$122,658/yr for non-resident police chief?

I've known Police Chief Bill Brogan for many years; ever since we used to meet and talk on occasion at Saint Patrick's Church in McHenry. He was an is a lifelong resident of the City of McHenry and McHenry County and has spent 27 of his 31 years in law enforcement at that department. He worked his way up through the ranks and got to where he is the hard way: he earned it by living and working every day and night in the county. He stated according to the Northwest Herald in Sunday, July 26th edition that " I feel blessed to be able to be the chief in the town I grew up in," said Brogan whose salary is $109,422 and is within minutes of being available if needed by his community.

As a resident of McHenry Brogan "knows the culture of McHenry and what people expect of their police force". "He knows the nooks and crannies and niches." On top of all of this he has always been a nice guy and someone who always put the welfare of the city and his fellow police officers before his own.

In contrast we have the City of Woodstock who decided to hire a new police chief from outside the department from outside the county and from outside the city. Chief Robert Lowen Jr's salary is, according to the Northwest Herald, $122,658. According to the information I have he has still not moved into McHenry County, as previous chiefs had to, much less the City of Woodstock of which he is the chief of police. I wonder if he knows the culture of McHenry County? I wonder is he knows all the nooks and crannies and niches of his city like police chief Brogan does? Does not living where you are the Chief of Police tell you anything about the man?.....I don't know...do you?

The hypocrisy of it...

On Monday, June 22, 2009, the McHenry County Board of Health was asked to consider to adopt and if adopted to forward to the appropriate subcommittee of the County Board the implementation of a Compliance Committee. This committee an offshoot of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was federal legislation enacted to protect shareholders and the general public from accounting errors and fraudulent practices. It is administed by the Security and Exchange Commission and it sets deadlines for compliance and publishes rules. After reviewing the GREAT JOB?....they did in protecting us from the worse recession/depression? since the great depression I decided to vote NO. My NO vote had no effect except to make me feel better and to express my disgust with the job they have done to get us into this current situation. Since it was a mandated federal program, that was not funded, it had to go through irrespective of the vote. You the tax payer are again paying for another federal program. Now the SEC wants any entity accepting federal money to do their work for them; I guess since they screwed it up to the tune of trillions of dollars the first time. If you really think that this new federal legislation is going to allow the feds to know where all trillions went then I have a message for you; the tooth fairy left a dollar under my pillow last night.

McHenry County Advocate: Correct Answer to Poll

McHenry County Advocate: Correct Answer to Poll

Correct Answer to Poll

Thomas Jefferson

“A LITTLE REBELLION NOW AND THEN”

“A LITTLE REBELLION NOW AND THEN”


Paris, Feb. 22, 1787

On this date one of our Founding Fathers wrote a letter to Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, the future second President of the United States of America. They, the Adams family and the writer of this letter were friends while both families were stationed in Paris at the time of the Revolutionary War and for a period afterward.

The author of this letter wrote, “The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. This rebellion was of a group of farmers who were protestesting certain actions of the government which were certainly not favorable to them.

Can you tell me who this Founding Father was that liked a little rebellion now and then? Was it:
1. George Washington
2. Alexander Hamilton
3. James Madison
4. Thomas Jefferson
5. Ben Franklin

I will give you the correct answer after the pole has expired.

Millions Died...Don't Forget Their Sacrifice

From the Revolutionary War to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan millions have given there lives for these three simple concepts

1. Life
2. Liberty
3. The pursuit of happiness

Sometime today take a few minutes and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for their country and for the three simple God given rights all human beings have by nature of their being. Amen.

MCC...FOIA REFUSAL...TIP OF ICEBURG

When I departed from the Navy back in 1975 and came out to the "boonies" here in McHenry County I noticed an interesting phenomena after a short time being involved in hospital politics and executive committees and hospital boards. A lot of work was being done on the hospitals and the jobs awarded to companies after "no bid" contracts were accepted by the hospital boards. Over the years I found out via the grapevine that a lot of the recipients of the contracts were close friends or relatives of members on the boards of the various hospitals. I suspect this is the way business was done then and it may or probably still continues today. I wonder if some individuals still on boards of hospitals,they seem to recirculate for years and years, and elected officials know the difference between opaque and transparent. When public monies are involved it should all be transparent or the possibility of corruption just continues to continue.

H1N1 Flu and You

For important info regarding the H1N1 flu go to :

www.cdc.gov

Open letter to Mr. Tim Clifton, City Manager Woodstock IL

Dear Mr. Clifton:

In today's Northwest Herald, Friday, May 1, 2009, you were quoted as saying "The city's interest always is to protect residents and taxpayers and to be a good steward of tax dollars. ...we also want to be fair and equitable to city employees."

So far I have not experienced that aspect of the "city's interest" towards its employees. I hope that some time in the very near future I will experience your quoted words in real forward moving modalities of action to resolve this situation of which you are aware.

I am not saying this to be rude or blamful but I would recommend that before totally backing your departments heads you adopt the late President Ronald Reagan's philosophy, "trust but verify". As they say there is always another side to a story and in the news business always a "back story" that can change the whole complexion of what you may have been told along with what people may have told you are iron clad facts and incontrovertible.

Sincerely,
Richard W. Gorski, M.D.

Put your name where your opinion is!

The NWHerald "welcomes original letters on public issues." You must however include your full name, home address, and day and evening telephone numbers; a prudent policy. But why don't they follow their own policy? In the Opinion section under "our view" I see an opinion but I see no names under the opinion. I find it hard to believe that the Editorial Board which includes six individuals all wrote and subscribe to the same opinion. Is it the big man himself who holds sway and can hire and fire or are they all simply like minded. If we are held to the policy of name, address, and day and evening telephone numbers why are they not held to the same standard. Could it be that the opinion is not unanimous and only the commentary of a powerful minority? If you don't sign your name to something you have written I personally don't believe its worth the paper its written on.

What next...your DNA?

Its not going to happen yet here in McHenry County but beginning on June 1, 2009 in order to sell your own house you will have to submit a thumb print of your right thumb (they will take it).(Illinois Public Act 095-0988) I guess a drivers license or Ill. ID Card or a US Passport will not suffice. What will be required in Cook County next...a DNA sample and retinal scan? What are they going to do with this thumb print and where will it really wind up being kept on file when they can't even keep confidential computerized info confidential. If you have never had your finger prints taken what are they going to use as a baseline normal. A way of tracing you down because they have your identity in their computer files database. The days of "big brother" and "show me your papers" are already here. Soon we will have to get a visa to travel from state to state....don't laugh...you may be next in line...have your right thumb ready and don't forget to smile or you may be subject to further examination and interrogation.

When are the citizens of this country going to draw a line in the sand and tell its elected officials ....no further ...no more intrusion in our private lives and affairs.

The irony of it!

In regard to Northwest Heralds "Bills lead to Easter in lockup".

The irony of Mathew Bunda going to jail because he missed two court appearances and could not come up with the bond after he could not pay his divorce attorney $18,000 is beyond belief. Several of President Obama's Cabinet owed thousands of dollars to the IRS and admitted it. How were they treated....got a new job...to be a member of the Presidents Cabinet and advise the President on how to run the United States of America when they can't even take care of their own "STUFF" in their own house. I guess that's what President Obama meant by "CHANGE"...hmmm?

I've learned my lesson!

Dear Ms. Jillian Duchnowski:

Boy have I learned my lesson; never talk to the press with the expectation that the truth will be revealed by them. In most cases you can probably expect that you will get a STORY created to titillate the readers and stir controversy and increase sales and circulation and not even an attempt at getting at the underlying factors that are at the heart of the matter. What a lot of reporters (not journalists) want is to get their STORY on the front page of a newspaper in big black print with their name written below.

I also resent the implied insinuation that I doled out pain meds like some street corner dealer supplying his customers with their needs. If I could count the times I gave patients free samples or medications (freely at my cost) that they needed but could not afford it might be more than the hairs on your head. I am truly saddened and disheartened at the way you approached this, seemingly setting up your agenda to go where you wanted to go and report and dismissing the things that did not fit your agenda or version of the truth. I wish you well on your journey to become a journalist.

Do the right thing....get fired!

Ron Schwartz, a Chicago-based attorney specializing in employment law stated." I think people want to believe their employer will do the right thing. A lot of times, an internal complaint is made and if the employer isn't sympathetic, the employee is fired. This just doesn't happen in Chicago, it happens right here in McHenry County in both private businesses and governmental agencies large and small. That is why we have "whistle blower laws" that not only are supposed to protect the whistle blower but a witness who might appear in court to support the whistle blower's charge or charges.

