McHenry County Blog

He wasn’t at the front of the parade but the owner of Port Edward, Ed Woloweic, was the Grand Marshall.

The parade took about an hour, truncated because of construction south on Route 31.

Most of the politic entries which I try to document were fairly near the front of the parade.

But, before they arrived, a volunteer for Congressman Peter Roskam, who will, pending a political upset of tremendous proportions, represent Algonquin Township in Congress next session, was sighted passing out small bags. With candy on their minds, a lot of folks took them.

Of course, there were the members of the Algonquin Village Board.

But before the politicians came Police Chief Russ Laine.

And an entry dedicated to the Chicago Cubs.

Founder Favorite Rusty Cherbak was surrounded by a Chicago Cubs wish fulfillment contingent.

There was even a goat.  A billy goat, of course.

Then came the village politicians.

Village President John Schmidt waved.

Village Trustee Bob Smith was accompanied by Buzz Lightyear.

Village Trustee Debbie Sosine was in waving mode.

Trustee Jerrold Glogowski was one of three trustees walking the route handing out candy.

The other two were Jim Steigert and John Spella.  Handing out candy is the Algonquin Parade is easy on Route 31 because the spectators are all on the south side of the street.

The village clerk came dresses as the clown Lazy Bonz.

The first partisan politician was District 1 Republican McHenry County Board member Bob Bless.

District 1 Republican McHenry County Board members Marc Munaretto and Anna Miller were driving in a Mercedes convertible by Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller.

I asked Munaretto, who is not running for re-election to the County Board, whether he was running for re-election for Algonquin Township Clerk.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” he replied.

That was the same answer he gave last year before for filing deadline for County Board.

There are no Democrats in District 1, but there is one in District 5–Paula Yensen.

Next came Jean and McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

 McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer followed Bianchi.

Both Bianchi and McHenry County Auditor Palmer are unopposed this fall.

Kane County politicians followed the McHenry County ones.

There were two County Board members, Hollie Lindgren and Maggie Auger.

There are always pictures that could have been.  The one below was going to be of the current and future Kane County Auditors, incumbent Bill Keck and candidate Terry Hunt.

Fortunately, I got a shot of Keck and Hunt before the parade.

“Take my picture. Take my picture,” the two members of the Eagles, a youth football team shouted as they mugged for my camera.

How could I resist?

Interrupting the parade was the girder from the World Trade Center brought by the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.

On the sides of the fire engines you can see the above sticker.

I was seated on the porch of a closed building when I way something political after a truck for the Red Run.  (The 5K is August 11th starting at Presidential Park in Algonquin.)

It was the McHenry County Republican Party entry…right at the end of the parade.

There was a banner for GOP State Rep candidate David McSweeney up front.

Right behind were people carrying Congressman Peter Roskam signs.

Then, Dave McSweeney passed me quickly.  I got his attention and he turned around so I could get the photo above.

Next came the McHenry County Republican float.

I just kept snapping my shutter, getting County Board member Nick Provenzano and County Chairman & State Rep. Mike Tryon.

Next came supporters of State Senator Dan Duffy, whose district mirrors that of David McSweeney on the eastern edges of McHenry and Kane Counties.

Next I found McHenry County Board member Robert Nowak.

And with the passing of the next entry, cheerleaders from CEE Snowball Blast Grand Champion, the Algonquin Founders Day Parade was over.

Afterward, however, the young man who had been assiduously gathering candy during the parade put on a Young Republican sticker and agreed to let me take his photograph.

= = = = =
A special note for you Sheriff’s Department watchers. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Department had no entry in the parade. Neither Sheriff Keith Nygren nor his Undersheriff Andrew Zinke was anywhere to be seen.

Not only is Mark Kirk seeking volunteers to walk with him in the Lake in the Hills parade this Saturday, from reading the following, I see Mike Mahon is, too.

Current Happenings

We are heading into the home stretch now: only 61 day left until Election Day, November 2!

All of our volunteers are out and about in the neighborhoods, our signs are popping up like mushrooms, and the excitement is contagious.

We have some great opportunities for you to help in the last big push.

Come out, support Mike, and join us in making history in McHenry County.

We are looking for volunteers to join us on our awesome float this Saturday, September 4, in Lake in the Hills, Mike’s hometown.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. Our parade number is 26 and line-up is on Lucerne Lane. Please email laura@mikemahon.org if you have any questions. T-shirts and water will be provided.

