A press release from East Dundee Village Trustee Alken Skillicorn:
Keynote Speaker – Senator Steve Rauschenberger
$30 Suggested donation
$50 Sponsors
Pay at the door or mail checks to:
245 Dunridge Circle
East Dundee, IL 60118 (Rt 68 & Rt 72)
RSVP to allen@allenskillicorn.com or 847-417-5611
Just not having enough processing time for the articles I want to write.
Today, let’s play catchup with the Monday McHenry County Republican Central Committee fund raiser at Port Edward in Algonquin.
I didn’t wonder around too much, but I did get a couple of photos of Republican activists.
Arriving early was McHenry County Sheriff’s candidate Jim Harrison and his wife Carolyn. They were sitting with Algonquin Township Trustee Lowell Cutsforth and Tony Cundiff.
Jim Harrison and his wife Carolyn were sitting at the table next to mine with Algonquin Township Trustee Lowell Cutsforth and retired Sheriff’s Department employee Tony Cundiff.
Then along came another Sheriff’s candidate, Bill Prim, with his campaign manager Matt McNamara.
Bill Prim and Matt McNamara were caught in my next shot greeting the Jim Harrison table.
And, since the third aspirant to succeed Sheriff, Andy Zinke, was in attendance, too, this, let me show you the shot I got of him and Prim against the back wall of Port Edward.
Standing along the back wall of Port Edward are Andy Zinke, Gary Lang, Matt McNamara and Bill Prim.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi made the rounds greeting people.
State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi greets Karla Dobbick. In the foreground is Demetrios Tsilimigras, head of the Misdemeanor Division of the State’s Attorney’s Office.
All sorts of County Board candidates were in attendance. I am sure I can’t list them all, if you know someone not mentioned, put it in a comment and I’ll add him or her. I saw Nick Provenzano.
From left to right are Diane Evertsen, Ersel Schuster, East Dundee Village Trustee Alan Skillicorn and Carolyn Schofield. The empty seat was occupied by Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore, who was off getting food at Port Edward’s buffet.
McHenry County Republican Chairman Mike Tryon sits with Crystal Lake Precinct Committeeman Joe Stecker in this panoramic view of Port Edward and the Fox River. (If you see anyone else you recognize, share their names in the comment section. Click to enlarge.)
The speaker for the evening was the Republican State Representative candidate for eastern Algonquin. [Algonquin was split into two districts by the Illinois Democrats. Mike Tryon will represent the western part.]
As usually, David McSweeney worked the tables well. McHenry’s Phil Bartman is on the left
The Congressman who represents Algonquin Township, Peter Roskam, was not in attendance, but Randy Hultgren, the Republican Congressman who is running in the rest of McHenry County was.
Congressman Randy Hultgren and Regional Superintendent of Education Leslie Schermerhorn talk with State Rep. Mike Tryon.
The event started at 5 and was crowded, every table filled in the buffet room. This is what it looked like at 7 when I left.
Let me add that there were plenty of Grafton Township candidates. Besides Supervisor Linda Moore, mentioned above in a cut line, there was Supervisor candidate Marty Waitzman. The only candidate not in attendance was Pam Fender. Road Commissioner candidate Tom Poznanski and Assessor candidate Al Zielinski helped the GOP raise money for the fall campaign.
A press release from the McHenry County Republican Party:
CRYSTAL LAKE…..The Republican Party of McHenry County will host a presidential debate-watch party this week on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Cottage in Crystal Lake.
Mitt Romney supporters are invited to gather at the Cottage from 7:00 until 10:00 pm on Wednesday night, as Governor Romney faces off in his first debate against Barack Obama this election season.
“This should be a lively debate and watching it together as a group will make the evening even more enjoyable,” said McHenry County GOP Chairman Mike Tryon.
“We’ll have a limited number of Romney yard signs and bumper stickers for those who attend.”
Pizza will be provided free of charge, courtesy of Tryon and Illinois Senate Candidate for District 33 Karen McConnaughay. A cash bar will also be available.
The Cottage is located at 6 East Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake.
The McHenry County GOP office is always looking for enthusiastic Republican volunteers. Those interested volunteering should contact the campaign office at (815) 444-1910.
