You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February, 2008.
In the past several months, we’ve read a number of stories about identity theft — some Carpentersville residents having been victims.
Well, there is a guy who has posted his social security number on the internet. And, he even had his name and social security number put on a mobile billboard that was driven around the streets of New York.
So who is this fool? His name is Todd Davis. He is the CEO of a company called “LifeLock”. For a monthly fee of $10, LifeLock offers to protect your identity. They even back it with a $1 million guarantee. If at least one member of your family is an annual member, they will also protect your children for $25/year each.
Doesn’t seem like a bad deal, does it?
But, should this service be necessary? How careful are you with your social security number and other information that could be used to obtain credit cards, jobs, mortgages and other loans?
Do you have your social security number on your drivers license? Take it off!
Do you carry your social security card with you in your purse or wallet? Take it out and leave it at home.
Do you give your social security number to any business that requests it? Think before you do so? Why do they need it? Are they offering you credit? Do they need to run a credit check? Are they offering you a job? If not, then there may likely not be a good reason for them to have it.
Here is some additional information on how to protect your social security number.
In terms of your credit report, you should check it at least once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com (as opposed to “freecreditreport.com” which is a pay service from one of the credit agencies). At AnnualCreditReport.com, you will be able to get a copy of your credit report once per year for free from each of the 3 credit reporting companies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
A credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, provides you with all of the information in your credit file maintained by a consumer reporting company that could be provided by the consumer reporting company in a consumer report about you to a third party, such as a lender. A credit file disclosure also includes a record of everyone who has received a consumer report about you from the consumer reporting company within a certain period of time (“inquiries”). The credit file disclosure includes certain information that is not included in a consumer report about you to a third party, such as the inquiries of companies for pre-approved offers of credit or insurance and account reviews, and any medical account information which is suppressed for third party users of consumer reports.
Protecting yourself and your social security number/credit information can go a long way to saving you time, money and frustration, so that you will be less likely to be a victim of identity theft.
It’s February 29th. You only get a chance like this once every 4 years. What are you going to do with your leap day?
McDonald’s is giving a free McSkillet Burrito with purchase of a medium or large drink during breakfast hours. Nice, but at 610 calories and 36 grams of fat I can’t afford it. Perhaps at my age if it had 36 grams of fiber instead of fat…
I’ve long been a fan of superheros … Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc. The recent Spiderman and Batman movies have been quite good. So, I’m excited about the upcoming Ironman movie (although, was Ironman technically a superhero since he didn’t really have super powers?), opening May 2. Check out the trailer. Ok, that was 2 minutes of your extra 24 hours … what’s next?
Perhaps some more later …
Relay for Life Kickoff
Thursday night Relay for Life of Northern Kane County will have a kick-off party at the library annex of Dundee-Crown at 6pm. Relay for Life is part of efforts to fight against cancer. The actual event will take place on May 2nd & 3rd, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. at the Dundee-Crown High School Field House. The Kickoff is an opportunity for teams and individuals to register and to learn more about all of the different ways that you can get involved with Relay!
Village Fresh Market Update
Also, the Village Fresh Market is apparently going to open sometime after April 1st. One of the things holding up the opening is that the light poles for the parking lot aren’t installed yet. That will need to wait until the weather gets better and the ground begins to thaw. Some other finish work is being completed inside.
President Sarto and Economic Development Coordinator Janice Murphy walked through with the store manager this past week.
“It’s a beautiful store; fantastic.” Sarto said, responding today to an email. “I used to go there often when it was a Jewel store. You can’t even tell what it once was.”
When you walk in the front door, you’ll be faced with an extensive section of produce chillers and counters stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables. Each of the departments have color-coordinated ceramic and Terrazzo tile flooring in each of the departments. The checkout counters are made of cherry wood. Most of the elements of the store, including the counters, coolers, freezers, and shelves are custom made. Word is that the owner has spent about $3.5million renovating this store, which is his 11th or 12th in the Chicago suburbs. Others are in Aurora, Elgin, St. Charles, as well as in Chicago and the North side.
