McHenry County Blog

Last night while I was at the marathon Prairie Grove Elementary School Board meeting, Democratic County Board member Paula Yensen called to tell me why she had missed the Public Health & Human Services Committee meeting.

Sometime after 1 AM, I emailed her asking her what the inaccuracy was.

Eighteen hours later and I have received no reply.

But I did just read Northwest Herald reporter Kevin Craver’s blog in which he takes an unnamed “other county news sources” to the woodshed.

He writes Yensen had a work conflict, McCann was in the meeting room next door chairing a Finance Committee meeting and Miller was recovering from an auto accident.

Of course, two of the three could have attended by phone, as Hill did at one County Board meeting, and the third could have walked through the partition for the vote.  All she would have needed was someone to tell her when the vote was.  (She could have briefly recessed her meeting and cast her vote.)

Craver implies that the word “boycott” implies “collaboration.”

I’m not sure I buy that, but I’ll admit the word may have been a stretch.

I’ll leave it to readers to decide whether deciding not to vote on Jeff Thorsen’s nomination was justified.

Regardless, take a look at what Craver has to say in his latest post,

Reporter’s Notebook: Mental Health Board showdown

because it beyond whether the missing members were AWOL.

And just because people shouldn’t forget who voted against former McHenry County College Board President Scott Summers’ nomination without saying one single solitary word about why, here’s the list again:

Those opposing the nomination were

• Michele Aavang
• Yvonne Barnes
• Sue Drafkorn
• Joe Gottemoller
• Jim Heisler
• Tina Hill
• John Jung
• Ken Koehler
• Bob Martens
• Mary McCann
• Mary McClellan
• Anna May Miller
• Bob Nowak
• Nick Provenzano
• Ersel Schuster
• Carolyn Schofield
• Mike Skala
• Paula Yensen

In favor were

• Nick Chirikos
• Diane Evertsen
• John Hammerand
• Donna Kurtz
• Sandy Salgado
• Mike Walkup

If you have time, the 708 Board meets at 3:30 Thursday afternoon at its Crystal Lake office.

Chaired by Donna Kurtz a majority of four nominated Crystal Lake City Councilman, banker and holder of an MBA Jeff Thorsen to fill the vacancy on the 708 Mental Health Board.

A vacancy remains because an 18-6 majority vote on the McHenry County Board refused to ratify the nomination of former McHenry County College Board President and 2012 Democratic Party Board candidate Scott Summers for the post.

Voting for Thorsen were Kurtz, John Hammerand, Sandy Salgado and Mike Walkup.

The other three members of the committee–Paula Yensen, Anna May Miller and Mary McCann–boycotted the meeting.

Following the eighteen “No” votes, Chairwoman Tina Hill informed the Board that she would submit her own choice to fill the vacancy.

After the Public Health Committee vote Hill was asked by Mike Walkup whether she would put the nomination on the agenda for the County Board’s May 21st meeting and she said she would not be putting the name up for the County Board’s consideration.

Then Walkup said,

“The Chair promised us in her State of the County speech that this would be a new day.

“Instead she has now plunged us into darkness.

“I suggest that everyone make sure they have extra batteries for their flashlights because it will be a long, dark night.”

John Hammerand asked why anyone should attend committee meetings.

Others considered for the post by the Committee members were

• Danijela Sanberg
• Charles Wheeler
• Catheryn Perfetti
• Cathy Ferguson
• David Barber

After the vote Sandy Salgado said she was not leaving the committee voluntarily. Salgado is employed by Pioneer Center.

Those opposing the nomination were

• Michele Aavang
• Yvonne Barnes
• Sue Drafkorn
• Joe Gottemoller
• Jim Heisler
• Tina Hill
• John Jung
• Ken Koehler
• Bob Martens
• Mary McCann
• Mary McClellan
• Anna May Miller
• Bob Nowak
• Nick Provenzano
• Ersel Schuster
• Carolyn Schofield
• Mike Skala
• Paula Yensen

In favor were

• Nick Chirikos
• Diane Evertsen
• John Hammerand
• Donna Kurtz
• Sandy Salgado
• Mike Walkup

None of the opponents offered a word as to why they were voting against Summers.

Just from examining the agenda that newly-installed Management Services Committee Paula Yensen drafted, one could predict that nothing would come of the Monday morning meeting concerning whether the public should be allowed to vote on whether the Chairman of the McHenry County Board should be elected or not.

And, guess what?

Nothing did.

Parenthetically, let me point out that the previous County Board managed to put something probably more important on the ballot before they left office–a tax hike referendum.