And a notice from Allen Skillicorn about a similar gathering in East Dundee:
Watching Party at Emmett’s Tavern. Meet and network with fellow Republicans and get your Romney yard sign.
(Appetizers and soft-drinks will be served at no charge, cash bar available.)
Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 7:30PM‐9:30PM
Emmett’s Tavern & Brewing Co.
128 West Main Street
West Dundee, IL 60118
RSVP to allen@allenskillicorn.com
or 847-417-5611.
The details of Tea Party activist Allen Skillicorn’s fundraiser for Congressman Joe Walsh appear below:
The fund raising event will be held Sunday, August 19th, in East Dundee. Click to enlarge.
The event will be held Sunday, August 19th, from 7-8:30 at 245 Dunridge Circle in East Dundee.
The price is $30.
A press release from East Dundee Township Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn
East Dundee News Update
Allen Skillicorn
Spring and summer are here and I wanted to give you an update about what is happening in East Dundee. The East Dundee portion of property tax bills actually went down slightly this year for residents. Even though my fellow trustees rejected my “Freeze The Levy” plan to provided more tax relief, they did compromise by hiking the levy a smaller amount than originally planned. I will continue pushing my “Freeze The Levy” plan to help all property owners during these tough economic times.
River Haven Subdivision
Construction of the Senior and Veteran Housing will begin this summer in the field just north of River Haven, where Dominick’s once was. The additional residents in that location should help us attract the full-service grocery store we desperately need.
Saturn Building
A large used car franchise, J.D. Byrider, has bought the vacant Saturn dealership. Renovation will begin this summer and they plan on hiring 25 employees.
Downtown along Rt. 72
Two new businesses are moving into the downtown area. Made to Measure, a quality control engineering firm has purchased and is renovating the vacant brick building at 302 E. Main. The building originally was built as a Buick dealership almost 80 years ago. Directly across River Street, Van’s Frozen Custard is moving in. Both buildings are trying to preserve historically accurate, yet current architecture.
Electrical Aggregation
Unless you opt out of aggregation, most homeowners should see a couple hundred dollars of savings over the next 12 months. Electricity and billing still comes from ComEd, the only difference will be slightly lower electricity bills. Homeowners will be automatically enrolled, so you don’t need to do anything to sign up.
New Drinking Water Treatment Plant
As you read this, the new lightly-softened village water system should be online. Our new water treatment plant offers better quality water than the previous well and system. Areas with older pipes and infrastructure will see additional cloudiness until the entire system is flushed clear. Feel free to contact me or the water department for more details.
I want to publicly thank the Robert Skurla and Doug Bergren of the Economic Development team for their hard work and accomplishments. I also need to thank Water Superintendent Tim Wilson for successfully implementing the water system.
Feel free to contact me directly at 847-417-5611 or allen@allenskillicorn.com.
After attending State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay’s event in Lakewood, it seemed appropriate to see what was up at her opponent’s pizza affair in Lake in the Hills.
The table where Cliff Surges' Campaign Treasurer took the $25 price of admission.
While McConnaughay’s was a freebee, Cliff Surges’s affair cost $25. When I got to the entry table, Surges recognized me and let me in free.
The fundraising room was crowded.
The place was packed, with some seeking a place for a quiet conversation in an overflow room.
The only elected official I found from McHenry County was Cary Village Trustee Bruce Kaplan. He is seen standing pretty much in the center of this photo.
While McConnaughay’s affair had numerous locally-elected officials, the only one I saw at Surges was Cary Village Trustee Bruce Kaplan and Cary is not in the district. Of course, his opponent had folks at her affair who live out of her district.
Cliff Surges worked the tables, here talking with Frank Muzzalupo
After an introduction by his campaign manager Scott Webb, the Northern Illinois campaign coordinator for Peter Fitzgerald’s U.S. Senate campaign, Surges test marketed a new talk.
Cliff Surges' campaign manager Scott Webb.
Surges really was pretty good.
Cliff Surges delivered a high energy speech.
Surges revealed to us non-Kane County folks that there is a slate that has developed down there.
