.

“Why did the attorneys insert this sentence into their report: ‘Church members and officials were encouraging [Barmore] to stay out of trouble and become involved in a boxing group the church was soon to begin,’” the union response wondered. “This information is absolutely irrelevant to the events that led to Barmore’s shooting and the inclusion of this information reveals bias on the part of the attorneys.”

The day after the IAM report was released to the public, the union alleges, Lopez and Evans told police sergeants that Barmore was the person primarily responsible for the shooting. The union, however, feels this aspect was downplayed in the report.

“When they heard this, the sergeants challenged the attorneys about why they did not put that in the report,” the document states. “Their response was that it was beyond the purpose of the report. In response to follow-up reaction, they said it’s in the report in that they stated the shooting was justified.”

The document also alleges a “Pro-Brown bias is revealed by authors when they credit [Sheila Brown’s] concern of the safety of the children and credit the truthfulness of her statement.”

Furthermore, the union views IAM’s conclusion that North and Poole violated policy and training, and that they used poor tactics, putting themselves and others at risk, as “unsupported by the facts and speculative.”

From the June 30-July 6, 2010 issue

From staff reports

Rockford’s annual Fourth of July celebration, which began Tuesday, June 29, with the Rockford Concert Band at the Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, will feature racing at Rockford Speedway, more music at the Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, a flag retirement ceremony, a motorcycle parade, the Fourth of July Parade, and, of course, one of the largest fireworks displays in Illinois.

Following is the full schedule of events for Rockford’s Fourth of July celebration:

Wednesday, June 30

1:30 p.m.—Rockford Park District Kidbucks Game Show, Imagination Station inside Sinnissippi Park.

7:07 p.m.—Faster Pastor Races at the Rockford Speedway plus Roadrunner Super Summer Series, Hornets, Winged Women on Wheels, Figure 8 race, Spectator Drags, Legend Cars, Bandoleros, Allison Legacy Cars, Hare ’n’ Hound.

Thursday, July 1

7:30 p.m.—Rockford Park District free concert at Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, featuring the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra.

Saturday, July 3

5 p.m.—Flag retirement ceremony, sponsored by Wanchanagi District Boy Scouts of America. Next to Symbol in Sinnissippi Gardens.

7:07 p.m.—Instant Jungle Independence Eve Party at the Rockford Speedway. NASCAR Late Models Star Spangled 76, Sportsman series, Hornets plus flagpole race and Illini Midgets.

Rockford's Fourth of July Parade begins at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 4, at Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue and ends near Davis Park on Wyman Street. The red line on the map above marks the parade route. Map courtesy of www.rockfordfireandice.com

Sunday, July 4

7 a.m.—MELD Classic 8k Run (7 a.m.), 2-Mile Run (7:05 a.m.), 1-Mile Fun Walk (8:30 a.m.). Begins on Madison Street under Jefferson Street bridge near the Trolley Station.

8:30 a.m.—Patriotic Breakfast sponsored by the Rockford Fourth of July Committee and Stone Eagle Tavern. A salute to area veterans and their families. Free continental breakfast to the first 1,000 people. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Marino. Music Shell in Sinnissippi Park.

Noon—Declarations to end violence and prejudice. State and Main, Rockford.

5 p.m.—SkyConcert gates open inside Davis Park, downtown Rockford. The Indepedence Day Bash will headline the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra, along with Jodi Beach singing the National Anthem. Join the fun with entertainment and the best view to see the incredible fireworks show. Food and beverage will be available.

6:50 p.m.—Motorcycle parade.

7 p.m.—Rockford Fourth of July Parade. Begins at Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue in downtown Rockford. Ends near Davis Park.

9:30 p.m.—Fireworks show begins. One of the largest fireworks shows in the state of Illinois synchronized to music over Davis Park in downtown Rockford.

For more about Rockford’s Fourth of July celebration, visit www.rockfordfireandice.com.

From the June 30-July 6, 2010 issue

City of Rockford Legal Director Patrick Hayes, Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) and Police Chief Chet Epperson held a press conference June 15 to announce the findings of Independent Assessment & Monitoring (IAM), based in Oakland, Calif., who conducted an assessment of the fatal shooting of Mark Anthony Barmore Aug. 24 by Rockford Police officers Stanton North and Oda Poole. Accusations by the community of improper actions by the officers prompted the independent review. Photo by Stuart R. Wahlin

By Stuart R. Wahlin
Staff Writer

When City of Rockford leaders first broke their silence last year during a press conference regarding the ill-fated events of Aug. 24—when two white police officers shot and killed an unarmed, 23-year-old African-American, Mark Anthony Barmore, in a church basement—one woman was heard to shout a demand for an “external investigation” during remarks by Police Chief Chet Epperson.

Although not exactly the Department of Justice investigation many in the African-American community were calling for, outsiders were brought in to review how the Police Department handled the tragedy. Less than a month after the shooting, the Rockford City Council voted 11-1 to retain Independent Assessment & Monitoring (IAM), based in Oakland, Calif., at a rate of $280 per hour, to conduct an assessment of the incident. Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13) voted “no.” The bill now exceeds $60,000, but city leaders might view that as a small price to pay when compared to the millions at stake in two civil lawsuits pending in federal court as a result of the officer-involved shooting that ignited a racial firestorm in Rockford.

IAM consultants Kelli Evans and Christy Lopez, civil rights attorneys with arguably adversarial histories with law enforcement, prepared a 48-page review of the shooting “to assist the Rockford Police Department (RPD) in conducting its own formal administrative investigation of this incident whether this police use of deadly force was consistent with agency policy and whether there are any policy, training, or tactical concerns related to the incident.”

Evans and Lopez also serve as federally-appointed monitors of the Oakland Police Department to oversee compliance with court-ordered reforms. The consent decree stemmed from a class-action lawsuit, settled in 2003, alleging abuses by four Oakland police officers.

Rockford leaders, however, are hoping to avoid outside monitors looking over their shoulders in the years to come by taking proactive steps before a similar order can be levied against RPD. According to Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey (I), the department would much rather police itself.

“From our view, when we’re dealing with both a wrongful death as well as civil rights allegations, the best thing we can do to insulate ourselves and our department and our organization…is to demonstrate that we have the ability to manage our own department,” Morrissey explained. “And we will be tough, we’ll be scrutinizing ourselves, and we’ll invite the community to be part of that process.

“That’s why we made the decision to publish the report, so that the community can know here’s where we’re at,” he added. “We’re going to be very open about areas where we need improvement, and we’re gonna need the help of the community as we move forward.”

June 15, the mayor’s office called a press conference to release the results of IAM’s assessment, although the report has been in the city’s hands since April. The delay in releasing the report was attributed to not wanting to jeopardize an ongoing, internal administrative review. Under an agreement with the police union, that investigation should wrap up the week of June 20. At that time, the chief of police will have three weeks to decide whether disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved. The final outcome will then be made public, City of Rockford Legal Director Patrick Hayes indicated.

Should the city’s internal investigation concur with IAM’s findings, the report recommends “Remediation may include re-training and, if appropriate, disciplinary action, up to and including termination, even if the use of deadly force itself is found to be in-policy.”

Officers Stanton North and Oda Poole, who remain on administrative leave, had both been involved in use-of-deadly-force incidents prior to their involvement with the Barmore shooting. Hayes indicated those incidents are being taken into account during the internal review, but that he doesn’t foresee the cases being reopened.

Although it is clear North and Poole are under scrutiny, Epperson indicated three employees are being investigated as part of the department’s administrative review. Epperson did not name the third officer, but the IAM report suggests inadequate supervision during the incident.

Morrissey described the IAM report as an “independent, highly-qualified perspective on the conduct of our department related to Mr. Barmore’s death.”

Stressing that the city had voluntarily initiated the critique, the mayor reported the department also sought recommendations to improve professional standards and community relations—efforts he noted had begun prior to the Barmore shooting.

In short, the IAM report essentially questions the actions of officers North and Poole in the two minutes leading up to the fatal shooting, despite the fact the shooting itself was deemed justified under the circumstances of the culminating moment.

The report notes: “This determination that the officers’ actions were not criminal is significant, but it should be the beginning rather than the end of the inquiry of whether the officers’ actions were justified or appropriate. Where an officer’s use of deadly force is not criminal, it may nonetheless be unjustified under a non-criminal standard, pursuant to Supreme Court precedent requiring that any police use of force be objectively reasonable.”

The report notes that even if deadly force was justified, it may defy a department’s policies, or could have been “avoidable or tactically unsound.”

IAM’s criticisms will be outlined in detail in part two of this series.

Delivering the report with kid gloves

Morrissey began by stressing a grand jury, following an investigation by the Illinois State Police (ISP), had ruled the use of deadly force to be justified, and that the IAM report concurred.

He then acknowledged the report indicated, “However, as detailed below, the actions of Officers North and Poole leading up to the shooting violated RPD policy and were not consistent with RPD training or sound tactics.”

Morrissey responded: “We can take a couple of things away from it. No. 1 is that it affirms the decision of the state’s attorney and the grand jury, that the shooting of Mr. Barmore was justified, and that Rockford Police Department policies were followed related to the actual shooting. But the report also tells us that the policies were not followed regarding actions taken prior to the shooting, and that we have more work to do to improve our department.”

