McHenry County Blog

The McHenry County Young Republicans started a new feature in its weekly email. It is profiling members.

The first was its Chairman Bryan Javor, who is stepping down this year.

What is your background?

Bryan Javor

I spent the vast majority of my youth in the suburbs near the Fox River.

The summers were filled with friends from a small but close group fishing, biking, learning about nature, playing neighborhood games, playing music and swimming.

The winter time was a period of social and academic development, as I attended a parochial school until 9th grade.  I grew up in a large yet close-knit, Italian catholic family.

My family was the sports crazy family in the neighborhood.  I have an uncle who played semi-professional baseball and another who played semi-professional hockey.

Ironically, sports didn’t interest me to much extent.  Sports merely helped pass the time with friends and family until I could escape to go fishing again.

I was a ‘geek’ until about 13, so I’m proud to say, there’s nothing wrong with being a geek!

I regularly got caught using my dad’s briefcase as a backpack in school.  For some reason I thought it was really really awesome to bring a briefcase to school.

Eventually this streak of coolness subsided and I became very interested in technology.  I spent the better part of my teen years learning how to write business plans, manage, negotiate, and write basic computer programs and web pages.

Bryan Javor at a Young Reublican meeting at 1776.

I worked for a few technology companies and eventually went on to a state university to further my knowledge.

It was during college I met my loving fiancée Angela.  Angela and I have 2 wonderful dogs (Diesel and Bailey) and hope to someday have a beautiful family together in McHenry County.

Why you are involved in MCYR?

In 2005 I was heavily involved in national telecommunications politics and desired to become more locally involved.

It began with one call to the McHenry County Central Committee.

The McHenry County Republican Party was incredibly welcoming and supportive of my desire to become involved and eventually even helped start a YR organization.  The group could not have succeeded without the likes of the original founding members and central committee’s guidance.

I became involved in McHenry County politics as a result of, and in opposition to, Illinois’ looming budget crisis.  Ill advised fiscal policy and atrocious borrowing established my drive for local involvement; however it is our local McHenry County policies and growth which continue to drive me.  I believe we have a wonderful community, with accomplished leaders.

If we, the youth of McHenry County, can learn the tenets of sound ethics and financial management in a bedrock of Republican values, such as McHenry County, we can grow and contribute to the well-being of our entire state.

We will lead with the virtues we learned here, back in McHenry County.

What do you do professionally?

Presently, I own and operate a start-up company called ReachFly, which is a strategic communications corporation and Chair the McHenry County Young Republican group.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, debating, singing, camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, hunting, swimming, martial arts, shooting, motorcycling, etc

What is your favorite book and movie?

It’s a hard tie between “Gladiator” and “The Patriot” for favorite movie and a hard tie between Sun Tzu “The Art of War” and “First, Break All The Rules”.

Any closing remarks?

I’m honored to serve the McHenry County Young Republicans and the voters of our community.  I hope to serve in many roles for the good of our community for many years to come.  Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me.   I look forward to meeting you personally.

From left to right are seen the 2010-2012 McHenry County Republican Central Committee leadership: Chairman Mike Tryon, Secretary Glenda Miller, Vice Chairwoman Kathy Kuchta and Treasurer Fred Wickham.

The leadership team of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee will be the same as it has been the last two years.

Mike Tryon addressing committeemen after his re-election as chairman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake continues as Chairman.

Vice Chairwoman will be McHenry’s Kathy Kuchta.

Harvard’s Glenda Miller will be Secretary.

Fred Wickham, who won a contest two years ago will again be Treasurer.

Likewise there was no contest for 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman. All present voted for Barrington Township’s Gene Dawson.

With the empty precincts added in, pursuant to passage of a motion earlier in the night, Dawson received 10,134 votes in his attempt to turn back a challenge by the Schaumburg Township Committeeman, Michael Adelizzi.

In the race for the 16th Congressional District Committeemanship, the race was more interesting.

Cal Skinner made a pitch for Joe Wiegand, pointing out that he had never seen incumbent Dave Syverson during the past two years since he had joined the Central Committee for the third time. He said that Wiegand’s lack of a public office gave him the time to do much more than a state senator could.

Jack Schaffer spoke for Syverson, explaining that he was a respected leader on the Republican State Central Committee.  He added that Syverson had been in Congressman Don Manzullo’s Sunday School class.

Tom Zanck supporting Joe Wiegand's candidacy.

After Schaffer, Tom Zanck asked if he could second Wiegand’s nomination and was granted that wish.

“I don’t agree with Cal Skinner on anything, but I agree with him on Joe Wiegand,” he said. Zanck said he had worked with Wiegand in the campaign to defeat the establishment of a Kishwaukee Water Authority and praised his imagination, thoroughness and initiative.

