McHenry County Blog

Applicants for appointment as McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools.

Here’s the list I received in response to my Freedom of Information request for the names of those who have applied to become the McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools.

You may remember when it became clear that Governor Pat Quinn was going to cut state funding substantially for the offices, that newly-elected McHenry County Supt. Joe Williams decided not to take office.

Quinn refused to send the money to pay Asst. Supt. Williams and his retiring boss Gene Goeglein for the twelfth month of the state’s Fiscal Year.

But ten educators find the salary–in the $90,000 range–attractive enough to apply.

And, all are not from McHenry County.

Five come from towns that are all or in part in McHenry County:

• Karen Behrns, Crystal Lake, is principal at the District 300 Cambridge Lake Charter School
• Diane Hartman of Lakemoor, who actually took out a petition to run in last year’s election, but did not file it.
• Kevin Kalous, Algonquin, teachers Physical Education at Cary Jr. High School.
• Brendan Murphy, McHenry, is listed as a Curriculum Specialist at the Waukegan School District’s Abbott Middle School.
• David Shepherd of Island Lake teachers Social Studies at Marlowe Middle School in the Huntley School District.

Four people applied who live elsewhere in Illinois:

• Terence Brown, Rockford
• Reginald McGee of Freeport is an Assistant High School Principal at Auburn in Rockford.
• Randall Otto used to be Superintendent and principal at the Orangeville School District in Stephenson County.
• Roxanne Ferici lives in Chicago and is an Elementary School Principal in Niles Grade School District 71.

The final applicant is Martha Hasselbusch from Parma, Ohio.

Information about the candidates was obtained from TheChampion.org, plus some phone calling.

Without a Regional Superintendent of Education for June, McHenry County officials had to scramble.

County Administrator Peter Austin worked out a deal with the State Board of Education and Lake County Regional Supt. Roycealee Wood to her to sign over 100 GED Certificates.

He has been exploring the possibility of an intergovernmental agreement that would have Wood being able to do whatever is needed for McHenry County teachers and residents.

The McHenry County Young Republicans elected officers this week.

Bryan Javor will be leading the 700-person organization for the second year. Other officers are

• Erica Poremba, re-elected Vice-Chairwoman
• Garret Hill, re-elected Secretary
• Austin, re-elected Treasurer
• Salvatore Cucinella, re-appointed Membership Chairman
• Brian Hain, re-appointed Fundraising Chairman
• Robert Lee, re-appointed Social Chairman
• Angela James, re-appointed Education Chairwoman
• Brendan Murphy, newly appointed Technology chairman.

Accomplishments listed by the leadership follow:

• Membership exceeds 700 members.
• Unprecedented local use of technology, the knowledge of which is being shared locally
• Participated in 2008 Independence, Fiesta and Founder’s Day parades and so far this year in Independence and Fiesta Day parades. Will be walking in Founders Day Parade on Saturday, too. (Those feeling like Young Republican are invited to join the group at Eastwood School in Algonquin at 10:30.)
• Operating budget surplus.
• Assisted the following campaigns in general elections (8 of 9 Elected):

Dan Duffy; Elected
Phil Lonigro: Elected
Michael Carbone: Elected
Joni Smith: Elected
Dennis Jagla: Elected
Tom Palmer: Elected
Jim Schlader: Elected
Lee Jennings: Elected
Robert Lee: Not Elected

• Assisted in Republican election victories by working unappointed, unelected and unworked precincts.
• Obtained Federation of Illinois Young Republicans probationary charter and official charter.
• 1 of only 14 county Young Republican groups in Illinois 102 counties.
• Members who have moved away have been instrumental in the creation of other Young Republican groups in their new counties of residence such such as Derek and Maria Graham in Cumberland County TN.
• Young Republicans have assisted the Republican Party in setting up new computers and networks within the headquarters facilities in addition to performing requested maintenance.
• Held a very successful Candidate Rally for township elections

Goals for the coming year are

• Increasing funds 200%.
• Increasing quantity of active, voting members by 5%
• Working side by side more effectively with candidates to aid in their election.

For more information, try this email: chairman@mchenryyoungrepublicans.com

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In the photo on top, you see, on the left, Bryan Javor, who was re-elected president of the group. Next is Brendan Murphy, who will serve as the new Technology Chair. Seen to his left is Jake Justen, one of the original members. Brian Hain will head up fundraising. Photo is posted by permission of photographer Brendan Murphy.

Other photos are from The McHenrian, the Young Republican’s start-up blog.

McHenry County State’s Attorney challenger Dan Regna will hold a campaign kick-off tonight from 7-8:30 at the Woodstock VFW.

In an email from Brendan Murphy, the invitation reads,

“We will coordinate volunteer activities, distribute campaign literature and yard signs. My entire campaign committee and many volunteers will be present.

“We look forward to seeing as many people as can make it.“

Regna is running against incumbent McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

Maybe it will be warm enough to wear these tee shirts.