In addition to a large produce department, there will be a huge deli section, frozen fresh seafood, fish, meat counter, a large bakery featuring cakes and breads baked fresh daily.
And, on the way out, shoppers can pick up a tasty treat, such as hot dogs, corn on the cob, etc.
Definitely going to be the destination spot in the area.
Audit & Finance Commission Budget Session Saturday
On Saturday, starting at 8am, the Audit and Finance Commission will hold a special meeting; an all-day session to put together the budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The Commission will hear from department heads to get the budget needs for projects in their departments for the coming year.
And, finally …
Yes, I know I haven’t said anything (yet) about the current trial of Trustee Paul Humpfer, now underway …
There have been some “Speak Outs” in the Courier-News in the past few weeks that have been critical of the snow plowing job done in the Village.
However this is not just unique to Carpentersville. “Speak Outs” and Letters to the Editor have also been critical of the plowing in other surrounding towns.
West Dundee at least published a letter thanking residents for their understanding in this year of unusual snowfall.
I travel quite frequently through most of the surrounding towns and found that their plowing job was similar if not worse in some cases.
Yes, I’m irritated but also understanding of the circumstances that have created this issue.
Not only have we had above average snowfall (nearly 5 feet for the season, and our 3rd big snow in Februrary, and the 5th snowiest in 150 years) but the significant mixture of sleet and freezing rain that accompanied it several times — especially in the last snow storm of 9 to 1o inches earlier in February (which is the one that prompted many of the complaints) — has put a drain on salt supplies at all levels (try to find it even in the stores). This has resulted in the need for a practice of conservation. So, only main streets and hills get salted. On the side streets the ice that built up under the snow was not able to be melted, and the plows can’t scrap it off.
I think we’re all tired of the snow (the most snowfall in 29 years). And, most of the residents in many towns have been understanding and patient.
Who’s up for lynching the groundhog?
In addition to suspension of Garbage Toter ordinance enforcement until April 1st, 2008 (as previously reported here last week), Code Enforcement would like you to know …
All holiday decorations, including lights, must be removed and properly stored by next Saturday, March 1st, 2008. Code Enforcement officers will be giving notices of ordinance violation beginning then.
The applicable ordinance reads:
Holiday Decorations. Signs in the nature of decorations, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday; provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period of not more than sixty (60) days in any one year; and may be of any type, number, area, height, location, illumination or animation. Such decorations may not be used for advertising purposes.
And finally, starting March 1st, they will also be sending advance notices to home owners with properties that have cracked and peeling paint, etc so that they may be able to make plans early for painting the exterior of these properties.
Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN — not to mention countless newspapers across the country — seemed to have focused mostly on the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. And, up until the last few days when the New York Times published a questionable report about romantic involvement between McCain and a political lobbyist, Obama was starting to become a standout in news reporting. Whether for or against Obama, it seemed that more news, blogs, editorial columns and letters to the editor were devoted to him than any other candidate.
News searches on Google for the past week revealed the following number of news stories containing their names:
- “Barack Obama” — 146,944
- “John McCain” — 112, 361
- “Hillary Clinton” — 80,167
So, what about this story about Senator McCain and the female lobbyist? I gotta say … it smells fishy. The NY Times just seems like too responsible a news paper (even if it would be labeled by some as “left-leaning” or “liberal”) to publish something that seems to have been debunked with such ease.
Could the statements to the NY Times have actually been part of a McCain campaign strategy to attempt to bring conservatives — and even independents and Democrats — to his defense, not to mention get some much-needed press?
Seeing as it also boosted donations to his campaign, and McCain has emerged seemingly unscathed, perhaps even stronger in a potentially increasing unification of the Republican party, the idea might not be so far-fetched. If it is the case, its quite a move.
Regardless, it will remain to be seen whether he will be able to ignite independents and moderate Democrats the way it appears Obama has, especially in the last few weeks since Super Tuesday, Feb 5.