Kane County Circuit Clerk candidate Tom Hartwell (far right in photo) listens to Cliff Surges speak.
Kane County Campaign signs at Cliff Surges fund raiser.
Surges is aligned with
and perhaps others I missed.
The main event was a speech by Adam Andrzejewski.
Andrzejewski ran in the GOP primary for Governor in 2010 and has been on a transparency campaign since then.
Adam Andrzejewski energizes Cliff Surges' supporters.
His organization, For the Good of Illinois, has posted salary information for all sorts of public employees.
Andrzejewski said that Surges was “taking on the entire failed political class in Kane County.
“The Illinois political class still doesn’t understand the political crisis,” he continued.
Former Director of Development Phil Bus came in for comment.
Andrezejewski said that McConnaughay raised his salary over 60% in six years, retired, took a good pension and then was put on as a consultant.
He said that the man’s wife and brother made multi-thousand dollar contributions to McConnaughay.
Andrzejewski railed against
“His opponent has an unlimited access to tainted money.
“There’s not one person in this room that has a county contract.”
Adam Andrzejewski and East Dundee Trustee Allen Skillicorn had a chat after the event.
= = = = =
The event was full of people who seemed likely to campaign actively, including one 18-year old Surges had coached. He registered to vote in order to be able to vote for Surges.
The McHenry County Board failed to break with the “increase the tax take as much as possible” crowd, but they came close.
Barb Wheeler made the motion to remove the CPI and Nick Provenzano seconded it. Wheeler is a candidate for State Representative and Provenzano is running for re-election. Both are from District 3, where a hot primary for County Board is shaping up.
There was an 11-11 vote on the motion to prevent county government from grabbing as many property tax dollars as the Real Estate Tax Cap law allows.
A tie vote loses.
I explained what was to be presented to the County Board in this article two weeks ago:
No Financial Diet for McHenry County Next Year + The Tax Levy Game
It was a levy intended to maximize the tax take for county government.
If the levy for year two exceeds the extension year one by the percentage amount allowed under PTELL (the initials of the Tax Cap law), then taxes will go up the maximum amount allowed.
The extension is the amount allowed to be collected, that is, the amount billed by the County Treasurer.
After an attempt by half of the Board to keep county taxes from increasing, a second vote passed the “take all you can get” levy by a vote of 15-7.
Kevin Craver’s article in the Northwest Herald tells details, but the most telling observation was made by Crystal Lake’s Donna Kurtz. The story puts it this way:
“…the hole created by inflation would increase over time and hamper the county’s ability to handle unforeseen expenses and state funding shortfalls.”
That, of course, is the line and attitude of those who believe that government must take as much as it can out of our pockets.
Somehow, I don’t think the ordinary taxpayers with a couple of empty houses on their blocks would agree with that logic.
The new McHenry County Board district lines can be seen in this map.
There was a motion to eliminate the 1.5% tax hike, but it failed 11-11.
Listed in the order in which their names were called, those in favor of limiting county government’s budget growth follow:
The map for 2012 County Board District 2, where all members voted to increase taxes. Scott Breeden is retiring and Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Carolyn Schoefield has announced her candidacy.
Those voting against cutting the budget were
Note that one Democrat (Yensen) voted against increasing taxes, while the other (Schmidt) stuck to the traditional position of her party and voted to maximize tax income. That mitigates against a county wide campaign by Democrats next year in which they position themselves as being on the side of the taxpayers.
There was a second vote taken in which the levy was passed as presented.
Nevertheless, almost half of the County Board members opened themselves up to primary or general election challenges about their being on the taxpayers’ side. (Two were absent.)
On a parochial note, no District 2 members voted against increasing taxes. Perhaps not coincidentally, District 2 has only four candidates for four County Board openings. Finance Committee Chairman Scott Breeden is retiring.
In the most rural district and the one with most candidates running, two incumbents voted with taxpayers–Evertsen and Schuster–while one (McCann) voted to hike taxes.
County Board Chairman Ken Koehler got his budget. The woman who ran against him for Chairman, Barb Wheeler, now a candidate for State Representative, led the fight to keep taxes from being hiked. She is seen here in a meeting that led to the defeat of video poker (slot machines) in unincorporated McHenry County. Koehler supported allowing the gaming devices.
