Also it has been very hard for me to get online because so many people are still trying to figure out who I am and therefore I have had to deal with too many firewall invasions.  One would think there might be a community problem to solve.  Is someone getting paid to find out who I am and why I want to use my constitutional rights and speak out.

Thank you to all who encouraged me to continue the fight and come back on line.  I hope we find some common ground to combat this administration together.

So where shall we begin, why with your emails of course.  I hope you will e-mail me your opinions, concerns and anything else you would like to discuss.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Please check back very soon, I have received 3 e-mails from parents who attended the graduation ceremony of Belvidere North High School and they were not to happy with Fred Brereton giving what sounded like a political speech.  If anyone has that speech on tape I would be most grateful if you allowed me to upload it to my blog.

Its good to be back……………………………………………

I just couldn’t resist

And so the Saga continues….

If you’re really wondering about my posting yesterday I will add that I think this is what Terri Glass meant to say.  (Posted in Blue) I am just confused as to why she couldn’t just say it instead of asking a bunch of useless questions and beating around the bush.  That’s a politician for you and that’s why I don’t trust them.  Mostly I think the Republicans should be worried but we as citizens should be very concerned, concerned enough to get every person currently in office voted out of office.  I mean that for the City, County and Township.

The issue with Dini being on the review board in my opinion is to railroad assessment appeals.  Next year will be another record for assessment protest (wait and see) due to the declining economy.  Maybe even more so I think, because Diann Helnore will be taking over as Belvidere Township Assessor in 2010.  (Belvidere Township generates the most property tax revenues in the County)  Another opinion I have is; with Dini on the review board he will counter every effort Diann makes to accommodate property tax assessment protest.  Less revenue means less money for the Boone County Board’s pet projects and their friends.

MORE DRAMA

If you read Sunday’s paper (July 5) you probably read through the Local & State section.  I am sure you didn’t miss the story, Belvidere closer to reclaiming contaminated sites. Cleanup could begin soon if the Illinois EPA accepts the City’s report.

Are you kidding me?  I am closer to winning the lottery without purchasing a ticket.  I had to chuckle when the paper writes A project to redevelop the land has inched along for more than a decade.

Furthermore Kim Ellingson (Director of Neighborhood Development) is quoted as saying, “They had a few additional points they needed us to clarify.” “Once these have been adequately addressed, then our report should be accepted.”   Not only that, she goes on to claim that the City could implement a clean up plan and find a prospective buyer for two sites it owns within 3 to 6 months after an IEPA response.

if the Illinois EPA accepts the City’s report (if, red flag)

should be accepted (should, why not it will)

the City could implement (could, why not will)

WOW, how exciting.  This has taken 10 years folks, and there are other smaller communities out there that have accomplished a hell of a lot more in less time.  One of the problems is that a key person working on getting this done (our Director of Neighborhood Development for the city) is no more qualified, in my opinion, to get the job done than our Mayor.  Do we have anyone working in City Hall that can write a grant without the help of the county?  Have we ever had anyone that knows how to write a grant?  Shouldn’t that have been a requirement for the Director of Development since most of the money for the projects the City wants done comes from grants?  Shouldn’t that have been a requirement for someone at sometime working on this project other then Vandewalle & Associates?

Unfortunately the bad news continues, or it could be good news depending on whether or not you have been waiting for Ron Wait to do something.  I am just wondering if it is taking so long to clean up a major part of the City (The Riverfront) so the Mayor can encourage urban sprawl (Irene Road Development).  The Mayor hopes he can develop the Riverfront into retail shops, restaurants and condos.  HA!  Now that’s funny, retail, restaurants, really?  Don’t we have 17 empty spaces now spread out through 6 different strip malls?  How about getting those filled first.  You might want to consider loosening up the restriction and becoming more business friendly in order for that to happen though.

