Sunday, June 22, 2008

General Rants & Raves

Post questions, complaints, and compliments here about anything not dealing with other posts (no personal attacks please). If a particular rant/rave becomes large, we will make it a posting.

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is the deal with district 54 board? Three board members resigning for personal reasons in the past few weeks?

Anonymous said...

Make that four....another one bites the dust. Something fishy is going on, if you ask me.

Anonymous said...

A posting regarding the open meeting act on sledge's site may have something to do with it. Didn't Terri use to work for Gary Rockis? Makes you wonder how Toni Rockis got the job?

Anonymous said...

According to the IASB, Superintendents should be experts in curriculum - something that takes years of experience not a night class.

The way the appointment was effectuated was wrong. The district didn't announce the new position nor interview candidates. The resignation, appointment, and new board president was done during the closed meeting.

Anonymous said...

Teri is an intelligent person and a hard worker. However, I believe many are very disappointed the way her appointment to administrator shaked-out (surprise the public - lose the trust).

I think she would have been a shoe-in for Chief School Business Official and would have had no problems from anybody if she would’ve vied for that position in an open manner. However, vying for the Superintendent position behind closed doors lost the trust of a lot of people. Now, I’m not sure the public will trust her with anything.

Anonymous said...

I agree Teri has lost the trust of the public. Mrs. Roth made some great points at the last meeting. The school board made a great mistake and has also lost the trust of the people.

Anonymous said...

If Grundy County has people watching over every aspect of what goes on in the county then who was asleep at the switch with the fill hauled in across from the Jehovah's Witness church on 47? They completely changed the drainage manner in that area and now it is causing problems for those of us around it. If there isn't a mosquito swamp in one persons yard the next guy has foundation leakage and moving shifting the house. Don't we have people to look over this sort of thing?

Anonymous said...

Some people think that coming up with a money (boards, principals, citizens, teachers, tech mgrs all do this) is all that superintendents do. WoW! Saftey for the children is utmost. You must honestly ask yourself if you truly trust her with your children?

Anonymous said...

To 11:11,
did you, and your neighbors, contact the county?

Anonymous said...

I agree with 4:35.

Shaw's appointment is very shady.
Position was never announced.
No other canidates were interviewed. Apparently:
Shaw was the president of the board when the position was created.
Shaw interviewed herself (non-qualified candidate) for the position.
Shaw hired herself.
Shaw created her pay and benefit schedule herself.
One board member didn't show up for the ordeal (Wills).
Two other board members resigned since.
Not what the community needs for a public official...what will she do for herself next?

Anonymous said...

4:38 - Yes we did. We were told that since the county had no stormwater ordinance to enforce any drainage matters would be senseless. That was the advise from the building permit people. Now that shed has junk cars and traffic in and out all the time. It looks like a dump around there aside from all the water it is pushing in my direction. My neighbor told me about a straw house that is being built over by Bar 1+3 has anyone seen it? If there is one things are really getting out of hand here.

Anonymous said...

4:38,

What is a straw house (sorry, but my mind goes back to the 3 little pigs) and where is bar 1+3?

Sorry you're having water problems. Call a tiling person to come look at it. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

What is going on with the Prairie Parkway? Is it a no deal since Hastert is out, Weller is on his way out, and the economy is in a recession?

Anonymous said...

Coming from Verona I know what Bar 1 + 3 is....they mean EJ Karz on Grand Ridge Road west of Mazon. As for the straw palace it is at the corner of Waupecan and Buffalo Roads. It is the laughing stock of us locals seeing as the field floods almost every year. Huff and Puff and BLow Your House In!

Anonymous said...

Isn't the Jehoviah Witnesses' church a long haul from the intersection of Waupecan/Buffalo road...as far as water runoff goes?

Anonymous said...

Dear 6:55 I think the Jehovah Witness neighbor was only asking about the straw house if you read her comment. Just an observation.

Anonymous said...

To 11:03,

thanks for clearing that up...in the future I'll have more java in me before responding :)

6:55 a.m.

Anonymous said...

The District 54 Board has mislead the public and lost its trust by its actions during the May school board meeting. Ms. Shaw and the board have discredited past boards as being un-open and lacking financial prudence to garner the public trust. In May of this year, Ms. Shaw-Poundstone and the board did a 180 degree turn from all past board meetings and articles (see Morris Daily Herald article at http://morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2007/02/19/voice_of_the_people/95voice.txt).