In District 5, voting “No” besides the lone Democrat Yensen was Republican Hill. The other incumbent, Jung, who was beaten by Yensen in 2008 voted to hike taxes. Jung ran ahead of Hill in the last election, when Jung defeated Democrat Jim Kennedy, who is running again.
The following 15 members voted in favor:
In a related effort Tea Party East Dundee Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn could find only one person (Jeff Lynam) to vote with him on not increasing the village’s levy.
A press release from Congressman Joe Walsh. If you wish to read the entire pleading, you can find it here.
Rep. Walsh on Latest Development in Court Case
“Yesterday’s pleading proves that I have been a loving, supportive, involved Dad from the beginning”
Joe Walsh listens to Randy Hultgren campaign manager Joe Calomino at the Nunda Township GOP meeting Monday. To the left is Jim Bishop. To the right is Alan Skillikorn. Joe Wheeler is seen in the foreground.
WASHINGTON – Yesterday as he has promised to do from the start, Congressman Walsh continued to fight, through the legal system, the untrue allegations by his ex-wife Laura Walsh.
Mr. Walsh filed his pleading along with substantial evidence that for the first time allowed him to submit the full and true story regarding the care of his children.
The key points in the plea are:
“I don’t know why my ex-wife filed this complaint last December, three weeks after I was elected a U.S. Congressman.
“I don’t know why she and her lawyers knowingly filed a complaint with outright untrue allegations and claims.
“I don’t know why they have gone public and politicized this conflict.
“I do know that I won’t engage this case in the media, I won’t do that to my children and I won’t do that to the mother of my children.
“Throughout our marriage and after our divorce, my ex wife and I have both done our best to be loving supportive parents to all three of our children.
“As much as I have tried to sit down with her and work things out these past nine months, I still do not understand why she has decided to take this public route.
“Her actions though have left me no choice but to defend myself through the court system.
“While I have tried to avoid discussing this case with the press, it is clear that the media are now fixated on this case, and are willing to report on her allegations as though they are true.
“Now that I have submitted my pleading which is backed up by substantial evidence, I can only hope that the press will report on the facts with the same vigor they were willing to report on uncorroborated allegations.
“I have unfairly endured two months of media ridicule as a “\’deadbeat dad.’
“My children have had to endure this as well. Yesterday’s pleading proves this charge is unfounded and shows that I have been a loving, supportive, involved Dad from the beginning.
“I understand that politics is a rough business and I have been an outspoken member of Congress who has clearly become a target.
“But to lie about me, especially my worth as a Father just isn’t right and I won’t put up with it.”
Mr. Walsh filed his pleading yesterday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
OK. You got me.
It’s July 3rd.
The Color Guard weren't up front in the 2011 Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade, but it will be in this article.
And it wasn’t sweltering hot. I found the shade most of the hour and a half 90-something entry parade.
The biggest political entry was Congressman Joe Walsh’s.
He followed Congressman Don Manzullo and his wife Freda, who rode in a convertible.
Nineteen year Congressman Don Manzullo rode with his wife Freda in Crystal Lake's 4th of July Parade. Under the Democratic Party's map, Manzullo will represent none of McHenry County after the 2012 elections.
Between them was McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren. If one did not recognize the Sheriff, one would not have known that he was in the parade.
Sheriff Keith Nygren drove a squad car in Crystal Lake's Independence Day Parade. His wife Marge was riding in the passenger seat and a youngster was waving from the read window.
Last year at parades there were Sheriff’s Department motorcyclists, a snow mobile, a community service vehicle, plus a convertible with identification signs on the sides in which the Sheriff rode.
Would someone familiar wth law enforcement patches tell us in the comments whether this is a photo of a Sheriff's Deputy?
There was an unmarked gray car that followed with a female officer. I’m not familiar enough with the patch she wore to know if she’s a Sheriff’s Deputy.
Fire engines thrilled the kids lining the parade route.
Can’t do a story without mentioning the Grand Marshall. After all she is the mother of McHenry County Board member Jim Heisler and Nunda Township Supervisor John Heisler.