Why did Ron Wait get $330,000 added to the State Capital Improvement Plan for the purchase of land by the City of Belvidere to locate a transportation center on it?  I would like to know if the land is located at the proposed Tollway Station Point (Irene Road) and owned by Darecloud.  I would also like to know why Distillery Road gets stop lights when there are several other intersections (Town Hall Road, Beaver Valley Road, Anderson Drive) that don’t have them.  And do not email me to say that is the responsibility of the Township or the County that has to take care of that.  I want them to work together to make Belvidere a better community.  Enough of the disconnection.  Back to why only Distillery Road.  Is it because several close friends of the Mayors who are members of the Hardeman Corporation and Debbie Carlson had a role in that development?  Just wondering.  I am also wondering if someone could tell me if anyone has conducted a traffic count at those intersections.  One last question for now, can the City please fix the pavement over the Main Street bridge?

Well I believe I have managed to put in all of the points I was asked to cover with the latest emails that came my way.

I will share the hate emails later.  I will let them build up a little more.

Your Faithful Servant,

Silence Dogood

It’s funny sometimes reading my email because there are some who think I must be Satan for bringing these topics to light and discussing them out loud.  Shame on me, how dare I.  How dare I have a blog in America and exercise my freedom of speech yet not sign my name.  How dare I make public what most of you are thinking but too afraid to say publicly.

Here are just a few of the emails and I will respond to each one and my responses will be in red.

The first is from Jim Wise and he writes;

Interesting indeed, Silence.

This note or hoax may be telling of politics in Boone County/Belvidere.

It is very arrogant to assume that pressure from within the Board will persuade anyone to change their vote. Even more so, it is appalling to me that someone would engage in a misinformation campaign to gain the upper hand.

In addition; regarding the issue of BW re-nominating Mr. Mace for the vacant Board position, such a thought is ludicrous. It would be foolish and political suicide to attempt to force thru the appointment of Mr. Mace at this point. Regardless of the Boards’ position for BW to make such an attempt would be a show of contempt for the Board of which he may never recover from. With another year and half to go before the Board has the opportunity to select a Chairman. Such an effort would only cause the Board to be even more disruptive and divided than it is now.

What can I really add to this?  Mr. Wise, in the past, has been a contributor to this site and he will ask that I print something and I will.  Obviously he is more up to date on County Board issues than I or it might be that I could care less and just printed what an avid reader requested.  I personally could care less, in my opinion they are all lying, back stabbing hypocrites.  This is a prime example of why animals eat their young.  I have better things to do with my time than to analyze this political rhetoric.  I am however glad that Jim has the time.  We need people who make a point and make sense in their responses to my postings to weigh in every now and then.  On a lighter note I find this whole thing to be very funny and quite laughable, one would think we’re living in Chicago.

The next email I have chosen to share is from someone who sent it to me anonymously.  The irony.

you reveal not only your slanderous character but your allegiance to Ward’s gang when you promote the hoax concerning the Boone county board-(sic)

Ouch, now that hurts.  My slanderous character, do you even know what that means?  I have not said or done anything other than state my opinion, for which I am entitled.  So whoever you are that wrote me this email, you have a choice not to come to my blog if you don’t like what I say.  In fact that goes for anyone of you.  Stop coming to my blog if you don’t like it.  I could care less.  But you keep coming back don’t you?  You want to know what I will say next.  You want to know who I will say it about.  You want to know because you secretly say it and you’re glad someone is putting it out there.  The numbers don’t lie folks and I get a lot of visits to my site.

Now as for Ward, I have no allegiance for her.  I have yet to see anything good she has done for the County.  In fact I am very disappointed in both parties right now.  Very disappointed indeed.

Now this last email I have chosen is from Terry Glass.  Now I have not met her personally nor have I figured out what she contributes to the community, she is another one that I will use my favorite saying on; you don’t have to yell to be heard, you have to improve you argument.

Here are my questions

1. Why is Hursh mentioned? He doesn’t hold office anymore.

Who cares why Hursh is mentioned and I am happy as hell he doesn’t hold office anymore.  Aren’t you?

2. I love the fact that certain departments are specified; sheriff, county clerk, treasurer, circuit clerk, probation and other ignored- States Attorney, administration, etc.

