Rich Garling’s Blog

I know this is not the first election I have ever lost, in fact I’m batting 500 right now (w-2, L -2) but I have been told and I think the facts do speak for themselves…I went against a 12 year incumbant who raised much more money than I did ($105K ($70K in the bank) to my $20K), he certainly had much more time in which to prepare (12 years compared to 7 months) and yet I got close to 40% of the vote. I’m told by many who have been involved for a number of years in politics and government that I got a very respectable finish for a first run at State office. I know some of my opponents are saying a got slaughtered but when 4 out 10 voters say they like what they see I guess I’m doing ok. Not a win, but not slaughtered either.

But enough about the past. It’s time to move on because there are many problems we need to solve. While others may want to dwell on the past whining about how someone did this or did that without ever offering a solution, well let them do that. The past can certainly explain the present, it provides us with what did or didn’t work but it doesn’t provide us an answer to a solution, it only narrow down the list of solutions thus getting us closer to an answer. If we continue to dwell on the past never letting it go you will never arrive at an answer because you’re too busy looking back instead of looking forward.

Tags: 2008 Elections // Add Comment »

Tell me this doesn’t sound familiar…

 From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

The State Canvassing Board, a panel of five arbiters charged with determining the winner in the overtime election tussle between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic rival Al Franken, unanimously voted this morning to deny the Franken campaign’s request that rejected absentee ballots be included in the recount.

During the discussion, the board members stressed that they weren’t rejecting the merits of the arguments made by Franken’s attorneys. They also made it clear they expect the issue to be litigated separately from the recount procedure…

I’m sure there are some recent Democratic candidates who have heard similar comments from an election board last summer. If they know it’s going to be litigated, which presumes they’re wrong, then why do they continue to make that decision?

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Our most precious natural resource, next to our children, is water. We cannot survive without it. Yet we continue to use it like it is limitless. We use it as a political football when it suits our purposes, even to the point of destroying it just to get something else we want.  Many don’t realize that Lake Michigan is not this unlimited supply of water that we can take as much as we want when we want. It’s replenishment rate is actually less then 1% per year. And the reason why the Great Lakes Compact doesn’t allow for communities outside the Great Lakes drainage basin to use water from the Great Lakes is because they wouldn’t be able to replenish what they take. Simply put, if you can’t put it back, you can’t take it out.  Our water in Island Lake comes from the aquifer. The aquifer is not a big underground river. It is a layer of water-bearing permeable rock, sand, or gravel capable of providing significant amounts of water. It is capable of holding only so much water though, which is why during dry spells the village limits water usage such as watering the lawn. We only hurt ourselves when we allow businesses to dump wherever thy want or allow them to avoid cleaning up after themselves. We only hurt ourselves when we allow individuals to threaten our water sources just so they can make a fast buck. One reason for adding a water pumping station and tower in the northeast corner of the village is provide water to new residences and business as the village grows. It would allow us to complete a system that could provide water to any part of the village should another part of it fail. By building this system the village can guarantee water far into the future. By protecting our water we will never have to consider Lake Michigan as Wauconda is doing. We will be spending far less for a far more efficient system that is totally within our borders and our control. But, not if we allow known polluters to continue to get away with actions that threaten that supply. If they want to put a business at a certain intersection then do it like the rest of us do it; spend a buck to make a buck. The risk should be all yours and not the whole community.This board is open to discussion with any business or proposal that will bring revenue and jobs that benefit it. We will do honestly and correctly. But we will not do it by threat, huff or puff, or by being so hard nosed about that no wants to do business with us.We have a number of businesses that have come to the village expressing an interest in setting up shop. We’re at various stages of negotiations with them. Some will bear fruit; others will simply dry up and blow away in the wind. Only time will tell.  

Tags: VOIL // Add Comment »

Showing that it really is all about him and that he’s willing to pollute the villages water supply Supermarket Bob has added bacon to his inventory.  