Ms. Shaw-Poundstone, the acting president of the board at the beginning of the May meeting, resigned, and became the district’s new administrator after a closed session. Shaw has no background in education nor any school supervisory certifications. Many members of the community are outraged, and understandably so. Many were surprised by the board’s maneuaver and claim that Shaw manipulated laws and people in acquiring in the unannounced-newly-created administrator positon; especially, after 3 school board members resigned. Community members believe:

There was a violation of the Illinois Open Meeting Act by not informing the public of its intention of adding another administrative position; especially, since all past information from board members indicated they were going to get rid of the full-time supt. and hire a part-time supt. All of this was done during closed session(s) or during clandestine meetings. One community member put it like this: “The Illinois Open Meeting Act (IOMA) “is designed to ensure that public business is conducted in public view, by prohibiting secret deliberations and actions on matters that should be discussed in a public forum.” It is to help in ensuring open and honest government. Do community members believe that D54 acted openly and honestly? For certain, D54 board didn’t operate in the spirit of the this law.
There was a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act and that D54 is no longer an equal opportunity employer because, due to the lack of announcing the position and not interviewing candidates, Shaw was the only person permitted to apply for the newly-created-undisclosed position. The law clearly states that employers are not permitted to decieve or obstruct anyone from competing for employment and giving an unauthorized preference or advantage to anyone so as to improve the employment prospects of any particular employee or applicant. Is this law null and void if the unqualified person being hired is the board president?

Ms. Shaw and the board only evolved into a political mechanism of double-speak and that is the only 180 degree turnaround with her.

Anonymous said...

The people of district 54 have been conned.

read the following articles:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1029186,4_1_JO28_MORRISGRADE_S1.article

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1037608,4_1_JO03_MORRISGRADE_S1.article

http://morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2007/02/19/voice_of_the_people/95voice.txt

http://morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2007/02/24/voice_of_the_people/91voice.txt

The "Shaw Coup" has been planned for a long time. No wonder Shaw was against former boards, no wonder she was against the hiring of a full-time superintendent last year, no wonder she didn't want a consultant to add expertise - all of these would've destroyed her chances at becoming a superintendent at our expense. This person's vision isn't for district 54, it is for herself and her cronies.

We are all suckers for rooting her on!

Anonymous said...

I don't agree that a coup is the proper word. She is dedicated and passionate about the position she is in. She is industrious and smart. I don't think there is much anyone can do about the transparency issue of her appointment. Maybe we should be positive with the given situation and see what she can do.

Anonymous said...

WOW! is the only thing to say after seeing the famous Grundy County straw house. When I built a couple years back the inspector for plumbing came out and red tagged my vent pipes. As he backed out of my driveway he ran into the outhouse and knocked it over. When I went out to help him stand it back up there were bottles of beer open in the truck. What kind of job is that where you get to road trip while you work? If he is still employed I'd hate to see him back over the straw house with his pickup

Anonymous said...

I've got to see this house...road trip!!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Ms. Shaw is an exceptional person. There is no question here, as to her intent. I firmly believe she has the best interests of the board in mind. What I am disgusted at, is the fact taxpayers are expected to pay her the going rate for an experienced administrator, in a three-year step system. Again, she has best intentions, however this just reeks of inappropriate....

Anonymous said...

How much does the county building department cost us to operate? There is the high dollar planning lady they swapped out with Minooka to get rid of coffee stain L(snip), then a couple inspectors at least then lets not forget Mrs. Knowitall that is angy she didn’t get the high dollar job. I can remember when that all went down and she was gripeing allover the admin. Canter. With all the money going out don’t you think there would be better oversight than allowing a straw house? What are they doing about windmills too. I see the one by my house is taken down.

Anonymous said...

To: July 10, 2008 7:13 AM;
Please clarify, I for one am totally lost...

Anonymous said...

Why can't I get information about installing a fence from the office that should be open to handle my questions. Going there found everyone on vacation and only a skeleton crew. Harold

Anonymous said...

