MISSION STATEMENT

Mission Statement..We will work to preserve and enhance our way of life through our homeowners association and provide information to the property owners to accomplish that goal.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Weekly Public Safety report


WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 4/29/2012


Criminal Damage to Property
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Liverpool for a report of a vehicle that had permanent marker drawn on it.
Public Safety to the 100 block of Liverpool for a report of a damaged mailbox.
Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Liverpool for a report of a stolen mailbox.

Suspicious Incidents 
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Lamplighter for an intoxicated subject.
Public Safety responded to the area of Savannah Ridge Rd. for a report of a suspicious vehicle, upon arrival of Public Safety the vehicle was gone.

Rescue Calls
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Pembroke for a report of a person wishing to harm themselves.  Public Safety remained until the subject was transported for treatment.

Domestic Disputes
Public Safety responded to a call of a domestic dispute in the 100 block of Birch.  Public Safety remained until the Sheriff’s Office arrived and handled the matter.


** Public Safety would like to remind residents that if any person, adult or juvenile come to your residence asking for money, donations etc. please contact Public Safety at 815-765-3768**

Citations Issued  25
Warnings Issued 19
 


We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.
Being informed is half the battle.  

A perfect day to spread poison!

Maybe a bad title for the post but that is what they are doing. Some areas of the lake are already having serious weed problems so we are getting an early handle on the situation. Our maintenance guys are spraying to kill some (but not all) the weeds. It is important not to get carried away with the kill because weeds compete with algae for the available nutrients. We need some weeds in order to hold down algae growth as well as to provide fish habitat. The key is finding the perfect mix to keep the lake enjoyable for boaters and fishermen while controlling algae. This is a yearly problem we will never win completely but as you can see, the guys are doing their best on this perfect calm day for this work. Have at it guys!
Posted by Ken...thanks to Barb Appelhans for the picture.

Veolia Questions



I have been asked some questions regarding Veolia's contract ending April 30. Even though they lost the bid they have agreed to continue the current service for at least another month until the changeover logistics have been completed. With three month billing this is adventageous to them as well as giving the contract winner a little more time to put everything in place.

Here's the “skinny” on the changeover. Just keep doing what you have been doing. Letters will be sent from the two companies detailing what is involved. All the bulk pick-ups will continue as part of the service as usual at no additional cost above the monthly fee. New containers will be delivered and the old ones picked up. Nothing to worry about.

Ken Dillenburg

Another new government mandated expense


More pool regulations
Our general manager has been on top of this so we will be fine but it is just one more expense you are being forced to pay. If this new regulation had not been handled fines could be in the tens of thousands. This is federal law and with this and the pool drain issues some municipalities are considering just shutting down their pools due to the continuing added expenses. It will be interesting to see how much usage the lift gets. We want everyone to have access to our pool but if it the lift is never used it will be just one more burden on you, the property owners. The money to pay for this as well as all the other new government rules comes from your dues. That is our only source of funds.

Excerpt for the Rockford Register Star..........
ROCKFORD — For the second time in seven months, public swimming pool owners are scrambling to meet deadlines to comply with new federal pool regulations.
Hotels, swimming clubs, parks and municipalities have until May 21 to meet the 2010 Americans with Disability Act standards for accessible pool design. The standards will require pool owners to install permanent chairlifts or sloped entries to allow people with disabilities unassisted access to swimming pools.

Ken Dillenburg

Sunday, April 29, 2012

A Sunday thought...(click on it to enlarge)



A personal observation

I just returned from a board retreat where plans were made for the upcoming year, goals set for the board and manager, procedures reviewed, etc. I left encouraged by the spirit of cooperation and the resolve to do what is right for Candlewick. Leaving myself out of the picture I am impressed with this group you have elected and I wish you were a fly on the wall listening to all the things the board wants to accomplish going forward. I am proud to serve with those folks and I am even more sure you elected the right people to serve you for the coming year. It was a productive meeting. Things are continuing in the right direction.
On this Sunday I ask you to keep your board members in your prayers as they go about the business of making your community the best it can be.
Ken

Saturday, April 28, 2012

“On the road again” (Starting to feel like Willie Nelson)



Friday we were back at it, marking the roads for repair and replacement. You will now see some areas marked with orange to go along with the pink and white. Orange designates the 4 ½ inch remove and replace the same as the pink. I am feeling very good about this project. We have some nice long runs on the heavily traveled streets that should make it much smoother driving and look nice as well. Can we get it all this year? Of course not, but this is going to be a good first year. Be patient. If your area isn't taken care of this year it will be before long. It is coming together.
Ken Dillenburg

Friday, April 27, 2012

Lake treatment soon


Important Candlewick Lake Information

IMPORTANT NOTICE


On April 30, May 1, and May 2, 2012 weather permitting there will be designated areas of the lake chemically treated for weeds and algae.