So, the public will get a chance to vote on whether their property taxes are increased in April, but probably not whether they will get an opportunity to vote for the next County Board Chairman in 2014.

While 2014 sounds like it is a long way off, for the current insider system of selection of whose hands control County government to be changed in 2014, it has to be approved in April.

And, there is still a chance such a referendum on the ballot.

(Last day to adopt a resolution or ordinance is Tuesday, January 22nd, advised County Clerk Katherine Schultz.)

Committee member Mike Walkup brought up the topic of a special meeting, which takes one-third of the members to call.

Before that, however, Anna May Miller called for more input.

“I still am 110% in favor of allowing the public to weigh in on the subject,” but she said she though more time was needed for citizen comment, e.g., “different focus groups,” including “McCog for municipal perspective.”

“I don’t understand the need for speed on this issue,” she said, pointing out that under 20% of citizens would probably vote in April.

There was discussion of two options, one for a two-year term in which the County Board Chairman candidate would also have to be nominated as a district board candidate.  The other was a four-year term in which the Chairman would not have a vote on the County Board.

Non-member Nick Provenzano was allowed to address the Committee twice.

The first time, he contended County Board candidates “kind of made a grand bargain with the voters” by opposing Democrat State Rep. Jack Franks’ County Executive referendum.

“It was always assumed that we’d follow up immediately.

“I think it’s absolutely a bargain we should fulfill at the next election cycle.

“The decision was to get that to the voters as soon as possible,” he contended.

There was disagreement with that interpretation from member Ersel Schuster, who preferred limiting County Board Chairmen to two terms.

While she said she was “always for the electors being allowed to vote”… she was “totally comfortable with the existing process.

In December, Schuster ran for Chairman, along with Ken Koehler and Tina Hill.  Hill won.

Mike Skala, at his first Committee meeting, told of being told people “wanted change” and “wanted some turnover, fresh ideas, fresh perspectives” when he went door-to-door.

“I’m personally not in favor of it. I think what we have does work,” he said.

“I agree they the voters should need (an opportunity to vote on the issue.)  I don’t think it should be rushed to judgment.”

Anna May Miller suggested that “accountability” of the  Chairman was “the only issue that resonates with the public.”

“We’re trying to do this very quickly,” he said.

“Act in haste, repent in leisure.”

“That’s really right on,” Donna Kurtz interjected.  “It goes back to the problem we’re trying to solve.  The problem is how do I make government more responsive, how do I make it more honest?

“I better dam well sure be sure I’m not making the problem worse.”

But, if I understood her context correctly, Kurtz, referring to the at-large election of the Chairman, said, “Many of us wanted to do that on Day 1 when we took office.”

Advanced earlier by Schuster as a means of making the Board Chairman more accountable was the proposal of putting term limits in the Board Rules.

Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Kelly explained twice that doing so would subject the County to litigation. from not only an office holder who might want to exceed the term limit, but also from voters whose rights to see the person they wanted in office would be curtailed.

Kelly pointed out that neither the State Constitution nor current Illinois law allowed for such term limits for County Board Chairmen.

“Out concern is litigation,” she said.

Skala, who has chaired many a meeting while he was President of the Huntley District 158 School Board, pointed out,

“The way I’m reading the agenda, we couldn’t pass anything even if we wanted to.”

He then pointed out that “it comes down [to] if we have people that want to have a special board meeting to do it.”

Walkup, who carried the ball on the side of having an April referendum, said he though people out to be put on record.

Provenzano took the floor again, saying,

“The fact that you had no resolution on the agenda doomed this proposal.

“The only way to do that is a special election.

“We’ve talked about it for two years.

“There have been numerous public hearings.

“There’s been plenty of opportunity [for input].

“We do have all the answers; some just don’t understand [them].

“We have a four-year term.  Put it on the ballot.

“Let the County Board members vote on it.”

“It’s not something where you just toss a coin and it’s heads or tails,” Kurtz replied. “We could paint ourselves into a very dangerous situation. We could potentially create far worse problems than we have now.”

Closing the debate was non-member, newly-elected Nick Chirikos:

“I respectfully disagree with Mr. Provenzano. Fully a third of this board is new [and] haven’t had the opportunity to weigh in on this subject.”

Discussion also covered the monetary requirements to finance a countywide campaign for Board Chairman.

“I agree with some who have said [candidates would be ]self-funding millionaire or millionaire backing or special interest [financing, such as] developers,” Walkup said.

Newly-elected McHenry County Board Chairman attended about three-fourths of the discussion.