To July 11, 2008 9:57 AM,

I believe that the poster is complaining about the operation of the Grundy County Building. Specifically, a planning lady, "coffee-stain L#&*", a couple of inspectors, and a Mrs. Knowitall who was mad about the Grundy Admin Center.

Anonymous said...

Harold,

what office are you talking about? I assume you didn't get your questions answered.

Anonymous said...

Cool overview pic/map of the old Morris Paper mill at:
http://wikimapia.org/2494129/Former_Morris_Paper_Mill

Anonymous said...

Let's see if the MDH prints this story. They seem to only print glowing articles on one of their favorite sons. Their "Man of the Year" only a couple of years ago! Maybe now they'll take their video of Briscoe off their website.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-minooka_15jul15,0,2319327.story

Anonymous said...

To 10:52 it's on the MDH website. http://morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2008/07/15/news/414bbbriscodomesticsentence.txt

Why would they take down a video about the TOWN of Minooka because of the mayor?
Should every film that has a convicted drunk driver or drug addict or abuser in it be pulled from the Block Buster shelves?

Anonymous said...

I saw the post about the paper mill site with the map which brings up a good subject. If the County owns this parcel of ground and is secretly working behind the scenes to give it to Kup and Crew, why aren't we demanding that the County clean the place up first? This is in our backyard and now they want to make it sound like a sweetheart deal when everyone knows there is contaminants in the ground from the paperboard plant. Not on my tax dollars are the fine people of Morris going to get the dump. Jim is handing out flyers to get all us east side residents together and force the County to clean it up. Our property values are going down partly because of this hellhole. They better stop spending money at the County like it's water, now they want to buy the old D&S building, what a joke.

Anonymous said...

“In addition, the county wants to clean up the site of the former Federal Paper Mill in Morris and return this area to the tax rolls, also” noted County Administrator Dan Duffy in May 16, 2008 MDH (http://morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2008/05/19/news/474bmorris.txt).

Anonymous said...

actually trying to acquire the D@S building is one of the better ideas they have had.Freeing up some space in the courthouse for another courtroomwould be a good idea,and maybe putting a few offices and storage in their is a good idea also.

Do I need to mention parking???Anyone who hs ever had dealings at the courthouse knows the need for parking in the courhouse area.

Face it..Grundy County is only going to get bigger and space will be needed in the very near future.Don't look for land or building prices to be lower over the net few years so there really is no reason to wait.

Verity Quest said...

I agree with 6:07. It is nearly impossible to find parking by the court house duing business hours. The Save-A-Lot building is a "no-brainer" for the county to buy (within reason) in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

The Courthouse is old and should be torn down for a Sonic or Jack in the Box, build a courthouse at the center of the County at 113 and 47. There is no need to use up downtown Morris with the county business. Don't go taking a tax producing location and turn it into a gov't building, go convert some AG property since it has the least taxable value. Family Dollar or something would fit nice in the D & S building, or even another tavern because as we grow we will have more football players to return to town, work for the City and support the local saloons.

Anonymous said...

The courthouse needs proximity to services to operate efficiently (banking, supplies, lawyers,). Being located 5 or more miles away from these services would not be the best idea for county employees who work in the courthouse. Besides, Morris is the county seat. I'm guessing, but is 12:30 trying to sell some acres?

Anonymous said...

To 12:30, how many "football players" work for the city?

Verity Quest said...

The Sav-A-Lot owner was a no-show according to the Joliet Herald:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1061810,jo17_grundy_web.article

Anonymous said...

On the bright side of things football players probably make good laborers.

Anonymous said...

To 12:30AM,

Firstly, the Sav-a-lot bldg is not much of a taxpaying property at the moment.

Secondly, the court house is a charming historic site that I'd hate to see torn down and it hasn't presented any dangers. It'd cost less to fix it up then to build another building.

Thirdly, the trend of new businesses, such as "Sonic" or "Jack-in-the-Box" is to locate on "north" Rte 47. Neither of these companies would entertain the idea of locating downtown. Have you seen the amount of commerce downtown lately? The rents are cheap for a reason.

Fourthly, why take away ag acres when we have some of the best soil in the world? Especially when we now are developing ethanol. The world's population is going to continue to grow and it will need as many farmable acres as possible.

I beleive the other poster is correct in stating that you have a vested, maybe even selfish, interest in selling land near 113 and 47.

