Elected to the McHenry County Board three years ago, Crystal Lake’s Mike Walkup announced today that he will challenge his 2012 District 3 running mate and current County Board Chairman Joe Gottemoller in the at-large contest for the Republican nomination for Board Chairman in 2016.
Walkup was a strong supporter of Jim Heisler when Gottemoller won the Chairmanship in 2014.
A press release from McHenry County Walkup follows:
WALKUP ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN
Michael J. Walkup announces his candidacy for the Republican Nomination for McHenry County Board Chairman, elected at large,in the Republican Primary on March 15, 2016
Mike Walkup
Walkup, who was born and raised in McHenry County, is a member of one of the original settler families that helped to found McHenry County in 1835.
Walkup attended Catholic University of America and Georgetown Law School and graduated in 1975 with a Juris Doctor degree, and has practiced law in Illinois and McHenry County.
In addition he is the owner of an organic farm on the original Walkup family property, which dates from 1856, just outside of Crystal Lake, and was built by his great, great grandfather.
He is a 1967 graduate of Crystal Lake Community High School.
Walkup has been a member of the McHenry County Board representing District 3, Nunda, Algonquin and McHenry Townships, since 2012 and prior to that was a Crystal Lake Park District Commissioner.
When asked why he is running for County Board Chairman, Walkup replied:
“I believe we need to set a vision for a prosperous and beautiful McHenry County as a legacy for the future of ourselves and our children and grandchildren.
“As a 6th generation family member I have a deep love for McHenry County and believe it is vital that our County builds economic prosperity while maintaining our natural resources of farms, history, open spaces, natural areas, rivers and streams.
“As McHenry County Board Chairman my goal will be to lead our County to economic growth and bright future for the 21st Century by creating smaller more efficient government that will require far fewer tax dollars to operate.”
Since joining the McHenry County Board just three years ago Walkup has achieved the following:
Walkup led the change to elect the County Board Chairman to an at large position elected directly by the voters to replace the insider selection process that had been conducted by the County Board.
Walkup spearheaded changes in the rules by which the County Board operates in order to democratize the daily workings of the Board for overseeing McHenry County government operations and budgets.
Along with County Board members, Donna Kurtz, and John Hammerand, Walkup helped reform the McHenry County Mental Health Board, in order to redirect millions in overhead expenses that permitted more tax dollars to be delivered for treatment by local service providers.
As a liaison member to the Valley High Nursing Home Operating Board, Walkup worked to reduce the annual tax levy for that institution.
Walkup made numerous contributions to the new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) which governs zoning in the unincorporated areas of the county, as well as the new Stormwater Ordinance, to eliminate specific fees, and to remove intrusive restrictions unfairly impacting our local farmers.
Along with Board Members Diane Evertsen and others, Walkup fought against unnecessary major capital expenditures by the McHenry County Department of Transportation which included the $100 Million proposal for a controversial intersection design at Randall and Algonquin Roads. In addition, this design would have decreased access to local businesses. He also opposed the building / purchase of a $5 Million building to store road salt in the South East part of the County.
Walkup worked to reduce the size and complexity of local government and was instrumental in strengthening the ethical practices of the county and the Ethics Commission.
As a member of the Law & Justice Committee, Walkup worked to reduce costs at the County jail while supporting the new Sheriff in his cost reduction efforts to save millions of tax dollars. He is currently working to improve efficiencies at the court house in order to avoid costly new courthouse additions.
Walkup believes that County Government must be a leader in improving efficiencies and shrinking the footprint of government at the local level, in order to reduce taxes which are among the highest in the nation.
In closing, if elected, WaIkup promises to be a full time County Board Chairman representing all of the people of McHenry County–and not special interests.
The RAT comes out.
We have to do better than these two.
His position, along with Gottemoller’s on the Township consolidation fiasco will make this office easy for a Democrat to be elected.
If no one else steps forward, look for a Democrat Chair.
Due to the Township fiasco, I fully expect to see Democrats back on the County Board.
Will he also be running to retain his position on the Board?
He wants to shrink government foot print?
He wants to eliminate townships and make county government bigger by obsorbing twh functions into the county.
Conflict in talking points.
I can’t wait to hear his waltz on that comflict.
YES!!!
Thank you, Michael.
We need someone willing to fight and stand up.
You have proven yourself to have the backbone.
Do not need another “yes man”.
Walkup is a life long liberal and Democrat, and now runs as a Republican because he has no scruples.
If someone can find something Republican in him, other than doing the bidding of George Ryan’s stooges, I would like to hear it.
HAHAAHAHAHHAA HA… wait, your serious?
Can’t thank you enough for stepping up, Michael
Your position on the County Board reflects the feeling of the majority of County taxpayers.
And I’ve never heard any substabtve rebuttal from Board members
I, personally, don’t care if you WERE once a Democrat; it’s the substance of the person, and their independence that makes the better candidate.
As County Board Chairman, Michael Walkup will represent the day to day workers, taxpayers, not the tight political circle whose goals have always been CONTROL and channeling JOBS to political cronies and family.
THIS WILL BE AN EXCITING ELECTION; WE NOW HAVE A CHOICE UNFETTERD BY CONFLICTS!
great job Mike .
ooze is gone bye bye joe
MCS?
Trust me. Charlie Nelson is not sane.
He’s a political nut job of the highest degree.
If Charlie supports candidate Y, support candidate X.
Charlie need psychological help.
Ore venom spews out of his retoric.
He’s filled with nothing but hate.
Just ignore his ludicrous comments
Wonder if that was him I saw tonight yelling at the rally honoring our Police?
until he was shouted down and escorted off.
Is he that looney tunes?
I mean “Wonder if that was Charlie Nelson yelling at the rally honoring our Police? Until he was shouted down and scored off. Is he that looney tunes?”
Glad to see we have more of a choice.
The Board Chair shouldn’t be an uncontested race.
I like Mike’s accomplishments, credentials and agenda to clean up this county’s govt.
I do know that Mike Walkup gets along with everyone on both sides of the isle and both sides of the Republican party (that’s a feat in itself).
Two choices are better than one.
As always, Mike Walkup’s self-esteem is through the roof.
Pity there’s so precious little in the way of real achievements to support it…
But I’m sure it IS true that Mike Walkup gets along with both sides of aisle.
As a former Democrat who turned Republican as the political winds shifted, I’m sure Mike makes little distinction between Left or Right, unless of course it advances the prospects of Mike Walkup…