The McHenry County Board’s Committee on Committees met today and made the following recommendations for committee assignments and chairmanships and vice chairmanships. Click to enlarge either image.

Recommendations for other Board assignments follow:

Can you spot any changes from the first meeting’s lineup, which is below, except for the recommended committee chairmen, which you can find here.

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I got some more details on the meeting that I’d like to share with you:

Present at the Committee meeting were Tina Hill, Donna Kurtz, Mary McCann, Anna May Miller, Paula Yensen, Sue Draffkorn, Mary McClellan.

Audience members were Nick Provenzano, Ken Koehler, Charles Eldridge, Ersel Schuster,Diane Evertsen, Jim Heisler, Jana Blake (State’s Attorney’s Office) & 1 other male department head whose name escapes me at this time.

During discussion by committee members, assignment changes were made naming Sandy Salgado as chairman of Human

Resources and Mary McClellan was moved to Vice Chair; Sue Draffkorn volunteered to serve strictly as a member.

Management Services Vice Chair position was discussed, first considering Schuster as Vice Chair but settling on Hammerand.

Planning and Development Committee Chairmanship of Joe Gottemoller was discussed, including any potential for problems with conflict of interest debates. Miller assured the committee there would be no legitimate public concerns with Gottemoller serving as chair of P&D and his many years as an attorney dealing with zoning issues.

Miller took the discussion further, with commentary about Schuster, saying that because of the blog’s having posted a story about the last Committee of the Whole meeting, she had received calls about Schuster’s not having “a balanced approach,” that she was too environmentally-oriented.

At that point, Schuster told those in the room, “I have not pushed to be on this chair position. I have not promised any vote for any chairmanship of any sort and I was promised this chairmanship if I voted for Tina, so I feel very irritated by some of this.

“Ms. Miller, you make comment about the fact that maybe I am a little bit too much in the environmental crowd. That is totally unreal because that might be the perception.

“Let me finish.

“My participation on every committee has been to be the devil’s advocate and to work to be able to bring those issues out. And, yes, sometimes it sounds I’m on the other side. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I am but I believe everybody needs to address these things.

Schuster went on the point out that Board members who are attorneys “do not represent us legally. The State’s Attorney is our legal representation.

“And we get into trouble sometimes when we defer to lawyers sitting on committees. And, it’s not that their expertise isn’t needed. It’s wonderful, but the State’s Attorney’s Office is our legal representative.

Referring to Gottemoller, “Ask yourself this question. A man who has a business that was, is primarily zoning…is willing to give up that portion of his business to accept a $20,000 a year job.

“Put that little thought in your mind. That’s what the public is going to be looking at.

“So, I think that’s what Jim and Donna are trying to get across.

“I think his expertise is phenomenal.

“Do I really want to take on the UDO?

“Probably not. It’s going to be a load.

“I would do it if I were there. I will do it as Vice Chair. I will do it as a member of any committee, as I have always done.

“But I think there are some issues that we are going to be confronted with on P&D, whether it’s considered on the environmental side, which I have never personally considered myself an environmentalist in that respect that we normally think of it, or [whether it's] a lawyer that may be steering us a little bit in decision-making that maybe it isn’t the direction as legislators we should be asking our State’s Attorney to respond to.”

Schuster then left the meeting.

County Board member Provenzano sprang to Gottemoller’s defense. “He has always been my sounding board (about zoning matters).”

He praised his expertise and said, “I’m a little concerned about the ‘innuendo.’”

“I can’t think of anyone in the County I’d rather have there defending and identifying those issues than Joe Gottemoller.”

Back to the less detailed notes.

Liaison member to Economic Development: Donna Kurtz offered to relinquish the leadership position to Mike Skala.

Ken Koehler spoke to the Committee about his desire to be on the Law and Justice Committee because of his expertise.

The Committee went into closed session to discuss sensitive material.

Upon return to open session, Mr. Koehler continued to promote his desire to be on that committee and members of the Committee on Committees in turn discussed and determined they’d leave that assignment as it is.

Conflict of interest entered the discussion with regard to three McHenry County Board members during Tina Hill’s Committee on Committees meeting Friday morning.

First off was a comment from John Reihansperger, a spokesman for those who live on private roads outside of municipalities.

He urged that Anna May Miller not be named to chair the Transportation Committee, contending there was “a conflict of interest” because she was employed by the Algonquin Township Road District. (Her husband is Bob Miller, the Township Highway Commissioner, who is running unopposed in the Republican Primary Election.)

“Is it the taxpayers or her job and husband [she is representing].