Anonymous said...

Who cares the Republicans are going to take back the Board anyway once these guys get done doing a whole bunch of nothing. There are people in cubicles all over this Country getting paid to look busy and it's a shame. To hear them talk they have sooo many things going on when really they don't do much at all. City, County, State & Federal...Private, Public and Not for Profit are all raping the American Dream.

Anonymous said...

The following real estate numbers for Grundy County according to the Joliet Herald:

June home sales fell 15.3 percent from May and 24.8 percent from a year earlier. The median home price declined 5.4 percent from $194,183 to $183,500.

Why do the assessments by the county continue to increase? There is no way my home can get 80%of the EAV established by the Grundy County Assessments Office.

Anonymous said...

Some may find this interesting:

Open Bid posted at http://www.h2bid.com/DisplayIndSearch.aspx?SearchID=28905 on July 25, 2008.

Document Number 28905
Country United States
State / Province Illinois
Category Sewer System Construction and Repair
Sub category Sewer System Construction
Short Description Bids will be received by the Grundy County Highway Department, for earth excavation, storm water detention, storm sewer, soil stabilization, and appurtenances,site is located at the northwest corner of Illinois Route 113 intersection with Illinois Route 47.
UNSPSC Code, UNSPSC Title 70171802, Storm water drainage
Input Date July 25, 2008
Bid / Tender Type Invitation to Bid
Response Due Date August 6, 2008 8:30 AM CDT
Estimated Project Cost Not Available

Anonymous said...

Cut and pasted from Joliet Herald Article on Morris School District's secret board meetings (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/opinions/1073792,4_4_JO25_EDIT_S1.article):

Title: Failing grade in Morris

Terri Shaw has an impressive professional background as a financial planner and partner in an insurance firm that probably would make her a good candidate for Morris Grade School superintendent.

But the Morris Grade School Board's coronation of Shaw is something that rightfully deserves scrutiny.

Shaw until May was the school board president. During a board meeting, she resigned. Moments later, the same board created a district administrative position, and promptly hired Shaw.

With that newly created job, Shaw will receive the training need to become superintendent. She has been hired for a three-year contract. In the first year, while finishing her education, she'll receive $65,000. By year two, she will have completed her certification and will be superintendent, with a $90,000 salary. In year three, she'll earn $135,000.

Shaw said that leaving her current financial planning job was difficult.

"It was a soul-searching decision to walk away from that career and into this," she said.

Really? How many other jobs more than double in salary in just three years?

One of the arguments for her hiring is that other school districts have hired people from positions tailored for them to become superintendents. True, and there have been other cases in which a superintendent had no teaching experience.

But let's remember that the Morris Grade School District is not a monarchy. Obviously, this deal came about out of public view, even though Shaw will be collecting $290,000 of public funds just in salaries in the next three years. Clearly, Shaw should have been forthright about her intentions prior to her abrupt resignation and immediate hiring.

If Shaw is such an outstanding candidate for superintendent, she should have gone through an interview process with other prospects. An expanded search for a superintendent should have been conducted. Even though previous searches and hiring of superintendents did not work, that does not mean that the school board can evade proper, ethical procedures just to hand off the most important job in the district. Morris school students would be chastised for taking the easy way out on essays and reports. Why should the school board be given a free pass with this decision?

We wish Shaw success in her endeavor, but we question the way she was hired. In this case, the means to which Shaw was hired did not justify the end result.

Give the Morris Grade School Board an A for creativity and an F for following acceptable rules and standards.

Anonymous said...

Is this the New World Order that the Bush's promised us:

The global economy is at the point of maximum danger
By Ambrose Evans- Pritchard for the Daily Telegraph of London England.

It feels like the summer of 1931. The world's two biggest financial institutions have had a heart attack. The global currency system is breaking down. The policy doctrines that got us into this mess are bankrupt. No world leader seems able to discern the problem, let alone forge a solution.

The International Monetary Fund has abdicated into schizophrenia. It has upgraded its 2008 world forecast from 3.7pc to 4.1pc growth, whilst warning of a "chance of a global recession". Plainly, the IMF cannot or will not offer any useful insights.

