McHenry County Blog

Maybe it was the $20,000 salary, plus full and generous health coverage, but whatever the motivation, all the incumbents but District 4 incumbents Sandy Salgado and Pete Merkel, both from McHenry, drew challengers.

Twenty-three people are vying for twelve spots on the fall ballot.

Thirteen are women; ten men.

In District 1, incumbents Anna May Miller and Yvonne Barnes are being challenged by Cary’s Bob Nowak.

In District 2, incumbents Ken Koehler and Lyn Orphal will face not only MCC Board member Donna Kurtz, but Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller, but also Sandra DePaul.

Mueller likes to be last on the ballot, but she didn’t wait long enough this afternoon. DePaul gets the coveted spot, worth an extra 5% in a six-person race, probably less in this five-person race.

In District 3, newly energized entrepreneur Craig Steagall, who lives just north of Crystal Lake will take on incumbent Barb Wheeler, former county board member Nick Provenzano and newcomers Veronica Armstrong and Karen Tynis.

Steagall is known for his full-page ads in the Northwest Herald in opposition to Metra’s purchase of 17 acres next to the old 84 Lumber (new Alexander’s Lumber) on Country Club Road.

Those ads have attacked McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. Less well known is that he put together the people who built Prairie Ridge High School’s soccer field.

In District 5, Dave Frederick filed his nominating papers. The veterinarian will be running against incumbent Tina Hill and former county board member John Jung. The announced candidacy of John Vrett did not materialize.

In District 6, incumbent Mary McCann filed her petitions Monday. She joins incumbent Dan Ryan and challengers Richard Draper of Wonder Lake, Dianne Evertsen of Hartland Township and Victor Naursis of Woodstock.

You can bet there will be thanks and rejoicing at the Miller household in Cary this Christmas.

That’s because 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Michael Feetterer dumped the Cary Police charge of obstruction of justice charge. It resulted from David Miller’s dumping a load of gravel Saturday, June 16, 2007, rather than going to a weigh station, as instructed.

Judge Feetterer ruled that the prosecution did not provide that charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

The decision freed Miller from the possibility of serving up to three years in state prison.

Feetterer did not, however, let Miller completely off the hook. He found him guilty of a business offense and fined him $2,000, the maximum amount possible. Miller also has to pay court costs in addition to the $2,000.

According to Josh Stockinger’s Daily Herald story,

“Last week, he testified that he thought the weight check was a ‘waste of time’ and an example of police targeting truckers for revenue. ‘I didn’t think I was doing anything illegal,’ he said.”

The story was featured in the Northwest Herald a month after the arrest.

The paper reported Miller’s brother, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, called his friend Judge Mike Chmiel after his brother’s Saturday arrest, which was after the regular Saturday bond hearings. He sought another bond hearing, so his brother would not have to spend the weekend in jail.

Chmiel held such a bond hearing.

The Judicial Inquiry Board got involved, filing a complaint against Chmiel and sent an investigator to interview witnesses in McHenry County.

No action has resulted from what presumably is the resulting report. The next move is by the Illinois Courts Commission, to which any report from the Judicial Inquiry Board would be submitted.

David Miller’s niece (Bob Miller’s daughter) Rebecca Lee was the defense attorney in the case.

Some comments below the Daily Herald article and Northwest Herald story are pretty biting.

= = = = =
The McHenry County Courthouse is the building you see.

McHenry County Board member Anna Miller and her husband, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, are seen behind two unidentified women entering the Illinois Republican Party Convention in Decatur. Judge Michael Chmiel can be seen below.

You can bet there will be thanks and rejoicing at the Miller household in Cary this Christmas.

That’s because 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Michael Feetterer dumped the Cary Police charge of obstruction of justice charge. It resulted from David Miller’s dumping a load of gravel Saturday, June 16, 2007, rather than going to a weigh station, as instructed.

Judge Feetterer ruled that the prosecution did not provide that charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

The decision freed Miller from the possibility of serving up to three years in state prison.

Feetterer did not, however, let Miller completely off the hook. He found him guilty of a business offense and fined him $2,000, the maximum amount possible. Miller also has to pay court costs in addition to the $2,000.

According to Josh Stockinger’s Daily Herald story,

“Last week, he testified that he thought the weight check was a ‘waste of time’ and an example of police targeting truckers for revenue. ‘I didn’t think I was doing anything illegal,’ he said.”

The story was featured in the Northwest Herald a month after the arrest.

The paper reported Miller’s brother, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, called his friend Judge Mike Chmiel after his brother’s Saturday arrest, which was after the regular Saturday bond hearings. He sought another bond hearing, so his brother would not have to spend the weekend in jail.