What happens in many cases is that before the case ever comes to court the witness of the alleged misdeed is gotten rid of, fired, discredited in some fashion so that if and when he/she does get to court they are discredited by the defendants attorney as not being credible. I know of at least two alleged instances when this perhaps legal but I believe unethical legal tactic has and is being used to protect the "boss" and the "boss's" boss. Now don't you feel better about the intrinsic goodness of our human nature and your fellow man or woman....hmmmm...bull.

Lowest Morale in Police Department I can remember

I have lived in McHenry County almost 35 years and ran a business in Woodstock for almost 25 years. I have been involved in trying to protect the public health of this county for almost 10 years. This means, to me, that I have been "around the block a few times" in this county. I have over the years talked to a lot of people about a lot of things and have been exposed to things people are concerned and are talking about.

Lately one hot topic that people in and outside of the Woodstock Police Department have been privately vocal about is that allegedly this period of time under the current leadership at the police department has evoked one of the lowest periods of morale in the rank and file of the patrol officers. They allegedly are affraid to say anything to anyone lest they are placed in the "crosshairs" of a superior and deamed a "non-team player". So they allegedly remain quiet and not active in reporting things that maybe should be reported; that way they keep their jobs and pensions and don't incurr the wrath of their leadership.

When you pass by the relatively new police station and view the apparent peace and tranquility of its exterior remember that appearances are not always what they seem to be and that what goes on inside may not correlate to the peace and serenity of the outside shell that the building presents to the general public.

What would you do?

Hypothetically what would you do with a city department head who allegedly (Chapter 21, Subchapter I >1985); covertly (1) prevented an officer from pursuing his/her duties in investigating a possible injustice? With a city department head who allegedly covertly (2) obstructed justice and allegedly intimidated a potential witness in a filed civil rights case with the State against said department head? A department whose head allegedly (3) oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person in any State in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same. (US CODE Title 18,241, Conspiracy against rights) They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. At least that's a beginning. Remember this is just hypothetical.

Chief of Police of Woodstock ...lives in Carpentersvile...still?

"Carpentersville: Former chief's wife now running for trustee Debra Lowen, wife of former police chief Robert Lowen, who is now chief in Woodstock, is among the eight candidates in the race for three trustee spots on the village board. Other candidates include incumbents Kay Teeter and Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski, Kenneth Andresen, Kent Baldwin, Joseph Haimann, Bradford McFeggan and Patricia Schultz. Trustee Ed Ritter is running for the village president position against incumbent Bill Sarto and local businessman Jim Krenz."
- Mike Danahey
The Courier News

Spot on...from England

SPOT ON.. as they would say...
Newspaper in England nailed the OBAMA CRAZE! The Daily Mail (UK) wrote this editorial about Obama on 1/6/2009.(confirmation, Google "London Daily Mail Obama's Victory")Obama's Victory--A British view a victory for the hysterical Oprah Winfrey, the mad racist preacher Jeremiah Wright, the US mainstream media who abandoned any sense of objectivity long ago, Europeans who despise America largely because they depend on her, comics who claim to be dangerous and fearless but would not dare attack genuinely powerful special interest groups. A victory for Obama-worshippers everywhere. A victory for the cult of the cult. A man who has done little with his life but has written about his achievements as if he had found the cure for cancer in between winning a marathon and building a nuclear reactor with his teeth. Victory for style over substance, hyperbole over history, rabble-raising over reality. A victory for Hollywood , the most dysfunctional community in the world. Victory for Streisand, Spielberg, Soros, Moore, and Sarandon. Victory for those who prefer welfare to will and interference to independence. For those who settle for group think and herd mentality rather than those who fight for individual initiative and the right to be out of step with meager political fashion.Victory for a man who is no friend of freedom. He and his people have already stated that media has to be controlled so as to be balanced, without realizing the extraordinary irony within that statement. Like most liberal zealots, the Obama worshippers constantly speak of Fox and Limbaugh, when the vast bulk of television stations and newspapers are drastically liberal and anti-conservative. Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer said that just as pornography should be censored, so should talk radio. In other words, one of the few free and open means of popular expression may well be cornered and beaten by bullies who even in triumph cannot tolerate any criticism and opposition. A victory for those who believe the state is better qualified to raise children than the family, for those who prefer teachers' unions to teaching and for those who are naively convinced that if the West is sufficiently weak towards its enemies, war and terror will dissolve as quickly as the tears on the face of a leftist celebrity. A victory for social democracy even after most of Europe has come to the painful conclusion that social democracy leads to mediocrity, failure, unemployment, inflation, higher taxes and economic stagnation. A victory for intrusive lawyers, banal sentimentalists, social extremists and urban snobs.Congratulations America !

Why we have the second ammendment

Recommend the following video:


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=_4069761537893819675

Fear and the Democrats win

Fear and bipartisanship are tactics that the democratic members of congress and President Obama used to convince the citizens of the United States that now with a new leader things would be different.....CHANGED.

The stimulus bill passed without one republican vote; so much for bipartisanship and change. I suspect that the next four years will be much of the same with Pelosi at the helm keeping her troops in line. No one knows that this stimulus bill will even work over the long run. If it does you can be sure that the democrats and their genetico-politico (new word created) descendants will take full credit; if it does not it will be because of those few republicans that did not sign on to the package. So folks hang on to your wallets, purses, cash (if you have any) and investments and savings over the next four years...hang on real tight. Its going to be a rough and tumble ride. You can be assured of that. I hope I'm wrong.

William LeFew's letter to the Editor

Mr. LeFew got most of what he said in his Letter to the Editor dated January 29, 09 to the Northwest Herald correct. The peaceful transference of power noted on Inauguration Day is to be commended.

However if one reads the papers and records of the Founding Fathers their idea of who would have the right and privilege to vote for their representatives in the envisioned new republican form of government was not what we today enjoy and take for granted. Not everyone was included in this group of "voters"; they the Founding Fathers feared a take over by what was called then the uneducated rabble or at times referred to as the "mob". To them the voter would be a stakeholder in this new country; someone who was a land owner, business owner, educated to some degree so he could read and understand issues and not on the receiving end of government money. They feared that if all were to be allowed to be voters that they would vote for the candidate that would would promise them more and more until the government would find itself bankrupt and unable to fulfill its promises. In other words they felt that voters should be males who had something to loose if they voted unwisely and not individuals who only had something to gain....sound familiar? Women were not even considered in the argument at that time.

Do as I say...Not as I did!

Timothy Geithner won confirmation on Monday as President Obama's treasury secretary despite not having paid a significant amount of taxes (over $30,000) that was due the IRS. If I had done that I would have had liens on anything I owned, partially owned or possessed and would have probably been in federal prison for tax evasion. How ironic it is that now he will be the IRS's boss. Will he have a sign on his desk saying "Do as I say...Not as I do (did)!" Will the IRS Agent who pursued those due taxes still have a job and if he or she does will it be on the shore of the Arctic Ocean. From my point of view this was not a good choice for an already sick economy. I can only envision the jokes around the Treasury Department's offices....smirk...wink...smirk.

Supreme Court pension ruling

On Monday, January 26, 2009 a second Supreme Court ruling was also handed down. Money from a deceased employee's pension plan will go to the named beneficiary, the court said, regardless of a divorce decree.

Justices rule for whistle blowers

In a 9-0 decision, on Monday, January 26, 2009, the Supreme Court of the United States stated that employees, workers who cooperate with an investigation regarding uncouth behavior by a supervisor are protected from retaliation under the civil rights laws. So now not only is the person who filed the complaint protected but any witnesses who might corroborate the truthfulness of the complaint are also now protected against retaliation by the employer. Justice David Souter said that protection "extends to an employee who speaks out about discrimination not on her/his own initiative, but in answering questions during an internal investigation."

Obama is a no show

President Obama, the Commander In Chief of this nation's armed forces was a "NO SHOW" at the inaugural ball that was attended by the recipients of the highest honor that this country can bestow on a member of the military: The Congressional Medal of Honor. A "NO SHOW" says something to me especially during a time of war against the terrorist threats faced by our members of the armed forces. The Commander In Chief of this nation's armed forces has two main mandates: the security of this nation and the well being of the troops he commands...maybe he just forgot....NOT! Wonder what the men and women who are laying it all on the line for their boss think of his "NO SHOW"; it must instill in them a feeling of really being appreciated.

Oh, by the way he was the first President to not attend this ball in 56 years.