Its "mean-reversion" model misses the entire point of this crisis, which is that central banks have pushed debt to fatal levels by holding interest too low for a generation, and now the chickens have come home to roost. True "mean-reversion" would imply debt deflation on such a scale that would, if abrupt, threaten democracy.

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The risk is that these same central banks will commit a fresh error, this time overreacting to the oil spike. The European Central Bank has raised rates, warning of a 1970s wage-price spiral. Fixated on the rear-view mirror, it is not looking through the windscreen.

More Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
More on economics
The eurozone is falling into recession before the US itself. Its level of credit stress is worse, if measured by Euribor or the iTraxx bond indexes. Core inflation has fallen over the last year from 1.9pc to 1.8pc.

The US may soon tip into a second leg of this crisis as the fiscal package runs out and Americans lose jobs in earnest. US bank credit has contracted for three months. Real US wages fell at almost 10pc (annualised) over May and June. This is a ferocious squeeze for an economy already in the grip of the property and debt crunch.

No doubt the rescue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - $5.3 trillion pillars of America's mortgage market - stinks of moral hazard. The Treasury is to buy shares: the Fed has opened its window yet wider. Risks have been socialised. Any rewards will go to capitalists.

Alas, no Scandinavian discipline for Wall Street. When Norway's banks fell below critical capital levels in the early 1990s, the Storting authorised seizure. Shareholders were stiffed.

But Nordic purism in the vast universe of US credit would court fate. The Californian lender IndyMac was indeed seized after depositors panicked on the streets of Encino. The police had to restore order. This was America's Northern Rock moment.

IndyMac will deplete a tenth of the $53bn reserve of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The FDIC has some 90 "troubled" lenders on watch. IndyMac was not one of them.

The awful reality is that Washington has its back to the wall. Fed chief Ben Bernanke thought the US could always get out of trouble by monetary stimulus "à l'outrance", and letting the dollar slide. He has learned that the world is a more complicated place.

Oil has queered the pitch. So has America's fatal reliance on foreign debt. The Fannie/Freddie rescue, incidentally, has just lifted the US national debt from German 'AAA' levels to Italian 'AA-' levels.

China, Russia, petro-powers and other foreign states own $985bn of US agency debt, besides holdings of US Treasuries. Purchases of Fannie/Freddie debt covered a third of the US current account deficit of $700bn over the last year. Alex Patelis from Merrill Lynch says America faces the risk of a "financing crisis" within months. Foreigners have a veto over US policy.

Japan did not have this problem during its Lost Decade. As the world's supplier of credit, it could let the yen slide. It also had a savings rate of 15pc. Albert Edwards from Société Générale says this has fallen to 3pc today. It has cushioned the slump. Americans are under water before they start.

My view is that a dollar crash will be averted as it becomes clearer that contagion has spread worldwide. But we are now at the point of maximum danger. Britain, Japan, and the Antipodes are stalling. Denmark is in recession. Germany contracted in the second quarter. May industrial output fell 6pc in Holland and 5.5pc in Sweden.

The coalitions in Belgium and Austria have just collapsed. Germany's left-right team is fraying. One German banker told me that the doctrines of "left Nazism" (Otto Strasser's group, purged by Hitler) had captured the rising Die Linke party. The Social Democrats are picking up its themes to protect their flank.

This is the healthy part of Europe. Further south, we are not far away from civic protest. BNP Paribas has just issued a hurricane alert for Spain.

Finance minister Pedro Solbes said Spain is facing the "most complex" economic crisis in its history. Actually, it is very simple. The country was lulled into a trap by giveaway interest rates of 2pc under EMU, leading to a current account deficit of 10pc of GDP.

A manic property bubble was funded by foreigners buying covered bonds and securities. This market has dried up. Monetary policy is now being tightened into the crunch by the ECB, hence the bankruptcy last week of Martinsa-Fadesa (€5.1bn). With Franco-era labour markets (70pc of wages are inflation-linked), the adjustment will occur through closure of the job marts.

China, India, East Europe and emerging Asia have all stolen growth from the future by condoning credit excess. To varying degrees, they are now being forced to pay back their own "inter-temporal overdrafts".