Chmiel held such a bond hearing.

The Judicial Inquiry Board got involved, filing a complaint against Chmiel and sent an investigator to interview witnesses in McHenry County.

No action has resulted from what presumably is the resulting report. The next move is by the Illinois Courts Commission, to which any report from the Judicial Inquiry Board would be submitted.

David Miller’s niece (Bob Miller’s daughter) Rebecca Lee was the defense attorney in the case.

Some comments below the Daily Herald article and Northwest Herald story are pretty biting.

= = = = =
The McHenry County Courthouse is the building you see.

McHenry County Board member Anna Miller and her husband, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, are seen behind two unidentified women entering the Illinois Republican Party Convention in Decatur. Judge Michael Chmiel can be seen below.

As reported the day it happened, Crystal Lake businessman Jim Heisler (R-Crystal Lake) defeated McHenry board member Sandy Salgado (R-McHenry) 15-9.

All three Democrats supported Salgado, along with four of her female colleagues.

Let me give you an idea of what led up to the vote—at least the county board part.

Cary’s Yvonne Barnes nominated Salgado. Mary McCann (R-Woodstock) put Heisler’s name in nomination.

Then, Randy Donley (R-Union) nominated Barb Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake), who had just lost her chairmanship race to Ken Koehler.

Wheeler declined Donley’s nomination.

Just as he did with the county board chairman candidates, Democrat Jim Kennedy asked the candidates to tell why they were running for the office.

Anna Miller (R-Cary) read a prepared statement in support of Heisler, arguing it is the “vice chairman’s role to support the chairman.”

She also cited Heisler’s “strong personal skills.”

Barnes described Salgado’s “long history of working hard for the good of the people.”

She pointed out that her candidate had “no personal motivations,” was “goal oriented, results driven and a person of compassion.”

Salgado herself rose to Kennedy’s request saying,
“This was an opportunity I did not see presenting itself…but when it did, I welcome it.”

Perhaps Salgado was thinking of outgoing vice chairman John Jung’s loss to Lake in the Hills Trustee Paula Yensen.

Heisler received the support of the following 15 Republicans:

Bob Bless – District 1
Scott Breeden – District 2
Randy Donley – District 6
Mary Donner – District 3
Ed Dvorak – District 3
John Hammerand – District 4
Jim Heisler – District 2
Tina Hill – District 5
Ken Koehler – District 2
Mary McCann – District 6
Marc Munaretto – District 1
Anna Miller – District 1
Lyn Orphal – District 2
Dan Ryan – District 6
Ersel Schuster – District 6

Republicans for Salgado follow:

Yvonne Barnes – District 1
Sue Draffkorn – District 4
Virginia Peschke – District 6
Sandra Salgado – District 4
Barb Wheeler – District 3

= = = = =
McHenry County Board member Sandra Salgado is seen in the top photo; Jim Heisler in the one at the bottom.

As reported the day it happened, Crystal Lake businessman Jim Heisler (R-Crystal Lake) defeated McHenry board member Sandy Salgado (R-McHenry) 15-9.

All three Democrats supported Salgado, along with four of her female colleagues.

Let me give you an idea of what led up to the vote—at least the county board part.

Cary’s Yvonne Barnes nominated Salgado. Mary McCann (R-Woodstock) put Heisler’s name in nomination.

Then, Randy Donley (R-Union) nominated Barb Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake), who had just lost her chairmanship race to Ken Koehler.

Wheeler declined Donley’s nomination.

Just as he did with the county board chairman candidates, Democrat Jim Kennedy asked the candidates to tell why they were running for the office.

Anna Miller (R-Cary) read a prepared statement in support of Heisler, arguing it is the “vice chairman’s role to support the chairman.”

She also cited Heisler’s “strong personal skills.”

Barnes described Salgado’s “long history of working hard for the good of the people.”

She pointed out that her candidate had “no personal motivations,” was “goal oriented, results driven and a person of compassion.”

Salgado herself rose to Kennedy’s request saying,
“This was an opportunity I did not see presenting itself…but when it did, I welcome it.”

Perhaps Salgado was thinking of outgoing vice chairman John Jung’s loss to Lake in the Hills Trustee Paula Yensen.