Showing his true colors?

In spite of the genetic gifts inherited from his white mother and black father, God given ones and learned ones through study at elite universities President Obama still doesn't "get it". His superb rhetorical skill and affability promote and promise a Utopian world, peace, prosperity, health and universal happiness through his leadership and change. I agree these goals are admirable ones and we all should strive to make them reality. So much for his goals and words: now lets talk and look at the reality of his actions...the "real stuff" of a person that emanates from his inner voice of conscience which is the product of his "formation" from an infant to President of the United States of America.

On Friday, January 23 he struck down the ban on using tax payer money to assist international (foreign) groups that perform abortions. I believe that the President truly wants to do many of the good things he promoted during his campaign. However, a Utopian society cannot be achieved by promoting and subsidizing a "culture of death"; one that says it wants to make people free in the truest sense of the word but bases the achievement of that goal on the amoral assumption that the taking of life, pre-born, during birth, in diseased states, or in the elderly is warranted because it will be balanced by the good it will supposedly achieve for the many. This proposition has been used in the past and has only brought more death, misery and the collapse of nations and civilizations. To promote this course of action is to promote our eventual extinction from the face of the planet. The more we cheapen life the more its intrinsic value decreases...eventually to the point of being worthless.

The Smartest Person in the World

If you have a few minutes (whatever they are and relative to what) to think about three issues this weekend define the real nature of "life", "space" and "time". If you can tell us what the real nature and substance of these three entities is I guarantee that you will win three Nobel Prizes and probably be considered the most intelligent human being past, present and future. No one has been able to do it to date. Attempts yes, but inclusive full answers NO!

Think about it and let me know what your answers would be. I would be interested in hearing from you.

Another Continuance..in Woodstock IL

Will it ever end? Sgt. Gorski, almost 20 year veteran of the Woodstock PD, who was unanimously vindicated by the Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners almost a year ago of a complaint brought against him by Robert W. Lowen Jr., the current Chief of the Woodstock PD. Sgt. Gorski has been found guilty of nothing and has had absolutely no disciplinary action recommended by the Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Yet for the last year he has been punished by the City of Woodstock for being found vindicated by its own Board of Fire and Police Commissioners buy not paying him his back pay with statutory interest as demanded by the State statute. Likewise when he tried to go back to light duties as recommended by his spine surgeon he was told sorry we've got nothing for you, have a nice day. Now understand this, he is still a sworn police officer, an employee of the City of Woodstock, vindicated by the Board but they have decided unilaterally not to pay him even though he is still technically an employee with the city; you try to figure that one out if you can.

Could you have a nice day knowing that there is no income to support your family which includes three young daughters? I don't think so.

Today he was told that the Hearing in Judge McIntyre's Court was continued and will not take place tomorrow. He does not know why as of yet or who asked for it. I am looking forward to the reason for the continuance. I hope its not going to result in another several months of no pay or back pay for being found vindicated by Woodstock's own Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Imagine that: being punished because you have been found innocent. Must be a new legal concept being allegedly promulgated by the City of Woodstock against its long term employees or could it be allegedly something more personal between Lowen and Sgt. Gorski that the city does not want aired in the arena of public opinion and its citizens' good judgement.

Poll Results..Governments truth and trust

Some time ago I conducted a poll on my blog. The question was "Do you trust the truthfulness and integrity of your local and national government?" I was surprised by the result; 100% of the responses were NO TO BOTH. This is a sad time in our national history when the "people" no longer have faith and trust in their elected officials. Will this despair eventually lead to the end of this great country because of the loss of trust by the people in their elected politicians...it probably will until the people stop electing politicians and elect leaders who do what is right for the country and not for themselves or the particular party they belong to.

War..an awesome teacher

The article "Docs in training", Voice of the People, Dec. 8, 08, Tribune brings back similiar but different memories of the heady days of the late 1960s when the U.S. was embroiled in a brutal war that killed as many Americans that now fill the "Wall" in Washington D.C. and many more "Walls" that will never be built with the names of Americans that were wounded physically and psychologically. How many of these Americans are now dead due to injuries directly related to that war only God really knows.

Within the blurr of a few days I went from the relatively stable life of an intern at Connemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital in Johnstown PA (the hospital built by donations from around the world after the Johnstown Flood)to the entirely different world of a Naval Medical Officer and first year resident in orthopaedic surgery at the Naval Hospital in south Philadelphia PA. Along with me on this turbulent odyssey came my wife Kristina and our two very young sons, Steven and Michael.

I did not know what to expect on the first day I reported for duty to the Chief of Orthopaedics, Captain Joseph Cremona. Well my fellow first year resident, Tom Lang and I found out fast that first day. We were not only involved in being first assistants in doing surgery but actually doing some of the surgery when our staff orthopaedic surgeon mentors felt we were ready. To say the least we had to learn and do things quickly because we were constantly (daily) getting wounded naval and marine personell air evacted from Viet Nam or Japan to Fort Dix New Jersey and then transported via bus ambulances to the naval hospital. At the high point of the war we had over 1200 orthopaedic patients in the hospital.

My first responsibility was the care and treatment of almost 300 amputee patients. I learned quickly from the staff ortho surgeons, my more senior residents and especially from the savy senior nurses and corpmen who would "suggest" certain things might be considered in a particular patient. Ego was not an option that either I or my patients could afford. I learned and did it quickly all along improving my skills in diagnosis, treatment and surgical technique. The residents of which there were only two in eacy year would rotate through the various types of othopaedic practices which we were required to be trained in by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery over the four years we trained. We had to pass tests after our second and fourth years sucessfully in order to complete our residencies successfully. Along with this our personal fitness reports from our staff surgeons had to be satisfactory.We had duty schedules, weekend schedules, night schedules and every other kind you can think of but we as a group, including the staff orthopedic surgeons never thought of it as a burden. We would work as many hours or days until the work was done and all were seen and treated. We would look around and see all these young self-sacrificing Americans, 18, 19 and 20 year olds and the occasional one in his 20s that the younger marines and naval personell would call "pop" and in some fashion feel it an honor and priviledge to have worn the same uniform and helped restore their broken bodies and lives to the best of our ability....I still feel the same to this very day and make it a practice to salute every military person in uniform I may come into contact with too this very day.

Alleged Falsehoods Told to Woodstock City Council?

A few days ago I was told by a reliable source that the Woodstock City Council was informed sometime ago in April or May by someone in city government or intimately involved in city government that when Sgt. Steve Gorski was told by his spinal surgeon that he could return to a trial of light administrative duties he chose not to return to duties. This is an absolute lie.

Sgt. Gorski telephoned Deputy Chief Neuzil and informed him of the release by his surgeon and was told over the telephone not to even bother to come in because there was nothing like that available for him even though in the past other officers were accommodated in similar fashion.

As you may recall Sgt. Gorski was vindicated of charges filed against him by Chief Lowen by a 3 to 0 decision of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in February. He still has not been offered a light duty posting and has not been paid in over a year in spite of being found that the evidence did not prove the Chief's complaint. I can only wonder if someone or someones are telling the City Council their allegedly altered side of the story to allegedly cover their hind sides and how they may have allegedly abused and continue to allegedly abuse the system and the truth to their advantage. If these allegations turn out to be true I would wonder if there might be some opening positions in city government and departments?

Belated Thanks for Serving Your Country

Nothing new, I am usually a day late and a dollar short so this should not surprise you. I just wanted to say "thanks for the service you gave to your country and for the sacrifices you made". I extend this salutation to the the relatives on my wife's side of the family who fought in the Revolutionary War right up to the current conflicts. Many of her uncles never made it back from the Pacific and their remains are only known to God.

I especially want to thank my maternal grandfather, John Vondra who fought in WWI in France as an Army infantryman; following the war came home to run a gas station on Pulaski Ave. in Chicago. My father, Ted R. Gorski, a radarman second class who served on the USS Haskell, a landing ship transport of troops in the Pacific. On returning home he drove a bus for the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) for over 35 years. Also my uncle John Vondra, the son of the above John Vondra, who was a marine in the Pacific and fought in most of the major Pacific island battles. He made it back and got married to my Aunt Carrie and raised a family in Los Angeles.

Lastly thanks to all the servicemen and women I served with in the various Naval Hospitals I was stationed at; it was a privilege and honor to be associated with all of you. Lastly, but always in my prayers, are the marines and naval personnel patients who gave so much and asked so little in return. I will always remember you. God be with you all.

David W McArdle...Did Not Phone Back?!