The following restrictions should be noted:
     
        No irrigation for grass or flowers for 7 days.
        Do not eat the fish for 3 days.
        No swimming for 2 days.
        No drinking of the lake water for 7 days.



***This does not affect your water supplied by Aqua Illinois.
 


We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.
Being informed is half the battle.  

A close bait source, across Hiway 76


At Poplar Grove PRO Hardware our line of Bass Pro Shops fishing equipment has really taken off and we are proud to have access to it. Our live bait however, fell short of our expectations for freshness. We have started a new relationship with our cheeseshead friends at Robinson Bait and Tackle in Wisconsin and will now have fresh bait delivered to our door on a refrigerated truck every Wednesday.
 
PLEASE HELP US GET THE WORD OUT !
FRESH
CHEAP
12 Ct. Crawlers $2.70
20 Ct. Crawlers $2.99
12 Ct. Nitro Worms $4.10
50 Ct. White Spikes $7.05
18 Ct. Leech $1.95
 
FULL LINE OF FISHING & MARINE

(posted by Ken)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Another roads update



I mentioned here a couple days ago what the markings are you are seeing on the roads. Originally all were pink color. Those were the beginning markings of the 4 ½ inch remove and replace areas. You are probably seeing a lot more of those around now. The most deteriorated spots will be in pink. Now white markings are starting to show up. Those are the areas that will have 2 inch mill and overlay. Most of the 4 ½ inch areas will be part of longer 2 inch deep mill and overlay areas to smooth the roads and improve longer stretches. We are trying to patch the small areas that are not on heavily traveled roads with smaller patches then have longer extensions of improvement on the more arterial roads. Yes, the markings will look like hieroglyphics for a while but this process is continuing in an effort to have a pleasing end result.
Ken Dillenburg

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

So what's in a name?



Unless you live in a cave you must have heard all the uproar around the addition of “pink slime” to ground beef in many supermarkets as well as food establishments for some number of years. The main thing that caused the uproar was the name of the product. Who wants to eat pink slime? This product was used for many years under the name “lean finely ground textured beef” and has been proven safe by government testing as well for what has been reported as a twenty year history. Plants have closed, jobs have been lost, and this will never be reversed. The product was made from the lean beef left on trimmings after the initial butchering process and for as long as I can remember trimmings were used for grinding in supermarket operations at store level. In this case a safe antibacterial agent containing a form of ammonia was used and that scares people as well. For years there has been injection of compounds in everything from hams to turkeys as well as prepackaged hamburger being sealed off site in I believe it is carbon dioxide inside packaging to avoid bacteria growth.
Why this long winded piece about the above? Did you know changing product names is common practice to help with product sales, just the reverse of what happened here? How many of you order the exotic sounding Orange Roughy when out for an evening meal? Did you know the name of the fish until the 70s was Slimehead? It wouldn't sell, thus the name change. What's the old saying.......A rose still smells the same by any other name? Something like that. Enough for today.
Ken Dillenburg

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Come on AQUA, you know this is wrong!

This is my latest AQUA bill. See anything wrong? The first thing I noticed was the total invoice of $48.58 compared to my  last bill of $82.16, which was already down substantially from the prior one. Looking more closely I see we used absolutely no water last month. I wondered why I was so thirsty and dirty. I was told they also forgot to put the $7.00 fire hydrant charge on the last bill and I see it is also not on this one. Sooner or later a lot of us will get a real shocker in the bill when these charges catch up. Just a matter of time.
Ken Dillenburg

Monday, April 23, 2012

Public Safety weekly report


Candlewick Lake Public Safety
 
WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 04/22/2012

Traffic Crash
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Candlewick Blvd. for a report of a traffic crash between two vehicles. Boone County Sheriff’s Officer responded and completed the traffic crash report.