“It’s obvious she is trying to protect her husband’s budget,” he said.

Later in the meeting, Miller responded.

It came up during the discussion of the composition of the Transportation Committee.

“I, too, feel the non-dedicated road issue a real concern here,” Donna Kurtz said.

“I live on a non-dedicate road,” Mary McClellan added. “They (the Nunda Township Road Commissioner’s men) have always plowed our roads. I don’t believe McHenry Township takes care of its non-dedicated roads as well as Nunda and Algonquin.”

Miller explained that the Transportation Department staff is rewriting some of the requirements for standards that must be met before County Motor Fuel Tax can be spent on such roads. She pointed out that there will be new Transportation Committee members “that will have missed out on a lot of work.”

“The County has no control over these township road commissioners,” she emphasized.

“The law is what the law is,” Miller pointed out, suggesting that those living on non-dedicated roads should be lobbying their legislators if they want to change it.”

Later she pointed out that a law that allows 50% of MFT money collected to go into an account to subsidize the upgrading of non-dedicated subdivision roads in anticipation of being taken into a township’s road system is set to expire in 2013.

“If there is anyway for us to offer more assistance, I favor it.”

Miller explained that she had been in contact with the State’s Attorney’s Office and had an opinion saying that she was not in a conflict of interest position.

“The County has no oversight whatsoever over township road district budgets.

“My personal employment is not contingent on the non-dedicated road aspect of the (township).”

“I believe [if] the non-dedicated road money comes back to the [subdivisions], all the road commissioners would be losing some of their budget,” Sue Draffkorn added.

Miller pointed out that 50% of township road taxes on property within municipalities goes directly to the cities and villages. [Come to think of it, this is money the municipalities get without being blamed for levying the real estate taxes, much as the cities don't get blamed for the share of the state income tax that is passed on to them.]

McClellan explained that there are restrictions in the County ordinance regarding the minimum width of the right-of-way, some of which are extremely difficult or impossible to meet in older unincorporated subdivisions.

And, Miller pointed out, if the subdivision roads “meet the standards, the township road commissioner can still say, ‘No.’

“I understand their frustrations. The people of McHenry Township have elected Mr. [Leon] Van Every and there isn’t even competition. That’s not place to be passing judgment.”

One the other hand, she pointed out the relationship between unincorporated subdivision residents in Nunda and Algonquin Townships is good.

Getting back to the discussion of who should chair the Transportation Committee, McClellan asked, “Do you feel you would be non-biased in that position?”

“Yes I do,” Miller replied and the discussion moved on to liaison positions.

Pending a change of mind by Hill, Miller will remain the head of the Transportation Committee.

After the election of officers, the new McHenry County Board Chairman (woman, what’s she want to be called?) appoints one person from each District to a Committee on Committees.

That’s the committee that recommends who should be put in what slots.

(There are temporary appointments until then in which newly elected members take the position of the person they replaced. For example, new member Carolyn Schofield is the temporary head of the Finance Committee, taking the place of retiring Scott Breeden.)

When Tina Hill announced her Committee on Committees appointments, they were all women.

One of the female county elected officials told me she was saying, “Yes!”

Here are the appointments:

• District 1 – Anna May Miller
• District 2 – Donna Kurtz
• District 3 – Mary McClellan
• District 4 – Sue Draffkorn
• District 5 – Paula Yensen
• District 6 – Mary McCann

All are veteran members, except McClellan.

I learned of McClellan’s support for Hill at Barb Wheeler’s Lake Zurich mid-summer fund raiser.

You will note that Democrat Yensen represents her district on the committee.

At the end of the meeting, when the men learned it was their turn to throw the Christmas Party, it was revealed that Hill and Yensen had chaired last year’s holiday festivities.

Clint Eastwood handled one empty chair at the Republican National Convention.

Had he attended the candidate’s night for County Board Districts 1, 2 and 3 Wednesday at McHenry County College, he would have had to deal with four of them.

In District 1 no incumbent Republican showed up.

Only former County Board member Yvonne Barnes, trying for a comeback, was there to represent the Republican Party.

Missing were Bob Bless, Anna May Miller and Robert Nowak.

Perhaps that means they consider Democrat Nick Chirikos, who was in attendance, not much of a challenge.

In District 2 County Board Chairman Ken Koehler begged off because of a knee operation and “a family obligation has me elsewhere tonight,” according to a statement read by the moderator.

The candidates were unanimous in the opposition to Jack Franks’ referendum to change the form of government to County Executive-dominated structure.

