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Henry County board learns about 'man-cave' problems
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By Lisa Hammer, correspondent@qconline.com
By Lisa Hammer, correspondent@qconline.com
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CAMBRIDGE — Donna McClain came to the Henry County Board on Tuesday seeking relief from her neighbor's "man-cave" and its loud music, which she said lasts until 3 a.m. The Colona woman said she and her husband, Jerald, of 23557 N. High St., call the sheriff's department to complain about the noise but, as soon as deputies leave, the noise gets louder. Ms. McClain said the garage acts like a megaphone, broadcasting noise all over. "It's like the old west, and there are no laws that cover this," Ms. McClain said. She added she and her husband took a three-week vacation in early spring because of stress caused by the noise. She said other neighbors also have parties, but they are more quiet. Vice chairman Kippy Nelson suggested the public safety committee take up the McClains' issue. Also on Tuesday, Jim Taylor, of Carpentier, Mitchell, Goddard and Co., went through the audit, noting cash balances are up overall. He said more than $1 million in revenue has been received from wind turbine building permits, but the health department has had a "pretty significant" drop in government funding. He also complimented the county on its low debt load of 2.5 cents of every $1, which is also about to be paid off in a year or two. "That's a very strong statement there," he said. Board member Karen Urick said the preliminary audit indicated revenues were outpacing spending for the county. Board member Jason DeSplinter noted there are "a lot of revenue funds we can't control," and the board couldn't count on those revenues being there. Mr. Taylor agreed. In other business: -- The board voted 16-6 to retain board member Jim Eccher for a two-year term on the board of review for property tax assessments. County board chairman Tim Wells had sought to replace him with Ray Rogers. Voting against Mr. Eccher's retention were Mr. Wells, Kathy Nelson, Bill Preston, Ms. Urick, Jon Zahm and Mr. DeSplinter. Mr. Eccher also stated he had obtained an opinion from the United Counties Council of Illinois that no conflict of interest exists in a county board member serving on the review board. -- Planning/zoning committee chair Ann DeSmith reported the final turbine in Invenergy's 133-turbine farm was being erected and about one-third of the parts had arrived for the 50-turbine MidAmerican Energy wind farm that is starting to go up. For fiscal year 2011, the county received $1.013,738 in building permits from the wind farms. So far this year, the county has received $282,652. She added that she has been told Iberdrola has allowed some of its land options to expire. "It doesn't look like anything will be happening in the near future, that's probably the best I can tell you," she said. The board briefly talked about the wording for a possible advisory referendum Nov. 6 on a concealed carry gun ordinance. "I'm not going to tell you the exact language; you'll see it next month," said Mr. DeSplinter. Mr. Zahm said the question could reach the ballot either through the county board or a citizen-based referendum process. He also said he'd heard there could be a citizen referendum if people don't like the county's proposed referendum language, noting some residents favor "constitutional concealed carry," which would not require county-issued permits. -- The board approved spending $19,968 with Gustafson Ford, of Kewanee, for a new truck to replace a highway department pickup with 230,000 miles on it. It also approved spending $20,237 with Gustafson Ford for a three-quarter-ton truck to replace one with 240,000 miles, as well as spending $7,993 for a utility truck box for the sign truck for $7,993. -- The board approved refunding a 2004 bond for a savings of $19,562 over the final four years of the bonds. 
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