It is time to get back into the routine of the monthly column. There is happening within Champaign County that might interest the residents during these two months before the primary election.

The News-Gazette has published an article by Tom Kacich and today has an editorial concerning the discussion about county elected officials salaries that must be set by May. Actually, I think most board members anticipated comments at the COW meeting on the 17th of January, but this did not occur. The issue has been deferred until the February agenda, thus giving the public another opportunity to share thoughts/ideas/concerns about the salaries. You will find a memo from Deb Busey detailing some facts and figures  here 

http://www.co.champaign.il.us/countybd/COW_PPA_JSS_F/120117agendaf.pdf   beginning on p. 15.

Several board members asked for even more details to be available for the February meeting.

The downtown jail issue will be covered during a study session on 31 January 2012, beginning at 6 P. This issue will consume a lot of time and attention for the next year and there will be a new board in place by then.

The LESA (Land Evaluation and Site Assessment) update committee has been meeting since last June. This is a very important factor enveloped into county land use. Only two constituents have regularly been attending. Just to encourage others to do so, the next meeting is next Wednesday, 26 January in the Dimit Room at Brookens. If you want to delve through the many layers of materials, you can do so here   http://www.ccrpc.org/planning/LESA_Update.php

The last issue I will include in this posting, but certainly not the last issue for the county has to do with establishing a local food policy council on the county level as a means toward economic development. This will be on the COW February policy agenda on 14 Feb., Valentine's Day. If you would like to read the draft version, you can do so here

http://www.co.champaign.il.us/countybd/COW_PPA_JSS_F/120117handouts.pdf    beginning p. 39

or on my web site   here   http://sites.google.com/site/p2district6/news/champaigncountylocalfoodpolicycouncil--draftproposal

As is always the case, I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions.