Politicians Appear at Crystal Lake’s Independence Day Parade

Coke got some return on its investment in the Jesse White Tumblers as this young man cleared its banner in Crystal Lake.

Coke got some return on its investment in the Jesse White Tumblers as this young man cleared its banner in Crystal Lake.

A statewide official, two congressmen, one county official, three candidates for McHenry County Sheriff, three County Board members and Crystal Lake City Council members were spotted at Sunday’s 4th of July Parade. I spotted signs for two state legislators, but not the officials themselves.

Front line of the Crystal Lake Strikes at the hometown Independence Parade.

Front line of the Crystal Lake Strikes at the hometown Independence Parade.

Lasting about an hour and forty-five minutes, the big mid-summer event was featured the Jesse White Tumblers, the South Shore Drill Team and the Crystal Lake Strikers.

Both young men and young woman of the South Shore Drill Team did flag and dance routines.  Young men in front performed rifle drills.

Both young men and young woman of the South Shore Drill Team did flag and dance routines. Young men in front performed rifle drills.

The Drill Team was so spectacular that I drove around Crystal Lake to see it a second time as it performed in front of the Crystal Lake Park District’s Main Beach, which was surprisingly uncrowded on this high-eighty degree day.

Those with their political antennae up will know that the statewide official was Secretary of State Jesse White.

Jesse White

Jesse White

He was driving his namesake Tumbler’s truck.

As with folks who have met a lot of people, he didn’t recognize me.  (I am a bit older than I was in the 1970’s when we served in the Illinois House together.)

“Those were fun times,” he said.

Peter Roskam and his wife Elizabeth let his Independence Day Parade entry.

Peter Roskam and his wife Elizabeth let his Independence Day Parade entry.

The first Congressman was Peter Roskam.  In Crystal Lake, he represents south of Crystal Lake Avenue.

There's a 50-50 chance that the home this Peter Roskam bag lands will be in his congressional district.  The border line is Crystal Lake Avenue.

There’s a 50-50 chance that the home this Peter Roskam bag lands will be in his congressional district. The border line is Crystal Lake Avenue.

Roskam’s volunteers passed out bags with his name on them.  Kids who had not brought them put their candy in them.

Randy Hultgren walked the parade route.

Randy Hultgren walked the parade route.

Still in his district north of Crystal Lake Avenue, Congressman Randy Hultgren walked the Dole Avenue route.

Behind Congressman Hultgren’s group, there were people carrying other Republicans’ signs.

The pickup truck has State Senator Pam Althoff's magnetic sign on it and behind someone carries a sign of State Rep. Barb Wheeler.

The pickup truck has State Senator Pam Althoff’s magnetic sign on it and behind someone carries a sign of State Rep. Barb Wheeler.

Look closely and you will see County Board member Joe Gottemoller. In another of this series I saw a young man wearing a Mike Tryon tee shirt. If any of the state legislators were present, I missed them.
Only one county official showed up in this non-election year.

Lou Bianchi

Lou Bianchi

That was McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.  He has a whistle around he neck that he blew periodically.

Three candidates for McHenry County Sheriff paraded their stuff.

Bill Prim, running for the Republican nomination, and Jim Harrison, running as an Independent, put together entries paid for by their campaigns.  Both candidates were accompanied by volunteers in campaign tee shirts.

You can see the "Andrew Zinke, Undersheriff" magnetic sign of the type that candidates put on cars they borrow for parades.

You can see the “Andrew Zinke, Undersheriff” magnetic sign of the type that candidates put on cars they borrow for parades.

Andy Zinke, the third candidate and McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren’s choice to succeed him, drove a Sheriff’s Department vehicle with his name on a magnetic sign on the side doors.

He was kind enough to wave at me, as you can see below:

McHenry County Undersheriff Andrew Zinke salutes the crowd around me.

McHenry County Undersheriff Andrew Zinke salutes the crowd around me.