Is there a question in there somewhere?

3. Hasn’t anyone asked why Dini is being pushed for the Board of Review?

No, who cares.  In my opinion, he can’t be trusted either.  None of them can.  That includes you.

4. Isn’t it pathetic that the Republicans are so desperate they are begging the Democrats for help?

It’s almost as pathetic as the Democrats not being able to find one person to run against Fred Brereton or Ron Wait and win.

5. I know there are many who will refuse to believe that such a memo could have been written in Boone County. But instead of asking WHY it was written or who would benefit, we are more focused on who wrote it.

Well duh, if we knew who wrote it then we would know why it was written and who would benefit.  Did you even read what you wrote to me?

Ask yourself the tough question…. Had this memo not been made public WHO would have benefited? WHY did someone feel the need to put this down on paper? Does this make certain people look bad… sure it does, but only if it’s really how people think. And if that is how some of our elected officials think maybe we need to make them look for a new job.

I’m sorry I thought you said tough and question as in one.  Oh well, what was I expecting anyway?

First question, who knows.  Second question, because people are stupid. Third statement, of course it is at least how one person thinks, they wrote it down.  Seriously……..

Yes I agree with you Terri, it is time for every elected official to find a new job.  In my opinion, they are not doing a very good job here in the County of Boone.

I am looking forward to finding out what the rest of you think so feel free to respond.  I will also be posting what I think of the redevelopment project on the river.

Your Faithful Servant

Silence Dogood

Here is a piece of information that was forwarded to me perhaps with the hope that I might be able to discover the truth. I ask my readers to decide if this is a hoax or what is going on here. This could be very serious if proven to be more than a hoax.

Let me know what you decide.

Your Faithful Servant,

Silence Dogood

Sincerely,

Jennifer Riley

www.rrstar.com/opinions/x2085765367/Rockford-can-learn-downtown-lessons-from-Greenville-S-C

Source: rrstar.com

Thank you for the article it was great to read and I agree 100% with you and the article.

Your Faithful Servant,

Dogood

I also noticed that the old Huddle location was turning into a used car lot.  Gee I am so glad we didn’t have Walgreen’s open up there, in my opinion it would have made the neighborhood look so much worse.  I am glad that we have a city council that nips capitalism in the bud.  Take a look for yourself.

Now here is what we could have had…. Take notice of the landscaping

Maybe this will open up across the street!!!!!

Doesn’t this mural look better without the banner hanging in front of it?

Can anyone at the City from the planning department explain how this happened?

Just somethings to think about while I prepare my next post.  I really wish they wouldn’t make it so easy for me.  I would much rather be challenged but…….

Your Faithful Servant,

Dogood

That is the long version of seven minutes, but if you don’t have that much time here is the shorter two minute version.

Read below for more information on Monday night’s Council meeting.

Your Faithful Servant,

Silence Dogood

I went to the Council meeting on Monday night for pure entertainment and I was not disappointed.  I think we now have another person at the table who doesn’t have a clue about what is going on in our town.  Was there not a meeting with the Mayor and Department Heads prior to Monday night?  Do we need another person sitting blindly at the table making decisions for our future?

In my attempt to control my laughter I overheard some conversation back and forth between the Alderman over the issues at hand and I am amazed still that no one takes the time to read their packets and to keep informed.  That is what we pay them for right?  Do we have to pay them and spoon feed them too?  The salary for the Aldermen should be based on how many years you have been there and the effort you put forth.  That’s how most businesses run right.? How about creating value for your position.  You get paid for your worth.  In my opinion we would be paying very little then and should be able to save some money.

Just because it’s the City doesn’t mean anything.  It’s a business when you are trying to balance a budget, and Belvidere has a small budget.  Department stores have bigger budgets.   They get paid from the general fund and they need to work harder.  Hell they worked the hardest at writing letters to the paper asking for votes.

