Aim High

There was so much good stuff at the two meetings I attended Wednesday night. The McHenry County Democrats slated candidates for state's attorney, auditor and two for county board in my district.

At my second meeting, the Legislative Budget Hearing at McHenry County College, Al Wilson, long-time steward of the Lake in the Hills fen testified before State Senator Pam Althoff and State Representative Jack Franks and Mike Tryon.

Wilson related going down to Springfield to hold a press conference with Althoff in an attempt to restore money that Governor Rod Blagojevich had cut out of the Department of Natural Resources budget.

Wilson spoke of the man in DNR he called for advice.

“Because of the cuts, that one guy is now responsible for all the nature preserves from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River,” Wilson told the legislators.

He reported that such staff are now using leased equipment and that Blagojevich now wants an additional 14% departmental budget cut.

“When you see the governor, kick him in the knees... and aim high,”

were Wilson's parting comments.

There was widespread support evident in the crowd, which numbered about 100 when I arrived about an hour late, as there was for Franks' constitution amendment to allow recall of state officials when it was brought up.

Posted first as a "Message of the Day" on McHenry County Blog.