Thursday, April 19, 2007
Continuation of John Coonen's Commentary of the Need for Consolidation of Local Governments
If it's percentage of land they're after, that's the wrong formula from the outset. The formula should be priority driven, with the Voters' directly in the line of fire served first.
While Southern McHenry County chokes on its own exhaust, we're to thank MCCD for blowing smoke up our collective tailpipes by redistributing our income and purchasing land elsewhere, at OUR exclusion?
It's not selfish to demand the NEXT $73 Million which was just approved to be "invested" in southern McHenry County. It's of utmost importance to set aside much-needed land for natural water and air filtration, heat absorption, to offset further crowding, and even provide for future transportation corridors (like Camp Algonquin). CHANGE MCCD's CRITERIA to allow for purchase of smaller sections of land. This is what's needed TODAY. If the formula would have been in place over a decade ago, would we be receiving a "D" grade on our air quality today?
I don't hold out much hope, as MCCD wouldn't even share with the voting public where the next target areas are to purchase. Why not? Is it outside our line of sight once again? Probably so. Any good lawyer knows not to show the cards early on - especially when early polls indicate an apathetic electorate.
Sure I'm in the minority, but I'm in favor of a total reorganization and streamlining of area government to be more responsive and less costly. Be the "Southwest Airlines" of local government and go for it.
Perhaps it will be the kick-off to a long overdue slim-fast governmental diet.
With MCCD in the middle, muddying the waters, we're one MORE step away from realizing progress, and we're once again paying MORE for LESS.
Funny, years ago, well-meaning folks intending to preserve land, water and air quality in this so-called "Republican" county went and created another layer of governmental oversight; another layer of control, taxation, as well as opportunity for Daley-esque patronage jobs.
It did some good, to be sure; however, at the same time, it further diluted the role of our REAL local representatives - our Municipal Council Members and our County Board Members.
While meaning well, my 2-cent conclusion is that the move did more harm than good. Now, MCCD stands unfettered in no-man's land, and mitigates Voters' rights to experience fair treatment. While folks up north and west experience a higher "quality of life," we in the south suffer from HIGHER air pollution and MORE legitimate fears of impending water shortages, and continuing arterial clogging of our TOTALLY UNFUNDED roadways.
To top it off, ironically, we PAID for the inequity, and it looks as if we'll continue to pay.
Folks, it's just like our taxes and rolling-toll road funding dollars geting hoovered right into Daley's hepa-approved money filter. We're getting sucked dry, and worse yet, we don't seem to care.
Weird.
Democrats, don't worry about a thing. Quit killing yourselves to get a seat at the table. Look around, you're already here. Sure, our voting record out here in McHenry County may officially say the word "Republican," but take a look around and breathe in. It smells a lot more like donkey and less like elephant to me.
"Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them." -Ronald Reagan
-John Coonen
While Southern McHenry County chokes on its own exhaust, we're to thank MCCD for blowing smoke up our collective tailpipes by redistributing our income and purchasing land elsewhere, at OUR exclusion?
It's not selfish to demand the NEXT $73 Million which was just approved to be "invested" in southern McHenry County. It's of utmost importance to set aside much-needed land for natural water and air filtration, heat absorption, to offset further crowding, and even provide for future transportation corridors (like Camp Algonquin). CHANGE MCCD's CRITERIA to allow for purchase of smaller sections of land. This is what's needed TODAY. If the formula would have been in place over a decade ago, would we be receiving a "D" grade on our air quality today?
I don't hold out much hope, as MCCD wouldn't even share with the voting public where the next target areas are to purchase. Why not? Is it outside our line of sight once again? Probably so. Any good lawyer knows not to show the cards early on - especially when early polls indicate an apathetic electorate.
Sure I'm in the minority, but I'm in favor of a total reorganization and streamlining of area government to be more responsive and less costly. Be the "Southwest Airlines" of local government and go for it.
Perhaps it will be the kick-off to a long overdue slim-fast governmental diet.
With MCCD in the middle, muddying the waters, we're one MORE step away from realizing progress, and we're once again paying MORE for LESS.
Funny, years ago, well-meaning folks intending to preserve land, water and air quality in this so-called "Republican" county went and created another layer of governmental oversight; another layer of control, taxation, as well as opportunity for Daley-esque patronage jobs.
It did some good, to be sure; however, at the same time, it further diluted the role of our REAL local representatives - our Municipal Council Members and our County Board Members.
While meaning well, my 2-cent conclusion is that the move did more harm than good. Now, MCCD stands unfettered in no-man's land, and mitigates Voters' rights to experience fair treatment. While folks up north and west experience a higher "quality of life," we in the south suffer from HIGHER air pollution and MORE legitimate fears of impending water shortages, and continuing arterial clogging of our TOTALLY UNFUNDED roadways.
To top it off, ironically, we PAID for the inequity, and it looks as if we'll continue to pay.
Folks, it's just like our taxes and rolling-toll road funding dollars geting hoovered right into Daley's hepa-approved money filter. We're getting sucked dry, and worse yet, we don't seem to care.
Weird.
Democrats, don't worry about a thing. Quit killing yourselves to get a seat at the table. Look around, you're already here. Sure, our voting record out here in McHenry County may officially say the word "Republican," but take a look around and breathe in. It smells a lot more like donkey and less like elephant to me.
"Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them." -Ronald Reagan
-John Coonen
Labels: John Coonen
# posted by Cal Skinner : 7:27 PM
