Your Sunday smile

Wounded Warriors tournament

The first thing that needs to be mentioned is every single winner split their winnings with the Gosnell family. What does that tell you about this great bunch of guys........

Dru Appelhans 1st place

Chuck Hart Big Bass

Gosnell Family

4th place Brad Jackson

Thanks go to Barb Appelhans for the pictures and information!

Thoughts on borrowing

We all have read or heard how so many local governments as well as bodies all the way to the top are drowning in debt. We are not. We have solid cash reserves. We need to keep solid cash reserves.
Every so often we hear of what I consider a bone headed plan to borrow money for some major project and pay it off over many years. This is folly and will eventually sink us as an association. I believe in operating always within our existing means with funds on hand to cover almost any unforeseen calamity.
There is an election coming after the first of the year. Mine is the only seat up for grabs. If I remain on the board or not if ever I hear of any plan to borrow for new amenities or any other purpose I will be there to oppose it. I know of not one current board member or finance commission member in favor of such a disastrous plan but I am sure some "big ideas" are hiding in the weeds waiting for an opportunity. Stay alert!
Ken

Thinking about our lake

These are of course just thoughts so please don't infer any upcoming action on the subject. 
We have worked on this lake for years and it seems it will be a fight forever since it is not a natural body of water. In the 27 or so years I have lived here I have witnessed dredging at least three times, a retention pond, channeling water from fields, free standing aerators, line aerators running across the bottom of the lake from a compressor in the pump house, thrusters, two alum treatments, sanitary discharge moved to Beaver Creek, and I am sure more that I can not pull from my memory right now. All these were to help water clarity and quality. Now we are moving to landscaping and plantings with hopefully help from a grant. Also now the possibility of SolarBees for water circulation. It boggles the mind. The thrusters now in the dip have proven troublesome.
Our alum treatment in the spring was effective as we all remember, only to be tempered by many inches of rain, runoff from fields, and AQUA pumping. Even with this happening our lake was unquestionable better than last year. That says something. We were told the alum locks the existing nutrients in the bottom of the lake, and the existing phosphorus was one of the major contributors to algae growth. Almost all the lake should have now available to feed algae is what is from this year. Next summer may actually prove better than this year for quality. We just don't know. Every spring the lake is quite clear then builds until a later bloom. Actually as I write this if I walk out on our pier I can see down about three feet so it is clearing for the fall.
As I understand it the SolarBees take water from the lower level of the lake and redistribute it, disrupting the environment for algae growth. There is some concern that they also pump nutrients from the bottom into the upper layers, feeding the algae. I think there is more we do not know that what we know.
I see some smaller ponds and reservoirs using fountains. Is that another avenue?
O.K., I will end this too long post. Just getting some thoughts and worries off my chest. We are spending a pile of money on your lake and I want it spent wisely. We must have an acceptable water quality or our lake is worthless. At what price???
Ken

And more taxes!

Syverson: New Obamacare Taxes to Start January 1

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

ROCKFORD– “A number of new fees and taxes are scheduled to go into effect as part of implementing the Obamacare Health Plan,” said Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford.) Syverson stated that one particular tax that begins January 1, 2014, the Transitional Reassurance Assessment Fee (Tax), will be felt more directly and broadly by taxpayers.

This new Transitional Reassurance Assessment will place a tax of $5.25 per month on every covered person in a group health plan. For example, if a single person has coverage under their employer’s health plan, that single employee would be taxed $5.25 a month, or $63 annually. For a family of four, the tax would be $21 per month, or $252 annually. The Insurance Carrier is required to collect the tax from the employer and remit the receipts to the Federal Government. Each employer will have to decide if and how to collect the tax from their employees.

: http://www.senatordavesyverson.com/Media/News/NewsDetails/tabid/102/nid/642/r/1/Default.aspx#sthash.5rWpuTbl.dpuf

Saturday's "Wounded Warriors" fishing tournament will start at 7 a.m.

Solarbees

Last night's meeting included a discussion and the

decision for further research on these as another way of lake water circulation for more algae bloom containment. You may want to Google them to get a feel for what they are supposed to do. They are expensive. I found two different pictures of these so I posted both. As I recall they weigh over 800 pounds

each and are sixteen feet across. We need to think this through completely before acting. 
 Ken

Officer Tom Dawson jr.

I have been seeing him a lot recently. During the garage sales I saw him looking up someone's driveway curious about what was going on. Monday he was below the dam coming up to cars if they stopped. He is a cute son-of-a-gun but sooner or later he will suffer the same fate as his Dad if he doesn't stay off the roads. He also has grown to at least as large as his Dad. Tom jr., live long and prosper.
Ken

And here it comes!

 Yesterday I received the quote for health insurance for 2014. The premium is up 61% and the co-pays went up for doctor visits and specialist visits. The maximum out of pocket also rose. Get ready folks, this is the new O'bamacare age! (Also known as the "Affordable Care act)
Ken

Weekly Public Safety report

Important Candlewick Lake Information

Candlewick Lake Public Safety

WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 09/22/2013

Rescue Calls

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Birch for a report of a subject suffering a diabetic reaction.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 800 block of Marquette for a report of a child with an unknown medical issue.  The child was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Rochester for a report of a disoriented subject.  Upon arrival, it was determined that the subject was contemplating burning the residence.  The Boone County Sheriff’s Department was called and the subject was transported for treatment without further incident.