Heisler received the support of the following 15 Republicans:

Bob Bless – District 1
Scott Breeden – District 2
Randy Donley – District 6
Mary Donner – District 3
Ed Dvorak – District 3
John Hammerand – District 4
Jim Heisler – District 2
Tina Hill – District 5
Ken Koehler – District 2
Mary McCann – District 6
Marc Munaretto – District 1
Anna Miller – District 1
Lyn Orphal – District 2
Dan Ryan – District 6
Ersel Schuster – District 6

Republicans for Salgado follow:

Yvonne Barnes – District 1
Sue Draffkorn – District 4
Virginia Peschke – District 6
Sandra Salgado – District 4
Barb Wheeler – District 3

= = = = =
McHenry County Board member Sandra Salgado is seen in the top photo; Jim Heisler in the one at the bottom.

As you learned yesterday, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler handily defeated two challengers.

In a 16-6-2 vote Koehler beat Barb Wheeler, the head of the county board’s Planning and Development Committee, and Marc Munaretto, chairman of the board’s Finance Committee. Here’s the roll call.

For the second spot on the board, Crystal Laker Jim Heisler won over McHenry’s Sandra Salgado in a 15-9 vote.

After his victory, Heisler, who sits two seats from Salgado walked over and hugged her. I was chastised for not getting a picture.

By the time that Koehler followed suit with Wheeler, however, I was ready.

It appears that Wheeler upgraded her ambition from vice chairman to chairman, joining forces with Salgado. Both voted for the other.

Something of a woman’s block was evident with Sue Draffkorn, Virginia Peschke, Salgado, Schmidt and Wheeler voting for the female candidates for the top two spots.

While Wheeler received six votes (the sole male being Huntley’s Dan Ryan), Salgado got 9. She picked up newly-elected Democratic women Kathy Bergan Schmidt and Paul Yensen, plus Cary’s Yvonne Barnes.

Nominating Koehler for chairman was Cary’s Anna Miller.

But that didn’t happen until after chairman candidate Munaretto questioned the contents of a memo prepared by the State’s Attorney’s Office based on a conclusion that the method used last time around had been “improper.”

Newly elected to her third non-consecutive term, Ersel Schuster moved to accept the recommendations of the State’s Attorney. I heard one “No” in the voice vote.

Miller read a prepared statement of support for Koehler.

Then, Draffkorn nominated Barb Wheeler and Randy Donley placed Munaretto’s name in nomination, saying, “I can’t think of anyone better to lead us through these troubled times.” He referred to Munaretto as “an economic wizard, to say the least.”

Democrat Jim Kennedy asked each candidate to explain why he or she was running for the top job.

Wheeler was the first to comply with Kennedy’s request. She explained that this was the first time in 20 years (that) there was a challenge for county board chairman (in which the results were not known.)

“We’re probably lambs (being led) to the slaughter,” she explained, but thought the process would lead to a “stronger board.”

She said that her quest for supporters might have led “some of your spouses (to) think I’m stalking you.”

She enjoyed talking at length with the board members during the last few days.

Munaretto’s comments came next.

“I’ve never run against an incumbent. I sense there is a desire for change. It pains me greatly that the county board would accept the control that has been exercised by a few (without question).

“The worst of economic times have not hit McHenry County,” the Finance Committee Chairman continued. Munaretto explained how under his leadership the county’s bond rating had risen from AA3 to AA1–”one notch away from Triple A.”

“I have been the proponent of open, constructive debate. 98% of the time I encourage open debate.”

Then, Koehler took the mike.

“I didn’t come here to talk about myself and I don’t intend to do that,” he started out. He explained how the board operates by committee.

“I’m proud to bring that all together.

“We’ve had our differences. We’ve walked some pretty tough times these past four years. I hope I can be your county board chairman for the next two years,” he concluded.

Peschke, who previously ran against Koehler, spoke on Wheeler’s behalf.

“I am impressed with her leadership. She took over from a very strong leader, Ann Gilman” and succeeded.

Peschke pointed to her introducing the board to conservation design and getting it passed.

“I have been truly impressed with her leadership.”
Having heard the reply to his request, Kennedy applauded the three members.

“I think competition is good. I think this is a very healthy thing for our county board.”

= = = = =
The photo on top is of McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler hugging Barb Wheeler, the woman who received 6 votes against him. In the background to the left is newly-elected member Bob Bless. Top right is Randy Donley. In the foreground is newly-elected Lake in the Hills Democrat Paula Yensen. Below that photo are two shots of the new county board. All photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.

As you learned yesterday, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler handily defeated two challengers.

In a 16-6-2 vote Koehler beat Barb Wheeler, the head of the county board’s Planning and Development Committee, and Marc Munaretto, chairman of the board’s Finance Committee. Here’s the roll call.

