Monthly Archives: May 2015

Illinois and Cities in Northwest Illinois Lose Population – But Illinois Is Leader in Real Estate Taxes!

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 Rockford, Illinois leads the State of Illinois in population decline. See http://newsroom.niu.edu/2015/05/26/illinois-population-shifts/ The State of Illinois leads the nation in population decline. To make matters even worse, the majority of the loss is attributable to people moving to neighboring states such as Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri. If they all were going to Florida, you could at least understand that they like Florida winters better than winters in Illinois! Illinois is a leader in one category – real estate taxes. It is a close second to New Jersey which has the highest real estate taxes in the country. See http://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/ I have faith in Illinois – it will soon overtake New Jersey!

 Winnebago County (Rockford) does lead within the State of Illinois in one category – Real Estate Tax Rates! See http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/03/13/uncategorized/brendanbond/list-residential-property-tax-rates-illinois-county/2303/

 Do you think there is a correlation between high real estate taxes and population decline?

Mayor Gitz Along with Faithful Companion, Alderman Tom Klemm, Leads Freeport, Illinois in Wrong Direction!

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   Mayor Gitz in his weekly column in the Journal Standard talks about improving the community by tearing down buildings in the City’s 3rd ward.   The Mayor and 1st Ward Alderman, Tom Klemm, have forgotten that there are also other Wards in the City of Freeport.  Unfortunately, people in the rest of community accept the Mayor’s policy of benign neglect which is simply stated as follows – Let the rest of the city rot while most of the City’s resources are directed to the downtown and the 3rd Ward.    People in the rest of the City don’t complain – they just sell their homes and leave.   This is a sad commentary on the City of Freeport, but it is true.  

Oh by the way, there is a Freeport City Council Meeting tonight (May 18) if you want to watch the duo of Gitz and Klemm in action.  (6:00 pm 524 W. Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor – Watch live on Comcast Channel 17) 

Stephanopoulos Must Go – ABC News A Real Joke If This Man Stays!

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  This guy George Stephanopoulos has more nerve than enough.  There he is on the Sunday ABC show, This Week, commenting on his buddy, Hilary Clinton, like he is some impartial commentator.   I guess giving the Clinton Foundation $75,000 does not count.  He acts like he just bought a box of Girl Scout Cookies from the girl next door.  Let’s face it.  If this man were a conservator commentator, he would be back in Minnesota doing commentary on junior hockey games.   Wait I’m sorry.  They take their hockey seriously in Minnesota and this man has no credibility.

Freeport Mayor Gitz and Alderman Klemm Walk Over New Council Members – It Could Be a Long Four Years!

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 Freeport has five new council members and on Monday night they got beat down by the Mayor and Alderman Klemm.   Only Andrew Chesney understood the real issue facing the Council.    It was a question of power, and the Mayor and Klemm said to them – To Hell with you.   Klemm lectured the new alderman in condescending manner.   Basically, Klemm told them – you are stupid – you just don’t understand.   Alderman McClanathan responded and capitulated.  We need leaders and Andrew Chesney cannot do it alone.   Someone should tell Klemm that he should worry a little less about training kitchens downtown, and start addressing the deteriorating conditions in his own 1st Ward.   Oh well, I guess that is too much to expect from the man who thinks he is Mayor.

 

Freeport City Council to Meet Tonight, May 4 – New Alderpersons to be Sworn In!

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Good luck to Freeport’s new alderpersons: 

Andrew Chesney, Alderman at Large

Peter McClanathan, 2nd Ward Alderperson

Art R. Ross, 3rd Ward Alderperson

 Jodi Miller, 4th Ward Alderperson

Patrick R. Busker, 5th Ward Alderperson

We thank the outgoing alderpersons for their service to Freeport.  Now the work will really begin!  

The meeting starts at 6:00 pm at 524 W. Stephenson Street, 3rd floor.  If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17.

For the complete meeting agenda to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20150504.pdf