Newcomers Sweep Grafton Township GOP Posts

David McMorris was sworn in as the new Secretary of the Grafton Township Republican Central Committee by County Central Committee Vice Chairman Andrew Gasser.  In the background, left to right, as those previously sworn in: Chairman Paul Serwatka, Vice Chairman Matt McNamara and Treasurer Jeff Thorsen.

David McMorris was sworn in as the new Secretary of the Grafton Township Republican Central Committee by County Central Committee Vice Chairman Andrew Gasser. In the background, left to right, are those previously sworn in: Chairman Paul Serwatka, Vice Chairman Matt McNamara and Treasurer Jeff Thorsen.

Four newly-elected Republican Precinct Committeemen were elected to lead the Grafton Township Republican Party for the next two years.

Their names and offices follow:

  • Paul Serwatka – Chairman
  • Matt McNamara – Vice Chairman
  • Jeff Thorsen – Treasurer
  • David McMorris – Secretary

(Thorsen has served as Precinct Committeeman before, but not during the last term.)

Serwatka is from Lakewood, McNamara from Huntley, Thorsen from Crystal Lake and McMorris from Lake in the Hills (the Huntley School District portion.)

Two offices were contested.

Pam Fender, Marty Waitzman and Tom Poznanski confer while the ballots were being counted.

Pam Fender, Marty Waitzman and Tom Poznanski confer while the ballots were being counted.  County Party Secretary Diane Evertsen can be seen in the foreground.

Incumbent Township Chairman (and Road Commissioner) Tom Poznanski ran for re-election and the unsuccessful Republican candidate for Grafton Township Supervisor, Pam Fender, ran for Secretary.

The by-laws had the weirdest method of voting I have ever encountered.

The number of votes in each precinct was divided by the number of registered voters. The result was the number of votes the various Precinct Committeemen were granted.

Usually, and by law for organization of the County Central Committee, the number of Republican votes cast in the precinct is the number of votes that a Precinct Committeeman can cast.

Outgoing Grafton Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom Poznanski and newly-elected Chairman Paul Serwatka shake hands after the election.

Outgoing Grafton Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom Poznanski and newly-elected Chairman Paul Serwatka shake hands after the election.

Under Grafton’s rules, which leaders indicated they intended to change, the results for Chairman were

  • Serwatka – 2.125
  • Poznanski – 0.355

So, Serwatka received almost six times as many votes as Poznanski.

For Secretary the totals were

  • McMorris – 1.674
  • Fender – 0.808

McMorris won by over two to one.

State Rep. candidate Steve Reick spoke to the group, even though none of his district covers Grafton Township.

Jack Franks' GOP opponent Steve Reick addressed the Grafton Township Precinct Committeemen.

Jack Franks’ GOP opponent Steve Reick addressed the Grafton Township Precinct Committeemen.

He asked for volunteers to help in his fight against Jack Franks.

Newly-elected McHenry County Republican Central Committee Treasurer Chuck Wheeler also addressed the assembled.

County GOP Treasurer Chuck Wheeler held one finger up to emphasize that Jack Franks' first vote every term is to put House Speaker Mike Madigan back in office.

County GOP Treasurer Chuck Wheeler held one finger up to emphasize that Jack Franks’ first vote every term is to put House Speaker Mike Madigan back in office.  Demetri Tsilimigras is in the foreground.

He pointed out that Jack Franks’ first vote every two years is to elect Mike Madigan House Speaker.

Wheeler, himself a candidate for the County Board in District 4, urged Republicans to support Republicans.

Newly-elected Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Demetri Tsilimigras invited people to attend his group’s seminar on parliamentary procedure.

It will be held at 6-8 at the Crystal Lake Colonial Cafe on Wednesday, May 21st. The program will be from 6:30-7:30. He asks that those intending to come call him at 847-532-2025 so he can order enough appetizers. Over twenty have already signed up. He especially thinks newly-elected public and party officials will benefit from attending.

After the meeting, before the room cleared, County GOP Vice Chairman made a pitch for party unity.

After the meeting Betty Miller, Linda Moore and Margo Bunda chatted.  David McMorris is in the background.

After the meeting Betty Miller, Linda Moore and Margo Bunda chatted. David McMorris is in the background.  Newly-elected Township Republican Chairman Paul Serwatka is to the right.

Also attending the meeting were elected officials State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and McHenry County Board member John Jung.

Kosta's Gyros is located behind Walgreen's at the intersection of Algonquin and Red Barn Roads.

Kosta’s Gyros is located behind Walgreen’s at the intersection of Algonquin and Red Barn Roads.

Jung is up for re-election this fall.

The meeting was held at Kosta’s Gryos.

Agreement was reached to hold future meetings (monthly through the fall election) at the same location starting at 6:30.


Comments

Newcomers Sweep Grafton Township GOP Posts — 11 Comments

  1. Congratulations to all!!

    There are no losers when all have a common goal.

    That said, the fact is that the first vote each year being for House Speaker is somewhat misleading.

    The Republicans did not run a candidate against Madigan for years until last year when they ran Tom Cross.

    Another reason why we need new people in the hierarchy of the Illinois GOP.

    Too many closed door deals.

    McHenry County is setting an excellent example for the rest of the state!

  2. This is indeed great news.

    Purging of the decades old “old guard” in McHenry County has been a long time coming.

    Next up:

    1. get some conservative candidates to run against the incumbents. Does anyone ever wonder why we never have a choice at the ballot box?

    2. out with the old county board members — in with some new. Replace the status quo. Keep those who have the guts to stand up for the people of McHenry County.

    3. School boards, city council, and on …..

  3. Proud CONSERATIVE – I echo your sentiments, wholeheartedly – and I believe the Countywide Republican Central Committee we NOW have in place, as well as most of the NEW Township Central Committees, echo your sentiments as well.

    The Grafton Township Republican Central Committee, now, has in place an Executive Board comprised of individuals that, I know, not only care about the vitality of the Republican Party, but, are dedicated to working to build and re-vitalize the party with the ultimate goal of restoring better government throughout McHenry County.

    At this point, the “status quo” is a thing of the past.

    No more stagnation… No more complacency… No more quid pro quo.

    We have to become an organization of unity – comprised of individuals who are engaged, enthused and not only proactive, but, who are also interactive – and willing & able to work together toward the common goal of guiding this party, this county, this state and this country back in the right direction.

    With the Countywide Central Committee we, now, have in place – with the new Central Committees we have in most of Townships – and with Bill Prim as Sheriff in November, I’m quite optimistic that the political culture of McHenry County is looking better than ever!

    I am honored to be a part of it!

    Paul D. Serwatka
    Republican Committeeman – Grafton Township 21
    Chairman – Grafton Township Republican Central Committee

  4. This is good news.

    Congratulations to all.

    This was the results of lots of coordinated hard work with a common vision.

    Woo Hoo!

  5. I’ll wait to reserve judgement on how great this is.

    New isn’t always better

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