For the second spot on the board, Crystal Laker Jim Heisler won over McHenry’s Sandra Salgado in a 15-9 vote.

After his victory, Heisler, who sits two seats from Salgado walked over and hugged her. I was chastised for not getting a picture.

By the time that Koehler followed suit with Wheeler, however, I was ready.

It appears that Wheeler upgraded her ambition from vice chairman to chairman, joining forces with Salgado. Both voted for the other.

Something of a woman’s block was evident with Sue Draffkorn, Virginia Peschke, Salgado, Schmidt and Wheeler voting for the female candidates for the top two spots.

While Wheeler received six votes (the sole male being Huntley’s Dan Ryan), Salgado got 9. She picked up newly-elected Democratic women Kathy Bergan Schmidt and Paul Yensen, plus Cary’s Yvonne Barnes.

Nominating Koehler for chairman was Cary’s Anna Miller.

But that didn’t happen until after chairman candidate Munaretto questioned the contents of a memo prepared by the State’s Attorney’s Office based on a conclusion that the method used last time around had been “improper.”

Newly elected to her third non-consecutive term, Ersel Schuster moved to accept the recommendations of the State’s Attorney. I heard one “No” in the voice vote.

Miller read a prepared statement of support for Koehler.

Then, Draffkorn nominated Barb Wheeler and Randy Donley placed Munaretto’s name in nomination, saying, “I can’t think of anyone better to lead us through these troubled times.” He referred to Munaretto as “an economic wizard, to say the least.”

Democrat Jim Kennedy asked each candidate to explain why he or she was running for the top job.

Wheeler was the first to comply with Kennedy’s request. She explained that this was the first time in 20 years (that) there was a challenge for county board chairman (in which the results were not known.)

“We’re probably lambs (being led) to the slaughter,” she explained, but thought the process would lead to a “stronger board.”

She said that her quest for supporters might have led “some of your spouses (to) think I’m stalking you.”

She enjoyed talking at length with the board members during the last few days.

Munaretto’s comments came next.

“I’ve never run against an incumbent. I sense there is a desire for change. It pains me greatly that the county board would accept the control that has been exercised by a few (without question).

“The worst of economic times have not hit McHenry County,” the Finance Committee Chairman continued. Munaretto explained how under his leadership the county’s bond rating had risen from AA3 to AA1–”one notch away from Triple A.”

“I have been the proponent of open, constructive debate. 98% of the time I encourage open debate.”

Then, Koehler took the mike.

“I didn’t come here to talk about myself and I don’t intend to do that,” he started out. He explained how the board operates by committee.

“I’m proud to bring that all together.

“We’ve had our differences. We’ve walked some pretty tough times these past four years. I hope I can be your county board chairman for the next two years,” he concluded.

Peschke, who previously ran against Koehler, spoke on Wheeler’s behalf.

“I am impressed with her leadership. She took over from a very strong leader, Ann Gilman” and succeeded.

Peschke pointed to her introducing the board to conservation design and getting it passed.

“I have been truly impressed with her leadership.”
Having heard the reply to his request, Kennedy applauded the three members.

“I think competition is good. I think this is a very healthy thing for our county board.”

= = = = =
The photo on top is of McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler hugging Barb Wheeler, the woman who received 6 votes against him. In the background to the left is newly-elected member Bob Bless. Top right is Randy Donley. In the foreground is newly-elected Lake in the Hills Democrat Paula Yensen. Below that photo are two shots of the new county board. All photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.

The list was so, so “top secret, hush, hush.”

People fight at the ballot box to get to attend the Republican National Convention.

But some who signed up for the Illinois Republican Convention most certainly did not want their names to be made public.

From the talk at various places, we were going to have a full delegation of 64.

I saw 25 on Friday night and Saturday.

I started asking McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon for a list of the delegates right after I saw the names of six or so coming from Lawrence County in the Sumner Press. They were published right after the organizing conventions.

I never got the list.

So, I made my own.