A not-so-secret ballot was taken instead of a roll call, resulting in Syverson getting 4,054 votes and Wiegand 2,554.  (Because each precinct committee had the number of Republican votes cast in his precinct, the way people voted had to be known to the canvass team.)

After the vote Chairman Tryon asked if anyone wanted to switch to the winner and Dan Shea and Patrick Collins did, leaving the tally at 4,347 to 2,261.

Adding in the precinct totals of precincts where no vote was cast, Syverson ended up with a margin of 11,428. The total vote of precincts not represented because the elected committeeman did not show up or because no one ran for precinct committeeman was 9,342 votes.

15,950 people voted in the GOP primary in Congressman Don Manzullo’s part of McHenry County, but only 6,608 of them had elected precinct committeemen present at the meeting.

That means there is plenty of room for volunteers. If you would like your name passed on, you can email McHenry County Blog. The email is on the upper left hand side of this page.

Mike Tryon hand microphone to Jack Schaffer, who chaired gubernatorial winner Bill Brady's McHenry County campaign.

Schaffer, who chaired Bill Brady’s McHenry County campaign, told the party representatives that Brady was leading Kirk Dillard by 246 votes by Brady’s count.

“We think Brady will be the winner,” the former Central Committee Chairman said.

Brady is expected to be in Chicago shaking hands at the Union Pacific train station Friday morning and do a fly-around on Monday. The closest landing will be in Rockford.

Extolling the virtues of his candidate, Schaffer said, “His family is from Central Casting.”

Describing his principles, his spokesman described them as “solid.”

Schaffer also said that he his answers frustrate the media.

When asked a question about social values, he says,

”I am who I am.“

Then, he starts talking about the problems of the day.

“We stand at the brink,” Schaffer said. “The demographics are running against us. We have a chance. The Democrats have done everything for us but raise money…and Blagojevich is still working for us.

“If we can’t prevail this year, I don’t know when we ever will again.

“I won’t say, ‘It’s now or never,’  but you guys will all be as old as I am when we get the next chance.”

Republican County Board candidtes, from left to right, Nick Provenzano, Diane evertson, John Jung, Tina Hill and Donna Kurtz.

John O'Neill, who is a candidate for state representative against Democrat Jack Franks, makes pitch for attendance at his corn beef and cabbage Bull Valley Country Club fund raiser Monday, March 15th.

Tryon then introduced the county board candidates in attendance and let state representative candidate John O’Neill make a pitch for his March 15th corn beef and cabbage fund raiser at the Bull Valley Country Club.

Young Republican President Bryan Javor announcing he would not be running for re-election.

McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor took the opportunity to announce he was not running for re-election, but, pointing to the county board candidates,  instead “would work to get these guys elected.”

Then, Tryon headed back to Springfield for session on Thursday.

He had left 1 PM Wednesday afternoon to drive up to Woodstock.

Last night at Crystal Lake’s 1776 restaurant will be a night that Jason Plummer, an aggressive Downstate candidate for lieutenant governor, will remember forever.

How do I know?

Lientenant governor candidate Jason Plummer begins speaking after being introduced by McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor.

Because I’ve been on the same route he took twice, once in 1982 when I ran for State Comptroller against Roland Burris and twenty years later when I ran for governor in 2002 against Rod Blagojevich and Jim Ryan.

A statewide candidate doesn’t remember all the stops on the campaign trail, but some are memorable.

Like the night at some big meeting hall in Carbondale when all the candidates on the ticket were standing under a big photo of us all and Jim Thompson was commenting on the St. Louis Globe’s endorsement that day.

“Even Skinner got endorsed,”

he exclaimed.

Of course, I thought and still think I was more qualified than incumbent Burris to be State Comptroller, but even I was surprised I had received the endorsement.

Last night the McHenry County Young Republicans held a candidates’ night for county board candidates.

Thank goodness, the YR’s were not as hidebound as the DeKalb League of Women Voters in 1982, when I was not allowed to speak because I wasn’t a legislative candidate.

In any event, the tallest Republican candidate I have seen since Thompson walked to the podium and was told, as the other candidates had been told, that he had five minutes and that when he was at the four minute mark, he would be told.

He started by pointing out the Illinois lieutenant governor had “no constitutional duties.”

He cited the three statutes giving the office some things to do—probably all enacted while Neil Hartigan was serving under Governor Dan Walker—and said,

“Clearly it’s not an overwhelming workload.”

Plummer talked about his having created jobs in companies he had started, as well as his role in the family lumber business, RP Lumber, with 43 yards in Illinois and two in Missouri.

He told of how he was in intelligence in the Navy Reserve, had worked at the Heritage Foundation and for U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald.

And, how he had returned from Washington to run for Madison County Republican Party Chairman.

He talked about fighting corruption in Madison County, something that no knowledgeable person would deny exits.