Well its been a few weeks since David W. McArdle called for a special meeting of all the attorneys involved with the litigation between the Chief of Police, Robert Lowen and Sgt. Steven R. Gorski of the Woodstock Police Department. Well the meeting occurred with all the city's paid attorneys and the two representing the Sergeant.
All the attorneys had their say if they wanted to say anything and Mr. McArdle said he would get back to the Sergeant's two attorneys as soon as possible with a response to the Sergeant's request. Well guess what...to the best of my knowledge...there has been no response. No response that the Sergeant has heard from either of his two attorneys or Mr. McArdle of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle a law firm in Crystal Lake that has been being paid for over a year now by the City of Woodstock's taxpayers money. This is getting to be a really expensive adventure for these tough economic times to expend the tax payers money to infuse into the coffers of a well endowed out of town law firm. I suspect that the city's payments to Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle will continue until at some point the tax payers, many of whom are out of work, say "end this" ..."enough is enough". The only people who are winning in this scenario are the attorneys. Maybe its time for the taxpayers of Woodstock to have a special meeting with their elected city officials who I presume have been calling the "shots" and "spending their money".

$175,000 versus millions

The ultimate in hypocrisy was manifest tonight with the televising of Sen. B. Obama's infomercial. The Democrats condemned the Gov. from Alaska for getting some new duds to wear, $175,000 worth, during the campaign which will be auctioned off after the campaign is over and given to charity but not a peep from anyone about the millions spent by Sen. B. Hussein Obama to sell himself to the people of the United States. Doesn't that seem a little unfair and not balanced to you? If all its going to take to win the Presidency is a lot of money and good fitting suit and being able to read a teleprompter well this country is going to be in for some hard times. Leadership has nothing to do with money, TV time and slick talk but everything to do with keeping your promises and maintaining your core principles. Senator McCain did not break under seven years of torture at the Hanoi Hilton...I think the White House should be a breeze for him.

BEFORE YOU VOTE FOR SEN. OBAMA...CHECK THIS OUT!

www.americasright.com/2008/08/q-with-phillip-berg.html

David W McArdle...Back Again In Court

Remember the previous article about David W. McArdle, a managing partner of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle, attorneys for the City of Woodstock Illinois and the phone call and meeting with Sgt. Gorski's attorneys to work out something more amicable and efficient in settling their differences? Well to the best of my knowledge Sgt. Gorski's attorneys received no calls back in regards to it but I am sure the Sergeant's legal bill increased and so did the city's because of this exercise in futility. I suspect it may have been just another tactic in trying to extend this whole matter by trying to bankrupt the Sgt. so that he could not go on and continue to defend his position in court and for the City of Woodstock to continue to not pay him any wages for more than a year now.

At court,Mr. McArdle brought out his tripod and poster boards and in a few minutes tried to convince Judge Maureen McIntyre that the 4 1/2 months of evidence and testimony presented by Anne Brophy, the attorney who handled the prosecution for the city against Sgt. Gorski and an attorney for Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle; that the decision in the case, by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners should have been decided differently and against Sgt. Gorski. That they, the Board, should have found him guilty of the charges brought against him by the Chief of Police, Robert W. Lowen Jr. and he should have been fired from his job after 20 years of exemplary public service to the community of Woodstock Illinois. So much for advancing amicability, efficiency and trust but I will say it was a valiant effort in trying to rewrite history and a valiant attempt to forget about the concept of double jeopardy of the defendant. As far as justice...you be the judge.

Now the citizens of Woodstock and of McHenry County have an even clearer idea of what Sgt. Gorski and his attorneys have had to deal with.

LINE OF DUTY PENSION BENEFITS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

About three weeks ago a telephone conversation between two attorneys representing Sgt. Steven R. Gorski, an employee of the Woodstock Police Department for the last 20 years and Mr. David W. McArdle, a partner in the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, representing the Chief of Police and City of Woodstock took place. It was my understanding that Mr. McArdle wanted to have a meeting of the legal representatives of the Chief of Police, Robert W. Lowen Jr. and the City of Woodstock and the Police Pension Board and those of Sgt. Gorski to see if this litigation on the part of the Police Chief and the City and the Police Pension Board could be resolved in a more amicable and efficient manner. I presume since Mr. McArdle arranged this meeting he self-assumed the role of moderator. This meeting took place in the afternoon of October 8, 2008 in the City Council Chambers.

After about two hours of talking and the usual "posturing" that attorneys are known for, the position of Sgt. Gorski was finalized to the understanding of Mr. McArdle and he said he would get back to Sgt. Gorski's attorneys after discussing this with the City Council as soon as possible. To date, Oct. 18, 2008, Sgt. Gorski's attorneys have not heard a word back from Mr. McArdle; so much for amicability and efficiency.

Also during this meeting one of the attorneys for either Workman's Comp or the Pension Board allegedly said that they were not sure that the injury ever happened during line of duty even though the appropriate form (Form 45) was filed and investigated an verified by a deputy chief of police. According to "Municipal Matters" dated July 2007, Vol. 2, Issue 3, a news letter produced by the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle a police officer is entitled to Line of Duty Pension Benefits and I quote:

"Any act of police duty inherently involving a special risk, not ordinarily assumed by a citizen in the ordinary walks of life, imposed on a policeman by the statutes of this State, or by ordinances or police regulations of the city in which this Article is in effect or by special assignment, or by any act of heroism performed in the city having for its direct purpose the saving of the life or property of a person other than the policeman."

Sgt. Gorski was at 3:30 am trying to do what he could for a man who was gravely injured in a single car accident on the side of Route 14 in Woodstock Illinois. The man expired and later it was found that his blood alcohol was in excess of the legal limit. It was at this scene during the course of his assisting in the later investigation that he incurred his injuries. Now that does not sound like an act "ordinarily assumed by a citizen in the ordinary walks of life " to me. How about you?

This gives you just a little feeling of what Sgt. Gorski has been dealing with in connection with the Chief of Police, the City of Woodstock and its hired and well paid attorneys.

To all the citizens of Woodstock Illinois don't forget that your elected officials are allegedly condoning this by setting policy and allowing their subordinates to proceed in this matter as regards Sgt. Gorski. Last but not least it is your tax money being used to pay the legal fees of these attorneys to pursue this course of action. That tax money could be used in a much better way in these troubled times.

Woodstock IL....Continuing Saga of Sgt. Gorski

On February 14, 2008 the Woodstock Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners vindicated Patrol Sergeant Steven R. Gorski, for lack of evidence, of all complaints filed against him by Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. This followed a 4 1/2 month prosecution by Lowen and his city paid attorney Anne Brophy of the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle. After all was said and done by the prosecution, including taking the testimony of a multitude of witnesses the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners returned a unanimous decision in Sgt. Gorski's favor; not one commissioner voted against him. Of even more significance is the fact that not one commissioner asked that any disciplinary action be taken against him.

On February 14, 2008 the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners signed the following official document:

"IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Charges against the Respondent (Sgt. Gorski) be dismissed. The Board having held that the Charges against the Respondent (Sgt. Gorski) are not sustained, orders that the Respondent (Sgt. Gorski) be reimbursed for any wages withheld as a result of the Respondent's suspension without pay pending the hearing. The Chief of the Police Department and other appropriate corporate authorities are directed to implement this order forthwith."

Well, it is now (8) eight months later and the Chief, Robert Lowen and other appropriate corporate authorities of the City of Woodstock Illinois have not implemented the direct order of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. From all sensible points of view that sounds like the Chief and appropriate corporate authorities are allegedly guilty of insubordination and not obeying a direct order given to them. Sgt. Gorski still has not seen one penny of the money due him. How many of you could survive and take care of a family on no income?

I would hope and pray that the City Council of the City of Woodstock Illinois would stop this travesty of justice and common sense from continuing by complying with the order and directly dismissing those individuals who were ordered to comply forthwith by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and freely choose not to follow the order. The Sgt. should also be paid all money due him per order of the Board.

No one in public service, no mater what rank or level of power and supervision they hold are above the rule of law and those who believe they are need to move on to some other endeavor. I pray that this foolishness ends.

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER...FILLED TO CAPACITY

The chamber was filled to capacity with about a dozen or so citizens standing along the side and back wall. I was only able to attend the first half of the public comments section of the meeting; I suspect another blog will give you a more in debt report (www.woodstockadvocate.com).