I am not the only one who feels this way.  I am sure that I am the most critical and rightly so, it annoys me so that there isn’t even so much as a dress code for alderman.  Watch them sitting in their chairs, you will see one of them nod off, others rocking back and forth and the rest looking in the air or at papers for the first time while someone is standing at the podium.  Watch and witness how disrespectful they are, I think, as a concerned citizen is talking to them, or when someone is giving a report.  They are reading their packets that they just picked up and scrambling to catch up.

Here is my solution to the problem; all chairs must be removed at once and the entire administration will  have to stand at the meetings.  Watch and see how fast things get done then.  Next, pay them based on performance from a city wide level, how well they keep informed and participate at council for the betterment of Belvidere.  Pay them based on what their constituents say about them and the work they have done for the ward they represent.  Lastly, for now, instill a dress code.  I will come up with more solutions.  If my tax dollars are paying for their salaries then I want them to work and dress in a professional manner.

Here is an email I received from a concerned citizens who was just as unhappy as I while attending the Council Meeting on Monday night.  I think her concerns are very valid and I hope that this administration shapes up quickly.  They made a lot of promises and we in Belvidere want some implementation of those promises.

Dear Silence,

I can’t begin to share my extreme disgust felt at the Monday night’s council meeting.  A faithful attendee of City Council meetings, I have been wondering when the new alderman would start attending- would he wait until he was on the payroll? Or attempt to be ready to work by being informed at his first meeting?

I shouldn’t be surprised by the answer- he waited until he was on the payroll-as I mention this, and now the election is over, so I am not mud slinging, those dedicated individuals that were asking for votes?  Most of them have yet to witness a council meeting!  Needless to say, the new alderman was essentially clueless to the matters at hand, and possibly to those matters being discussed-does he not even read the newspaper????

Furthermore, although I do not agree with the whole swine flu chaos- do you think somebody could’ve questioned whether swine flu had anything to do with potbellies before they gave their okay for them to live in town?  Belvidere, quite the comedy…..

P.s.you can post this-

Jennifer Riley

If anyone else feels the same I would love to hear from you.

Your Faithful Servant,

Silence Dogood

If I am wrong tell me it’s ok, sometimes I am, put me in my place but fix the ordinance.  Take the time to put the correct ordinance on line.  Stop being lazy do your job.

I most recently took some pictures of a salon downtown to show that if our ordinance states that you can not use primary colors and red is a primary color, you can’t use black but we have a black awning then what message are you sending to people.

I received an email from ANNIE MOSSITY and she said to me that the canopy was put up without a permit, staff is reviewing the new canopy for compliance right now.  Due to a massive amendment of the downtown overlay district last year, those colors are now permitted.

If that is the case then why is the massive amendment for the downtown overlay district not out there for us to see?  Where is that amendment when you go to the City’s website and try to fumble through the code?

By definition massive means (huge, enormous, gigantic, colossal and so on) but don’t insult me or my readers by suggesting that the current administration has the ability to do anything on a scale of massive.  Are you kidding me?

I will give you props for a clever name but that’s it.

So this leads me to another point, the budget didn’t come in as expected so changes have to be made.  In reading on line from the Rockford Register Star I found this paragraph that helps me prove what my whole blog is about.

A decline in sales tax revenue and slowdown in growth helped contribute to the deficit. A lack of residential and commercial growth over the past year led to building department revenues falling about $346,800 under expectations budgeted for a year ago.

This administration makes you jump through so many hoops to open a business that no one wants to do it.  Everyone always talks about how they would love to have less “chains” and more of the smaller mom and pop stores open and especially in our downtown.  Unfortunately though, with all the crap you have to go through to open a business here it’s only the “chains” that can survive long enough to do that.  No one wants to open a business here, much less move here.  They are hassled too much.  We need less government and more free market here.

Permit, no permit, you can have that color but you can’t have that color.  We have too many restrictions and hoops.  We are not business friendly.  However, is it too much to ask for consistency since we can’t dictate good taste?  Is it too much to ask for to have the tobacco store follow the rules of the amount of coverage on their window?  Or does the new massive amendment allow for that now too.

Your Faithful Servant,

Silence Dogood