And, if he does, will he be able to hold it?
Seems that some opinions about the new toter system are that it is like the stuff that the toters contain: garbage.
In light of that, the Village Board approved a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) that would allow the large toters to be swapped out for smaller ones (although at a cost to the Village).
And, as the Village continues to look at the issues involved, there has been a moratorium on violation notices that put into effect until April 1st, 2008.
If anyone has any problems and ideas on how those could be resolved, share them here, so that we might be able to come together to help the Village work this out.
At tonite’s meeting of the Village Board of Trustees there are only a few small items on the agenda.
Besides the MOA on the change out of the larger bins for smaller bins, there is also a Resolution Establishing a Policy for Recruitment of Persons Interested in Serving on Appointed Boards, Commissions, or Committees. I believe this is basically related to saying that all open positions on committees, etc will be published in the paper, regardless of whether the person presently in the position will likely be reappointed.
Seems like a good thing.
The next item, Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Russ Reid Company, has to do with the company that the Village signed on with to work on getting funds from the federal government. With the focus off of Washington right now … and really for the remainder of the year … it doesn’t sound like this is going to be the most effective time to lobby for funds. Maybe better to hold off until 2009.
And, the last item, Ordinance Adopting a Motor Fuel Tax Within the Village of Carpentersville, is likely related to the increase in the local MFT that was mentioned a few months back. I’ve got mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, its a 1-to-2 cent increase (last it was mentioned). On the other hand, its a 1-to-2 cent increase. What’s the difference? Well, the first one relates to the fact that prices in Carpentersville may be 1-to-2 cents higher than in surrounding towns. But, the second says that it is probably an insignificant amount that would mean more revenue for the Village to continue the improvements, maintenance, etc around town. And, its something that would be shared by any motorist, from any area, that fill up in Carpentersville — so its not squarely on the shoulders of Carpentersvillians.
A group of wackos apparently have the intention of protesting at the funerals of Ryanne Mace of Carpentersville and Catalina Garcia of Cicero today. This protest has nothing to do with either of these young girls, but rather is staged so the group can get more publicity for their protests.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas protest funerals because they believe horrible acts are God’s revenge against homosexuals.
They have typically protested military funerals, however, they previously had also intended to protest the funerals for 5 Amish girls who were killed in 2006.
It seems that they fabricate reasons to demean and disturb the peace in order to use high-profile incidents to further their own agenda.
In the case of these two planned protests today, it was reported that they are basing their protests on nothing more than the fact that these girls attended NIU and the university once held a conference that featured a preacher that disagreed with the views of their 70-member group.
But, it is illegal to protest within 200 feet of any funeral. Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the bill in May 2006. In fact, because of this sick-minded organization, laws were passed in states across the country.
However, in December 2007, with the help of the ACLU, the group won a decision in Missouri to have a law banning protests at funerals in that state overturned. It seems that the law might be different from the one in Illinois, as the Missouri law seems to ban all protests for an hour before and an hour after a funeral. The Illinois law says that the protest must take place 200 feet from the funeral.
In November 2007, the family of a soldier whose funeral the group protested won nearly a $11 million lawsuit against them. (Also see a CNN report on the verdict in Baltimore.)
It is sad. After being victimized by the senseless killing of their daughter, the parents must now be subjected to further victimization. I pray that these families will find peace as they mourn the loss of their children.
Update: 2-18-2008 2:50pm
Here is a YouTube I found that I thought particularly expressed my thoughts on this matter:
Ok, folks … here’s your chance to bring up things you want to talk about …
(Comment policy and regular rules are in effect.)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of those killed or hurt in yesterday’s tragic shooting in a classroom at Northern Illinois University.
Carpentersville Action Network would like to extend special sympathy to the family and friends of Ryanne Mace of Carpentersville, who was one of four victims identified.