He added: “I talk about this vision of ‘excellence everywhere.’ It’s not the same as perfection. Nobody’s perfect. No organization’s perfect, but I give a heck of a lot of credit to our officers and our leadership at the department for committing to improve, for opening up our processes as much as just about any department I can imagine in the country, and saying: ‘We’re gonna become the very best. We’re not gonna settle for being the best in the area, or the most sophisticated in Winnebago County,’ which I think we are. We deal with a lot of tough issues that other smaller departments just don’t deal with.”

Referring to several “breakdowns” detailed in the report, the mayor suggested, “If one of which doesn’t occur, perhaps the whole thing doesn’t happen.”

He added, however, “We have to deal with this reality, what actually happened, and how we can move forward and improve our department, and improve our community.”

Once the podium was turned over to Epperson, the chief relied primarily on notes in making his comments and answering questions from the media.

“The Rockford Police Department has been committed, is still committed, and will remain committed to ongoing improvement,” he asserted, reiterating that improvement efforts were under way well before the Barmore shooting death.

In 2008, he indicated, the entire department underwent training “to institutionalize supervisory oversight of force incidents.” He said the supervisory training resulted in a 74 percent decrease in excessive force complaints during the last four years.

In the past four months alone, however, the Rockford City Council has voted to settle three alleged excessive-force cases totaling $188,000.

Fortifying the city’s stance of stressing steps toward improvements prior to the incident, Epperson added, “At the same time, we were developing a robust administrative review process.”

After the Barmore shooting, however, those efforts were handed off to IAM to make recommendations and “provide a comprehensive assessment, to look at our policies, procedures and practices on the date of the shooting,” Epperson said.

Hayes added of the IAM report, “This is a roadmap and a template for how you conduct a full, thorough and complete internal review of an officer-involved shooting, and we’ve followed those elements of the report in the execution of our internal investigation.”

Epperson described the events of Aug. 24 as tragic.

“The events of Aug. 24 put the officers of this department and the community at grave danger,” he indicated. “This is a very good police department. Our uses of force are minimal that we do on a daily basis.”

He noted RPD is an accredited police agency, and that an early-warning system had been implemented to identify performance and stress problems among the department’s rank-and-file. The IAM found deficiencies within that system, however, which will be outlined in part two of this series.

About one week prior to the release of the IAM assessment, the department also touted the creation of its Office of Professional Standards, which will, among other things, oversee implementation of the 27 recommendations contained in the report.

Morrissey explained: “What we want to make sure is that ‘good’ is not good enough. We want to make sure we’re doing the absolute best we can, and that we’re applying the best practices.”

Although city leaders have had months to craft a strategic response to the IAM report, Hayes said the assessment, for the most part, was not edited prior to release.

“There is no second draft,” he asserted. “There are no secrets that have been redacted. There are some personnel issues that were removed, because we simply don’t talk about some personnel matters in public. But the substance of the criticisms of the department…still remain in the report.”

Referring to the report’s statement that “Officers North and Poole violated RPD policy and training and used poor tactics,” The Rock River Times asked Epperson, “Would you concur with that finding, and if so, what should have been done differently that day?”

In a succinct response, Epperson answered: “I concur with the finding. There’s a pending internal investigation, so I’ll be limited in any sort of follow-up comment on that.”

Asked whether the shooting of Barmore could have been avoided, Epperson conceded: “Yes, definitely. That’s why I signed a complaint against the officers, and we’re vetting out that process. I have grave concerns about what occurred that afternoon. It’s out of alignment with policies and procedures.”

Terrence Peterson, president of the local police union, responded: “I believe that when Chief Epperson stood in front of the media at the press conference and, in response to a question regarding whether the officers violate policy, states definitively, ‘Yes,’ then adds that’s why he signed a complaint against them to initiate the internal investigation, he opened a floodgate of liability on the City of Rockford. The potential financial burden now on the taxpayers of Rockford is yet to be realized.”

Despite the criticisms contained in the report, which the mayor said will lead to “substantive changes,” Morrissey remained optimistic for the future.

“This has been, obviously, hard on our officers, obviously very hard on the family members of Mr. Barmore, and this has been an extremely challenging time for our community,” he said. “On top of the fact that we’ve got the state’s highest unemployment rate, we’ve got a number of challenges in our schools. We’ve got a lot of problems, and then you have an event like this occur. It makes it extremely challenging.

“Given all of that, the extremely positive movement that is happening right now within our department, where the union members, the administration and the community are coming together, is something that will shape us in a positive way permanently,” he added. “It’s gonna be something that, out of a very tough, very negative, very tragic situation, will be the positive outcome that we will take and move forward.”

The chronology

The IAM report’s chain of events relies heavily on witness statements, as well as recorded radio exchanges between officers and dispatch.

Aug. 24, 2009, RPD received a report from a woman alleging Barmore had threatened to cut her throat with a knife. When police responded, Barmore fled the scene on foot. Several minutes later, according to the report, a dispatcher notified patrol units a man matching his description was seen on the Jefferson Street bridge.

Officers North and Poole were then dispatched to the bridge and informed that Barmore was wanted on a warrant and may be armed with a knife. Minutes later, the officers reported having identified Barmore as being outside the House of Grace Church on Court Street, where daycare was in session. When Barmore spotted the officers, the report states, he slipped inside the building behind a church official who was entering the otherwise locked door. Poole pursued Barmore, while North covered another exit on a different side of the building. Once inside, North was advised Barmore had fled to the basement.

“According to Officer North’s statement to RPD, he drew his service weapon just before entering the daycare room at the bottom of the basement stairs,” the report notes. “Officer Poole, according to his statement, had drawn his weapon while in the hallway of the church upstairs. When Officers North and Poole entered the daycare room in the basement, they immediately saw somewhere between 8 and 15 ‘about pre-school age’ children, in their estimation, as well as ‘about two adults.’”

Marissa Brown, daughter of Pastors Melvin and Sheila Brown, reportedly told police, “As he (Barmore) was running down the hallway, he was saying he was not going to go back,” presumably to jail.

The report concludes that such comments by Barmore “indicate a mindset more likely to engage in struggle rather than surrender.”

North was told Barmore was hiding in a basement closet, which has also been referred to as a boiler room. North and Poole reportedly tried to open the door, but Barmore allegedly struggled from inside to keep the door closed. When Barmore allegedly refused to vacate the closet, the officers forced the door open and entered.

North’s statement indicated, “Knowing we could not back off due to the potential danger to the children, we both pushed harder on the door.”

Poole added, “I did not want to give Barmore an opportunity to get away from us and create a hostage situation or harm one of the children.”

Upon entering the boiler room, the report suggests, the incident escalated.

“Both officers report that very quickly both Officer Poole and Barmore had both hands on Officer Poole’s gun: Barmore with both hands on the barrel of the gun and Officer Poole with one hand on the gun grip and one hand over Barmore’s hands,” the review noted. “Officer Poole and Barmore struggled over the gun while ‘within inches’ of each other and with the gun at chest level.”

The report indicates that Poole’s firearm discharged during the struggle. Although the bullet grazed Barmore’s neck, the two allegedly continued to wrestle for control of the weapon. The struggle ended with Barmore being mortally wounded by shots from both officers, at which time medical service was requested, and daycare staff members were told to evacuate the basement.

“The events described above, from the moment Officers North and Poole saw Barmore in front of the church to the time they discharged their weapons, shooting and killing him, occurred in just more than two minutes,” the report noted, “and less than one minute after they followed him down the stairs of the church into the basement.”

When police backup arrived, Barmore, reported to still be breathing, was handcuffed. Medical personnel soon declared Barmore dead on the scene, however, and the community has been divided ever since by those who stand by the officers and those who allege police misconduct.

Police union, officer’s wife respond to report

In a statement released the same day as the IAM report, the Police Benevolent & Protective Association (PBPA) Unit 6 indicated its membership was “pleased” the report concurred the shooting was justified.

“We take issue with the apparent tenor used regarding officer training relative to such circumstances. The City of Rockford Police Department has substantially cut its training due to budget constraints,” the statement argued. “[North and Poole’s] actions were in keeping with policies, procedures and provided training.”

The mayor conceded that the city is under budget constraints, which means that trips outside of the area for training may have been cut, he said. He and Epperson asserted full faith in internal training, however.

Epperson noted recently provided training regarding cultural competency and racial profiling, as well as crisis management for de-escalation of dangerous situations.

“There are challenges with the budget,” he acknowledged. “Certainly, the training has to be looked at. We have to decide what’s best for the department, and how can we maximize our in-house trainers, and if we can use any sort of leverage with technology. But I’m comfortable where we’re at. Could we be doing more? Absolutely.”

Epperson declined to comment when asked whether North and Poole had been provided de-escalation training.

The PBPA response, which asserted full support of North and Poole, added: “It is the position of the Association that Officer Stan North and Oda Poole were themselves confronted with a deadly force situation. Contrary to any suggestions made otherwise, there have been several layers of review which contrast with language in the document being released today.”

Peterson told The Rock River Times the IAM report is flawed from top to bottom. A document being prepared by the union to analyze the report states bluntly: “The liberal lawyers hired by the City of Rockford have a political and financial bias against police officers.”

The document adds that IAM “has a financial incentive to accuse police officers of misconduct to generate fees for conducting ‘independent reviews’ and monitoring police departments,” and that “They’ve created an industry so that cities will hire them.”

The document also questions the expertise of the consultants.

“Neither of these lawyers have law enforcement tactical training; yet, they repeatedly and loosely gave opinions on what constituted ‘sound tactics,’” it states. “The attorneys and their consultants do not have the expertise to determine what is or is not ‘tactically sound.’”

Peterson also indicated Evans and Lopez are associates of a former police chief named Charles Gruber, who has been contracted by the city in the past to provide use-of-force training.