On September 8, we’re holding a Fundraiser for Mike at Cary County Club from 7 to 9 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres, dessert, coffee, and soft drinks will be provided. A cash bar will be available for alcoholic beverages. Tickets ($25) can be purchased at the door, on our webpage, by calling 847-515-4772 or by emailing laura@mikemahon.org.

We are also looking for volunteers for canvassing neighborhoods September 11 and/or 12th. We only need an hour or two of your time. Please call Tim at 847-515-4772.

At all of the above, we can guarantee you’ll make some new friends and have a good time. Now, especially, is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of Mike Mahon!

= = = = =

If you are wondering why you don’t read what incumbent Sheriff Keith Nygren is doing outside of what I figure out myself, it is because his campaign does not send me information it wishes to share.

Yesterday, I emphasized Democrats in the McHenry Fiesta Days Parade last weekend. What I am trying to do in looking at the entries allowed by McHenry parade organizers is to see which ones would make the cut in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade and which would not.

Today we take a look at the Republican contingent, which, from the photos, appears to have been a lot larger than the one fielded by the Democrats. Of course, that may be a misperception, because because Republican parade walker recruiter John O’Neill shared his photos with me.

District 3 McHenry County Board member Nick Provenzano’s sign wouldn’t make the cut in Algonquin’s parade. It says, “Re-elect.” He’s have to tape over the “Re-elect” or cut it off to use it there. But, since he doesn’t represent any part of the Algonquin area, no big deal.

District 3 McHenry County Board candidate Mary Donneer may have had a sign stuck to this beautiful red car, but the picture doesn’t say whether it uses the word “re-elect.”

District 4’s Sandra Salgado plays up her incumbency on the door sign on here yellow Wrangler.

Salgado could get in the Founders Day Parade with this, but, like Provenzano, she has no constituents down there. She is the only incumbent Republican office holder that John O’Neill got a photo of walking.

The photo O’Neill took does not provide conclusive evidence, but John Hammerand, District 4 county board member’s sign on the side of the convertible appears to identify him as a county board member, not as a candidate for re-election.

No way to tell if the sign presumably on the side of this splendid old Cadillac carrying McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi says he is a candidate, but the tee shirt on the supporter doesn’t say anything about the election.

Can’t tell for sure, but Sheriff Keith Nygren’s entry appears to be a county owned vehicle. No electioneering there the Algonquin rule would prohibit.

Next come two ladies wearing “Energized Republican” tee shirts. On the left is McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz. McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer is on the right.

Tomorrow: More Republicans at the Fiesta Days Parade.

Yesterday, I emphasized Democrats in the McHenry Fiesta Days Parade last weekend. What I am trying to do in looking at the entries allowed by McHenry parade organizers is to see which ones would make the cut in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade and which would not.

Today we take a look at the Republican contingent, which, from the photos, appears to have been a lot larger than the one fielded by the Democrats. Of course, that may be a misperception, because because Republican parade walker recruiter John O’Neill shared his photos with me.

District 3 McHenry County Board member Nick Provenzano’s sign wouldn’t make the cut in Algonquin’s parade. It says, “Re-elect.” He’s have to tape over the “Re-elect” or cut it off to use it there. But, since he doesn’t represent any part of the Algonquin area, no big deal.

District 3 McHenry County Board candidate Mary Donneer may have had a sign stuck to this beautiful red car, but the picture doesn’t say whether it uses the word “re-elect.”

District 4’s Sandra Salgado plays up her incumbency on the door sign on here yellow Wrangler.

Salgado could get in the Founders Day Parade with this, but, like Provenzano, she has no constituents down there. She is the only incumbent Republican office holder that John O’Neill got a photo of walking.

The photo O’Neill took does not provide conclusive evidence, but John Hammerand, District 4 county board member’s sign on the side of the convertible appears to identify him as a county board member, not as a candidate for re-election.

No way to tell if the sign presumably on the side of this splendid old Cadillac carrying McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi says he is a candidate, but the tee shirt on the supporter doesn’t say anything about the election.

Can’t tell for sure, but Sheriff Keith Nygren’s entry appears to be a county owned vehicle. No electioneering there the Algonquin rule would prohibit.

Next come two ladies wearing “Energized Republican” tee shirts. On the left is McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz. McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer is on the right.

Tomorrow: More Republicans at the Fiesta Days Parade.

Below you can read the latest email from Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck seeking volunteers to walk with the big elephant in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade Saturday.