Chemtool President Jim Athans drives Grand Marshall Dorothy Heisler in his splendid convertible.
Next came the Crystal Lake Lions huge flag. I only wish I had had a higher vantage point.
The Crystal Lake Lions gigantic Americal Flag.
JA Frate’s Fallen Heroes semi-trailer paid appropriate honor to those who have defended our freedom.
Crystal Lake's JA Frate's Fallen Heroes trailer was in Crystal Lake's Indendence Day Parade after the huge Lions Club flag.
Then the banner of Congressman Joe Walsh came down the hill.
This banner announced that Congressman Joe Walsh was on the way.
A man with a bull horn said patriotic things.
There were lots of sounds during the parade, but all were musical except the words of this Joe Walsh supporter.
Next came Congressman Walsh. He was greeting people along the parade route, the only politician besides McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi to do so.
Although he represents very few constituents with a Crystal Lake zip code, Congressman Joe Walsh enjoyed good face recognition...probably because of his numerous appearance on national television appearances where a "Tea Party" Republican was desired.
What you see below was not an isolated occurrence. A number of people made the effort to reach out to Congressman Walsh.
Here is another man who reached out to Joe Walsh once he recognized him. Walsh was wearing nothing to identify himself.
Parents seemed please that Walsh did not ignore the future voters.
Joe Walsh was giving high fives to kids along the route, although i didn't manage to get a shot of that.
These girls were marching in time with the music from Joe Walsh's float.
These girls were marching to the beat blaring from the loud speaker on Joe Walsh's vehicle.
Marching music was playing from Joe Walsh’s parade vehicle and a line of girls were marching to its beat.
Walsh saw them and stepped over to clap in time with them.
The Congressman who has had his 8th District reapportioned out from under him did not ignore the ladies of voting age.
Joe Walsh was not just greeting men during Crystal Lake's 2011 Independence Day Parade.
Some women were as enthusiastic to see him as the men above.
Enthusiasm radiated from this woman's greeting of Joe Walsh.
A blue-shirted lady nearby was not to be outdone. She also grasped Walsh’s hands and told him something.
The energetic Congressman Joe Walsh continued being greeted enthusiastically as the parade continued.
Walsh was not the only member of the family greeting voters.
His wife Helene was pressing the flesh, too.
Joe Walsh's wife Helene made contact with this flag-bedecked woman.Did she want a picture with him? No, she wanted a word with one of 435 United States Representatives.
The truck from which the sound was coming contained that part of a mariachi band that needed a stable platform.
The Ranchitos mariachi band that Congressman Joe Walsh hired appealed not only to those with connections to Mexico lining Dole Avenue, but also to the very Anglo guy taking pictures.
Ever since I heard my first mariachi band in the 1960′s, I always wished I had enough money to hire them for parades. He hired the Ranchitos. I hope he does it for every parade.
You can see Ranchitos band members are wearing Joe Walsh tee shirts and the drummer is surrounded by American flags. Feel free to comment on what message that Walsh is trying to convey in the comment section below.
Nick Sauer, was marching with Congressman Joe Walsh in the first political event since Kent Gaffney was appointed to take State Rep. Mark Beaubien's seat in the Illinois General Assembly. Sauer was reportedly the choice of Lake County Chairman Bob Cook, who was outvoted by McHenry County GOP Chairman Mike Tryona and newly-appointed Barrington Township Committeeman Gene Dawson.
But that wasn’t all I noticed in the Joe Walsh contingent.
One of the rejected applicants to replace State Rep. Mark Beaubien, Nick Sauer, introduced himself. Since I didn’t have a picture of him, you can bet I pushed the button.
The Barrington School Board member was waving an American Flag at the end of the Walsh group.
Repubiican Precinct Committeeman Mike Shorten
I also spotted past Crystal Lake City Council candidate Mike Shorten. He is now a Nunda Township precinct committeeman.
The next political entry was a bicycle ridden by a man displaying signs for McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz. (She tells me she and her mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz, were in the parade, but my eyes must have been elsewhere.)
A supporter of McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz gave her some name identification.