“Chuck Gruber’s methods are controversial and not officer-friendly,” Peterson argued. “He has made several thousands of dollars doing consultant work at the Rockford Police Department, and his work has been very controversial with our members as well.”

Peterson noted the participation of Michael Graham, a retired member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, as a consultant to Evans and Lopez in completing the IAM report. Peterson also described Graham as “controversial,” noting he is being considered by Epperson to mediate the report’s suggested remedies.

“The recommendation to use the firm Independent Assessment & Monitoring…was made without a bidding process, or known consideration of any other qualified firm,” Peterson argued. “Chuck Gruber factored into the use of this firm, and in recent meetings I’ve attended, Chief Epperson has already suggested Chuck Gruber as the ideal person to mediate the implementation of remedies suggested in the report.”

The union’s document concludes: “After several months and $60,000 the City bought the opinions it wanted to justify actions against Officer Oda Poole, Officer Stan North, and possibly others.  However, these attorneys failed to cite one General Order that the officers supposedly violated or, cite one professional standard or tactic that the officers violated. If the officers had not acted quickly and aggressively, and god forbid those kids had been hurt, the administration would have fired them for malfeasance in office.”

Peterson told The Rock River Times the union believes North and Poole are being used as scapegoats by the administration.

In another statement issued the following day, Poole’s wife, Robin, took aim at the report, as well as at the mayor and chief.

“I question the credibility of the report. Miss Lopez and Miss Evans spent six months working on this report and never spoke with, or requested to speak with, Oda or Stan,” she asserted. “In my opinion, it is inappropriate to present speculation as fact. I am deeply, profoundly and permanently ashamed of Mayor Morrissey, Chief Epperson and the current condition of my hometown.”

From the June 23-29, 2010 issue

Not so long ago, in our very own galaxy…

It is a time of civil unrest in downtown Rockford among owners of local nightlife destinations, and the dispute has escalated to throwing stones in cyberspace.

Following a disturbance the night of June 19, Paul Sletten and Chris Wachowiak, owners of Social Urban Bar & Restaurant and Kryptonite, respectively, are pointing fingers at fellow downtown businesses Bar 3 and Red Lion Ale House, alleging the two bars are operating irresponsibly.

At approximately 11:40 p.m., June 19, according to a police report cited by Deputy Chief Greg Lindmark, “Police were dispatched for a large crowd of patrons that were outside Bar 3. …There was approximately 100 people yelling and attempting to enter the bar while other people were trying to exit.

“There was no problem inside. The problem was outside,” Lindmark noted. “The officers were able to disperse the crowd, and that took care of the extent of the problem.”

Lindmark indicated the dilemma arose from people outside the bar who were not granted entry.

Bar 3 owner Dennis Clement indicated the bar was hit with a rush of patrons, which he said were not regulars, after a comedy show at the Coronado Theatre featuring Black Entertainment Television personalities Rodney Perry and Damon Williams, and comedian Shawn Morgan.

Although both Clement and Lindmark indicated there was security on site, Bar 3 management reportedly began turning away new entrants because of the larger-than-normal crowd, even though the bar’s legal capacity had not been reached. Responding to the disturbance, Clement said, management opted to close the bar for the night to avoid further disruptions.

“We do not want to be a problem on State Street,” Clement stressed.

Whether their complaints are legitimate, or this is just a case of competition turning ugly, Sletten and Wachowiak are urging boycotts of their downtown neighbors.

Sletten casts the first stone

Using the popular social networking site Facebook as his platform June 20, Sletten publicly posted: “Bar 3 and Red Lion… You SUCK! You are both LAME as hell and should be shut DOWN for your irresponsibility. People… do not support them, the sooner they go out of business the sooner we can get a responsible business in.”

Subsequent comments from Sletten included “they will sell their souls for a buck” and “all I know is that the Block was shut down by the police because their party was out of control, no shootings, no violence, just bar owner irresponsibility.”

Recounting the events, Sletten told The Rock River Times, “When I was driving up State Street, I drove by Bar 3, and there’s a couple guys in handcuffs in front of their place.”

As he continued toward the 500 block, he said, he saw 50-100 people “out in the middle of the street,” a large concentration of whom were outside of Red Lion, and stretching down the block. A short time later, Sletten added, as many as eight police cars had closed off the 500 block as officers dispersed the crowd.

“It affected our business tremendously—my business the [Irish] Rose business, the Office business, Social business—everybody on the block, because people can’t get there,” he argued, noting he and his employees had to walk patrons to their cars as a result of the unruly crowd. Sletten said he assured his customers, “This isn’t a normal thing in the life of downtown Rockford.”

A comment in response from the Facebook account of Krytponite Bar stated: “I have to chime in on the irresponsible business practices of Bar 3, and Red Lion. Businesses operating to make a quick buck with the lack of concern to how it affects it’s community is an unacceptable business practice. I will also be doing everything I can to make sure downtown is booming with excellent service and fun events, just like Brio, Social, Irish Rose, Bamboo, CJs, Carlyle, Capri, 505 do everyday… because there are too many of us trying to make a difference and not a quick buck at the expense of others.”

Another notable response to Sletten’s comment came from local real estate agent Melissa S. Miller, who wrote: “I have been saying this to the owner’s for a while now… I believe there are bad things going on continually at those bars and I mean BAD! Why do the owner’s of the properties condone it. We need to quit looking the other way for ‘some people’….DRUGS and CRIME ARE BAD THINGS!”

A statement on Kryptonite’s own Facebook page asserted: “I believe that business’s should be run with integrity and respect for it’s community and those that refuse to clean up their business’s practices should be boycotted until they either clean it up or close it up! Bar 3 and Red Lion I’m talking about you directly in case there was any confusion.”

Ryein Rawhoof, manager of nearby Sacred Art Tattoo, added the comment: “And those of us who do run our business’s with respect have to fall victim of the aftermath. People are hesitant enough to come downtown. With bulls–t that happened over the weekend at bar 3, do you blame em? They shut down the strip club, cool. bar 3 opens, cool, another music venue. Now? Disrespectful. We have a great community down here. Why do we (those of us that work, live, and play downtown) have to fear walking around in our own backyard? One man has to ruin it all for us. Please, don’t s–t where I eat and sleep!!!”

Reached later for comment, Wachowiak argued: “Bar 3 is constantly hosting events that bring in a crowd that just causes trouble. Some of the acts that they book are these ones that cater towards the ‘Hood Ryders’ of Rockford, or theme cars, they call them—the ones causing nuisance. They block the street, and get out of their cars and block traffic, and make a nuisance, blaring music, getting in fights.

“I drove by there at 12:00 at night on Saturday, and I could just tell when I drove up there, all those people outside Bar 3. I’m like, ‘This is not gonna be good,’” Wachowiak said, referring to the crowd impeding the flow of traffic along State Street. “They cut off a main vein in order to get downtown, and people can drive by and see all the cop cars down there, and it sends a bad image of what we’re working so hard to create.”

Sletten concurred, “We’ve been working for a long time to assure people that it’s a safe place to be, and you can walk from business to business without any problems.

“If they’ve got events or music, or things going on in their establishments, keep people under control, and keep them in the building, and take care of it,” he added. “That’s where my frustration comes in. This isn’t the first time that the cops have been at the Red Lion or Bar 3. It’s not shocking…to see cops in front of either one of their locations.”

Racial undertones?

Although Sletten and Wachowiak have been very vocal about the June 19 disturbance, no similar public outcry was made several months ago when the Bar 3’s front door was damaged, and Clement was seriously injured by a concertgoer during a rock show attended by a white crowd.

Wachowiak alleged, however, that Bar 3 “is known for booking bands to make a quick buck, but doesn’t think about the effect on the community around it.”

He added, “Businesses have to take accountability to the community and how it affects us.”

As for Red Lion, Wachowiak seemed slightly more forgiving.

“The people that Bar 3 kicked out went to Red Lion,” he said.

Sletten acknowledged: “I don’t know 100 percent of where the crowd came from, but maybe it’s guilt by association, but he’s had these issues before, and it just so happens they were all in front of his place again. I just think the type of business you run attracts, you know, the type of business that comes into your place.”

Amber Pena, of Red Lion, said her establishment was closed to the public June 19 because of a private party, however.

“From what I have heard, Bar 3 had issues outside of their bar, and they then moved up the block to Block 5,” Pena indicated. “The people that were causing problems outside had no affiliation with us. We had our own private party, and the people that came from Bar 3 caused problems with our guests.”

After she and Red Lion owner Vince Mangiracina read Sletten’s comments, they said they feel the harsh criticisms were misdirected, and that Sletten’s choice to turn to Facebook about the June 19 incident was a poor one.

“We cannot control what ‘Hood Ryders’ and/or anyone does outside of our bars,” Mangiracina and Pena stated in an e-mail. “Being a ‘responsible bar owner’ is a matter of controlling our own bar and not each and every bar near our own. We are very upset to what Paul has said about us and actually feel that was a terrible approach to correct a problem.”

Asked whether they thought Sletten’s position suggests an underlying issue may have more to do with concerns about the effect minority patrons might have on downtown establishments with predominantly white customers, like Social, Mangiracina and Pena responded: “Personally, yes, they are being racist and want a certain clientele, which unfortunately, he can’t be the one to choose. Being in the bar business, and especially downtown, I’m sure everyone is fighting to keep business up. We had no association with Bar 3, and whatever they want to do with their business, and what paying customers they have or we have, is totally up to the bar owner.”