Here are the people from McHenry County I saw at the convention:

• State Rep. Mike Tryon
• State Sen. Pam Althoff
• McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler
• McHenry Township Supervisor Donna Schaefer
• Her son Jordan Schaefer
• McHenry County Board member Tina Hill
• Her son Garret Hill
• McHenry County Board member Anna Miller
• Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller
• Ersel Schuster, District 6 candidate for McHenry County Board
• Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck
• Blake Hobson, who, until he moved to Lakewood, was interim Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman and is now an appointed vice chairman of the county GOP charged with raising money
• McHenry Grade School District 15 board member and precinct committeeman John O’Neill
• District 300 School Board member and precinct committeeman John Ryan
• Glenda Miller, Chief Deputy County Treasurer and Central Committee Secretary
• Her husband Paul Lis
• Brent Smith, precinct committeeman who is organizing parade walkers (meet at The Cottage in Crystal Lake on the 18th at 6:30–Walkup and Crystal Lake Avenues) and Young Republicans
• His wife, Joni Smith
• Kathleen Kuchta, Central Committee Vice Chairman
• Greenwood Township precinct committeeman John McCleary, who works for the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Joyce Story, McHenry Township precinct committeeman
• Sue Sedar, President of the Pro Life Victory PAC
• Linda Moore, Grafton Township precinct committeeman
• Cal Skinner, Algonquin Township precinct committeeman
• Michele Skinner, guard of the convention seats

In addition, Nick Kachiroubas, plus Jake Justen and his finance Ahston were sighted Friday night.

= = = = =
All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The list was so, so “top secret, hush, hush.”

People fight at the ballot box to get to attend the Republican National Convention.

But some who signed up for the Illinois Republican Convention most certainly did not want their names to be made public.

From the talk at various places, we were going to have a full delegation of 64.

I saw 25 on Friday night and Saturday.

I started asking McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon for a list of the delegates right after I saw the names of six or so coming from Lawrence County in the Sumner Press. They were published right after the organizing conventions.

I never got the list.

So, I made my own.

Here are the people from McHenry County I saw at the convention:

• State Rep. Mike Tryon
• State Sen. Pam Althoff
• McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler
• McHenry Township Supervisor Donna Schaefer
• Her son Jordan Schaefer
• McHenry County Board member Tina Hill
• Her son Garret Hill
• McHenry County Board member Anna Miller
• Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller
• Ersel Schuster, District 6 candidate for McHenry County Board
• Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck
• Blake Hobson, who, until he moved to Lakewood, was interim Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman and is now an appointed vice chairman of the county GOP charged with raising money
• McHenry Grade School District 15 board member and precinct committeeman John O’Neill
• District 300 School Board member and precinct committeeman John Ryan
• Glenda Miller, Chief Deputy County Treasurer and Central Committee Secretary
• Her husband Paul Lis
• Brent Smith, precinct committeeman who is organizing parade walkers (meet at The Cottage in Crystal Lake on the 18th at 6:30–Walkup and Crystal Lake Avenues) and Young Republicans
• His wife, Joni Smith
• Kathleen Kuchta, Central Committee Vice Chairman
• Greenwood Township precinct committeeman John McCleary, who works for the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Joyce Story, McHenry Township precinct committeeman
• Sue Sedar, President of the Pro Life Victory PAC
• Linda Moore, Grafton Township precinct committeeman
• Cal Skinner, Algonquin Township precinct committeeman
• Michele Skinner, guard of the convention seats

In addition, Nick Kachiroubas, plus Jake Justen and his finance Ahston were sighted Friday night.

= = = = =
All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Friday afternoon only 41% of the county’s precincts had Republican candidate for precinct committeeman. After the filing period ended Monday afternoon, “only” 37% remained empty.

Contests have popped up in a couple of more precincts. There are now seven precincts with Republican Party candidates.

Here they are:

Algonquin 46 – Kathleen R. DeRaedt, 341 Alicia, versus Cary Grade School Board member Chris Jenner, 540 Spruce Tree Lane, both in Cary.

Algonquin 47 – William Charles Miller, 708 Merrimac, versus Rebecca M. Lee, Ivanhor, both of Cary. Lee is Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller’s and McHenry County Board member Anna Miller’s daughter.

Algonquin 62 – James D. Kelsch, 700 Southwick Dr., versus District 300 School Board member John Ryan, 740 Roaring Brook, both of Algonquin.

Grafton 2 – Former Lakewood Village President and Crystal Lake Park Board President J.S. “Scott” Breeden, 220 Richmond Lane, versus former Algonquin Township Supervisor Robert B. Vorisek, 1610 Broadway, both from Lakewood.

McHenry 1 – Brendan Murphy, 3819 Lincolnshire Dr. in McHenry, versus Ringwood Village President Richard E. Mack, of 5207 Kaylins Way.

Nunda 14 – Lawrence Pollastrini, 701 Old Westbury Road, versus Patrick R. Collins, 733 Providence Lane, both in Crystal Lake.

Seneca 1 – Senca Township Supervisor Ersel Schuster, 15,214 Kishwaukee Valley Road, versus R. Mark Gummerson, 1225 Dublin Ct., both of Woodstock.