Krug: Some hammerheads are missing the mark

There is a fine line between clever and stupid. That much we know.

But the line between certainty and confusion often runs thinner.

For weeks, I have heard from people who gleefully have been swinging their hammers of discontent at McHenry County College for its decision to accept former President Walt Packard’s “resignation” and reward him with a bogus, do-little job that offers a salary and benefits package worth nearly $200,000 a year for a period of more than 16 months.

I applaud the concern of these citizens. At a time when every dollar counts at home, those who oversee tax dollars need to dole out macaroni and cheese rather than caviar.

I am concerned, however, that some of the good citizens of McHenry County are swinging those hammers at the college community and everyone associated with MCC. Those who are, my friend, have crossed the line and moved over into the territory of the confused.

Set down your hammer, if only for a moment, and read these next few paragraphs closely. If nothing else, it will give you the opportunity to rest your arms.

The decision to give Packard the President Emeritus Stimulus Package was made by the McHenry County College Board of Trustees. The current lineup of MCC board members is over there to the right of this column.

Want to praise them for their fine display of fiscal frugality? Drop them a note: MCC Board of Trustees c/o McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012-2738.

Want to gripe about what’s what with regard to spending at MCC? Talk to them. Most people have phones these days. Let your fingers do the walking.

The board of trustees passes the budget. The president of the college reports to this group. In an ideal situation, where competency reigns, the president works in harmony with the board to set the course of direction for the college.

MCC’s trustees are chosen by voters in the college’s district. Whether you voted or didn’t bother to vote, your voice was heard. These seven people represent your interests in matters regarding the operations of the college.

So, to be clear:

The decision to give Packard the parting gifts was not made by the McHenry County College Foundation Board – the fundraising group that supports programs and initiatives at the college. Those folks do nothing but bring money from the community into the college. The Foundation Board is responsible in large part for the development of the McHenry County Promise program, which will help kids from the county who probably couldn’t have afforded an education the chance to go to college.

The decision to pack Packard’s backpack with cash was not made by those who have made contributions – large and small – to the Promise Program.

It was not made by MCC faculty or staff.

It was not made by the McHenry County Board.

It was not made by Milton Bradley, maker of great board games.

It was not made by Frank Sinatra, the chairman of the board.

It was not made by Dennis Rodman, who was exceptional on the boards.

It was made by the McHenry County College Board of Trustees.

Now hammer away.

• • •

Speaking of Promise: The story that broke last week about MCC moving quickly to hire more instructors in the wake of higher-than-expected enrollment was interesting. Surely, some of the influx can be attributed to the economy.

There aren’t as many jobs to go ’round. Yeah, we get that.

But a 20 percent increase in inbound freshmen – many of whom will participate in the MCC Promise program – has played a significant role in MCC’s 24 percent increase in year-over-year.

In spite of the horrendous public relations woes that MCC has faced, the Promise Program looks like it is going to be a huge success.

Good to see sanity prevail every so often.

• • •

Feeling flushed: Typically, I’d be in favor of individuality.

Neighborhoods where the houses are all the same color, built all in a row or all sporting the same architecture are enough to cause me to break into a verse of “Tiny Boxes.” And that isn’t pretty.

But when people start converting used toilets into planter boxes, as is the case in Lakemoor where the Village Board is questioning a local woman’s taste in gardening, they’re going down that path alone.

To further the point, I also am opposed to converting old boots, rusted out wheelbarrows, and broken-down cars into places where flowers are grown. Just makes the place look like the backdrop of “Hee-Haw.”

• • •

Staying active: If you thought that Peter Benkendorf might just settle into the quiet life when he moved the Blue Sky Project from McHenry County to Dayton, Ohio, you guessed wrong.

After Forbes magazine named Dayton to the Ten Fastest Dying Cities in America, Benkendorf worked with a group of Daytonians to organize the Forbes Ten Fastest Dying Cities Symposium and Arts Festival.

Check out the op-ed Benkendorf wrote in the Dayton Daily News by clicking to: http://tinyurl.com/daytonpb.

• • •

And finally … : Still no word from MCC on why Walt Packard “left” his job as president of the college, or why its board of trustees created the bogus $200,000-a-year, do-little position they have dubbed president emeritus.

That faint sound you hear off in the distance isn’t the erection of a tower that scrapes the stratosphere, but the slow drip of your tax dollars floating off into thin air.

• Chris Krug is executive editor of the Northwest Herald. Contact Chris by calling 815-459-4122, or via e-mail at ckrug@nwherald.com. Keep up with Chris’ rants, raves and insights by following ChrisKrug (no space) at Twitter.com.