Mangiracina and Pena added that if Sletten doesn’t like it, he could always move.

Sletten, however, asserted the race of downtown visitors is not the issue.

“There could be 100 Irish jig dancers that are flooding the streets, and if they cause the cops to come shut down the block, it’s a problem,” he argued. “I don’t care who they are, or what culture they’re from, what race they are, what anything. If you can’t contain the patrons in your establishment, and the cops need to be called, then you’re causing a problem. And that is not something that is beneficial to any of the businesses, or any of the patrons that are trying to come downtown.”

Clement says he’s trying to play nice

Clement argued he does not want to be perceived as a troublemaker for other downtown businesses, and that he’s simply trying to fill a niche no one else in town offers. Several years ago, he chose to close the doors of the longstanding Surf Lounge, which featured exotic dancers. After remodeling, Clement reopened as Bar 3.

“I closed the Surf Lounge down, because there was a petition being circulated that was signed by most of the people downtown, asking the city to get rid of us, because we were perceived as undesirable,” he explained. “I closed it, because I said, ‘I would rather be perceived as part of the solution, not the problem.’

“We have been forced to be as creative as we can, and offer as much of a variety of music as we possibly can, in order to survive,” he added. “Now, I’m finding myself in a position where I’m being portrayed as another problem that needs to be eradicated from downtown. …We have tried so hard to allow a hip-hop venue to happen, and not be a problem for the community, just as much as we’ve tried to do heavy metal, or rock, or indie music—whatever it is that we can present. What I’m trying to do is give people a showcase that’s better than anywhere else to go, as far as sound and lighting and ambience, and all those kinds of things, so that we can have a fun, live-music venue.

“It’s my belief, and it always has been my belief, that the people who are in business downtown are not competing with each other. They’re working together,” Clement asserted. “Our survival is tied to each other.

“I don’t really want to get into a he-said-she-said kind of battle around town with any of this,” Clement concluded. “I can’t see anything good coming from it.”

With plenty of hard feelings to go around, the Bar Wars saga may not be over.

From the June 23-29, 2010 issue

June 14, the Rockford City Council passed a committee report recommending that $100,000 in Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds be issued to the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC). Although there was no debate on the floor during the meeting, the measure was not without opposition. Aldermen Venita Hervey (D-5), Lenny Jacobson (D-6) and Ann Thompson-Kelly (D-7) cast the only “no” votes, but the resistance began in the weeks prior.

Opposition to the measure was based on the argument that the CSBG funds issued under the federal stimulus program are specifically intended for poverty-related programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Grantees receiving funds under the CSBG program are required to provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health.

“Beneficiaries are low-income individuals that may be unemployed or receiving public assistance, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), at-risk youth, custodial and non-custodial parents, residents of public housing, persons with disabilities, persons who are homeless, and individuals transitioning from incarceration into the community,” the department states of the CSBG program’s target population.

All told, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has earmarked $1 billion for the program through the third quarter of 2010.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the federal dollars to local community action agencies. In Rockford’s case, the agency is the city’s Department of Human Services.

During the June 7 meeting, Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13), for the second week in a row, made a successful motion, albeit narrowly, to lay the RAEDC funding matter over after an impassioned plea from Victory Bell, a Democratic former alderman who served the Fifth Ward for four decades. Bell, who retired from the council last year, is also president of the Neighborhood Network Board of Directors.

Bell told former colleagues he was “disturbed” the CSBG funds were being earmarked for an economic development group.

“It is my opinion that these stimulus funds were allocated to the community action agencies for poverty programs for Winnebago and Boone counties,” he argued. “I question if the RAEDC is an appropriate organization for awarding $100,000 from the poverty funds.”

Although Bell asked that the funding proposal be sent back to the drawing board in committee, a layover would have to suffice. Bell told The Rock River Times he doesn’t believe McNeely could have secured enough support for the committee referral June 7, because fellow Democrats Lenny Jacobson (D-6), Ann Thompson-Kelly (D-7) and Karen Elyea (D-11) were absent.

“My position is that aldermen have…an obligation to look at what is going to benefit the people in their area,” he asserted. “There are six or seven wards that have 75 percent of the poverty, and really need to begin to use not only poverty money, but economic development funds as well, to address the problem, and the ongoing problems, in those areas—education, unemployment, high dropout rate, high incarceration rates. You add all those together, and you cannot promote a healthy city.”

Bell, who noted he always supported the RAEDC as an alderman, said he fears some may misconstrue his plea.

“I think everybody’s going to look at it as if we’re just opposed to the Rockford Area Economic Development [Council],” he surmised. “That’s not the point. I understand clearly the concept of the region.”

Regardless, Bell stressed that CSBG funds are meant for community agencies directly combating poverty.

A fine line

Also during the June 7 meeting, McNeely questioned how a number of other organizations qualified for CSBG sub-grants. Rockford Urban Ministries (RUM) was awarded $35,000, Alignment Rockford was issued $25,000, the west side Weed and Seed program received $15,000, and Diversity, Inc., was granted $10,000.

“I thought that the purpose of the grants, the main purpose, was to make sure that individuals in the community were able to receive employment,” said McNeely, who was not present for the June 14 vote. “And based on the organizations that I see here, I’m not sure how they would employ the youngsters within the community.”

Human Services Director George Davis explained: “Each of these grants has to do with a project that was proposed that both maintains current employment in some cases, or provides a service that would otherwise not be available to the community. In some cases, the projects would fund materials and equipment that, of course, would be purchased locally, that supports our local economy.”

With regard to RUM, a religious-based organization, federal CSBG guidelines state: “Direct Federal grants, sub-awards, or contracts under this program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the services funded under this program.”

Explaining the CSBG funding for RUM, Davis said, “This program is an ongoing project that has to do with repairing and maintaining homes in our community of individuals that could not afford to otherwise do those repairs.”

Although the program utilizes youth volunteers, he explained, it requires coordination by a paid staff and the purchase of materials.

“The other projects here have a similar focus,” he added, noting the grant for Diversity, Inc., will support staff time associated with youth education regarding risky behaviors, including sexually-transmitted diseases. The Weed and Seed grant will be used to contract a tutor. The funding for Alignment Rockford will be implemented to pay staff for coordination of projects supporting improved education in public schools.

The RAEDC, which sometimes engages in lobbying activities on behalf of the region, will also have to be very specific as to how the $100,000 CSBG grant would be used.

According to federal guidelines: “Federal grant funds provided under this award may not be used by the grantee or any sub-grantee to support lobbying activities to influence proposed or pending Federal or State legislation or appropriations. This prohibition is related to the use of Federal grant funds and is not intended to affect an individual’s right or that of any organization, to petition Congress, or any other level of Government, through the use of other resources.”

How CSBG expenditures are approved

Director Davis explained groups seeking the CSBG grants have to develop an annual work plan for approval by the 15-member Human Services Community Action Board and, ultimately, by the DCEO. He noted the plans are reviewed and revised annually to ensure they are on track.

“Projects and expenditures must address the needs of low-income residents based on income guidelines and poverty demographics,” he explained, indicating areas of activity may include basic needs and direct assistance, case management, information and referrals, education and training, as well as scholarships. Economic development also qualifies, Davis reported.

“While some funds are designated for specific areas of activity, there is a great deal of flexibility given to local communities in prioritizing services,” he stated.

However, if grants are determined to not be utilized in accordance with ARRA or the CSBG Act, the federal government may withhold the funds.

“I just think that we take a risk when we begin to stretch the qualifications, switch the priorities, of funds,” Bell said. “Economic funds are for economic development, and poverty funds are really for poverty.”

Davis, however, noted there is a direct correlation between economic development and combating poverty.

“Direct assistance to low-income residents and neighborhoods in various forms is also critical to mitigating the negative effects of poverty,” he acknowledged. “However, the balance between investments and efforts to improve conditions affecting poverty and direct programs and strategies to address specific poverty conditions is not formulaic, and CSBG funding is designed to provide local flexibility to ensure that funds achieve optimal benefit in addressing poverty conditions.”

Davis indicated CSBG funds are also intended to leverage other public or private dollars to “fill gaps” not addressed by other means to maximize the anti-poverty resources.

Bell instead suggests Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) would be more suitable for an economic development organization like RAEDC.

“My position would be that if, for example, any organization was going to use…community service [block grant] funds, they need to be concentrated in the area specifically dealing with the poor,” he said. “And I think that’s the difference. I think that, maybe, it’s what is not being considered there. It needs to say for sure: ‘This is what we’re going to do for poverty. This is what we’re going to do in certain low-income, moderate-income, areas,’ and things of that nature.”

RAEDC President Janyce Fadden acknowledged the CSBG approach as being different from previous funding from the city.

“We haven’t done it before this way, but it appears to be all in line with the way that the funds are intended to be used,” she said. “And the community has options sometimes with the funds like the CSBG to seek out providers like ourselves, who can help people become employed in the community.

“When the City of Rockford proposed making this change, we met with the management over at Human Services to discuss whether we were grant-eligible, and part of the requirements of the economic development portion of the CSBG is about our ability to create jobs,” Fadden explained. “And although we’re not the employer of record, we do work to attract jobs and help people get employed in the community. And many of the jobs that we do qualify for the income levels of the people that are being assisted by Human Services, so they felt that we were a viable option. They then discussed this with the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, who approved moving ahead. And then, the community action agency, that is really Human Services—their board also approved this as a legitimate use of their funds.”