Tags: VOIL // Add Comment »

It turns out that so-called pig farmer Bob Wargaski fight with Island Lake over the water tower isn’t as lofty as he claims… it’s all about him making money on this little deal, and everyone else be damned. He recently sent a letter to the VOIL with a list of demands in which, like holding a gun to the villages head, he tells the village pay me or else. He expects the village to pay him or he is willing to either pollute the villages water by putting in the pig farm or continue to sue the village. He demands the village pay for water line, sewer line, legal costs, the pig farm and the cost of annexation (when he so chooses over a 20 year period) into the village and rezoning the property from it’s current county ag zoning to commercial zoning.

And he expects the village to foot the bill. He expects the people of the village to pay for what would possibly amount to doubling, perhaps tripling, the value of his property.

In a recent Daily Herald article http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=252941  ”Wargaski claims he is only trying to protect his property values and keep the village from drawing down his own private well that’s part of the same aquifer. He says his neighbors are rallying behind him in this fight.” I wonder how much support they’ll give him when they discover he wants to build a supermarket next door to their homes.

“We’re all on ag-zone property and they are backing my play,” he said. “It’s going to draw down their wells too.” I’m sure his neighbors will find it interesting to see how much he really cares when they read the letter he sent the village.

Well this document sent to the village from Wargaski’s lawyer shows he is willing to drop the suit if the village meets his demands. He is holding a gun to the villages head saying pay me or I will continue to sue and I will pollute your water to boot.

Wargaski’s demands

The Heralds Article stated…”

“Wargaski vows to see the fight through to the end.”

“now it’s a matter of principle.”

No, it’s really a matter of money. As they said in the movies…Show me the money… It’s pretty tough to negotiate with someone who hasn’t been willing to negotiate. He knows that putting pigs on his property means we will have to resort to boiling our water or living off of bottled water. But he doesn’t care, as this letter shows. He only cares what he gets out of it, no matter that it costs you the health of your family.

It seems that all of his friends, including Trustee John Ponio (he was sent a copy of the letter by Bob’s attorney), support Wargaski’s little fit with the village. This group even threw a fund raiser for known polluter Charlie Amrich. Like their buddies at the Federal level they all laugh at the prospect that we will either not have clean water to drink or will be footing the bill that fills Bob’s pockets. Birds of a feather perhaps…

 
A copy of the letter below:

October 16, 2008
DONALD T. MORRISON
OF COUNSEL
SENT VIA FAX (847-247-7405) AND U.S. MAIL
Scott A. Puma
Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush,
DiCianni & Krafthefer, P.C.
175 Hawthorn Parkway, Suite 145
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061-1493
Re: Wargaski v. Village of Island Lake
Dear Mr. Puma:
Last time we were in court, the judge inquired about the possibility of settling this
case. I have discussed a possible settlement ofthis case with my client. Please be advised
that Mr. Wargaski is willing to settle this matter as follows:
1. The Village shall pay all the plaintiffs attorneys fees and costs incurred in this
litigation along with all the attorneys fees and costs incurred in the IEPA matter.
2. The Village shall reimburse the plaintiff for all the costs incurred in the
construction of the pig farm.
3. The Village shall extend a waterline to the plaintiffs property at the Village’s sole
cost. The waterline shall be big enough for a commercial use of the plaintiffs
property and the Village shall waive all fees and costs including, but not limited to,
any tap-on or recapture fees. The Village will also agree that the plaintiff and his
successors in title shall not be required to annex into the Village to utilize the
waterline.
4. The Village shall extend a sanitary sewer line to the plaintiffs property at the
Village’s cost. The sanitary sewer line shall be big enough for a commercial use of
the plaintiffs property and the Village shall waive all fees and costs including, but
not limited to, any tap-on or recapture fees. The Village will also agree that the
plaintiff and his successors in title shall not be required to annex into the Village to
utilize the sewerline.