If we are lucky, America will start to stabilise before Asia goes down. Should our leaders mismanage affairs, almost every part of the global system will go down together. Then we are in trouble.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
July 31, 2008 11:18 PM"

Hey - for we global economic dummies - are you saying we need to start stuffing cash in our mattresses? or would a can in the cupboard do?

(you can't beat lessons learned on "The Waltons" episodes........)

Anonymous said...

Hey 8:15 am,

you gave your age away with that one :)

Anonymous said...

"wisdom of the elders"....

Anonymous said...

Bigfoot found? DNA and evidence to be shown to the media today in San Francisco:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/us/15bigfoot.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=us&adxnnlx=1218790810-IgQ8Hfov4F+qndv9y3Mr5g&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Definitely a hoax if you ask me.

Anonymous said...

FYI,

Road resurfacing work is slated to begin on Interstate 80 in La Salle County beginning in September.
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the work will begin Sunday, Sept. 7, from the Bureau County line to the Grundy County line.

The work will entail intermittent resurfacing. In an effort to minimize the impact on traffic, lane closures and the necessary work will be performed 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. All lanes will be open on weekends as well.

Anonymous said...

THOSE WHO MAKE THE RULES CAN CHANGE THE RULES.

This is what the U.S. does - - it issues Treasury Bonds. The U.S. then sells these bonds to the Fed. The Fed buys the bonds. Wait, how does the Fed pay for the bonds? The Fed simply creates money "out of thin air" (book-keeping entry) with which it buys the bonds. The money that the Fed creates from nowhere then goes to the U.S. The Fed holds the U.S. bonds, and the unbelievable irony is that the U.S. then pays interest on the very bonds that the U.S. itself issued. Us taxpayers pay the interest and capital on these bonds. Someone help me understand why we need the Federal Reserve. Stability? Yes, we've had our share of "stability" the past few years.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone else had any dealings with the environmental director at the health department?? This man seems to think grundy county should be run the way will county is & has made a few comments about grundy county being filled will "stupid old farmers". Go back to the city big boy!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Anon, 10:26 am;
Don't blame the environmental director, he's probably picking up the "old farmer" term from other directors at the health department. That criticism has been around for years....

Anonymous said...

It's disgusting how a man of Mr. Corbett's integrity and accomplishment is treated by a flash in the pan cabal of amateur board members at Morris Hospital. Despite what the flowery Morris Daily Fluff article said about his "resignation", such is not the case. A credibility challenged (IMHO) "candidate" will be chosen, after a sham search, who just happens to be a golf and poker buddy to the board chairman. This golfer certainly did not earn the respect of the medical staff and nursing staff during his previous stint here, and things just aren't "working out" where he relocated, to Michigan. Community leaders, PLEASE START ASKING QUESTIONS about the board's behavior. Board--grow a spine and stand up to some of the bullying from the "board leadership".

Anonymous said...

Illinois property values have dropped at least 5%, on the average, in the past year. In many areas they have plummeted (28% in Vegas, for example). The county assessor better not have the chutzpah to raise our real estate assessments this year-- they better DROP. Any area attorneys with expertise in this field ready for some class action lawsuits after the assessments come out?

Anonymous said...

The Clowny Health Department now is patrolling restaurants requiring linoleum or tile be installed in kitchen and storage areas or the restaurant. Some areas we don't even use. This means pulling out all of our equipment, having flooring done and re-installing a restaurant kitchen. Does anyone have a clue how much that involves? Let alone the down time we will need to close. Economic conditions are hard enough for small businesses like mine so I surely don't need the newest County jagoff telling me what I need to spend money on. Whoever is in elected positions at the County today needs voted out of office in the name of change. Isn't there better things to focus on with regard to Health? How about a requirement that all employees of the County have residency in Grundy so that the understand who we are. Instead they come here from Joliet, Lockport and Homer Glen putting their opinions forth unto us. I speak therefore you shall obey mentality.

Anonymous said...

Restaurant owner, I'm confused. Are you storing, preparing and serving food to the public on dirt floors?

Anonymous said...

11:52...the only way anything will change is if you contact the Board of Health and make a complaint. There are many county residents upset with the way they are being treated by this same person & rumor has it that the county board president has reached his tolerance level with him. The only for change is to bring the issue to light...make some noise & they will listen!! Good luck

Anonymous said...