Asked why city staff had not opted to earmark CDBG funds, rather than CSBG dollars, for the RAEDC, Davis acknowledged: “CDBG funding can be used for similar purposes in terms of economic development. However, due to the demands on the CDBG budget this year, the continued economic challenges faced by the city placing additional demands on other economic development resources, and the fact that available CSBG funding was increased dramatically due to federal stimulus, we were able to consider support of the RAEDC’s request.”

CDBG dollars are among the alternatives being considered by aldermen to fund groups and projects that were once supported by tax increment financing (TIF) dollars. Recently, however, aldermen were advised to put the brakes on TIF expenditures. As a result, the relatively few successful TIF districts in Rockford will essentially be used to bail out those that are failing, rather than the intended practice of reinvesting the increment revenues into the neighborhoods that generated the dollars.

Regardless of the city’s financial woes, Bell argued elected leaders must address poverty as a priority.

“You’re not going to eradicate poverty, but how do you improve the conditions of those individuals who have systematically been left out of the mainstream of economics and so forth?” Bell wondered. “We in Rockford have a history of not really prioritizing strategies to improve poverty. And this has gone on for years. That’s why the school board had its 30 years of systematic discrimination.

“I really want to look at ways that we can begin to get people in the low- and moderate-income area more focused on getting involved in the issues that have confronted them in those areas,” he added. “Elected officials are going to have to start focusing on how we can improve the conditions of poverty. It’s a very serious problem.”

State election records show contributions of more than $71,000 to the campaign of Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey (I), plus more than $19,000 to the Citizens for Rebuilding Rockford campaign supporting the mayor’s push for a 1-percentage-point sales tax increase, from RAEDC representatives, either individually, or by way of their respective businesses or employers. Notably, the Rockford Register Star, represented by General Manager Tom Lasley on the RAEDC, was among Morrissey’s contributors.

From the June 16-22, 2010 issue

Ald. Bill Robertson (I-14) introduced a resolution whereby the Finance and Personnel Committee would begin reviewing capital improvement projects slated for 2011, “with an effort to move part or all of the motor fuel tax [MFT] dollars into the general fund to offset the projected $5.2 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2011.”

According to a Public Works Department document: “It is the purpose of the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to provide dedicated revenues from taxes on gasoline and diesel sales for road maintenance and construction. Revenues are distributed by the State of Illinois on a per capita basis from its tax on motor fuels. It is the policy of the City to use these user fee taxes on motor fuel sales exclusively for road improvement.”

The report adds, “Based upon the annual requirements of the Capital Projects Fund, funds are transferred from this Fund to the Capital Projects Fund to finance certain construction projects.”

Gasoline generates 19 cents per gallon under the MFT, while the tax on diesel fuel is 21.5 cents. The city has budgeted $5 million in anticipated MFT revenue for this year, $3.8 million of which has been slated for transfer to the Capital Projects Fund for road improvements.

If Robertson’s resolution is met with approval by fellow aldermen, however, fewer dollars will be put toward road projects next year. Instead, they would be used to avoid cuts in the general fund, meaning jobs would likely be spared.

Robertson referred the resolution to the Finance and Personnel Committee, requesting it be placed on the June 21 agenda for consideration.

Committee reports

→ Awarding Norwest Construction, of South Beloit, $45,936.28 for street repairs.

→ Approving $100,000 in Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds for the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (see “Former alderman: Using poverty funds for economic development a risky venture” in this issue). Aldermen Venita Hervey (D-5), Lenny Jacobson (D-6) and Ann Thompson-Kelly (D-7) voted “no.”

→ Awarding MWH Americas, Inc., with offices in Chicago, a $100,000 engineering agreement to perform a hydro-power assessment. The cost is payable from Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds through the U.S. Department of Energy.

→ Awarding a $102,500 engineering agreement to WES Engineering, LLC, of Madison, Wis., to perform a large-scale wind resource and energy assessment. Funding is provided through EECBG funds.

→ Awarding a $32,540 engineering agreement to Seventh Generation Energy Systems, Inc., based in Madison, Wis., to perform a small-scale wind resource and energy assessment. Funding is provided through EECBG funds.

→ Approving a $16,500 task order to MWH Americas to investigate water quality in Well 37.

Closed session

Aldermen convened in closed session to discuss litigation and personnel matters.

Public comments

Craig Day, Rockford Sharefest executive director, updated aldermen on the progress of preparations for the June 18-26 event, which will give makeovers to West Middle School and Cherry Valley Elementary School. Day said about 4,000 volunteers have already signed up to work shifts, three of which are available daily. He’s hoping 4,000 more will volunteer for the school improvement project. Day is also asking that 10,000 individuals donate $20 each. He reported Sharefest is about one-third of the way to meeting its financial goal to purchase materials for the project.

Prophet Yusef spoke on behalf of homeless veterans, arguing the needs for housing, food, medical and mental care, addiction treatment and employment. He also urged the city to support organizations that help homeless veterans.

Absence

Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13) was absent.

From the June 16-22, 2010 issue

Photo by Frank Schier

Rockford City Market opened Friday, June 11, to a healthy group of shoppers. Rockford City Market will take place from 3-7 p.m., Fridays, now through Oct. 22 along Water Street in downtown Rockford, between State and Jefferson streets. The market will include local growers and vendors who sell natural products, including vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheeses, flowers, herbs, baked goods, wine and healthy snacks, as well as artisans and vendors with unique offerings and performers located within a 150-mile radius of the Rockford Region are encouraged to apply. Pictured right (blue shirt) is Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority (RAVE) Chairman Mike Dunn.

From the June 16-22, 2010 issue

Nearly 60 local Tea Party supporters gathered Thursday night, June 10, in Lena to hear speaker Savannah Liston. Members of the audience included Tea Partiers from Carroll County and Stephenson County, with some from as far away as Morrison. Liston, 16, of Pecatonica, delivered a well-received presentation about fractional reserve banking.

Fractional reserve banking is defined by Investopedia.com as “a banking system in which only a fraction of bank deposits are backed by actual cash-on-hand and are available for withdrawal. This is done to expand the economy by freeing up capital that can be loaned out to other parties.” Liston, presenting from the Austrian or free market school, illustrated how fractional reserve banking can lead to inflationary periods and harsh business cycles. The home-schooler will seek more insight on Austrian economics on scholarship this summer at the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Alabama.

Enthused members of the audience asked questions ranging in topics from historical periods of depression and recession to minimum wage laws and unemployment. “What should be the role of the Fed, then?” posed one of the nearly dozen newcomers. Poised, prepared and knowledgeable, the young speaker offered her thoughts, while, in true Tea Party fashion, other members of the audience joined in to share some of their conclusions as well. Stephenson Tea Party organizer Bill Dietz acknowledged, “Each individual will have a slightly different view on many of these topics,” which is part of the national intrigue of the Tea Party.

Savannah Liston concluded by asking the audience to think about “What is liberty?” and to consider, “What service does the government provide that the free market can’t do better?”

“Not very much,” was the general consensus in the room. The Stephenson County Tea Party meets in Lena on the second Thursday of each month. Call Bill Dietz at (815) 369-4334.

Savannah Liston will hold a meeting to discuss economic topics at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 17, at Mary’s Market, 4431 E. State St., Rockford. Admission is free.

From the June 16-22, 2010 issue

Betty Diehl (left) and Charlie Worboys, members of the local MoveOn.org chapter, hold signs urging BP to take responsibility for the April oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Jim Hagerty

By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer

More than a dozen protesters from the Rockford area MoveOn.org chapter braved driving rain and chilly temperatures Tuesday, June 8, to protest across from the BP (British Petroleum) fuel station at 315 N. Mulford Road.

The group voiced its concern about the aftermath of the massive April oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The disaster was caused by a faulty underwater oil well and the explosion on a BP-contracted oil rig. The blast killed 11 crew members.

Those on hand at the protest held signs urging BP to take responsibility for the disaster, which, since April 21, has continued to pour crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of approximately 4 million gallons per day.

Demonstrators said protesting near a BP station is fitting, and hope to send a message to motorists and anyone who passes by the familiar green and yellow signage.

“We are interested in raising public awareness,” Gaen McClendon said. “There is a BP station across the street, and there is a lot of traffic. We don’t have any gripe with employees of BP locally or those on the national level. But the organization they work for and support is dedicated solely to profit and not to taking care of the impact their organization has on the environment.”

Some demonstrators spoke directly to BP, calling on the company to take ownership of the catastrophe and help those struggling through the after-effects.

“BP needs to do something about what (it) did down in the Gulf. There are so many people down there that lost their jobs and are losing everything,” Betty Diehl added. “And the wildlife doesn’t have a voice of opinion. They are dying. Everybody needs to be pulling together and telling BP what we feel about this. It’s time to take a stand.”

The oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, was pumping from a well about a mile into the sea when it exploded April 20. It sank into the gulf the next day. BP crews have been attempting to stop the well cap from causing further carnage.

Transocean, the company that owned the vessel, was commissioned as a drilling contractor for BP at the time of the explosion.

During a congressional hearing last month, BP Vice President James Dupree testified that a faulty valve was producing “discrepancies” in pressure levels according to tests done before the blast.

The tests were done to monitor the safety of the rig and well, which was designed to keep natural gas out of the pipeline.

Dupree’s testimony also revealed another contractor at the well site had just finished cement work hours before the explosion. Transocean reps also said there was something suspicious before the accident.

“There was something happening in the well bore that shouldn’t be happening,” Steven Newman, Transocean’s chief executive officer, said.