Zinke brought other Sheriff’s Department vehicles, two motorcycles, the snowmobile trailer and another squad car.

All financed by tax dollars.

Decorated dune buggies led the Bill Prim for Sheriff entry.

Decorated dune buggies led the Bill Prim for Sheriff entry.

Between them and the float was candidate Prim.

Bill Prim shook hands along the parade route.

Bill Prim shook hands along the parade route.

Bill Prim brought a passel of volunteers.

With flags flying and people waving and holding signs, the Bill Prim float won third place.     With flags flying and people waving and holding signs, the Bill Prim float won third place.

With flags flying and people waving and holding signs, the Bill Prim float won third place.Right after

The third Sheriff’s candidate was Independent Jim Harrison.

Volunteers in bright yellow shirts carry the Jim Harrison for Sheriff banner.

Volunteers in bright yellow shirts carry the Jim Harrison for Sheriff banner.

He certainly has selected the best color combination.

Jim and Carolyn Harrison rode in a convertible in the Crystal Lake parade.

Jim and Carolyn Harrison rode in a convertible in the Crystal Lake parade.

His volunteers yellow tee shirts were the most visible in the parade.

Yellow-shirted Jim Harrison volunteers followed the candidate's car.

Yellow-shirted Jim Harrison volunteers followed the candidate’s car.

Donna Kurtz and her husband Paul role on the Kurtzmobile, as Mike Walkup walked behind.

Donna Kurtz and her husband Paul role on the Kurtzmobile, as Mike Walkup walked behind.

Separately, the Donna Kurtzmobile made the route, followed immediately by County Board member Mike Walkup with a placard identifying himself.  Donna’s mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz was part of the contingent.

Finally, let me show you the folks who found the money to put on the Independence Day Parade–the Crystal Lake City Council:

Here's the front of the Crystal Lake City Council float.  I think that's Mayor Aaron Shepley in front on the other side.

Here’s the front of the Crystal Lake City Council float. I think that’s Mayor Aaron Shepley in front on the other side.  Cameron Hubbard is on the right.

I must have had the wrong lens on the camera when the City Council float came into range.

Here's the middle of the float.

Here’s the middle of the float.  Cameron Hubbard is standing in front of one of the women on the council.  Is that Ellen Brady Mueller?

I didn’t get them all in the same photo.

Councilman Ralph Dawson stands at the back of the float.

Councilman Ralph Dawson stands at the back of the float.

And, let’s not forget the Grand Marshall of the parade.

Richard Harms was the year's Independence Day Parade Grand Marshall.

Richard Harms was the year’s Independence Day Parade Grand Marshall.

The Grand Marshall was Richard Harms.

The McHenry County Young Republicans used their tank float again.

The McHenry County Young Republican's float.

The McHenry County Young Republican’s float.

Unfortunately, my camera gave me trouble, so all I got was a photo of it pulling away.


Comments

Politicians Appear at Crystal Lake’s Independence Day Parade — 16 Comments

  1. Zinke ought to be arrested for disorderly conduct.

    I was certainly alarmed and disturbed by his behavior.

    Giving you the middle finger.

    GROW UP ANDY.

    As for Bill Prim, now thats a class act, our tax payers can count on.

    Lou Bianchi, another professional man of integrity our tax payers can count on……

    Have had an opportunity to speak to Lou Bianch- First impression, a truly Professional and Honest guy……..too bad he was railroaded by Nygren and his entourage…….

  2. It is great to see how classy our current Undersheriff Andy Zinke is.

    I was at the parade and witnessed him “fingering” Cal Skinner.

    Classy.

    I also personally witnessed his wife, a Sgt. at another county Sheriff’s office, use profanity (the “F” word) while shouting at a volunteer walking in the parade.

    Evidently Andy, and his wife, truly learned well from the tyrant Keith Nygren.

  3. I also noticed, as did several other elderly people in the crowd who commented, that Undersheriff Andy Zinke was not wearing his seat belt.