Damage to property
Public Safety responded to a report of a damaged mailbox in the 300 block of Picadilly and the 100 block of Lamplighter Loop.  Reports were taken for a matter of record and no further information is available.
Public Safety responded to the Recreation Center for a report of an unknown person writing on the playground equipment.  Public safety is investigating the matter with a suspect identified.

Domestic Dispute
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Minarette Dr. for a report of a domestic dispute between a man and a woman.  Public Safety arrived on the scene until the Sheriff’s Office arrived to handle the incident.

Suspicious Vehicle
Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Talladega for a report of a suspicious vehicle.  Upon arrival the vehicle departed the area.

Rescue Calls
Public Safety responded to the 300 block of Lamplighter Loop for a report of a child having difficulty breathing.  Public Safety remained there until Capron Rescue arrived.
 


We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.
Being informed is half the battle.  

A long article but I think you need to see it


No matter what your political views this just seems wrong to me. See what you think.  Ken

An $8 billion trick?

By BENJAMIN E. SASSE & CHARLES HURT
Last Updated: 1:41 AM, April 23, 2012
Posted: 10:45 PM, April 22, 2012
Call it President Obama’s Committee for the Re-Election of the President — a political slush fund at the Health and Human Services Department.
Only this isn’t some little fund from shadowy private sources; this is taxpayer money, redirected to help Obama win another term. A massive amount of it, too — $8.3 billion. Yes, that’s billion, with a B.
Here is how it works.
The most oppressive aspects of the ObamaCare law don’t kick in until after the 2012 election, when the president will no longer be answerable to voters. More “flexibility,” he recently explained to the Russians.

GETTY
Postponing the pain: The administration is temporarily restoring funds to Medicare Advantage so seniors don’t lose coverage before the election.
But certain voters would surely notice one highly painful part of the law before then — namely, the way it guts the popular Medicare Advantage program.
For years, 12 million seniors have relied on these policies, a more market-oriented alternative to traditional Medicare, without the aggravating gaps in coverage.
But as part of its hundreds of billions in Medicare cuts, the Obama one-size-fits-all plan slashes reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage starting next year — herding many seniors back into the government-run program.
Under federal “open-enrollment” guidelines, seniors must pick their Medicare coverage program for next year by the end of this year — which means they should be finding out before Election Day.
Nothing is more politically volatile than monkeying with the health insurance of seniors, who aren’t too keen on confusing upheavals in their health care and are the most diligent voters in the land. This could make the Tea Party look like a tea party.
Making matters even more politically dangerous for Obama is that open enrollment begins Oct. 15, less than three weeks before voters go to the polls.
It’s hard to imagine a bigger electoral disaster for a president than seniors in crucial states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio discovering that he’s taken away their beloved Medicare Advantage just weeks before an election.
This political ticking time bomb could become the biggest “October Surprise” in US political history.
But the administration’s devised a way to postpone the pain one more year, getting Obama past his last election; it plans to spend $8 billion to temporarily restore Medicare Advantage funds so that seniors in key markets don’t lose their trusted insurance program in the middle of Obama’s re-election bid.
The money is to come from funds that Health and Human Services is allowed to use for “demonstration projects.” But to make it legal, HHS has to pretend that it’s doing an “experiment” to study the effect of this money on the insurance market.
That is, to “study” what happens when the government doesn’t change anything but merely continues a program that’s been going on for years.
Obama can temporarily prop up Medicare Advantage long enough to get re-elected by exploiting an obscure bit of federal law. Under a 1967 statute, the HHS secretary can spend money without specific approval by Congress on “experiments” directly aimed at “increasing the efficiency and economy of health services.”
Past demonstration projects have studied new medical techniques or strategies aimed at improving care or reducing costs. The point is to find ways to lower the costs of Medicare by allowing medical technocrats to make efficient decisions without interference from vested interests.
Now Obama means to turn it on its head — diverting the money to a blatantly nonexperimental purpose to serve his political needs.
A Government Accounting Office report released this morning shows, quite starkly, that there simply is no experiment being conducted, just money being spent. Understandably, the GAO recommends that HHS cancel the project.
Congress should immediately launch an investigation into this unprecedented misuse of taxpayer money and violation of the public trust, which certainly presses the boundaries of legality and very well may breach them.
If he’s not stopped, Obama will spend $8 billion in taxpayer funds for a scheme to mask the debilitating effects on seniors of his signature piece of legislation just long enough to get himself re-elected.
Now that is some serious audacity.