Meantime, organizations such as MoveOn.org are urging the federal government and BP to move quickly to thwart further environmental damage and expansion of the spill area, which, at press time, included more than 125 miles of the Louisiana coast.

From the June 9-15, 2010 issue

Marcie Aceto, the Illinois director for the Mrs. America Pageant system, is announcing that the search is on for the new Mrs. Rockford.

Once selected, the community representative will then advance on to compete in the Mrs. Illinois Pageant to be held July 24 at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Auditorium. City and county titleholders will compete to win more than $15,000 in prizes, one of which includes an all-expense-paid trip to the national Mrs. America Pageant.

Interested applicants must live or work in the Illinois area, must be married during the time of competition, a resident of the state for at least six months, a U.S. citizen, and be at least 18 years old. There is no age limit or performing talent.

In its 34th year, the Mrs. America Pageant is dedicated to recognizing the one person who contributes so much to modern family life—America’s married woman! While beauty and physical fitness are key elements in the competition, Mrs. Rockford contestants are also urged to voice their opinions on marriage, community and important issues of the day. It is also the only pageant system for married women that advances on to the internationally-televised Mrs. World Pageant.

Interested applicants are invited to find out more about the competition at pageants@mrsillinoisamerica.com and/or can request and receive free entry information by contacting Marcie at the Mrs. Illinois office at (630) 325-4305.

From the June 2-8, 2010 issue

While top executives from OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Rockford Health System tout OSF’s proposed merger with Rockford Memorial Hospital (RMH) as win-win for the region’s health care industry, the acquisition of RMH by religious-based OSF gives Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling (RSAC), Inc. reason for concern.

“I guess the only issue that we see with RMH being taken over by OSF is the ‘morning-after pill,’ which OSF does not really, freely provide to victims of sexual assault in the emergency room,” said Paula DiCaprio, an RSAC therapist and counselor. “They do a series of tests to see if—basically, if you don’t need it, then they’ll give it to you. But if you’re ovulating, they don’t want to give it to you. So, that’s the problem that we have.”

Asked to outline OSF’s emergency contraception policy, Saint Anthony Communications Director Mike Robinson said: “If someone comes in as a victim, we give them a pregnancy test. If they’re determined to be pregnant, we don’t give them medication. If they’re ovulating, we don’t give them medication. If either of those two conditions are not present, the patient can ask for the medication. We’d provide them one dose at the emergency room, and provide them a dose to take with them.”

The Catholic Church’s Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, developed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved by the Vatican, essentially prohibits providing the morning-after pill as a means of contraception to those whose birth control method either failed, or was not used, during consensual intercourse.

In cases of sexual assault, however, one directive states that the contraceptive may be administered to “a female who has been raped to defend herself against a potential conception from the sexual assault,” provided that she shows no signs of pregnancy having been established prior to the assault.

A study released in 2002 by Catholics for a Free Choice found that 55 percent of the nation’s Catholic hospitals would not administer the morning-after pill under any circumstances.

Illinois law, however, requires that hospitals at least provide information regarding the availability of such emergency contraception.

Asked whether OSF’s policy would be adopted by RMH under the proposed merger, Evonne Woloshyn, vice president of marketing and public relations for RMH, responded, “Since we have just begun the due diligence process, it is just too early to comment on your questions, from our perspective.”

Although DiCaprio applauded Saint Anthony’s treatment in general, this particular policy is an issue that could spread to RMH if the merger comes to fruition.

“OSF is great,” she acknowledged. “They have a lot of SANE [sexual assault nurse examiner] nurses…that work in the emergency department there, but they will not give that medication or a prescription in most cases.”

Plan B, a hormone-based emergency contraceptive approved in 1999 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is believed to prevent pregnancy from taking hold when taken in two doses within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Many in the Catholic Church, however, consider the morning-after pill abortion.

Meantime, according to the New York-based Guttmacher Institute, at least 9,000 abortions are attributable annually to pregnancies resulting from sexual assaults.

“It’s always been the morning-after pill issue that, at the other hospitals, it’s just given, just like with the medication to treat any STDs, or whatever, that somebody might have gotten,” DiCaprio said. “First of all, it’s important to remember that—services in the emergency room—usually, you would get all the medication, and you would either be covered by your private insurance, you medical card, or, if you didn’t have either of those, there’s a state program that…would cover the cost of that. So, if you didn’t get it, and you were an adult, you could go to a pharmacy and get Plan B. …But if you were an adolescent, you would not be able to get that.”

In such cases, DiCaprio indicated, the victim would instead have to seek emergency contraception from a family physician. Proponents of hospitals administering Plan B for victims of sexual assault often refer to such instances as “barriers” to emergency contraception.

“If you can imagine being a victim, being at 2, 3 o’clock in the morning, and you’re at a hospital, and then you don’t have everything that you need when you leave,” she explained. “Then it’s trying to figure out what you’re gonna do.”

As a result of OSF’s policy, DiCaprio noted, RSAC has partnered with Swedish American Hospital to provide emergency contraception to sexual assault victims discharged from OSF.

“For patients of Saint Anthony’s, if they come to the emergency room and provide a negative pregnancy test and their discharge papers that show they were a victim of a sexual assault…they would give them the morning-after pill free of charge,” she said.

Should the proposed merger of OSF and RMH come to fruition, DiCaprio fears such a partnership would cease to be feasible.

“This certainly wouldn’t be practical on the volume that RMH sees,” she said.

From the May 26-June 1, 2010 issue

Midtown District President Jim Phelps, upper left, looks on as Rockford Finance Director Andres Sammul delivers grim news regarding the state of the tax increment financing (TIF) district. Photo by Stuart R. Wahlin

By Stuart R. Wahlin
Staff Writer

As Rockford aldermen consider tightening their belts with regard to future funding for organizations like the River District Association, Miracle Mile Rockford, Midtown District, Inc., and other nonprofits, the source of such development funds—tax increment financing (TIF) districts—was the subject of a recent analysis by Andres Sammul, the city’s finance director. His prognosis was not especially rosy.

TIF districts are financing schemes employed by municipalities hoping to revive blighted areas. When a TIF district is created, assessed property values within its boundaries are essentially frozen—at least, as far as taxing bodies are concerned—for the life of the district, which is typically 23 years. As the area begins to redevelop—if it redevelops—and assessed values rise, any additional property tax revenue, or increment, is filtered into a special fund for public improvements, or to help finance private investment in the district.

Sammul is now urging aldermen to cut back on any new commitments of TIF dollars.

“Given the nature of TIF districts, it is recommended that, unless a project can generate the necessary debt service each year, long-term financing not be used in TIF districts,” he stressed. “In addition, it is recommended that pay-as-you-go financing also not be used unless a district’s current forecast is positive for all remaining years.”

TIF districts are often commenced with an infusion of cash through the issuance of bonds under the assumption the district will not only generate enough of an increment to eventually pay off the debt, but to provide some sort of benefit to lure investment. Under the pay-as-you-go model, no debt is issued, and only the generated increment is available for projects. Therefore, developers are incentivized to deliver results to ensure some sort of TIF return on their investments.

According to Sammul’s May 8 memorandum to Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) and the Rockford City Council, although several of Rockford’s TIF districts are performing as expected, the city’s TIF program ended 2009 with a combined deficit of $1.8 million. That negative fund balance, Sammul added, will expand to $4.1 million in 2022 before the trend reverses.

The figure, however, seems based on the assumption no new debt-bearing TIF districts are created in the meantime.

“It turns positive in 2031,” Sammul indicated. “That change assumes that districts that close out with negative balances receive a transfer from other funds.”

“Other funds” could include the city’s general and redevelopment funds, which rely on property and sales taxes, respectively, or by transferring money from TIF districts that are successful to contiguous ones that are not.

“In 2009, to address the nonperformance of TIF districts, as well as the Redevelopment Fund, the council approved the transfer of funds among certain funds. We will need to continue this strategy for the next 10 years,” Sammul added. “There are groups of adjacent districts that can benefit from this.

“With our current cash position resulting in a need to borrow, it is critical that we utilize available funds between districts and the Redevelopment Fund in the next decade to reduce deficits and lower our need to borrow,” he stressed.

Jim Phelps, president of Midtown District, Inc., likens this approach to “corporate communism,” in that one district is rewarded at the expense of another, which he said violates the intent of TIF—addressing blight in the district generating the increment.

“When $700,000 was removed last year from this TIF [for debt service in the East Side TIF District], no one thought of contacting the Midtown District,” Phelps responded. “$700,000 would fund 23-and-a-third years at the current funding level for the Midtown District. This TIF ends in 2016, which makes the removal of these funds at this time even more suspicious-looking to me.

“It may also have the effect of inhibiting future entrepreneurial growth in this and other TIFs,” he suggested. “In other words, less tax dollars in terms of increasing property values and sales tax generation for the City of Rockford.

“Frankly, this level of expropriation is frightening,” he added. “In general, this level of unaccountability is disastrous for the citizens, stakeholders and future of Midtown and the City of Rockford.”

Meantime, Midtown is awaiting a decision by aldermen whether to OK $30,000 in funds from the successful Seventh Street TIF District. Phelps indicated the funds would be used for marketing area businesses, image branding, replacing sidewalk garbage cans, and to work with developers and Realtors to promote business and residential opportunities in the district.

Sammul’s report, however, may give aldermen reason for pause, because the district’s $591,000 fund balance may be too tempting to use elsewhere.

Although the River District Association and Miracle Mile Rockford have received nods for full funding from the city in recent weeks, Phelps indicated Midtown’s request is continually left off the Planning and Development Committee agenda.