This morning I received a similar email from the Democrats. It’s from
Laura Asbury, the Field Director for Citizens for Cynor. Here is what it says:

“Dear Friends and Volunteers:

“I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the current status of our involvement in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade.

“As you are aware, Citizens for Cynor was denied an opportunity to participate in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The application denial was based upon an unwritten and previously unenforced committee rule. Furthermore, the local Democratic Party was notified that all other Democratic Candidates were prohibited from participating in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade by e-mail from Chairman Alan P. Kirk (full text printed below).

“Since submitting a press release on the details of the denial there has been some position changes by Mr. Kirk. In a phone conference with Tim Kane, reporter for the Northwest Herald, Mr. Kirk attempted to clarify the language in his e-mail to the party. Mr. Kirk now takes the position that he committed a ‘typo’ when he wrote, ‘Please understand that you cannot have any candidates in the parade.’ It yet remains unclear what Mr. Kirk intended. We do, however, appreciate Mr. Kane’s efforts in trying to understand Mr. Kirk’s e-mail and subsequent retraction.

“For many years various Democratic Candidates and the local Democratic Party have enjoyed the privilege of participating in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The Algonquin Parade Committee is to be commended for a great job consistently putting together a grade A event. It is no wonder businesses, community groups and politicians wish to participate and everybody loves to watch. It really is an event which should not be missed.

“Accordingly, the campaign is encouraging all volunteers and interested parties to attend the parade and march with the local Democratic Party (http://www.mchenrydems.com). If you don’t already have a ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirt please contact the local party prior to the parade.

“We will see you all on Saturday. Before line up, stop by and say hi to our candidate, Tom. He’ll be one of the guys with the blue, ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirts on. And while you’re out at the parade please make sure to stop by and thank Republican Party Chairman, Mike Tryon, for supporting our efforts to be included in the event. If you don’t know Mike, he will be easy to spot. He’ll be wearing his brand new campaign shirt.

“Thanks for all your time, efforts and support.

“Sincerely,

“Laura Asbury, Citizens for Cynor Field Director”

One minor correction to what is stated in the email. As I pointed out Monday when McHenry County Blog broke this story, in 1992 when I was emerging from my 12 year remission from running for elective office, I was prohibited from being in the parade. While parade organizers apparently allowed McHenry County Democrats to promote candidates in 2004 and 2006, there certainly is a long-standing tradition against that practice.

= = = = =
The photo, supplied by Ashbury, shows candidates wearing campaign shirts in Algonquin in 2006. She wrote me that she is “in the picture, behind one group of hundreds of balloons I assisted in blowing up that day.”

The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Below you can read the latest email from Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck seeking volunteers to walk with the big elephant in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade Saturday.

This morning I received a similar email from the Democrats. It’s from
Laura Asbury, the Field Director for Citizens for Cynor. Here is what it says:

“Dear Friends and Volunteers:

“I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the current status of our involvement in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade.

“As you are aware, Citizens for Cynor was denied an opportunity to participate in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The application denial was based upon an unwritten and previously unenforced committee rule. Furthermore, the local Democratic Party was notified that all other Democratic Candidates were prohibited from participating in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade by e-mail from Chairman Alan P. Kirk (full text printed below).

“Since submitting a press release on the details of the denial there has been some position changes by Mr. Kirk. In a phone conference with Tim Kane, reporter for the Northwest Herald, Mr. Kirk attempted to clarify the language in his e-mail to the party. Mr. Kirk now takes the position that he committed a ‘typo’ when he wrote, ‘Please understand that you cannot have any candidates in the parade.’ It yet remains unclear what Mr. Kirk intended. We do, however, appreciate Mr. Kane’s efforts in trying to understand Mr. Kirk’s e-mail and subsequent retraction.

“For many years various Democratic Candidates and the local Democratic Party have enjoyed the privilege of participating in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The Algonquin Parade Committee is to be commended for a great job consistently putting together a grade A event. It is no wonder businesses, community groups and politicians wish to participate and everybody loves to watch. It really is an event which should not be missed.

“Accordingly, the campaign is encouraging all volunteers and interested parties to attend the parade and march with the local Democratic Party (http://www.mchenrydems.com). If you don’t already have a ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirt please contact the local party prior to the parade.

“We will see you all on Saturday. Before line up, stop by and say hi to our candidate, Tom. He’ll be one of the guys with the blue, ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirts on. And while you’re out at the parade please make sure to stop by and thank Republican Party Chairman, Mike Tryon, for supporting our efforts to be included in the event. If you don’t know Mike, he will be easy to spot. He’ll be wearing his brand new campaign shirt.