- Chicago Sun-Times: Family remembers their only child
- NW Herald: Community Remembers D-C grad, NIU victim
- Northern Star Online (campus newspaper)
(For those wishing to leave comments on this event — so long as they are appropriate to this entry — some aspects of the comment policy will be suspended.)
It’s Valentine’s Day. It’s the one day that we don a red shirt or a heart-shaped pin and revel in love. We give and receive chocolate. We over pay for flowers.
And, for a couple of hours, we can try to be the people we want to be.
Guys, let’s face it. We usually suck in the romance department. So, take some time today to treat the lady in your life right.
Open the door for her when she goes to put the laundry in the machine. Plug and unplug the vacuum cleaner for her as she moves about from room to room. Rinse your dish before leaving it in the sink for her to put into the dish washer.
Remember, guys … its the little things.
And, ladies, don’t forget to show him you appreciate all that thoughtfulness…
The February meeting of the Beautification Committee will be held on Wednesday evening, February 13, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the first floor Conference Room of Village Hall.
The following guest blog was received from Tom Roeser:
Cass Benitez, a local resident, and his family are opening up a new restaurant, La Salsa, on the east side of Carpentersville this week. Cass is joining entrepreneurial America by starting his own business. He is doing it in an area of Carpentersville that needs business investment. Way to go, Cass!
One would think that the Carpentersville government would welcome the investment and make it easy to open this new restaurant. Think again.
Cass went to the building department to apply for a building permit. He received no help regarding other permits that he needed. At one point he found that they had lost his application. Subsequently, building inspectors told him he needed level sensors on the HVAC drip pans (there is not such requirement) and other inaccurate requests. Cass attempted to comply.
Cass purchased new lens for the existing sign, spending over $2000, alot for a small businessman. He went to install them and was told that the sign ordinance had been changed and he could not use the sign. He was “given” 6 months to build a new sign. More investment by a small businessman because of a Village regulator’s wants. A few thousand more may not mean much to Carpentersville, but it’s alot to a new business. It doesn’t end here.
Cass bought an “opening soon” banner and within a day he was told to take it down, he needed a banner permit. Although he was never told he needed one, $50 later his banner is up.
Cass’ restaurant will be a success. He has fought through the Carpentersville bureaucracy. One would think they would be more help. Let’s show this businessman we value his investment in Carpentersville. La Salsa is on Rt 68, east of Rt 25
Tom Roeser
Ok … I don’t mind the snow, but these frigid temps: ENOUGH!
Sky high gas bills suck!
For those sick of snow — I wish there was something I could do — there is another Snow Advisory in effect for this afternoon (3pm) into Tuesday. Two to 5 inches possible.
On the political front, while its too late for Huckabee to catch McCain, this weekend’s results seem to show the divisions in the Republican party, and the dissatisfaction with McCain, who some say holds positions that are too moderate-to-liberal.
On the Democratic side, it was a clean sweep for Obama over the Clintons. Yes, the Clintons, plural. Not only did he win the primaries and caucuses held over the weekend, but at last night’s Grammy Awards, he even beat out Bill Clinton for “Best Spoken Word Album”.
Also, seems that the rebate checks from the economic stimulus package may be in the mail soon. Congress has given assurances, and put language into the bills (for those who were worried), illegal immigrants will not receive rebates.
For those of you anxious to see what your rebate check will likely be, you can try this 2007 Federal Tax Rebate Calculator, from PBS’ NewsHour with Jim Lehrer site. It is based on the House plan as of Jan 29, 2008, but I don’t believe a lot changed with the current bill since then. Keep in mind that it is only an estimate, and should not be considered an official confirmation of what your actual amount will be.
It’s my understanding that the date the checks will be mailed is based on when one’s 2007 return is filed, so the earlier you can file, the better.