He said the initial request was submitted in February, but was subject to several revisions. The finalized request, Phelps added, was submitted to Jovita Donahue, a development specialist for the city, March 24.

When Phelps followed up with Donahue nearly two months later to inquire when the matter would come before the Planning and Development Committee, she attributed the delay to the committee’s review of future funding considerations for nonprofits in the wake of negatively-performing TIF districts.

“The City is aware of and appreciates all of our community partners’ efforts to meet the needs of the community, but due to current financial restraints are forced to move in the current direction of reviewing future funding for all organizations,” Donahue responded in an e-mail. “Unfortunately, we are unable to move forward with your request until further P&D discussion and a decision has taken place.”

As Phelps sat through the committee’s May 17 meeting, however, he watched as $22,100 in funding was approved for Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful.

“To not fund the Midtown District would more than telegraph the intentions of creating a ‘Central Business District’ [in which the Midtown and the River District groups would essentially become one organization], such as what the Rock River Development Partnership is currently proposing,” Phelps noted.

Redevelopment Fund restructured

The city’s Redevelopment Fund was created in 1978 by a 1-percentage-point sales tax on motel, package liquor and restaurant receipts. The “Metro Tax,” which has since been renewed until 2028, was established primarily as a means to offset the MetroCentre’s operating deficit. Historically, however, the civic center has only received about 40 percent of the fund’s proceeds.

In 2009, the Redevelopment Fund produced $3,432,659, and $3,495,200 is anticipated for 2010. This year’s Redevelopment Fund expenditures are projected to be $3,563,045, adding to a $3.7 million deficit that is not expected to turn positive until 2024, according to projections after aldermen restructured the fund last year.

The new structure included a $1.2 million subsidy for the MetroCentre in 2009, $1.1 million this year, and $1 million in 2011. Additionally, the city took over the $486,000 in debt service payments arena leaders had previously thought the center could bear after remodeling. Aldermen also agreed to back the MetroCentre for it to receive a new line of credit.

But as the city is renewing its focus on using the Redevelopment Fund for the MetroCentre, other organizations that have historically depended on such dollars have seen decreased, or completely eliminated, funding from this coffer. The Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC), for instance, was delivered a $100,000 cut from what had been a $300,000 annual allotment. An annual $50,000 allocation for Southwest Ideas for Today and Tomorrow (SWIFTT) was ceased.

But to erase the Redevelopment Fund’s deficit, Sammul is tightening the reins on the MetroCentre as well, which counted on $456,000 from the fund in 2008.

“In order for the Redevelopment Fund restructuring to succeed, the MetroCentre subsidy after 2011 cannot exceed $300,000,” he warned. “Any additional subsidy amount would need to come from the Tourism Promotion Fund,” upon which the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB) significantly relies. Between 2009 and 2010, the RACVB has experienced a $338,600 reduction from the fund, which is anticipated to generate about $1.55 million this year.

As a number of Rockford’s TIF districts are in danger of closing with negative balances, the Redevelopment and General funds are being eyed as means to shore up the deficits, which would deplete tax dollars from their intended uses.

The report card—adjacent TIF districts

By law, funds may only transfer from one TIF district to another if the districts are adjacent. Because a number of TIFs have fund balances in the black, while others are in the red, this is quickly becoming a convenient practice in Rockford government, which has 30 such areas at its disposal. Based on the interconnectivity of TIF districts in the central city, the successful TIF districts will likely bear the burdens of their underperforming neighbors.

Three Global Trade Park TIF districts

Rockford’s three Global Trade Park TIF districts will need to work together, via $750,000 in transfers through 2012, to prove “successful.” The original TIF, expiring in 2027, shows a negative fund balance of $250,800, but is expected to turn positive next year. According to Sammul, as much as $7.7 million could become available among the three TIFs in the years to follow.

In 2007, the city provided Anderson Packaging $1.1 million in TIF funds from the district toward a $7.5 million expansion project, which promised 150-250 new jobs within five years. The following year, Anderson laid off 167 employees.

Transfers into the TIF began last year, Sammul indicated, and should continue in the amounts of $150,000 this year and $300,000 in each of the two following years. Despite the negative balance requiring transfers from the second and third Global Trade Park TIFs, Sammul described the TIF as “successful.”

The second Global Trade Park TIF, to expire in 2030, has a $12,300 deficit, which is expected to shift into the black by the end of this year. Sammul reported the TIF’s increment production has decreased, but that no debt service payments need to be made. The district is expected to generate an increment of $4.66 million during the next 21 years. To help counteract the shortfall of its predecessor, $500,000 in transfers will be made from this TIF through 2012. Sammul determined the second Global Trade Park TIF “could be successful.”

The third Global Trade Park TIF, expiring in 2031, shows a balance of $13,200 and is not encumbered by debt service payments. It is expected to produce up to $4.2 million in increment during the next 22 years. Sammul is recommending that $250,000 be transferred into the first Global Trade Park TIF by 2012. Sammul projects that the third Global Trade Park “could be successful.”

Springfield Corners TIF District

Hope for the success of the Springfield Corners TIF District relies heavily on Spring Creek Development’s $65 million mixed-use Renaissance Corners project on West State Street, between Pierpont and Springfield avenues, toward which the city has pledged $5,438,937.

Meantime, in the wake of a slumping housing market, the Emerson Estates subdivision project within the TIF has slowed considerably.

According to Sammul, fund transfers into the district began last year, and should continue in the amount of $250,000 annually through 2017. The transfers would then fall to $200,000 in 2018 and 2019. Presently, the district shows a $422,700 deficit, and a total debt service of $5,891,548 through 2023.

“With these transfers, and assuming a successful build-out, the TIF will turn positive the last two years,” Sammul projected.

However, if development does not go as originally planned, Sammul noted, additional transfers will be needed to erase a negative fund balance when the TIF expires in 2025.

“Given this financial status, there should be no more bond sales for this district unless there is a guaranteed debt service stream for the new debt,” he added.

State and Central TIF District

Springfield Corners’ neighbor, the State and Central TIF District, shows a deficit of $11,300, but is expected to turn positive next year. The TIF, ending in 2030, has no debt service obligations, and Sammul recommends that transfers be made into Springfield Corners to offset its deficit. Noting that up to $5 million could be produced by the State and Central TIF District over 20 years, Sammul advised it “could be successful.”

South Rockford TIF District

Despite $1.7 million in proposed assistance from the Redevelopment Fund through 2017, the South Rockford TIF District is expected to close in 2023 with a deficit of more than $680,000.

“A General Fund transfer for fund closeout may become necessary,” Sammul stated.

The district presently shows a deficit of only $23,200, but is buried in debt service. Per Sammul’s recommendation, $1.7 million would be earmarked from the Redevelopment Fund, while transfers from other central-city TIF districts would also be needed to address the shortfall.

East Side TIF District

The East Side TIF District, ending in 2016, has a fund balance of $12,000, with debt service to end next year. The TIF is expected to have about $922,000 at its disposal between 2013 and 2016, which Sammul noted would be “available for use in the central-city group for deficit reduction.”

East River TIF District

The East River TIF District, which Sammul said “could be successful,” has a $37,300 fund balance. The TIF bears a total debt service of $528,842 through 2023. Sammul anticipates the TIF could generate $1.79 million in available funds between 2015 and 2032, when the district is set to close.

River North TIF District

The River North TIF District, which Sammul also says “could be successful,” shows a negative fund balance of $88,700, but is expected to turn positive next year. The district will bear $548,318 in debt service through 2028, but could produce $2.24 million in available funds by the time the TIF closes in 2032.

Two West Side TIF districts

The original West Side TIF District, to expire in 2016, has a fund balance of $4,600, with debt service to end next year. The TIF is then expected to have $758,000 available between 2014 and 2016, which Sammul noted would be “available for use in the central-city group for deficit reduction.”

Its successor, the second West Side TIF District, is showing an $18,100 deficit, but should be out of the red next year, according to Sammul. He estimated $211,000 could become available between 2014 and 2030, when the “could-be-successful” TIF will expire.

Seventh Street TIF District

The Seventh Street TIF District, somewhat of a darling with a $591,000 fund balance, is set to expire in 2016. $450,000 is due for project payouts from three bond issues, however, plus $850,000 in debt service, which will be satisfied in 2015. Sammul estimates $2.5 million will be available during the final six years of the TIF.

Midtown TIF District

The Midtown TIF District, ending in 2032, has a $53,700 fund balance and no debt service burden. Sammul projects that $1.86 million will be available over the “could-be-successful” TIF’s 23-year life.

Broadway TIF District

The Broadway TIF District is $135,000 in the red, but Sammul expects the fund balance to turn positive in 2013 with the benefit of no debt service payments owed. He estimates $1.26 million will become available between 2013 and 2032, when the TIF closes.

Jackson School TIF District

The Jackson School TIF District, ending in 2029, has a fund balance of $150,600, but is also encumbered by $233,189 in debt service through 2017. Sammul predicts $2.9 million would then become available over a 20-year period.

The report card—non-adjacent TIF districts

When a failing TIF district is not abutting a successful one, the city has fewer options to correct a shortfall.

“Of the remaining 14 TIF districts that are not adjacent, three are forecast to close out with deficit positions,” Sammul reported. “If this does indeed become the case, then transfers from either the General or Redevelopment funds will be needed.”

Based on current projections, a figure approaching $3 million may be needed to close the gaps before the three districts can be retired.