MORRISON & MORRISON, P. C.
5. The Village shall enter into an annexation agreement with the plaintiff that would
allow either the plaintiff or his successors in title to annex into the Village at their
sole discretion. The annexation agreement shall be valid for twenty years. Upon
annexation, the plaintiff’s property would be zoned commercial. The Village would
pay all the fees and costs incurred in preparing and executing the annexation
agreement including the plaintiff’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
6. In the event that the portion of Dowell located on the plaintiff’s property is
vacated, the Village agrees that the property shall immediately revert to the
plaintiff’s ownership. The Village would agree to immediately move its municipal
boundary to the western property line of the plaintiff’s property.
7. The Village shall disclose the location of the watertower on its property and if
possible, locate the watertower as far as possible from the plaintiff’s house.
8. In exchange for the foregoing, the plaintiff agrees to dismiss the lawsuit with
prejudice and agrees to move the pig farm off his property to allow construct and
use of the Village’s proposed well at its current location. In addition, the plaintiff
agrees that he will not use his property in any way that violates the Village’s IEPA
permit for the well.
9. A copy of the Settlement Agreement shall be entered with the court in this case
and the trial court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement. In the event that
either party has to enforce the agreement, that party shall be entitled to payment of
its attorney’s fees and costs.
I believe such a settlement will resolve all the issues between the parties and allow
the Village to proceed with the construction ofthe well and watertower. Please let me know
the Village’s response to this settlement offer.
Very truly yours,
Margaret Morrison Borcia
cc: Bob Wargaski via fax

Tags: VOIL // Add Comment »

After a short campaign to run as the Democratic candidate for State Rep in the 52nd District I will be returning to my blog. I will be pulling in some of the content to this site as I thought it was some pretty cool stuff. Look for more as time rolls along.

Tags: First // Add Comment »

www.garling4rep.com

Tags: First, Metra, 2008 Elections, Growth, News // Add Comment »

I’m listening on the news about the students at Northern Illinois University who were shot today. It is horrifying that this should happen at all, not the least that it happens at my alma mater. Our hearts go out to the students and their families. They should know that many alum will be thinking about them and offering whatever support they may need.

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 As of Friday, January 18, over 51% of all primary ballots cast at early voting locations were Democrat. This represents a huge shift of over 15% since the last presidential election. The early voting results are showing a tidal wave of support for the Democrats since past years local primary elections have favored Republicans usually by 3 -1. Results from Lake and McHenry Counties show a heavy increase in the number of Democratic ballots being pulled. If this trend continues, McHenry County Democrats will pick up seats in local, state and Federal elections.

This trend shows a tremendous move by the voters for change in our government. This shows a desire to change the way we govern ourselves. I think the message of change is getting through to the average voter who is tired of the attack campaign tactics used by both sides. The people are tired of the politics of personal attacks, of lies and deceit just to win an election. They have had enough of the politics of destruction by people who obviously don’t have an answer to solving our problems. The people are seeking a better way. Both sides need to cut the baloney, settle down and honestly deal with the issues we face. We need to make it a level playing field for all. Otherwise we could lose what has been the greatest experiment in Democracy the world has ever seen. 

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 I just finished reading Great lakes Water Wars by Peter Annis, a fascinating book that I would recommend to anyone wanting to educate themselves on what is fast becoming a highly volitile issue. Much of McHenry County gets it’s water from aquifers, not Lake Michigan. McHenry County, according to WRMA, cannot get it’s water from the Great Lakes because we are outside of the Great Lakes drainage basin. In other words, our water does not drain into the Great Lakes.  In order to use water from Lake Michigan we would have to put back what we take out. There are a number of Lake County communities that are spending huge amounts of money to see what it would take to tap into Lake Michigan water. I would suggest they read Mr. Annis’s book. Illinois politics being what it is, they may have a shot at it. But they will have to convince 6 States and 2 Canadian Provinces to let them tap in. Personally, they’re better off developing ways to conserve water. They likely would end up spending just as money as they are trying to tap in to Lake Michigan.

Tags: Growth // Add Comment »