Dockside Grill grand opening


Elvina Collis, 7 1/2 mo. old Sabelia and mom Maggie Collis, Eanor Kiser, June Collis, Chuck Collis. 

Deb Potter, Arnold Potter, Theresa Hann, Jon Potter and server Brittney Johnson.

Some of the baskets that were given away as door prizes.

Thank you to Barb Appelhans for the pictures of some of the folks attending and prizes.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

A Sunday inspiration


Just when the caterpillar thought its world was coming to an end, it turned into a butterfly

Walking through the woods one day, a man found a butterfly cocoon with a small opening in the bottom. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole; then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no further, so the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.  The butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which he thought would contract. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the  struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening int he cocoon, was God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!



posted by Ken

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Sad facts, but interesting. Off CWL topic



I read an article in this month's Smart Money magazine about the elderly and alzheimers disease. It mentioned how important it is for children to become involved in the finances of parents early before the disease progresses too far. Financial security as well as credit standing can be destroyed by those targeting the old folks.
Surprising to me were the following statistics..... one in eight of those over 65 have the disease and 43% of those over 85 have it. Although not stated we need to remember some of these include early stages. Women make up two thirds of those afflicted. Again they didn't mention women live longer than men so that is a factor I am sure.
Early signs to watch for are checkbook mistakes, unpaid bills, and disorganized files and drawers. Those should be the trigger for action from the kids. A good way was suggested to bring up the need for help. Tell the parents how they have to have help with yard work and other chores and this is one more chore to need help. Mention also how we all will need help eventually to ease into the tough subject.
Lots of us will have to deal with this heartbreaking subject if we don't already and the advice is good. We don't want our parents taken advantage of and their final years tainted by financial ruin. I hope when the time comes I will know early enough to ask for help or my sons will step in. It is not out of nosiness or greed, it is out of love.
Ken Dillenburg

Friday, April 20, 2012

Bye Bye Veolia



Our contract with Veolia Waste Disposal will end April 30 so a request for bids was sent out. Four bids were received and the winning bid was from Roscoe Disposal. It looks like a pretty good deal. Residents will be supplied with a 95 gallon container at no cost and the monthly fee will be $13.00 ($12.00 for those over 65). Details to follow but the extra bulk pick-ups and other provisions will stay pretty much the same as we currently have. One really good specification in this contract is a locked in three year rate. No increases. In this environment that could be important.
I personally have had calls from residents unhappy with Veolia for varying reasons and hopefully this will resolve many of those issues. Starting fresh can have hiccups but also can be a positive change in procedures.
 Ken Dillenburg  

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Who is vandalizing our roads with paint!!!

 What you are seeing are just the beginning signs of our upcoming June roads project. The areas you are seeing marked are some of the spots that are to be completely ground down and replaced to 4 1/2 inch depth. There are still more of those to go as well as many times that amount of area that will be milled and overlain at a depth of two inches. It will look pretty marked up for a while but in the long run it will pan out. Lots more work to do so bear with us for a while.
  Ken Dillenburg

Let's show them we want them here!

Yes, the Dockside has been open a while taking the pulse of the community and finding the taste of the residents. Now comes the grand opening and they are all set to go into a big summer season. The food is great and so are the staff.
Ken

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Congratulations to the winners!


Dues Reduction Raffle Winners

Each of the winners will receive a
dues reduction of $559.17.


Matthew Kolberg

۝

Mary Biegler

۝

Andrew Chedick

۝

Adam Hopp

۝

Andy Golabek

۝

Randy Budreau

۝

Unofficial Board Minutes April 17, 2012




Dues Raffle:  There were 6 winners for the raffle and they will receive $559.17 credit on their dues.

Employee of the Quarter/Year:  James Dorherty was awarded Employee of the Quarter and Valerie Alt Employee of the Year.  Congratulations to both of them.