    Not only is that a violation of the Illinois Compiled Statues Chapter 625 (Illinois vehicle code) but it is also a violation of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office general orders – “no sworn deputy will drive a county owned vehicle without wearing their seat belts.”

    Great job Andy.

    Way to lead by example.

    Maybe you weren’t giving just Cal Skinner “the finger” but those who pay your salary and those who are pulled over and given traffic tickets by you and your deputies for violating the law.

    You are truly a great leader – NOT.

    Nygren has trained you well – rules and laws are for everyone else but you.

  4. The “TRUTH” will set you free Andy…from the Sheriffs Department, not from the shackles of Federal Prison…Citizens arrest!……

  5. Interesting family, the Zinkes. Had an opportunity to see the parade and Mrs. Zinke yelling as the Prim group came by “Get a fu%$ing job.”

    Nice language in front of all of those families with kids all around.

    Was really great when the people at the next house were appalled and boo’d the Mrs. and her friends.

  6. Just as I told all you good folks that former Deputy Sheriff Greg Pyle was very disturbed and a risk behind a badge.

    It turned out I was correct. Pyle is now sitting behind bars in Federal Custody.

    Take a good look at Zinke giving a highly disrespectful gesture to the Crystal Lake community.

    I am telling you AGAIN, the man behind that badge is “Bad News!”

    Just think of what his ego will allow him to do should he ever become sheriff and the keeper or your children’s safety??

    Some may have found my previous blogging about Nygren and the photos I posted about the Zinke family distasteful. However, just as I warned you about Pyle, I am warning you about Zinke!

    Cal captured the “True Andrew Zinke” in action. What do you tax payers feel about your tax dollars funding the vehicle Zinke just disgraced himself from and the honor of the badge that is supposed to symbolize “To Serve and Protect!”

    Just like Pyle, Andy, you just proved that the ‘Tin Foil Hat’ belongs on you, not I!

    Bill Prim showed true class walking with family and friends.

    Andy do you have any friends that walked for you. We know why you can’t have family ‘stripping,’ I mean walking, for you!

    Mr. States Attorney Lou Bianchi, again, you showed class. I must admit, you like like your ready to go 12 rounds. You look great and fit to take on a man who will experience a TKO at your hands!

  7. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the Zinke family….

    Guess his wife needs to also GROW UP!

    Sure hate to see what their kids have becomes as a result of their parents…….

    Talk about some really bad parental role models…

  8. I would think the City of Crystal Lake and the McHenry County Board would have something to say about this . . . the Parade was well represented.

    The City and the County should expel Zink from any more public appearances.

    Too late for an apology from Kim or Zinke . . . their gang signs are showing and should not be tolerated.

  9. There were no judges in the parade.

    What happened to Nygren’s favorite Judge Gordon Graham?

    He almost always makes his appearance…

    Bet the Northwest Herald says nothing about “Zinke family antics”…

    And, those two wear the badge?

    They ruin it for all the decent police officers out there.

    Nothing like making the brethren of your own profession look bad.

  10. OMG!!

    That middle-finger salute by Undersheriff Andrew Zinke is going to make a great political mailer/walk piece or two after the first of the year.

    What a piece of work that Andy Zinke is!

    May the McHenry County Board do something about that disgusting gesture.

    And just think, in about a week, we’ll see 2nd quarter fundraising numbers.

    Given Zinke’s attitude, looks like Sheriff candidate Bill Prim is going to look a lot better, financially, than the other 2 guys.

  11. I think Andy is really looking for name recognition . . . so let us give him some. I would think everyone in the State of Illinois should see this on Facebook.

  12. I’ve seen it on Facebook from eight different people this morning. Priceless!

  13. **I spotted signs for two state legislators, but not the officials themselves.**

    FWIW – both Sen. Althoff and Rep. Wheeler were walking in the parade. I saw both of them – they were walking together (or at least in the same space… mostly one on each side of the street).

    But no other state legislators (McSweeney, Duffy, Tryon, or McConnaughay) were in the parade.

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