THURSDAY
O c t o b er 16 , 2014 • $1 . 0 0
COUNTRY STAR IN CRYSTAL LAKE Jo Dee Messina talks about her connection with fans on social media and her new album / Planit Pl@y NWHerald.com
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN McHENRY COUNTY
HIGH
LOW
62 46 Complete forecast on page A8
Facebook.com/NWHerald
@NWHerald
Block tapped as executive director McHenry County Mental Health Board fills full-time position for first time in two years By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – A familiar face to the county mental health community will take the reins of the McHenry County Mental Health Board. Scott Block, who oversees the county’s mental health court and oth-
er specialty courts, will take over as the board’s executive director Dec. 1. The Mental Health Board approved Block’s hiring on a 7-0 vote Wednesday afternoon, choosing him from a pool of six finalists. The Mental Health Board has been without a full-time executive director for almost two years. It underwent
significant changes and reform last year in the wake of critics’ allegations it became a top-heavy bureaucracy that spent too much taxpayer revenue on administration, and a building expansion it didn’t need, at the expense of client agencies. “It will be wonderful to have someone permanent at the helm and at the
front of the Mental Health Board, and he’s gotten such wonderful recommendations from the community,” Meschini said. Since 2009, Block has been director of the Office of Special Projects for the 22nd Judicial Circuit that covers
See HEALTH BOARD, page A5
Scott Block had been director of the Office of Special Projects for the 22nd Judicial Circuit before being named the McHenry County Mental Health Board’s next executive director
McHenry County Board OKs UDO
COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO PLANNED SHUTDOWN
Will take effect next Wednesday By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com
Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
Richard Bell of Wonder Lake comforts his wife, Priscilla, Wednesday after she expressed her concerns regarding their 19-year-old grandson, who currently attends SEDOM center, to the executive board in a conference room at the McHenry County Government Center in Woodstock. After it was announced in September the SEDOM center would cease operations after this school year, the board meeting was moved to facilitate the larger crowd. More than 30 parents and teachers sat in on the meeting to express viewpoints on the planned closure.
Concerns over SEDOM’s closing Parents, teachers of special-needs students worry about their future By ALLISON GOODRICH agoodrich@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – Connie Castillo of Wonder Lake said her 17-yearold may never attend another school dance after this year. Her daughter, Julia Castillo, is a longtime student at the Special Education District of McHenry County’s education center, which is slated to close after this school year. Although Julia uses a wheelchair, is prone to seizures and
needs a feeding tube, Connie said population for fear of unwanted SEDOM center has always ensured and anxiety-inducing attention tosocial experiences in an environ- ward Julia. The Wonder Lake ment where Julia is mother was joined comfortable. On the Web Wednesday by more “They get prom than 30 people – parevery year,” Connie For video from a rally in said, tearfully. “It’s support of SEDOM Center, e n t s , g u a r d i a n s , teachers and commubeen so great for my visit NWHerald.com. nity members – who daughter to get that. attended the SEDOM I don’t know if she’s executive board meeting to show ever going to attend another one.” She later added she likely opposition to the center’s closure. wouldn’t take her daughter to a Several people spoke during the dance with the general student public hearing portion, and board
President Kathy Parks said concerns would be considered. Julia is among about 60 students who currently attend school at SEDOM center. Parents of those students were sent a letter at the end of September, informing them the center would close, though SEDOM programming would continue in support of member school districts. SEDOM Executive Director Kathy Wilhoit has said the decision to close the center came after
See SEDOM, page A5
WOODSTOCK – The McHenry County Board approved its Unified Development Ordinance, ending a process that began almost four years and 128 meetings and hearings ago. Board members voted Tuesday evening, 16-2, to pass the ordinance, which replaces all of the county’s development-related ordinances and merges them into one document. The ordinance takes effect Wednesday. Tuesday’s vote came at the end of a fourth special meeting during which board members reviewed about 80 amendments submitted by the County Board. County leaders wanted a vote on the UDO before the Nov. 4 election and the Dec. 1 seating of new members. Planning and Development Committee Chairman Joe Gottemoller, R-Crystal Lake, said he was pleased with Tuesday’s vote. He said people will find the UDO to be simpler and friendlier than existing ordinances – the UDO shrunk numerous ordinances totaling more than 600 pages into one, 330-page ordinance. “I think, in time, people will realize that this makes their lives easier, not harder,” Gottemoller said. The UDO only applies to unincorporated areas, and does not supersede municipal development and land-use ordinances. It does not amend the county’s zoning maps or change the zoning classification of any existing land parcel. Members John Hammerand, R-Wonder Lake, and Ersel Schuster, R-Woodstock, cast the two opposing votes. Hammerand, who successfully brought constituents’
See PASSED, page A6
SPORTS
STATE
WHERE IT’S AT
Push for assault weapons ban
Advice ..................................C8 Buzz.................................... C10 Classified........................D7-14 Comics .................................C9 Community ......................... B1 Local News...................... A2-6 Lottery..................................A2 Movies.......................Planit 15 Nation&World.................B4-5 Obituaries ....................... A6-7 Opinions ............................. B2 Planit Play .....................Inside Puzzles .............................D8-9 Sports................................C1-7 State .................................... B3 Stocks...................................A7 Weather ...............................A8
Gov. Quinn, crime victims gather to advocate for laws against assault-style firearms / B3 LOCAL NEWS
Back to the pumpkin patch Padres outfielder Jake Goebbert spends his offseason in a familiar spot – helping out on the family farm in Hampshire / C1
Forum with the candidates McHenry County Board hopefuls gave voters an idea of what they want to accomplish / A3