No dirt floors my friend, in fact, sealed concrete floors that have passed inspections in 4 restaurants I own. This one in Grundy County today but I have owned in the City of Chicago, Orland Park and Barrington over the years. I know there are other rumblings of things this guy is doing on other fronts as well. There has got to be some accountability from our elected officials nonetheless on these issues. We are the businesspeople who have been in this county for some time now but as soon as some fly by night inspector comes in he wants to change the world. You say call the Board of Health but where? I contacted the State of Illinois who said they didn't see a problem with what I have. Who is the Board of Health? Please let me know.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like this inspector is making the restuarant owners hit a moving target.

Anonymous said...

11:55 PM: Call the Health Department and ask for the list of the Board of Health members and phone numbers. Again, County government makes you work for public information....
Also attend the next Board of Health meeting and make your complaint.

Anonymous said...

I have been a chef for over 25 years. I have worked in many states as an Executive Chef and every where you go you have the same thing, some health inspecter that thinks they know it all. In all actuality they have no idea what it takes to run a kitchen if they have even spent a day working in one. If it has been passed before by the county inspecter why is it a problem now? Talk to Duane he seems to be the most decent and knowledgable guy to work with at the Health Dept.

Anonymous said...

The grundy county board of health president is dr. john roth, his office is on jefferson street in morris. The county board of health is made up of local county residents. Don't let this newbie bully you, he seems to think that everything done in will county needs to be done here..
The county employees are frustrated because they know what he is doing is out of line, however, unless the board of health corrects the problem, there is nothing they can do.

Anonymous said...

Anyone else out there concerned about the State owning property along the Illinois River/I@M Canal and denying access to it by residents? What's up with closing 4 State Parks along the Illinois Valley Corridor out of the 11 slated for closing Nov. 1? What happend to Barr's property purchased by the State that was to open for our use and has sat idle ever since? Is Gebhard Woods to become an eye sore like the paper mill property?

Anonymous said...

RE: Anonymous, August 29, 2008 2:41 PM

"The county employees are frustrated because they know what he is doing is out of line,"....

Be careful when you listen to county employees who are frustrated....often their "frustration" is not based on fact but alot of rumor, no real knowledge and just plain old enjoy day to day drama....

I do hope the Board of Health and the County investigate for proven facts with these allegations and arm themselves with study of the laws which govern the programs that they themselves govern...
There should be no room for the good old boy network at any level in public health.

Good luck all...

Anonymous said...

jim ryan --- It would be interesting for you to post the written report from your county inspector. Was there one?

Unless there's something new in Illinois law...read below.


TITLE 77: PUBLIC HEALTH
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
SUBCHAPTER m: FOOD, DRUGS AND COSMETICS
PART 750 FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CODE
SECTION 750.1200 GENERAL – FLOORS
---------------------------

Section 750.1200 General – Floors

a) Floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, and utensil-washing areas, and the floors of all walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, toilet rooms and vestibules shall be constructed of smooth durable material such as sealed concrete, terazzo, ceramic tile, durable grades of linoleum or plastic, or tight wood impregnated with plastic, and shall be maintained in good repair. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of anti-slip floor covering in areas where necessary for safety reasons.

b) Carpeting, if used as a floor covering, shall be of closely woven construction, properly installed, easily cleanable, and maintained in good repair. Carpeting is prohibited in food preparation, equipment-washing and utensil-washing areas where it would be exposed to large amounts of grease and water, in food storage areas, and toilet room areas where urinals or toilet fixtures are located.

ETC............

Anonymous said...

Good one, but note that linoleum, sealed concrete and wood are prohibited in the Grundy code. Fact

Anonymous said...

What happened at the special meeting of the Board of Health on, I believe, September 3, 2008? Any ideas?

Anonymous said...

RE Sept 4, 6:02 am:

So its the county code that is the bad guy and not the inspector?

Did past inspectors disregard this particular county code?

How old is this particular county code?

What are the sanitary reasons behind this particular county code?

Is it time to change it?

Anonymous said...

re-September 4, 2008 6:02 AM
Where would one find the
"Grundy code" you reference?
The city of Morris has building codes on line, but I can't find any "codes" for the county.
After reading all of these posts about "inspectors", I'm curious about what the real rules are and why they seem to change. Does anybody out there know the "real" rules?