Two members of the public voiced their dissatisfaction on the apparent increase in crime and crime related activities in Woodstock and the apparent lack of leadership and transmission of information to the public. One of the speakers, was very displeased with the way the "man with a gun" incident was managed and questioned the alleged quality of the leadership of the Woodstock Police Department. The mayor, Dr. B. Sager stated that the council is aware of the communities concerns and will implement actions that will make sure this, to the best of their abilities, does not happen again. The Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. was present at the time of the public comments and had no comments.

PEOPLE UPSET WITH CHIEF LOWEN?...TO FILL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS THIS TUESDAY?

Unofficial word on the street is that the citizens of Woodstock Illinois are allegedly very, very upset with the way things have been handled by the Chief of Police Robert W. Lowen Jr. From what I have heard a number of them will be showing up for the Tuesday meeting of the City Council to voice their complaints of the way public safety and crime matters have been handled over the last several days and I don't think they will be willing to settle for a cup of coffee...even a premium imported blend.
PS: Meeting will be held a 7 PM on this coming Tuesday at the City Hall in the Council Chambers.

POLICE CHIEF ROBERT W LOWEN JR QUERIED BY RESIDENTS OF WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS AND THE PRESS

In a Editorial printed by the Northwest Herald on Sept. 12, 2008 the paper stated that Police Chief Lowen "needs to understand that dealing with the public and releasing information on crime that occurs in Woodstock (Illinois) is an important part of his job." They also stated "Woodstock residents deserve better."
Read the entire Editorial entitled "Information was lacking" on line at NWHerald.com for Sept. 12, 2008

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS..MAN WITH GUN..HELD ON RAPE CHARGES

In follow-up to my previous article about a "Man With Gun" earlier this week it appears that Tim Kane, a reporter for the Northwest Herald has gotten the "rest of the story".

According to Tim Kane's article the Woodstock Illinois Police Department said: "a homeless man was in custody Thursday after being charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a 26-year old woman in a laundromat last week."

The article by Mr. Kane stated that the alleged offender was identified as Jeffrey A. Cole, 25 years of age. He was charged Wednesday with:

• aggravated sexual assault
• aggravated unlawful restraint
• one count of burglary
• one count of disorderly conduct in relation to his actions with what looked like a handgun in the backyard of a Woodstock residence in the 200 block of Fremont Street

Cole was arrested Wednesday after he was pulled over by police for speeding. They then ascertained he had no insurance and was driving with a suspended license.

He is in jail and needs $30,000 for bond. His next date in for court is next week Wednesday, Sept. 17th.

Good job Mr. Tim Kane for alerting the public...keep up the good work!

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS..MAN WITH GUN..NO PROBLEM?

Finally some 60 or more citizens of Woodstock Illinois are not only going to "Coffee with the Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr, Program" on Monday nights just to drink some free coffee and chat with the Chief but according to the Northwest Herald article by Northwest Herald reporter Tim Kane "to vent their frustrations" to him in regards to how a report of a man with a gun report was handled. The report was telephoned into the Woodstock Police Department by a lady in the 200 block of Fremont Street at about 9:15 am last Thursday. The lady went into her yard to fetch some wood from a wood pile and found a man hiding behind it with a handgun in his hand; now how often has that happened to you? The man told the lady that he was going to use the gun for his cat....sure! So what was he going to do...discharge a firearm within the city limits? Some officers were sent out to patrol the area and look for the suspect and when they found someone who matched the description the lady could not identify him for certain. So far so good it appears that they did what they, the police, could up to this point.

From this point on however I question the judgment of whomever made the final decision. Common sense would dictate that most Patrol Sergeants would have contacted a superior, either a Deputy Chief or the Chief and filled him in on the situation. That and armed man has been reported and that the police had not been able to apprehend or find and contain him and that all of this was happening not very far from Dean Street School. As a prudent Sergeant he should have called and let someone who was in a "higher pay grade" make the decision as to whether we notify and secure the Dean Street School and post a patrol officer there for the day just to be on the safe side or walk away and do none of the above.

The principal of the school did not find out about all of this until the following Monday. Some example of community policing and communicating potential threats to the civilian community. Ultimately the Chief is responsible for the Police Department and the buck and responsibility and final decisions should end in his lap.

Thank God nothing happened and maybe the only injury was to that cat....hmmmm. But this could have also turned into a real nightmare.

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS TAX PAYERS...BEWARE?..THE SAGA CONTINUES

It has been about a year or more since the City of Woodstock Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr., who I believe still lives in Carpentersville after more that three years on the job as Chief, filed a complaint with the Woodstock Fire and Police Commissioners, who are considered officers of the City of Woodstock. He, the Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. alleged that Sergeant Steven R. Gorski, a 19 now 20 year veteran of the force be fired because of alleged abuse of prescription medications that he used to control pain that had been caused by two in the line of duty injuries that he sustained to his lower back and his neck. At an "open" meeting the attorney for the City of Woodstock, at that time, made sure that all the alleged details that she, Anne Brophy, an attorney of the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, and the Chief wanted to be publicly disseminated was done so to the media which was present. It did not appear to me that they were allegedly too concerned about private personnel or private health issues whatsoever. They accomplished what they set out to do; to allegedly air private personnel and health issues to the public via newspapers, Internet, etc.

I have served on many boards of directors over the last thirty plus years and I cannot recall once when a board discussed personnel or health matters of an employee in a public, open forum; to me the manner in which this initial complaint of the Chief that was presented to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was allegedly done to injure and defame Sergeant Gorski before he even had the chance to defend himself. It was, I allege, unscrupulous behavior at best.

It then took Ms. Brophy about four and one-half months, (all in closed session to the public) to present the evidence that was to prove the Chief's complaint. In January of 2008 the prosecution (Ms. Brophy) rested it's case; it had presented all the evidence it had. Why it took four and one-half months to do so I do not know and why all of a sudden it had to be in "closed session" after the supposed complaint was announced in detail in public is beyond my understanding. I allege a murder trial might have been resolved sooner and this whole matter I allege has a certain distinct smell to it.

Sergeant Gorski's attorney, Tom Loizzo then asked the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to consider a directed decision since to his perspective the Chief and the City did not prove their case. The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in February of 2008 then granted the motion for a directed decision and deliberated in private for several minutes to arrive at a decision. The decision of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was unanimous, 3 to 0 in favor of Sergeant Gorski with absolutely no disciplinary action recommended. The City was directed to pay him all his back pay and interest that he had not been receiving and to reinstate him when he had recovered from surgery on his lower back which had incurred in the interim. None of the directives of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners were obeyed by the Chief or corporate city authorities. The Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. filed for Administrative Review with the Circuit Court. Two scheduling hearings have already happened in the hope that this could be resolved but so far it has not. Each time a junior member of the law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle appeared (musical lawyers) who could not and did not have the authority to act for the law firm. A hearing before Judge M. McIntyre is finally set for October 15, 2008.

You have to understand one thing, the Chief has named the Fire and Police Commissioners as Defendants in his action for an Administrative Review...the City in a sense suing the City. Sergeant Gorski was also named as a Defendant although he had absolutely nothing to do with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners' decision to accept the motion for a directed decision and with the final decision of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, 3 to 0 in his favor.

This whole misadventure has only one winner at this time, I allege it is the law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle who will collect their legal fees for over the last year of continued litigation on their part. The losers will be Sergeant Gorski who has not been paid in almost one year and the tax paying citizens of Woodstock who are going to pick up the legal tab. What are the City of Woodstock leaders thinking? The hole is just getting deeper and deeper.

DOCTORS..VENDORS....LABOR DAY THOUGHT

Since mankind lived in caves thousands of years before writing and language skills developed there existed the "healer", "witchdoctor", "medicine man", "shaman" or any one of a thousand other names that person may have been called...most of them long since forgotten over the eons since they walked and practiced what we today call medicine. They were individuals in a tribe or clan that had the secret knowledge passed onto them from their father or mother; in a true sense ...a family affair that continued as long as that family continued to exist. When the family died out that line of healing died out with it. Their skills were composed of many parts: mysticism, religion, observation of nature and the creatures around them and to some extent experimentation and magic and common sense. These skills though ancient and seemingly crude serviced mankind for thousands of years and apparently worked to some degree to get us through in spite of their inadequacies.

With the advancement of mankind and writing came the codification of all this knowledge passed on (verbally) over the ages; much of it nonsense and some of it true. Science as we understand it only began about 500 t0 600 years ago with observation of the world around us and gradually the scientific method evolved which involved theories and experimentation to verify the theory (hypothesis).

