Quotes from John Hammerand
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On County Budget
“It’s good practice to provide a written budget to the board members before we vote on it for our perusal.” 11.21.07

On the 8.2 Million dollars in Bonds for the New Animal Control Building
“They're spendthrifts, that's what this amounts to. They can borrow $10 million a year in tax-free bonds. Just because we can doesn't mean we should.” 09.13.06

Sale of Banford Road Property
“We should go through the process, put the property up for bid and let the public know we plan to sell it. I don’t think this county should be brought into disrepute because of a small piece of property.” 06.18.07

Animal facility site in Crystal Lake
“We should really go back and do our homework before spending $3.5 million.” 06.07.08

On Waiving fees for Animal License Fees for Senior Citizens
“I don't know if $9 a head for cats is a fair price for senior citizens. It's not senior citizens that I find have the dogs and cats running at large and are problems.” 10.04.06

On Kishwaukee Valley Water Authority Referendum
“Even though I don’t favor new taxing bodies, if those people in the western half of the county, who are only represented by four of 24 board members, feel it is in their interest to protect themselves with a water authority, they should go do it.” 12.15.06

On Wonder Lake Sediments...
“It’s always concerned me because if they were dumping in the creek from day one to the 1960s, that’s a lot of heavy metals. And if you look at the maps, the first settling area is the lake.” 03.19.08
“One of my main concerns is that the people don’t get saddled with a Superfund project on their own. If it truly is clear, that’s great. The only extra concern after that is that the people actually approve it.” 03.19.08

On Special Service Areas...
“If you want to increase the people’s taxes, [a referendum is] the way it should be. That’s the America we all want, where each of our votes counts.” 03.19.08
“I don’t think we should have an America where we have back-door referendums where you pass a tax on the people for any reason.” 03.19.08

On the Whistleblower Ordinance
“It’s a shame it’s necessary, but we’re seeing in Chicago where millions of dollars is being misappropriated and people are sitting on their hands, maybe because they’re afraid to report it. If people come forward, they should — at a minimum — be ensured that they won’t lose their job.” 09.27.05
“It would be wonderful to recoup money. If there has been fraud and waste, we should take immediate steps to correct the problem." 10.19.05

County Paying $90,000 to $100,000 for Federal Lobbyist
“I really don’t see much hope for us for any money in the near future. The apple is going to taste better when it’s ripe and I don’t think now is the time of pick from the tree.” 09.01.05

On Whispers, Liquor Licence Committee
Female dancers at a bar outside Harvard would take patrons to a back room, strip to their bra and panties, and perform acts of sexual simulation.
“If the bar is found guilty of a violation, it could face up to a $1,000 fine and a liquor-license suspension. The type of activity documented in the incident report is not “welcome” in McHenry County.” 10.11.06

Sign Ordinance Article
“I thought it was an intrusion into the people's property rights. I don't know why we're regulating it unless it's obviously offensive from a height standpoint or in the right of way. I would support amendments that would allow property owners to display the names of their businesses.” 8-7-06

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