Yvonne Barnes got the first whack at that ball.

“I’m 100% opposed,” she said. “If the senior class in high school is having an election, it is the senior class members who should be voting, not all the citizens of McHenry County.”

“The County Board has operated the way it should,” Democrat Chirikos added.

He criticized the referendum as “ill-timed, ill-planned.” He said it was unfair for voters “to hhave this foisted upon them” and related a conversation with a Will County State’s Attorney’s candidate: “Don’t let this happen in McHenry County.” Will County has a County Executive form of government.

In District 2, incumbent Republican Donna Kurtz got first chance at the microphone.

She pointed out that the referendum “stemmed from Jack Franks.”

Kurtz criticized the idea as one that would bring “political management” to McHenry County with “patronage for over 1,500 employees…Chicago-style government.

“I hope you will vote ‘No.’”

Incumbent GOP member Jim Heisler was next to speak.

“Vote ‘No!’ Vote ‘No!” was his succinct advice. Passage, he argued, would result in a complete 180 degree turn[ing of] things in the wrong direction.”

Newcomer to County politics, Republican Carolyn Schofield, now on the Crystal Lake City Council, also opposed the proposal.

“Instead of taking someone to be held accountable [by the County Board] on a daily basis, [the County Executive would be held accountable] once every four years.”

She said she did support electing the County Board Chairman at-large.

Former District 5 County Board member Jim Kennedy, a Democrat from Lake in the Hills now running in District 2 because of reapportionment, said he was glad “the proposition was put on the ballot,” then said, “I’m against a County Executive.”

Her said he was in favor of electing the County Board Chairman at-large.

“I’m against it as well,” Democratic Party newcomer and Kennedy running mate Jim Roden said.

He pointed out, however, “If there wasn’t a problem, this issue wouldn’t be on the ballot. Enough people though the Chairman was too powerful. If Mr. Koehler is not re-elected it is a moot point.”

Roden was quite critical of Koehler when Metra offered to buy the land that he and his deceased partner’s estate owned in Ridgefield.

Democratic Party incumbent Kathy Bergan Schmidt, the first of the District 3 candidates to offer an opinion repeated her characterization of the proposal as a Trojan Horse.

“Once you get him in there, he has all the power or she. It could be a woman.”

Schmidt pointed out that it would take a 3/5 majority to override a County Executive’s veto.

She also favors popular election of the County Board Chairman.

“I, too, am opposed to this. This is not like the city [of Chicago],” Republican newcomer Mary McClellan said.

“All they’re offering is another layer of government.”

Republican County Board aspirant Mike Walkup first brought up the subject in his opening remarks: “The County Executive is a very, very dangerous idea.”

He claimed credit for coining the phrase “County Czar.”

In answering the question, he said, “I think I was the first person out of the box to oppose this.”

He related being at the County Fair when Franks and his assistants “were accosting people saying it would elect the County Board Chairman. That’s not correct.”

Incumbent Republican District 3 member Nick Provenzano pointed audience members to the web site NoCountyCzar.com.

“I am against the County Executive form of government,” he said. He explained there would be no term limits and it would cost someone over $100,000 to unseat in incumbent County Executive.

Non-incumbent District 3 Republican Joe Gottemoller also lined up against the proposal.

“I can’t tell you how much I think this is a bad idea.”

He talked of how it would be a “consolidation of power.”

“There is no reason to put this much power in the hands of one person.”

There’s a “Women for McSweeney” rally being held Saturday in Crystal Lake at D’Andreas Banquets at 10.

On the Host Committee are

• Mary Alger
• Geri Davis
• Jean Marie Kapp
• Rebecca Kress
• Cara Kretz
• Rebecca Lee
• Lu Ann LeFew
• Anne Majewski
• Lou Ann Majewski
• Anna May Miller
• Irene Napier
• Linda Post
• Lucy Prouty
• Bonnie Quirke
• Kathy Salvi
• Sue Sedar
• Joyce Story
• Nina Stephenson
• Phyllis Walters
• Barbara Wheeler
• Monica Young

State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. JoAnne Osmund and Kane County Board Chairman and unopposed State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay will speak.
McSweeney is running against Dee Beaubien (Ind.-Madigan).

The date is October 4th, a Thursday, Robert and Anna May Miller’s Annual Wine & Cheese Reception.

Anna May is running for re-election to the McHenry County Board in District 1, while her husband Bob is running for re-election for Algonquin Township Road Commissioner.

The price is $35 a person or $60 a couple.

The event will be held at 1409 East Main Street in Cary.

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.

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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.