Today the healer of yesterday is called doctor or physician or even more recently denigrated to the level of a "vendor" and in that vending machine delivering an item or service. I personally would rather be called a "healer", "shaman" or anyone of multiple other terms lost to antiquity than a "vendor". The family of the ancient "healer" has now become the corporation which controls it's "vendors" by owning and controlling it's vending machines....hospitals, clinics, emergent care centers and anyone of many other entities. They are generally run and controlled by MBAs and accountants and laymen (business men) with their own agendas...not necessarily the same healing ones of the doctor...oh excuse me... the "vendor". This has been called progress. I sometimes wonder if it is progress in the right direction and with the correct people at the helm. If the people want a Walmart mentality servicing their health they will get the service they deserve.

In the last century or so we have seen more changes in medicine than have occurred in thousands of years. Let us not change it so much that the human element, the person to person connection along with the compassion is lost forever for then we who are "healers" will be forever delegated to the realm of "vendor" and the "vending machine" will take us into the future. A terrifying thought to me.

RESULTS...SOURCE OF STRESS POLL

The results were pretty much spread evenly across the board...home, work, driving, relationships and other. The one interesting fact the small poll revealed was no one stated they had NO STRESS in their lives...a sign of the times?

Pregnant...Don't Drink Alcohol

According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune by Bonnie Rubin about 40,000 babies (1% of all live births) are born with some alcohol -related neurological impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is more than spina bifida, Down Syndrome and muscular dystrophy combined. A new term has been coined for this disorder, FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and it is 100% preventable. Just remember and do one thing.....

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT DON'T DRINK ANYTHING WITH ALCOHOL IN IT !

Simple....YES.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

As some of you may know I am retired and have been serving on the Board of Health for McHenry County for almost 10 years. We need some help. The State of Illinois requires two physicians, MDs or DOs, to sit on the Board of Health. Recently one of the two physicians retired from service on the Board. Please consider contacting me if you are interested in volunteering some time in service to the public health needs of the county. We meet once a month and occasionally for committee meetings or special meetings called. It will not take up an inordinate amount of your time and is interesting and stimulating. If you are interested in providing a needed public health service for McHenry County contact me at rgorski@embarqmail.com

I will pass on your information to the Public Health Administrator, Mr. Patrick McNulty.

HOSPITALS VIE FOR OLYMPICS

In yesterday's Chicago Tribune, Business Section is the headline noted above in the title of this article.
I contend that if people can afford to travel thousands of miles, spend thousands of dollars when they get here to have a good time they can afford to buy travel insurance to pay for their medical bills if they incur any on their trip to the U.S. Now we are supposed to pay the tab for the world's travelers so that the mayor and the state can then raise our taxes to subsidize hospitals who may loose millions of dollars. We really are stupid at times...seems lately most of the time. The state does not even pay the medical bills it owes to take care of its citizens. Just look at the job the politicians are doing in Springfield led by Governor Rod. Before these folks (foreign travelers) are allowed in the country they should have to show proof of health insurance. No foreign country has ever paid my medical bills when I visited them. In fact some health facilities won't even see you until they see cash or a travel insurance policy. When are we going to get some common sense?

HELPFUL HINT IF STUNG BY BEE

It is best to scrape a stinger away is a side-to-side motion with a straight-edged object like a credit card. Don't use tweezers because it may push more venom into the skin. After removing a stinger, wash the area with soap and water. You can apply ice or another cold compress to help reduce swelling.

BUGS AWAY!

Things you can do:

• Use structural barriers such as window screens and netting.
• Avoid wooded, brushy, grassy areas.
• Don't wear scented soaps, perfumes.
• Use caution eating outside and drinking; don't leave drinks and garbage cans uncovered.
• Don't wear bright colors, which attract bees.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.
• Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes.
• Wear a hat for extra protection.
• Get rid of containers with standing water that give mosquitoes a breeding ground.
• Use insect repellent if non chemical methods are ineffective and you spend time in tall grass and wooded areas.
• Treat camping gear, clothes, and shoes with permethrin, which repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. Clothing that is pre-treated with permethrin is also available commercially.
• Good luck this summer and be careful out there.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISABILITY ACT (PEDA)

Your employer may not volunteer this information to you so I am quoting it word for word for your information and benefit should you need it.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(5 ILCS 345/) Public Employee Disability Act

(5 ILCS 345/0.01) (from Ch. 70, par. 90.9)

Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public Employee Disability Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

(5 ILCS 345/1) (from Ch. 70, par. 91)

Sec. 1. Disability benefit.

(a) For the purposes of this Section, "eligible employee" means any part-time or full time State correctional officer or any other full or part-time employee of the Department of Corrections, any full or part-time employee of the Prisoner Review Board, and full time or part-time employee of the Department of Human Services working within a penal institution or a State mental health or developmental disabilities facility operated by the Department of Human Services, and any full-time law enforcement officer or full-time firefighter who is employed by the State of Illinois, any unit of local government (including any home rule unit), any State supported college or university, or any other public entity granted the power to employ persons for such purposes by law.

(b) Whenever an eligible employee suffers any injury in the line of duty which causes him to be unable to perform his duties, he shall continue to be paid by the employing public entity on the same basis as he was paid before the injury, with no deduction from his sick leave credits, compensatory time for overtime accumulations or vacation, or service credits in a public employee pension fund during the time he is unable to perform his duties due to the result of the injury, but not longer that one year in relation to the same injury. However, no injury to an employee of the Department of Corrections or the Prisoner Review Board working within a penal institution or an employee of the Department of Human Services working within a departmental mental health or developmental disabilities facility shall qualify the employee for the benefits under this Section unless the injury is the direct or indirect result of violence by inmates of the penal institution or residents of the mental health or developmental disabilities facility.

(c) At any time during the period for which continuing compensation is required by this Act, the employing public entity may order at the expense of that entity physical or medical examinations of the injured person to determine the degree of the disability.

(d) During this period of disability, the injured person shall not be employed in any other manner, with or without monetary compensation. Any person who is employed in violation of this paragraph forfeits the continuing compensation provided by this Act from the time such employment begins. Any salary compensation due the injured person from workers' compensation or any salary due him from any type of insurance which may be carried by the employing public entity shall revert to that entity during the time for which continuing compensation is paid to him under this Act. Any disabled person receiving compensation under the provisions of this Act shall not be entitled to any benefits for which he would qualify because of his disability under the provisions of the Illinois Pension Code.

(e) Any employee of the State of Illinois, as defined in Section 14-103.05 of the Illinois Pension Code, who becomes permanently unable to perform the duties of such employment due to an injury received in the active performance of his duties as a State employee as a result of a willful act of violence by another employee of the State of Illinois, as so defined, committed during such other employee's course of employment and after January 1, 1988 shall be eligible for benefits pursuant to the provisions of this Section. For purposes of this Section, permanently disabled is defined as a diagnosis or prognosis of an inability to return to current job duties by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches.

(f) The compensation and other benefits provided to part-time employees covered by this Section shall be calculated based on the percentage of time the part-time employee was scheduled to work pursuant to his or her status as a part-time employee.

(g) Pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, this Act specifically denies and limits the exercise by home rule units of any power which is inconsistent herewith, and all existing laws and ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby superseded. This Act does not preempt the concurrent exercise by home rule units of the powers consistent herewith.

This Act does not apply to any home rule unit with a population of over 1,000,000.

(Source: P.A. 88-45; 89-504, eff. 7-1-97.)

RESULTS OF FEEL SAFE POLL

Though the poll numbers of those who responded was small (10) they were 80% for the "I feel safe in McHenry County". I will repeat the poll next summer to see if there is any change. Thanks for participating!

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT "RETALIATORY DISCHARGE"?

Injured workers have remedies provided through workers' compensation laws in all the states. These same laws also protect employers, because they tend to be the only remedy that injured employees may seek from their employers. Many employers however don't look happily on those that file workmans' compensation claims; some unlawfully discriminate against such employees. The attitude of many employers and the legal firms they retain may be "guilty until proven innocent and even if innocent figure some way to mitigate the amount of money required to settle the issue at the injured party's expense". To protect employees from employers who discriminate, unjustly try to terminate or harass injured employees these states allow employees to bring civil actions against their employers for the tort of "retaliatory discharge."

If you believe you have been discriminated against or discharged in retaliation for exercising your rights under workers' compensation laws you may have a claim against your employer. In a retaliatory discharge suit, you must convince a judge or jury that you were terminated because you exercised your rights under workmans' compensation laws.

Retaliation can also take more subtle types of discrimination: demotion, salary reduction.