“Thanks for all your time, efforts and support.

“Sincerely,

“Laura Asbury, Citizens for Cynor Field Director”

One minor correction to what is stated in the email. As I pointed out Monday when McHenry County Blog broke this story, in 1992 when I was emerging from my 12 year remission from running for elective office, I was prohibited from being in the parade. While parade organizers apparently allowed McHenry County Democrats to promote candidates in 2004 and 2006, there certainly is a long-standing tradition against that practice.

= = = = =
The photo, supplied by Ashbury, shows candidates wearing campaign shirts in Algonquin in 2006. She wrote me that she is “in the picture, behind one group of hundreds of balloons I assisted in blowing up that day.”

The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Algonquin Township Republicans seem to be preparing to rub incumbency in the noses of McHenry County Democrats.

The Algonquin Founders Day Parade folks have this interesting, but long-standing rule saying that candidates campaign be in the parade.

The organizers don’t want it be political, don’t you know?

I wrote about that two days ago. (I did manage to circumvent the rule, by the way, and, after the parade I may reveal how.)

From this photo provided by McHenry County Democrats, the rule was apparently not enforced in 2006.

Here is a second email from Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck. Compare it with her first and see if you can see the shift in emphasis.

Good Morning,

Just in case you have not caught the article in today’s NW Herald, we will be walking on Saturday in the Founder’s Days parade on behalf of our local, state and national Elected Officials. Please don’t wear your Energized Republican shirt – all of the elected officials have shirts and a proper one will be available to you!

We will be meeting at St. Margaret Mary school (formerly Eastgate) around 10:00. If you want to park in town or at Port Eds, it will probably be easier for you to get back to your car after the parade is complete. Step off is at 11:00 and all Elected Officials are welcoming walkers!

Then, at 2:00 PM, please join McHenry County Central Committee for a Bar-B-Que as we officially open our new campaign headquarters on Northwest Highway across the street from Target. Many elected officials and dignitaries will be on hand to help us celebrate and your presence is most requested!

If you have a chance to check out the aforementioned article on line, quite a stir and some enjoyable reading!!

Thanks and see you Saturday –

Karla

The sign for McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, seen here in McHenry’s Fiesta Days Parade last weekend, ought to make the cut in Algonquin. It doesn’t say, “Elect,” anywhere.

CORRECTION; A friend of the blog with better eyes than I called to say the Bianchi sign has “RE-ELECT” on it. So, I guess that will have to be covered up to meet Algonquin’s rules.

Algonquin Township Republicans seem to be preparing to rub incumbency in the noses of McHenry County Democrats.

The Algonquin Founders Day Parade folks have this interesting, but long-standing rule saying that candidates campaign be in the parade.

The organizers don’t want it be political, don’t you know?

I wrote about that two days ago. (I did manage to circumvent the rule, by the way, and, after the parade I may reveal how.)

From this photo provided by McHenry County Democrats, the rule was apparently not enforced in 2006.

Here is a second email from Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck. Compare it with her first and see if you can see the shift in emphasis.

Good Morning,

Just in case you have not caught the article in today’s NW Herald, we will be walking on Saturday in the Founder’s Days parade on behalf of our local, state and national Elected Officials. Please don’t wear your Energized Republican shirt – all of the elected officials have shirts and a proper one will be available to you!

We will be meeting at St. Margaret Mary school (formerly Eastgate) around 10:00. If you want to park in town or at Port Eds, it will probably be easier for you to get back to your car after the parade is complete. Step off is at 11:00 and all Elected Officials are welcoming walkers!

Then, at 2:00 PM, please join McHenry County Central Committee for a Bar-B-Que as we officially open our new campaign headquarters on Northwest Highway across the street from Target. Many elected officials and dignitaries will be on hand to help us celebrate and your presence is most requested!

If you have a chance to check out the aforementioned article on line, quite a stir and some enjoyable reading!!

Thanks and see you Saturday –

Karla

The sign for McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, seen here in McHenry’s Fiesta Days Parade last weekend, ought to make the cut in Algonquin. It doesn’t say, “Elect,” anywhere.

CORRECTION; A friend of the blog with better eyes than I called to say the Bianchi sign has “RE-ELECT” on it. So, I guess that will have to be covered up to meet Algonquin’s rules.