The only County Board member I saw at the parade was Nunda Township’s District 3 member Mary Donner.
McHenry County Board member Mary Donner waves to the crowd on the other side of the street.
Looking very much as if he will be a candidate in the 2012 elections was McHenry County State’s attorney Lou Bianchi.
McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi worked the Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade.
The political entry was the PTLAG contingent.
The banner of the Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
The acronym is short for “Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.” The group is a member of the coalition that convinced the Illinois General Assembly to enact the civil union legislation that took effect June 1st.
The next political group was the Jesse White Tumblers.
The van for the Jesse White Tumblers bears the Secretary of State's name.
Before you get all bent out of shape, do remember that Secretary of State Jesse White did accompany his tumblers in one 4th of July Parade.
With the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake as his backdrop, a senior member of the Jesse White Tumblers soars through the air.
Coming near the end of the parade were the McHenry County Young Republicans.
The banner of the McHenry County Young Republicans was next. The man who challenged Democrat Jack Franks in 2010, John O'Neill, can be seen to the right of the banner.
McHenry County State Rep. and GOP Chairman Mike Tryon walked with the Young Republicans.
State Rep. Mike Tryon was in the parade.
West Dundee Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn.
While State Rep. Mike Tryon marched with the Young Republicans, I didn’t see State Sen. Pam Althoff.
If newly picked State Rep. Kent Gaffney was in the contingent, I did not recognize him.
His new district will contain more votes in McHenry County than anywhere else. About a third of Crystal Lake is in it.
A surprise addition was West Dundee Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn.
As I look at the contents of the photos, I see a delightful tee shirt.
It says,
“Honk if you hate red light cameras.“
Click to enlarge this photo and you will see a tee shirt that says, "Honk if you hate red light cameras."
That is relevant to McHenry County because Democrat Jack Franks was one of the sponsors of the bill to legalize this form of highway robbery.
And, although it has no political implications, the South Shore Drill Team brought up the rear of the parade.
Look at the smile on this flag waving team member.
The team was worth waiting for.
Almost forgot Crystal Lake’s politicians.
Mayor Aaron Shepley was not present, but City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was.
City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas.
So were two of the three women on the City Council, Ellen Brady Mueller and Cathy Ferguson.
City Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller was one of the first parade entries. I asked her if she was going to run for County Board. She seemed to be thinking about it.
Council member Cathy Ferguson was waving to the crowd.
And, finally, Councilman Ralph Dawson was seated comfortably in the back of a pickup truck.
Council Ralph Dawson sits in the back. Although I see a sign with Jeff Thorsen's name on it, I didn't catch sight of him.
Virtually unknown is that the McHenry County Clerk's Office applies the law to determine how much each tax district can bill real estate owners. This sign is in front of the McHenry County Treasurer's Office.
A comment from Allen Skillicorn to my article on the Sun City overlapping tax district inequities prompted an explanation of how tax rates are set by county clerks.
Here is Skillicorn’s comment:
With a 1 yr average, I assume the McHenry County portion has lower accessed values right now. How much different is the levy though? Kane County is not known for it’s thrifty ways…
In my opinion the levy is more important than the assessment. Lower the levy, and our bills go down. Raise the levy and bills go up, regardless of values.
Here’s my reply:
There are maximum tax rates set by statute.
However, since the Tax Cap was instituted in the early 1990′s, property values have almost always been higher than the increase in the cost of living. In order to limit the tax take, which is set by the county clerk’s tax extension, that meant the tax rate had to go down.
Some will remember the annual tooting of horns by local municipalities and school districts about how they had lowered their tax rate. It meant nothing, but most young reporters have only a vague understanding of how the property tax works.
Now, with the CPI increasing more than property values, which, as all know, have been decreasing, county clerks have to increase the tax rates in order to give tax districts who over levy the maximum allowed under the Tax Cap.
When a tax district reaches a tax rate that is the maximum allowed by law, that tax district will not be able to get an increase in tax take equal to the increase in the CPI.
At that point the tax district in question will have to economize as family units do when their income does not increase as much as the rate of inflation.
Then, tax district boards will have to get voter approval to get more money.
Latest Posts