General Manager’s Report:  Landscape contract has been awarded to Area Services for landscaping maintenance of some of the common areas.  The annual mailing for the 2012/2013 dues was mailed out.  Bids for the tennis courts are coming in.  Road construction is well on its way, and many other projects are underway.

Lake Management:  Goose addling was done, 15-20 nests were found and 45 eggs.  Guest fishing will still have a fee because it was already in the budget.  There was discussion about aerators, water testing, and ILM made some proposals that will be discussed more.  June 30TH will be the 4TH of July celebration and also our 40TH anniversary.  Father’s Day Fishing Contest will be June 17TH.  A Bass Tournament in early June.  They will also be checking the black pipe and a discussion of what they will do.

Road Construction:  March 30TH the road bids were due and Rabine was given the bid, they have done work for us before.  This will start in June after the school buses have finished their season.  There will be an information meeting that residents can attend.

Recreation:  It was voted to install 4 square and hopscotch in the cement area by the Rec Center.  This could be installed for minimal expense by maintenance.  We would like to have in place by Family Movie night if possible.  It was also discussed about a walking path through some of the common area and Rich Witt will check into the possibility and expense.

Aqua:  The last bills were pro-rated and there will be more information in the next bills about the rates.

Common Garden:  Sandy Morris got a $430.00 grant from Rockford for supplies for a community garden.  It will be to the side of the office and there will be 10 plots at $10.00 each, first come first serve.  There will be a meeting for those interested on Wednesday, May 9, 1012 at 6:30 at the Rec Center.

Guest Watercraft:  There will be NO guest watercraft allowed in the lake due to insurance reasons.

Golf Commission:  They will work under the Board and the General Manager.

Re-platting Lots:  A statement was read from about the guidelines for this.

Public Safety will purchase new radios and a new car due to the age, millage and amount of repairs that have been needed.

A mower will be replaced due to the cost of repairs the last couple of years and a need  to mow a large area.

A discussion was made about using some of the docks by the Rec center due to the amount of requests from the residents.  There will be more discussion about this. 

Ellen Steiskal, Pride Secertary

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Illinois income tax... submitted by Bonnie Marron



 
Illinois Tax Day Sticker Shock!
 

 
Call Quinn, Madigan, Cullerton and tell them how much the 67% tax hike cost you

With our State and Federal income taxes due today, we’re seeing for the first time the damage done exclusively by Illinois Democrats: a 67% increase in the Illinois State Income Tax.
 
In the middle of the night on the last day of a lame duck session in January 2011, the state legislature - with no Republican votes - raised our taxes by two-thirds by just one vote in each chamber.
 
 
Now, here comes the bill!
 
Despite this record tax hike, Illinois is still on a collision course with financial Armageddon. We are in virtually the same mess that we were before the Madigan-Quinn-Cullerton Midnight Tax Hike except that Illinois taxpayers have less to spend at the businesses that haven't left our state yet for lower tax rates.
 
Look at a copy of your IL-1040 to see how much more you owe this year. Then call the offices of Governor Pat Quinn at 217-782-0244, House Speaker Mike Madigan at 217-782-5350 and Senate President John Cullerton at217-782-2728 and tell them how much less money you have to spend for your family (and less money that Illinois businesses could have received in lost income) thanks to the Illinois Democrats’ 67% midnight tax hike.

Board meeting tonight



This will be the first one I have missed in years. I just can’t seem to kick whatever bug I caught and I don’t want to spread it. I also am not able yet to discuss and do a lot of public reading.
There are some interesting topics on the agenda. The roads program resolution will be covered for funding as well as the community garden status, golf commission, guest boat policy, fish limit changes, a signage request, committee/commission reports, and a lot of other things that affect our community. If you can attend you should.
6:30, as usual, at the rec center with public input first on the agenda. The Pride secretary should have our normal unofficial report by tomorrow if you can’t make it.
 Ken Dillenburg  

Monday, April 16, 2012

More from Public Safety


Important Candlewick Lake Information

Candlewick Lake Public Safety
 
WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 04/15/2012

Suspicious Activity
Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Talladega and the 400 block for a report of a possible “peeping tom”.  A female heard something rattling in some nearby bushes and thought it could be an animal, only to discover it was a man hiding in the bushes.  The man is described as 40-50 heavy set and balding.  Anyone have information on a possible identity is asked to contact Deputy Chief James O’Doherty in the Public Safety Department.