“I battled corrupt legislators, a corrupt county board and a corrupt judiciary.”

Plummer said,

“The state needs someone who knows how to sign the bottom of a check, not just the back of a check.”

Great line, don’t you think?

While at a trade convention in Indiana, he told a woman he was running for lieutenant governor.

“In Indiana?” the woman asked.

“No, Illinois.”

The New Jersey resident reacted with dismay, wondering why anyone would want to run for office in our corrupt state.

“When the people of New Jersey are questioning the ethics of Illinois, (we’re in trouble).”

Then, a very bright light put up by YR President Bryan Javor went out.

Jason Plummer's expression after the bright light went out at 1776, plunging the room into relative darkness.

Then came the best quip of the night:

“Is that what you do at one minute?”

I’m still chuckling.

Tell me that Plummer won’t remember last night for the rest of his life.

In that last minute, Plummer listed some endorsements. I caught the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Illinois Federation of Right to Life.

Lientenant governor candidate Jason Plummer posing at 1776 in Crystal Lake with his campaign manager, Ray Marchiori.

Afterward I got a photo of Plummer with his campaign manager, Ray Marachiori. Marachiori staffed my Privatization Committee during the 1995-96 legislative session.

Plummer stayed until the end of the meeting. I guess he figured everybody in the room would vote in the GOP primary election.

I noticed 6th District county board candidate carrying one of Plummer’s signs out of the restaurant.

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If this story interested you, this might, too:

“Jason Plummer calling“

The following press release from congressional candidate Joe Walsh is presented for your information:

Lake Zurich, IL, January 12, 2010. Joe Walsh Candidate for Congress in the IL  8th District is announcing support and endorsements.

Walsh continues to receive endorsements and support in his race for Congress.  The following is an initial list of endorsements, further endorsements will be forthcoming:

The following organizations have endorsed Joe Walsh:

• Illinois Federation For Right to Life
• Tea Party Palatine
• Lake County Tea Party
• Illinois Conservatives on Facebook
• National Taxpayers United of Illinois
• Republican Assembly of Illinois

The following individuals and elected officials have endorsed Joe Walsh:

• Bryan Javor, Chairman McHenry CountyYoung Republicans
• Don Castella, Chairman, Vernon Township Republicans
• Nick Provenzano, Candidate for McHenry County board, District 3
• Tom Roeser, Conservative Catholic Activist
• Louis Rofrano, Mc Henry County Right to Carry Association
• John E. Vincent, Former Wauconda Township Committeeman
• John O’Neill, Candidate for State Representative, 63rd District
• Glenn Garamoni, Precinct Committeeman, Fremont Township 121
• Bill Parrot, Chairman, Patriots United
• Peter S. Karlovics, Precinct Committeeman, Warren Township 308
• Joyce Story, Precinct Committeeman McHenry 14

Walsh has garnered lots of support from numerous committeemen throughout the district as well.

“Once again I am honored to have received the support of these organizations and these individuals.  Their support is providing crucial momentum to my campaign and has raised the energy level going into the final weeks of this election,” said Walsh.
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I would observe that not all of these endorsements are exclusive. The Illinois Federation Right to Life, I know, endorsed more than one candidate.  Maria Rodriguez was also endorsed.

Republicans of all ages, including many members of the McHenry County Young Republicans, hunters, sportsman, and local residents packed the Prairie Grove Village Hall last night.

The Second Amendment advocates were inspired by a Saturday article in the Northwest Herald in which Jeanne Smith, the Village Administrator of Prairie Grove and my 1998 Democratic Party state representative opponent, stated there would be an informal discussion about allowing hunting in the community.

During the standing room only meeting, Brent Smith, Vice-Chairman of the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee, seen standing to the left, said,

“We were not aware the village ever stopped entertaining the idea of hunting within the community.”

Brent Smith’s statement was reinforced at the meeting when the Village President Stan Duda stated,

“It wasn’t intended at the time to prevent hunting.”

Shortly after the meeting was called to order, the board agreed to change the order of business to accommodate the issue they felt the people in attendance were there to discuss.

At one moment the Village Attorney David McArdle stated that

before 2005 “hunting was legal in the village as long as a firearm was not used to inflict harm to a person or property, used to assault or threaten harm, or used in a reckless manner.

“However, that year the ordinances were typed into a new code book, and the addition of an extra period changed the law, making it illegal to discharge a firearm in Prairie Grove under any circumstances.”

“They’re areas that aren’t reasonable, but nobody’s trying to stop hunting in legitimate areas,” said Village President Stan Duda.

“That’s ironic,” said a heated Bryan Javor, Chairman of the McHenry County Young Republicans, seen in the orange hat.

“Then, why was it changed in the first place? In 2005?