Not much else going on right now that I haven’t already let folks know about …
At Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, Trustee Judy Sigwalt suggested in her trustee report that the Board vote for a resolution to require the publication of all appointments to be made to committees and commissions prior to President Sarto making his choices. Sigwalt and Trustee Paul Humpfer made reference to the recent re-appointment of Sherry Dobson to the Planning & Zoning Commission.At the Jan 2nd meeting, Trustee Humpfer gave the re-appointment of Ms. Dobson the lone “no” vote. He later explained that he believed it was an opportunity for new people to join, not because he thought Ms. Dobson was not doing a good job.Now, the whole commission/committee member issue has become kind of interesting, in light of the discovery that unpublicized meetings had been held for over a year between Trustees Sigwalt and Humpfer and members of Fox Valley Citizens for Legal Immigration.
Readers will recall that the letter from the Attorney General’s office said it did not appear that there was a violation of the Open Meetings Act (although it did give “a cautionary note” to the “public body”). But, that was related to whether there were 3 trustees present at those meetings (and President Sarto mentioned at the Board meeting — in response to a comment/request from Trustee Teeter — that a resident had come forward placing her, along with Sigwalt and Humpfer, at at least one of these unpublicized meetings).
What was not considered in the letter was the membership of various Village committees and commissions.
If one looks at the FVCFLI Agenda, we see that — in addition to Sigwalt and Humpfer leading the planning session for the November 7, 2006 Board meeting — Pat Schultz and Virginia Gregg had responsibilities at those meetings.
How does that tie in?
Well, Ms. Schultz, Ms. Gregg, Trustee Sigwalt and Trustee Humpfer were all members of the Audit & Finance Commission at that time. Clearly a violation of the Open Meetings Act.
Folks may remember, too, the contentious discussion surrounding the appointments to the ad hoc Carpentersville Improvement Committee, and that Trustee Sigwalt was not being appointed.
Could all these objections have anything to do with the fact that they want (need?) these people on these commissions and committees?
Trustee Humpfer also made mention at this past meeting that Ms. Gregg was not placed back on the Audit & Finance Commission.
I certainly consider it a good thing to have citizens involved in government, but when it crosses the line like this has, it can have a detrimental effect — as I think we have seen for some time now.
We need open government in this Village. Some have made comments that I shouldn’t be saying the things I am because could have a negative affect on the Village. However, I’m not doing these things … I’m merely pointing them out because those involved have seemingly refused to listen. I hope they will start listening, so we can avoid further problems that they have created.
It was kinda nice to see the only thing reported in the papers following Tuesday night’s Board meeting was whether or not to allow a Chase Bank branch to be located in the limited space on Randall, at the intersection of Binnie.
Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be less divisiveness from the Board at meetings since the unpublicized meetings of some trustees were discovered?
At any rate, the Board will make a final decision on that after it goes to Planning and Zoning.
The developer, Centerville Properties, also has a contract signed with Arby’s for the Randall/Binnie area property.
And, if there is any argument over this issue, at least it would be about something like a choice of community development options.
The following notice appeared on the D300 website:
ALL D300 SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, FEB. 7, 2008, SO THAT THE ROADS CAN BE THOROUGHLY CLEARED BEFORE RESUMING CLASS ON FRIDAY. HOWEVER, ALL EXTRACURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR AFTER-SCHOOL MEETINGS, PRACTICES, AND COMPETITIONS WILL BE PERMITTED TO OCCUR ON THURSDAY AS NORMAL. THANK YOU.
Chicago Tribune has this quote from Dr. Ken Arndt in an article posted this evening:
“If there was a popularity poll now, I’d be worse than Fred Thompson,” said Ken Arndt, superintendent of the Carpentersville-based Unit School District 300.
Arndt said he got so many complaints from parents that his e-mail and the district phone system each crashed.
He’s already called off school twice this winter, and as it is will see the school year extend through June 16.
Make that June 17th.
With a forecast of 10-14 inches of snow, why didn’t they close this morning, like the rest of the surrounding districts? Wasn’t this what “snow days” were created for?
Does this have anything to do with the fact that there were parents questioning why classes were canceled on Friday?
According to the Northwest Herald, some D300 schools are closing early, although elementary schools were reported to be on regular schedule.
Recent Comments