Damage to Property
Public Safety responded to the 300 block of Talladega for a report of a vehicle with damage done to it.
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Brandywine for a report of kids throwing rocks at passing vehicles.  The kids were identified and parents were notified.

Neighbor Dispute
Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Galahad for a neighbor dispute.  The matter was resolved.

Trespassing
Public Safety responded to a call of a subject trespassing from Rt. 76 onto Liverpool.  Public Safety located the subject, found he had no reason to be on Candlewick property and was escorted out.


Citations issued 43
Warnings Issued 61

Gooood Eatin'



It is that time again, the first one was great, soooooooo we will do it again !!!!
 
Thursday, April 26th at 6pm behind the rec ctr.
 
The Candlewick Anglers famous     CATCH - CLEAN  &  COOK.
 
That's right,  you catch em, we will again show you how we clean them,  and
GOOD OLD GEORGE will do his magic on cooking.
 Hope to see ya all there --  or  --    we will have to eat them all ourselves!
 
Thanks      The Candlewick Anglers.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Your Sunday smile

The Hikers
One day, Joe, Bob and Dave were hiking in a wilderness area when they came upon a large, raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so.
Joe prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength to cross this river."
Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs, and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours, although he almost drowned a couple of times.
Seeing this, Dave prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools to cross this river."
Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about an hour, after almost capsizing the boat a couple of times.
Bob had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools, and the intelligence, to cross this river."
Poof! God turned him into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked upstream a couple of hundred yards, then walked across the bridge.

(posted by Ken)

Friday, April 13, 2012

The 16th is it!


DUES REDUCTION RAFFLE
There are only a couple more days left to purchase your ticket(s) for a chance to reduce your 2012-13 CWL Association dues by a minimum of $500.00!
Tickets are available thru Monday, April 16th at both the Administration Office and the Recreation Center Activity Desk during normal business hours.
Raffle drawing will take place during the Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, April 17th at 6:30pm. You need not be present to win, but it would be nice if everyone who purchased a ticket and can attend would be there.
Any questions, please contact the Recreation Center at 815-765-1943.

A couple down days

 I have managed to catch something and I am not up to posting currently. Little sleep and feeling rough. Hopefully soon I'll be back to the keyboard.
Ken

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Since it is time to file....


Today I was reading Bloomberg/Business Week and found an interesting article about tax preparation. The author (who has a lot better income than most of us) decided to have his taxes prepared in four different places to see if there were differences. His income was $431,388 for the year. The numbers represent his combined tax due or refund from state and local income taxes.
Taxslayer online calculated he was to receive a refund of $119,544.00 and charged him $30.00 to prepare the online forms.
H&R Block charged him $400.00 and found he owed $2,387 to the taxing bodies.
Hal Breich charged $400.00 and according to them he had a refund coming in the amount of $469.00.
RBZ charged $1,200 to complete the forms and said he owed $4,544.00.
Can anyone truly doubt there is a serious problem with the system with this kind of desparity when professionals handle the filing? Every year I cringe when I hit the send button on Turbo-Tax, wondering if my friendly IRS associates will be calling. I know I am being honest but if you have been audited as I have you will know it is not enjoyable. I filed a couple days ago so we'll see!
Ken Dillenburg

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

You'll never know how it feels

Often this is the way it feels to be on the board of directors. Before I was on the board I felt free to tear into any subject or group I felt was working against our community. When on the board a new set of standards falls into place. There are so many times I would like to just cut loose and let everyone know my perception of a subject but I am either tied by confidentiality or held to a different standard by my board seat. I can give my opinions as an individual but I must always be cognizant not to say or write things that can be construed as board opinion. I hope all understand if I am silent on an issue it is not because I have no opinion, it is due to my responsibility not to overstep the bounds. Rest assured proper actions are happening to assure correct steps are being taken by your board to protect your community. Do I care and am I involved? You're darn right but you will have to trust me on that point until my term ends and I can cut loose again.   Ken