So be careful out there....your employer and their legal council and insurance companies do not always look out for your best interests...only you can do that.

THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

This statute, TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION., SECTION 241 CONSPIRACY AGAINST RIGHTS makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person of any state, territory or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the Constitution or the laws of the United States, (or because of his/her having exercised the same).

For further more detailed information go to:

www.fbi.gov

Thought you should know!

THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

As some of you may know I have had the privilege of being a member of the McHenry County Board of Health for the last ten years. The McHenry County Department of Health and its Board of Health has been serving the citizens of McHenry County for well over 30 years.

The history of public health in this country dates back to 1798 when Congress passed a law for the relief of sick and disabled seamen with the creation of the Marine Hospital Service and hospitals in many American port cities (sites of entry of many diseases from around the world). Gradually over many years the Marine Hospital Service evolved into what we know today as the U.S. Public Health Service.

The McHenry County Department of Health carries on the traditions and essential services that were developed over the last two centuries. These ESSENTIAL SERVICES are:

1. To monitor community health status
2. To diagnose and investigate health problems
3. To inform and educate people about health
4. To mobilize community partnerships
5. To develop and enforce health and safety protection
6. To link people to needed personal health services
7. To assure a competent health workforce
8. To foster health-enhancing public policies
9. To evaluate the quality and effectiveness of services
10. To research for new insights and innovations

The entire McHenry County Department of Health is out there every day to make sure that this county is a healthy place for you and your family.

Get more information at:

http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/

Then click on Departments and H (for Health Dept)

The best of health to you!

STRESS KILLING YOU?

The causes of stress are manifold but one important one is working for someone who is super critical. No matter how hard you try to please or win over that person you never will. It usually results with you coming down hard on yourself and with a feeling of anger; anger not necessarily directed at any one in particular but a feeling deep in your gut that sits there like a lump of undigested food. In order to avoid this set up an invisible internal boundary line and don't allow the critical person within that line.

The super critical person will probably continue to behave (misbehave) for the rest of their working and non-working life and there is little you can do to change them. What you can do however with practice and internal discipline is to not let that person cross over your invisible internal boundary line. Be honest with yourself and if your internal appraisal is more accurate than theirs believe it and disagree internally. Trying to "get along" by talking things over will usually not work with a person who is predisposed to be super critical and totally self opinionated. You can try using an internal company grievance policy if it has one but it usually will not work.

Very ofter these super critical persons will self-destruct. By that I mean that they will cause so much disruption and lack of loyalty in the work place that the people or person who hired them will see the fact that they are a not a positive factor which is improving the company or department and their contract will not be renewed or they will be discharged. It may take a few years to get to this point of realization but most companies or departments will get there; after all no one wants to admit they may have made a mistake in hiring the individual in the first place.

So keep your "cool". Don't get suckered into playing their game and remember your patience will reward you in the long run.

ARE OR WERE YOU A VICTIM OF...HARASSMENT?

Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).

Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, sex, national origin, disability, and/or age. Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Anti-discrimination laws also prohibit harassment against individuals in retaliation for filing a discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or lawsuit under these laws; or opposing employment practices that they reasonably believe discriminate against individuals, in violation of these laws.

Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) will not rise to the level of illegality. To be unlawful, the conduct must create a work environment that would be intimidating, hostile, or offensive to reasonable people.

Offensive conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance. Harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, the following:

• The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another area, an agent of the employer, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
• The victim does not have to be the person harassed, but can be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
• Unlawful harassment may occur without economic injury to, or discharge of, the victim.

Employees are encouraged to inform the harasser directly that the conduct is unwelcome and must stop.

EMPLOYER LIABILITY FOR HARASSMENT

The employer is automatically liable for harassment by a supervisor that results in a negative employment action such a termination, failure to promote or hire, and loss of wages.

In Fiscal Year 2006 the EEOC recovered almost $60 million in monetary benefits for charging parties and other aggrieved individuals; this does NOT include monetary benefits obtained through litigation.

SEMANTICS AND CIVILIZATION

Semantics is often defined as the branch of linguistic science which deals with the meanings of words and especially with the development and change in these meanings. Civilization is often defined as the sum of qualities of a particular civilized society and civilized as being endowed with law, order and the conditions favorable to the arts and sciences; having refined manners and tastes. In this spectrum of definitions the most fundamental and foundational word is missing and does not seem to be as important in today's society as it was in the past and maybe that's why the world situation seems to be worsening and conditions for countries, governments, families and individuals seem to be getting worse on a global scale. That single most important word on which all human interactions and understanding should be based is Truth. Truth has been defined in many ways over thousands of years by thousands of people. I believe that truth is that which conforms with the seen and unseen existence within us, and the entire cosmos. If we as a country, a world cannot see much less understand yet that which is written in the natural processes, laws that created all that exists then we are doomed as a civilization and a world.

Science tells us that statistically it is much more scientific to believe in a designed cosmos with life in it than for it to have just happened by chance. There are not enough pieces of paper in all the earth filled with a decimal point followed by zeros to tell us the chance that this was not a designed undertaking. We must understand this and act in a manner which understands that we and the cosmos are here for a purpose and that purpose someday will be fulfilled and then we hopefully all can say "Oh now I understand". If mankind fully understood the entire purpose of his/her being and that of the cosmos where would be the fun in continuing this journey of mankind in understanding himself and the universe around him?

ARE OR WERE YOU A VICTIM OF..RETALIATION?

PART TWO...DEFINITION OF TERMS

Adverse Action

An adverse action is an action taken to try to keep someone from opposing a discriminatory practice, or from participating in an employment discrimination proceeding. Examples of adverse actions include:

• employment actions such as termination, refusal to hire,and denial of promotion,
• other actions affecting employment such as threats, unjustified negative evaluations, unjustified negative references, or increased surveillance, and
• any other action such as an assault or unfounded civil or criminal charges that are likely to deter reasonable people from pursuing their rights.

Adverse actions do not include petty slights and annoyances, such as stray negative comments in an otherwise positive or neutral evaluation, "snubbing" a colleague, or negative comments that are justified by an employee's poor work performance history.

Even if the prior protected activity alleged wrongdoing by a different employer, retaliatory adverse actions are unlawful. For example, it is unlawful for a worker's current employer to retaliate against him for pursuing an EEO charge against a former employer.

Of course, employees are not excused from continuing to perform their jobs or follow their company's legitimate workplace rules just because they have filed a complaint with the EEOC or opposed discrimination.

For more information about adverse actions, see EEOC's Compliance Manual Section 8, Chapter II, Part D.

Covered Individuals

Covered individuals are people who have opposed unlawful practices, participated in proceedings, or requested accomodations related to employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Individuals who have a close association with someone who has engaged in such protected activity also are covered individuals.

Protected Activity

Protected activity includes:

Opposition to a practice believed to be unlawful discrimination

Opposition is informing an employer that you believe that he/she is engaging in prohibited

discrimination. Opposition is protected from retaliation as long as it is based on a

reasonable, good-faith belief that the complaint of practice violates anti-discrimination law:

and the manner of the opposition is reasonable.

Examples of protected opposition include:

• Complaining to anyone about alleged discrimination against oneself or others;
• Threatening to file a charge of discrimination; or
• Picketing in opposition to discrimination; or
• Refusing to obey an order reasonably believed to be discriminatory.

Participation in an employment discrimination proceeding.

Participation means taking part in an employment discrimination proceeding. Participation is

protected activity even if the proceeding involved claims that ultimately were found to be invalid.

Examples of participation include:

• Filing a charge of employment discrimination;
• Cooperating with an internal investigation of alleged discriminatory practices; or
• Serving as a witness in an EEO investigation or litigation.

For more information about Protected Activities, see EEOC's Compliance Manual, Section 8,

Chapter II, Part B - Opposition and Part C - Participation.

In 2004 more that $90 million in monetary benefits were received by charging parties and other aggrieved individuals....this does not include menetary benefits obtained through litigation.

ARE OR WERE YOU A VICTIM OF ...RETALIATION?

PART ONE...WHAT IS IT?...RETALIATION

An employer may not fire, demote, harass or otherwise "retaliate" against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposing discrimination. The same laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, and disabilty, as well as wage differences between men and women performing substantially equal work, also prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding.

In addition to the protections against retaliation that are included in all the laws that are enforced by EEOC, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also protects individuals from coercion, intimidation, threat, harassment, or interference in their exercise of their own rights or their encouragement of someone else's exercise of right granted by the ADA.