Reckless Driving

Public Safety responded to the area of the 1900 block of Candlewick Dr. for a report of reckless driving.  The subjects were located and subsequently cited after Public Safety observed the violation.

Public Safety responded to the 400 block of Talladega for a report of reckless driving.  The subject was located and warned of his actions.

Damaged Property

Public Safety responded to the 400 block of Candlewick Dr. for a report of a damaged electrical box.  Commonwealth Edison was notified of the incident.

Public Safety responded to the 400 block of Candlewick Dr. for a report of a damaged residence.  The matter is under investigation.

Traffic Crash

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Liverpool for a report of a vehicle that had driven into a ditch and the driver fled.  The Boone County Sheriff’s Office was notified and the matter is under investigation.

Disorderly Conduct

Public Safety responded to the 300 block of Talladega for a report of a subject who had passed out in the front yard.  The subject was assisted back into the residence by a family member.

Citations Issued 16

Warnings Issued 4

Public Safety would ask if residents observe anything suspicious to please call 1-815-765-3768.

We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.

Being informed is half the battle. 

Bulk Garbage pick up is Saturday September 28th

Something seems odd here

Occasionally, mostly on weekends when I am driving, I listen to public radio, which is funded to a pretty substantial extent by your tax dollars. They are now promoting Al Jazeera T.V. They are probably paid ads but for anyone that does not know Al Jazeera is based in Qatar and is an Arab network. They recently bought Al Gore's old lightly watched failing network and are now broadcasting on that. I guess it is a free country but I am not crazy about this.
Ken

Oh, this will be a fun week!

 The ditch work is rescheduled for this week and Rabine is to start reworking all the substandard fills and patches AQUA has installed (at AQUA's expense) so be ready for some traffic disruption. It will be worth the mess long term.  Ken

An outing suggestion from Bonnie Marron

Your Sunday Smile

The question was raised

During last Tuesday's board meeting a gentleman asked during the open forum if a vote had been taken by the board against annexation by Poplar Grove. I think the question deserves to be commented on here.
As Don stated after the question, there was never a vote on the subject. During a board workshop the topic was brought up because of the newspaper article where a couple residents attended a Poplar Grove meeting and said the majority of the board would vote to be annexed. During our workshop discussion it was mutually agreed we had no interest in pursuing the topic but anyone can speak to us on the topic if they wish. I stated that myself as well as others. No harm is ever done by listening to presentations.
Poplar Grove is a nice town with good people and strong leadership so that is not an issue. We do need to remember this, the body wanting to annex another does so because they feel they have something to gain. There is no other reason to pursue it.
We must remember who has the debt and who has the cash reserves. Who has the amenities and who has few. I think it is great if we and Poplar Grove can find areas in which we can work together for the benefit of both but not as one city.
Our property owners have made it clear they want our gates to remain up and they want no part of incorporation. The hurdles for annexation to happen are pretty much insurmountable. We can not be forcibly annexed due to our size. In other words in my humble opinion there is about the same chance of that happening as gold nuggets starting to fall with the rain.
I of course can not speak for the board, only myself, and a board vote wouldn't make any difference anyway. You folks are the ones that hold the key and you have spoken clearly.
Ken

A good cause. (Repeat of an e-blast)

Clothing and household items drive-The Belvidere Boone County Food Pantry is asking for your assistance in obtaining gently used clothing and household items. Our supplies are getting low and the needs are ever increasing. Perhaps you have many items left over from your garage sale this fall, or your closets are just too full and it is time to do some donating. Know that every item you donate is given to folks in Boone County who present with a need. Our truck will be located at the Rec Center parking lot for self drop off September 20 to 22. Please, no electronics, broken or unusable items. Thank you for all you do for the people of Boone County.

From ABC News... have you heard about this?

Now this is a water problem that dwarfs most I have witnessed. Not a chance I would drink that stuff. It is a brain eating amoeba in the water. Read on.  Ken

While officials try to pin down the source of a deadly amoeba found in the water supply of a suburban New Orleans community, bottled water sales in St. Bernard Parish have skyrocketed and some people worry about washing their faces in the shower.

That's despite experts who say the only danger is to people who manage to get the microscopic organism way up their noses. Its only entry to the brain is through minute openings in a bone about level with the top of the eyeball, said Dr. Raoult Ratard, Louisiana's state epidemiologist.

But belief comes hard to many people. "As far as taking a bath or shower, you got no other choice," said Debbie Sciortino. "But I ain't drinking it, I ain't giving it to the dogs and I ain't cooking with it either."

Ditch work update

 Our ditch (drainage) work was scheduled to start mid-week this week. What happens? It finally starts to rain so it can not be started as scheduled. Add to that the garage sales are this weekend so it is going to have to be postponed until next week. Murphy's Law strikes again. It will be done but not when expected. Improved drainage is a priority.
Ken

I wish I had documented

Any long term resident knows the situation with AQUA didn't just develop this year. How many times have I seen pumps in the past or the manhole below the dam spewing water? I honestly didn't think much about it until this year when we started testing the water so much more judiciously. Now we know and I hope some of you had the foresight to take pictures, note times and places, and just in general have some knowledge of past transgressions on AQUA's part. We need documentation and I hope there are some observant folks who can provide just that. Remember there is a new link at the bottom left of the Candlewick home page to enter your information. Please do so. If you are not familiar with the Candlewick home page look to the right on the Candlewick View site and you  will find a link under the title "Helpful Links."
Ken