Culprit 1: Preston and Central TIF District

The Preston and Central TIF District’s present deficit of $1,268,600 is expected to rise to $2,283,500 when the TIF is to expire in 2030. The TIF bears debt service in the amount of $1,543,494 through 2026. Revitalization efforts have been disappointing so far.

Among notable endeavors within the district, in 2007, the city issued bonds to provide Liebovich Brothers $1.1 million for an expansion project. The expansion, however, has stalled.

“While the private activity project is currently on hold, the company is paying the debt service until they can begin the project,” Sammul offered. “Under current assumptions, fund balance will not turn positive, and is projected to be a negative $2.25 million at closeout. This will require application for funding under the state LUST [Leaking Underground Storage Tanks] program, as well as transferring funds from other city funds, general and redevelopment.”

Culprit 2: North Main TIF District

The North Main TIF District is projected to close with at least a $325,200 deficit in 2026. The TIF bears a total debt service of $2,204,929 through 2022, and revitalization has been slow here, too.

“Neither the commercial nor the residential components are completely built out at this time,” Sammul stated. “If build-out occurs in the next two years, then this TIF is projected to close out with a negative $359,000 balance. For each year of delay, an $80,000 transfer will be required to close out. A General Fund, or possible Redevelopment Fund, transfer for fund closeout may become necessary.”

Culprit 3: Main and Whitman TIF District

Sammul estimates the Main and Whitman TIF District’s present deficit of $158,600 will decrease to a negative balance of $58,300 when the district is to expire in 2031, but “will require a transfer from either the General or Redevelopment funds to close out.” The TIF bears debt service totaling $2,038,088 through 2028.

River Oaks TIF District

The River Oaks TIF District, presently showing a $546,300 deficit, will be retired in 2028. It bears $2,966,353 in debt service payments through 2019, and plans for 63 condominiums and the removal of a mobile home park have not lived up to expectations.

“This project is not built out as planned,” Sammul asserted. “Under best-case scenario, if build-out occurs by 2013, then the TIF will turn positive by 2025 and will generate $1.78 million in available funds over the last four years. For each year of delay, $320,000 will be lost. Delay past 2018 will require a transfer from the General Fund for closeout.”

Garrison School TIF District

The primary reason for creation of the Garrison School TIF District was to aid in the redevelopment of the former Garrison School into residential lofts and adjacent row houses, spearheaded by then-civilian, now mayor, Larry Morrissey and his family. In addition to $1.5 million in TIF assistance, $700,000 in historic preservation tax credits helped make the project possible.

Despite the advances, Sammul reported, “This project is not built out as planned,” but noted the TIF “could be successful.”

If built out in the next year, the district will close in the black in 2028, he added. The district, which bears $2,155,568 in total debt service through 2023, presently shows a deficit of $284,300, which could be out of the red by 2027 with available funds in the amount of $220,000 in the TIF’s last year.

“For each year of delay, $100,000 will be lost,” Sammul warned, however. “Delay past 2011 may require a transfer from the General or Redevelopment funds for closeout.”

Southeast Area TIF District

On the plus side, the Southeast Area TIF District will be retired this year with an anticipated ending balance of $580,000, which will be distributed back to short-changed taxing bodies, about a quarter of which the city will receive.

Assisted Living TIF District

On somewhat of a laughable note, the Assisted Living TIF District produces only $83 in increment, and has a positive fund balance of $40.

“Consideration should be given to dissolving this district,” Sammul concluded.

Two Lincolnwood TIF districts

The two Lincolnwood TIF districts are described as “successful” by Sammul. The first has turned a corner into a positive balance that is now $74,600. The TIF district has $617,241 worth of debt, refinanced in 2005, that will extend through 2017. After the debt is retired, Sammul indicated, $586,000 will become available in the remaining years of the district.

The second Lincolnwood TIF District, to close in 2027, has a balance of $23,400, but also $746,279 in debt through 2021. Sammul reported $240,000 is expected to become available the last two years of the TIF district’s life.

Two Kishwaukee and Harrison TIF districts

Two Kishwaukee and Harrison TIF districts aren’t doing too badly, either, according to Sammul.

The first, ending in 2027, has a $40,100 balance and no debt service obligations. About $900,000 is committed to development through 2023, and Sammul estimated $270,000 will be made available the last five years of the TIF.

The second, ending in 2031, has a balance of only $140, while producing a modest $250 increment. Thankfully, the TIF has incurred no debt, but the district is only expected to generate $4,000 by retirement at its present rate of production.

Hope VI TIF District

The Hope VI TIF District “could be successful,” Sammul stated. Ending in 2028, it has a negative balance of $190,300, which is expected to turn positive in 2027. The TIF bears $3,465,438 in debt service through 2023, and Sammul estimates $606,000 will become available in the last two years of TIF.

State and Kilburn TIF District

The State and Kilburn TIF District, ending in 2029, has a negative balance of $23,800, but is anticipated to turn positive next year with the benefit of no debt service payments.

With an estimated $550,000 to be available 2019-2029, Sammul asserted the district “could be successful.”

Main and Auburn TIF District

The Main and Auburn TIF District, also to expire in 2029, has a $13,700 fund balance and no debt service obligations. Another “could-be-successful” TIF, an estimated $430,000 may become available by the time the district is retired.

State and Alpine TIF District

The State and Alpine TIF District, also referred to as the “Miracle Mile,” is a successful TIF in Sammul’s eyes. Expiring in 2029, the district has a fund balance of $321,300 with no debt service to get in the way.

Notably, the city committed $480,000 in TIF funds over a six-year period for the renovation of Don Carter Lanes, and to make way for its new off-track-betting tenant.

In total, $850,000 has been committed to projects through 2015. Sammul indicated $4.74 million could become available by the end of the TIF’s life.

From the May 19-25, 2010 issue

By Frank Masterman

Rock River Sweep.org invites all communities along the Rock River in Wisconsin and Illinois to join with us for the first-ever Great Rock River Sweep of 2010, scheduled for Saturday, July 31, 2010.

The Rock River Sweep is a Rock River clean-up partnering all the communities along the river for its entire 285 miles reaching from Horicon, Wis., to Rock Island, Ill., and you are invited to participate.

‘Section Coordinators’ needed now!

Organizations, groups, clubs, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to volunteer to fill the positions of “Section Coordinator” in each community along the river. Larger communities may require multiple sections, and coordinators are needed to head up each section. Some of the duties of the section coordinator are as follows:

→ Work closely with Rock River Sweep.org organizers to assure a uniform and successful clean-up.

→ Acquire clean-up supplies and other support from local businesses, (T-shirts, gloves, fliers, etc).

→ Work with your local media to recruit volunteers for clean-up day.

→ Work with neighboring section coordinators to prevent overlapping of sections.

→ Use the “Organizer’s Handbook” (provided by Rock River Sweep.org) to assure a successful clean-up effort.

→ Register your section of the Rock River Sweep with Rock River Sweep.org and with American Rivers.

→ Recruit, assemble, and register volunteers on the clean-up day.

→ Coordinate “post-clean-up” recyclable-sort and trash disposal.

→ Arrange for proper disposal of all material collected.

→ Report clean-up results to Rock River Sweep.org organizers and American Rivers.

→ Essentially as a “Section Coordinator” you will be coordinating and conducting the clean-up in your local section, but you will be doing it as part of a much larger group.

We presently have six communities registered to participate, and that leaves only 22 to go, including the Lake Koshkonong area. They are as follows: Horicon and Watertown in Wisconsin, and Oregon, Grand Detour, Sterling, and Prophetstown in Illinois. All it takes is a core group of about four to five people working together to organize a clean-up on the local level.

Along with guidance and organizational support, Rock River Sweep.org, with grants and donations from the American Canoe Association, Living Lands & Waters, and authors Nels Akerlund and Lina Lukeshavich, will provide door prizes to each approved registration/clean-up site that registers four weeks or more in advance. Also, American Rivers will provide trash bags at no charge to those sites registering their clean-up on-line with them at least four weeks in advance.

Please visit our web site at www.rockriversweep.org and our facebook page at Rock River Sweep.org for more information. Questions may be submitted to contact@rockriversweep.org or rockriversweep@yahoo.com, and we recommend that you enter both addresses in your address book to prevent responses from being directed to your spam folder.

“Countdown to Clean-up” = Less than 90 days

From the May 19-25, 2010 issue

The public is invited to a ceremony marking the groundbreaking for the Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math on the main campus of Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 20, near the construction site of the new facility. A reception will follow in the AMCORE Bank Commons in the Educational Resource Center.

The naming of the building was announced earlier this year. Dr. Jacobs served as president of Rock Valley College from 1969-1997. During his tenure, multiple academic programs and building projects were formed to serve the region. Highly respected by local leaders, Dr. Jacobs sought to meet community needs through academic and career programs at Rock Valley College.

From the May 19-25, 2010 issue

Georgia Pampel (1933-2010), former music reviewer for The Rock River Times, died last week at age 77. A distinguished lady of much charm, she used her considerable knowledge of classical music to write detailed reviews of concerts and symphonies she attended. Calling on her extensive background in musical interpretation, she entertained and educated the readers for several years.

Visitation will be Monday, May 24, from 3 to 7 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. at the Anderson-Long-Klontz Funeral Home, 6825 Weaver Road, Rockford, IL 61114, (815) 654-2255..

Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 25, at Greenwood Cemetery, 1011 Auburn St., Rockford. Ms. Pampel is survived by her daughter, Martha.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61103-6881, or to the American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, NY 10038.

From the May 19-25, 2010 issue