There are three main terms that are used to describe retaliation. Retaliation occurs when an employer, employment agency, or labor organization takes an adverse action against a covered individual because he or she engaged in a protected activity. We will explain and discuss these three terms tomorrow and how they may apply to you and where you can file a charge with the EEOC.

See you tomorrow.

Coffee with Chief Lowen...an expensive blend!

Well, the chief, the city attorneys and the city of Woodstock managed to stretch it out for another two months....until October 15, 2008...that is 14 months since this began. At that time Judge Maureen McIntyre will have a hearing on this matter. He, that is Sergeant Gorski has been found exonerated of the complaint filed by chief Lowen in Aug. of 2007 to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners by a 3 to 0 decision in February 2008. They,the Board directed the city and the chief to pay him all pay due him with interest as mandated by the State. He will not have been paid in over a year by the time of the hearing. How many of you could stick it out under those kinds of alleged strategic legal financial tactics employed by the alleged triumvirate of chief, city attorneys, and city? Not many I assure you; your pockets and checkbooks would be empty and you would be going down the "you know what". But help was available and is available and Sergeant Gorski will be around a long, long time...in fact as long as it takes to get justice...I assure you of that fact. What goes around, comes around. This has gone beyond process and could be presumed and alleged by some as an alleged vend eta towards the Sergeant.

I hope the tax payers of Woodstock Illinois are keeping track of how many hundreds of thousands of dollars each ounce in that cup of coffee with chief is costing them. I am surprised that not one of them has asked yet.

Hints for when you go to the Doctor's office

1. Set up a schedule depending on your age, health and your doctor's recommendation as to at what intervals he/she wants to see you; even if you are feeling well, there may be reasons for the regular visits.
2. Write down (preferably typed) on a blank white sheet of paper all the medications you take both prescription and over the counter and the dosage and how much per day you take. Date the sheet of paper with the date of the appointment.
3. Stay focused on the one or two things that are giving you the most trouble and are the reason for the visit and have them written down along with any symptoms and a little history of when you first noted them and how they have developed. Nothing turns off a doctor as quickly as a patient who is unorganized, does not know what medications he/she is on and has no idea of exactly why they are there and start to enumerate 15 or 20 different conditions in the hope that the doctor will be able to solve them all in one 20 to 30 minute office visit. Trust me when I say that this approach in the long run and short run will not save you any money. If you have memory problems have someone you trust accompany you and assist you with the visit and the doctors recommendations for treatment.
4. Take the medications as prescribed and for as long as prescribed. Do report any side effect that may develop while on the medications.
5. Make sure you keep the follow up appointment with the doctor.
6. Don't ever play lets trade medications with another person in the hope that their medication will work on you better....it may kill you.
7. Do all things in moderation.
8. Good health to you!

VALLEY HI NURSING HOME.....BEWARE!!

This month's American Journal of Nursing contains an interesting article entitled "Care Suffers When Nursing Homes Switch to a For-Profit Status". I don't believe it is the intention of the McHenry County Board to make Valley Hi a for-profit entity but just to bring the budget under better control. However there is always the temptation to save more and more money and then at some point patient (resident) care is compromised. So one has to be very diligent in pursuing saving vs. patient welfare.

Researchers from Harvard University took a look at changes in payer mix, staffing ratios, occupancy rates, and a spectrum of quality control indicators. What they found was nursing homes that tended to deviate from the "non-profit" side of the spectrum towards to "for profit' side generally provided lower quality care.

According to Charlene Harrington, professor of sociology and nursing in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). "Literature has confirmed that nonprofit institutions are much better in general," she said. "They have higher staffing, higher wages, and lower turnover of employees. Those factors are important in ensuring that patients receive better quality care."

I hope that the Board of Directors of Valley Hi, its current administrator and the McHenry County Board keep a close eye not only on the bottom line but also the quality indicators for the sake of the health and care of the residents of Valley Hi....I am sure they will.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE

Yesterday I received a letter from Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State. It was a "kind of" thank you note regarding my decision to be part of a life-saving team.

When I renewed my Illinois drivers' license I also signed onto the States new First-Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry. Even in death you can give life to another individual; I can't think of a more precious gift.

Almost 5,000 people are waiting for organ transplants to give them a second chance at life. Sadly many will die because of the lack of donors.

If you want to give the greatest gift you will ever give to another human being call toll free:

800-210-2106

or visit

www.LifeGoesOn.com

IT WILL BE THE GREATEST GIFT YOU WILL EVER GIVE

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISABILITY ACT...PEDA & WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS

(5 ILCS 345/0.01) (FROM Ch. 70, par. 90.9)
Sec; 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public Employee Disability Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

(5 ILCS 345/1) (from Ch. 70, par. 91)

Sec. 1. Disability benefit.

(a) For the purposes of this Section, "eligible employee" means any part-time or full-time employee.............and any full-time law enforcement officer..........who is employed (by) any unit of local government.......granted the power to employ persons for such purposes by law.

(b) Whenever an eligible employee suffers any injury in the line of duty which causes him to be unable to perform his duties, he shall continue to be paid by the employing public entity on the same basis as he was paid before the injury, with no deduction from his sick leave credits, compensatory time for overtime accumulations or vacation, or service credits in a public employee pension fund during the time he is unable to perform his duties due to the result of the injury, but not longer than one year in relation to the same injury. .............

(c) At any time during the period for which continuing compensation is required by this Act, the employing public entity may order at the expense of that entity physical or medical examinations of the injured person to determine the degree of disability.

(d) During this period of disability, the injured person shall not be employed in any other manner, with or without monetary compensation. ............

(e) Does not apply in this situation.

(f) Does not apply in this situation.

(g) Pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, this Act specifically denies and limits the exercise by home rule units of any power which is inconsistent herewith, and all existing laws and ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby superseded. ........

(Source: P.A. 88-45; 89-507, eff. 7-1-97. )

As you may or may not know I am an advocate for an individual who has served the City of Woodstock for almost twenty years in a full time capacity in one of the City's Departments. He was injured in the line of duty and it was documented and has since had extensive spinal surgery and will require additional surgery in the near future. How is it that this Public Employee Disability Act has in no positive way aided him in any manner? Not only did it not help him but he was told by the City that he had to use the employee benefits, Family Medical Leave Act and credits he had accrued. This is expressly forbidden in paragraph (b) above.

I would like to know why the Public Employee Disability Act does not apply to this individual who has given 20 years of public service to the City of Woodstock. I would also like to know who made that decision that has dramatically and negatively affected this person's life and family.

The people of Woodstock should want to know why their publicly paid by tax dollars employees are treated in this manner. If I were one of them I would want to know the answers and who was the guiding force of this behavior. To date the injured party has not received one cent under PEDA (Public Employee Disability Act) and it has been over a year.

Stritch School of Medicine..REUNION 2008

PLEASE JOIN US

OCT. 24 - 26

RECONNECT...with your classmates

RE-ENGAGE...with your school

RENEW...friendships

Honoring the Classes of

1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003

and all classes prior to 1958

for further info contact:

Stritch School of Medicine

Office of Development & Alumni Relations

2160 S. First Ave.

Maguire Center, Room 3410

Maywood, IL 60153

CHILDREN'S HEALTH & SAFETY FAIR

Be there or be square! You can't miss it! The 18th Annual Children's Health & Safety Fair.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008

MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE

9am - 4pm

• Interactive Health & Safety Fair
• Door Prizes & Intertainment
• School Physicals - By Appointment Only
• Reduced Cost Immunizations
• Dental Exams

If your child is receiving Immunizations,

you must bring as updated shot record.

Request this early.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

815-334-4500

To schedule an appointment for a physical

Please call 815-334-8987

BE THERE FOR YOUR CHILD'S SAKE!!!

Strange Things are Happening

At 8 A.M. this morning I received a phone call from the business office of a hospital health system in Florida. My wife and I spent some time in Florida this winter. During the stay in the land of sunshine we needed the services of an emergency room. All turned out well and no serious problems were noted.

We went through the usual process of signing in and filling out all sorts of forms and finally the hospital making a copy of your driver's license and insurance card. We finally got back to where we were staying about 4 hours later after some tests and x-rays and treatment was done.

I just recently received the bill (about 5 days ago) and it was about what I had expected it to be, but here is the interesting part; the call I received from a very polite gentleman said they were running a special for the next ten days and if I could pay the bill in that period of time they would discount it by 50%........50%. Wow...I never had an offer like that in my lifetime. Financial times must be tough down there in Florida. Oh and by the way....the check IS in the mail.