= = = = =
If someone from the campaign will send me some photos, I’d be pleased to publish them, along with any comments anyone cares to make.

McHenry County State’s Attorney challenger Dan Regna will hold a campaign kick-off tonight from 7-8:30 at the Woodstock VFW.

In an email from Brendan Murphy, the invitation reads,

“We will coordinate volunteer activities, distribute campaign literature and yard signs. My entire campaign committee and many volunteers will be present.

“We look forward to seeing as many people as can make it.“

Regna is running against incumbent McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

Maybe it will be warm enough to wear these tee shirts.

= = = = =
If someone from the campaign will send me some photos, I’d be pleased to publish them, along with any comments anyone cares to make.

Yesterday, I told of Rich Evans’ filing his intention to run for the Republican nomination for county auditor as a write-in candidate.

Today, let’s complete the topic by looking at the other eight write-ins.

They are all for precinct committeeman.

I’ve done two articles on precinct committeeman filings. The first was written the Friday before the Monday filing deadline.

The second was after that deadline.

Former Democratic Party chairman Patrick Ouimet, who resigned that chairmanship for health reasons, must be feeling better. He is running for precinct committeeman in Dorr Township, precinct 12.

The other seven candidates are running on the Republican ticket.

With the word “township” left out of the precinct names, here they are:

• Alden – James Briscoe.
• Algonquin 6 – Richard Evans. Evans has previously served the precinct as committeeman and is running as a write-in for county auditor.
• Burton 2 – Sue Serdar. The Spring Grove resident is head of the pro-life political action committee in McHenry County.
• Dorr 12 – Perry Moy. Moy, of course, owns Plum Garden Restaurant in McHenry and can be seen “on the road” at many local festivals. He served on the county board. He was the first Chinese American to do so. He was defeated by Democrat Jim Kennedy. He also was the last Republican to run against State Rep. Jack Franks.
• McHenry 27 – Bob Koehl. Kroehl is a trustee in the Village of Lakemoor.
• McHenry 35 – Brendan Murphy. Murphy challenged central committee vice chairman Bill Mack, but withdrew. I’m told this is a newly created precinct.
• Nunda 4 – Tom Baur. Baur is a member of the Island Lake Police Pension Board.

Yesterday, I told of Rich Evans’ filing his intention to run for the Republican nomination for county auditor as a write-in candidate.

Today, let’s complete the topic by looking at the other eight write-ins.

They are all for precinct committeeman.

I’ve done two articles on precinct committeeman filings. The first was written the Friday before the Monday filing deadline.

The second was after that deadline.

Former Democratic Party chairman Patrick Ouimet, who resigned that chairmanship for health reasons, must be feeling better. He is running for precinct committeeman in Dorr Township, precinct 12.

The other seven candidates are running on the Republican ticket.

With the word “township” left out of the precinct names, here they are:

• Alden – James Briscoe.
• Algonquin 6 – Richard Evans. Evans has previously served the precinct as committeeman and is running as a write-in for county auditor.
• Burton 2 – Sue Serdar. The Spring Grove resident is head of the pro-life political action committee in McHenry County.
• Dorr 12 – Perry Moy. Moy, of course, owns Plum Garden Restaurant in McHenry and can be seen “on the road” at many local festivals. He served on the county board. He was the first Chinese American to do so. He was defeated by Democrat Jim Kennedy. He also was the last Republican to run against State Rep. Jack Franks.
• McHenry 27 – Bob Koehl. Kroehl is a trustee in the Village of Lakemoor.
• McHenry 35 – Brendan Murphy. Murphy challenged central committee vice chairman Bill Mack, but withdrew. I’m told this is a newly created precinct.
• Nunda 4 – Tom Baur. Baur is a member of the Island Lake Police Pension Board.

There were only a couple of contested Republican precinct committeeman contests, one in Ringwood and another in Algonquin.

Both had men challenging men who already held the post.

In McHenry Township precinct 1, Rich Mack, the Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee was challenged by Brendan Murphy. He is the village president of Ringwood.

There was a really interesting rumor involving who stimulated Murphy’s candidacy. Email me the details, if you know them.

In Algonquin Township precinct 62, Carpentersville District 300 School Board member John Ryan was challenged by James Kelsch.

I’ve been told that there are vacancies Algonquin Township and that Kesch will be appointed to one of them.

There were only a couple of contested Republican precinct committeeman contests, one in Ringwood and another in Algonquin.

Both had men challenging men who already held the post.

In McHenry Township precinct 1, Rich Mack, the Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee was challenged by Brendan Murphy. He is the village president of Ringwood.

There was a really interesting rumor involving who stimulated Murphy’s candidacy. Email me the details, if you know them.

In Algonquin Township precinct 62, Carpentersville District 300 School Board member John Ryan was challenged by James Kelsch.

I’ve been told that there are vacancies Algonquin Township and that Kesch will be appointed to one of them.