“If the intent was as you claim, to never prevent hunting, then why did Jeanne Smith say this was a meeting to discuss whether the board would entertain the idea of hunting in the community, as if it wasn’t already (allowed).”

Nick Provenzano, McHenry County Board candidate in District 3, stated the deletion of the first sentence of the ordinance would provide adequate protection for the village and not infringe upon hunting.

The board quickly approved a measure to repeal the ordinance and stated that the ordinance would be sent to committee to be re-written.

The attendees applauded the board for there decision.

Many attendees volunteered their time if the committee wanted residents input.

The Ordinance being debated can be found here. It states

“No person shall discharge any firearms in the Village. In addition to those firearms defined by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, for purposes of this section, firearms shall include pump air rifles, potato guns, CO2 pellet guns, paint ball guns and any other device capable of discharging a projectile if used with intent to inflict harm to person or property or to assault or threaten harm to a person or property or when used in a reckless manner.”

The only opponent seemed to be former Lake in the Hills Police Chief and now Director of Police Jim Wales. He expressed concern about people who use and fire guns respecting the residents of the community.
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From left to right in the top photo are Trustee David K. Robak, Village President Stanley C. Duda, Village Administrator Jeannine Smith, Trustee Todd Greenwald, Trustee Lisa Behm, Attorney David McArdle and Trustee W. Randal Baudin II.

Bill Behm is holding the Prairie Grove map. Jim Wales is seen standing in the bottom photo with Brent Smith standing listening.

The patriotic decor of Crystal Lake’s 1776 restaurant was an ideal setting for Wednesday night’s meeting of the McHenry County Young Republicans.

It was so much more appropriate that the little room in the Pizza Hut basement outside the men’s and women’s restrooms where I remember the YR’s once met back in the 1970’s.

The main speaker was U.S. Senate candidate Ed Varga, a resident of Richmond and a ten-year member of the McHenry County Board of Health.

Varga was upbeat, having just been invited yesterday to give a five minute talk in Springfield to the Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association at 10 today.

He previewed the speech on the YR’s.

Varga described himself as a 42 year old engineer who was a single parent of an 11-year old son who had lost his health insurance last year. His father emigrated from Europe.

He described his greatest achievement in his pubic service as

“Our leaders in Washington, D.C., have forgotten how to listen,” he continued.

“People are speaking, but people in in Washington aren’t listening.”

Varga outlined his “core values:”

• Pro-life
• 2nd Amendment supporter
• In favor of state’s rights
• Opposed to national health insurance
• Favors a strong, well-equipped military
• Opposed to cap and trade
• Supports the military’s patrolling our borders
• Opposed to devaluation of the dollar caused by the Stimulus Package
• Opposed to global environmental standards

From his hand out, I see Varga is [Mistake originally published follows: "also opposed to." Correction has been inserted following this parenthesis.] in favor of same sex unions. (Click to enlarge the image.)

After Varga’s short speech, YR President Bryan Javor announced the group now has 726 members and the goal of activating 10% of that number.

One of the on-going projects is to notify Young Republicans who live in a precinct which now had no elected GOP precinct committeeman and encourage them to run for the office.

Javor then called on heads of committees for reports.

Area Young Republicans gathered for a picnic and meet the candidates session in Barrington Sunday.

Below you see the organizations’ leaders. Speaking here is McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor.

Collin Corbett, the President of the Lake County Young Republicans (Green Shirt) can be seen to the left, Amy Sejnost Kovacevic, President of the DuPage YRs (White Shirt) walking toward Crobett, Bryan Javor with the microphone and to the right, Drew Veeneman, President of the Kane County YRs. If someone will identify the man in the white shirt and baseball cap, I’ll add his name.

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.

The McHenry County Young Republicans haven’t forgotten that college students get involved in politics.

The county organization is trying to connect with those who have returned home for the summer.

The following press release has been received:

Woodstock, IL – With the school year officially over, the McHenry County Young Republicans would like to welcome back returning college students.

MCYR will host a meeting/social at O’Leary’s Pub in Woodstock to welcome back the college students and help them network with other Young Republicans.

They will be hosting “Business Card Bingo” to help the networking process so everyone is encouraged to bring a business card.

All participants will be able to take advantage of O’Leary’s specials: $3 wells and $1 off meatloaf dinner.

• What: MCYR Meeting/Social
• When: Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m.
• Where: O’Leary’s Pub, 113 S Benton St., Woodstock, IL 60098

• Who: McHenry County Young Republicans

For more information, call Bryan Javor at (847) 354-1234.

Under 40?

The McHenry County Young Republicans are planning an overnight canoe trip the weekend of May 15-16 at Saux City, Wisconsin. The cost is $50, which includes Saturday dinner and Sunday pancakes.

Find an island for camping the notice below says.

Gregory Austin is the contact person.

For more general information about the Young Republicans, contact President Bryan Javor.