Republican candidate for State Representative David McSweeney are invited to breakfast at D’Andrea’s at the corner of Route 14 and 31 in Crystal Lake on Saturday.
The invitation to seniors for a free breakfast with David McSweeney.
Doors open at 8:30.
Details are below:
RSVP’s are being accepted through Friday noon at 847-852-4580.
Tonya Franklin
Led by Sharon Meroni, a successful write-in candidate for GOP Precinct Committeeman in Fox River Grove, over 25% of the members (both elected and appointed) of the McHenry County Central Committee agreed to call a 9 AM special meeting on Saturday, June 2nd at d’Anrea’s at the corner of Routes 14 and 31 in Crystal Lake. (Tonya Franklin will be there at 8.)
There is some irony that Meroni selected the same location where the local GOP organized last month, but forgot to name two 63rd Representative Committeemen, who, along with Chairman Mike Tryon, have the statutory authority to nominate someone to run against “Chainsaw Jack” Franks.
Tryon might still be in Springfield, if the General Assembly runs overtime, or on the way home for the 9:30 AM meeting.
The question running through my mind is whether Tryon will pass the word to
In either eventuality, Tryon will alienate a faction of the GOP.
Some of the supporters are TEA Party Republicans. Others are those who think it is the Republican Party's duty to put up candidate's for every office.
He can go with
Kind of tough to please both.
The blowback was signaled in this comment from John Smith (maybe pseudonym, maybe not):
“Congratulations, but all you have done is get a meeting on the calendar.
“Now you have to get a quorum of committeemen there at the meeting next Saturday morning. Impressive feat to call a special meeting, but calling a meeting and conducting it legally are 2 different things.”
Mark Daniel
Mike Tryon
“Smith” is correct, of course.
Either Tryon or Vice Chairman Mark Daniel will be chairing the meeting.
The chairman can either be accommodating or hostile.
Daniel has already turned thumbs down on Tonya Franklin and Tryon has refused to call a special meeting and cancelled the regular meeting set out in his organization’s bylaws.
The potential exists that the judgment of both could be overruled by the meeting the Saturday after next.
No politician wants his subordinates to overrule him.
So my guess is that neither will want to appease the supporters of Tonya Franklin.
Will 40% of the Precinct Committee show up?
Maybe those who agree with the four who interviewed Tonya Franklin behind the locked doors of my former legislative office in the Crystal Lake Plaza will adopt the strategy of ignoring the meeting.
If not, there won’t be a quorum.
If enough follow that course of inaction, committeemen who have never talked to Tonya Franklin will not get the opportunity to judge for themselves whether she would mount a credible campaign against “Chainsaw Jack” Franks.
They’ll have listened to the one-sided pitch of someone opposed to Franklin and decided to condemn her candidacy in absentia.
Even Christ, one might remember, got a chance to present his case to Pontius Pilate before he was crucified.
If there is a quorum, will a majority be willing to vote for two “63rd District Representative Committeemen” who will then proceed to the Starbucks on the Woodstock Square (to be in the 63rd District, a requirement) to nominate Tonya Franklin?
No guarantee that will be a result of the meeting.
Majority rules.
If Tonya Franklin’s allies can’t muster a majority of whoever shows up, the majority could refuse to appoint the required two 63rd District Representative Committeemen or appoint two who would agree with Tryon’s and Daniel’s and his interview committee’s negative recommendation.
I make no prediction on the Saturday meeting results any more than I’m willing to predict when the Northwest Herald will write a story about Tonya Franklin’s quest.
The Crystal Lake landmark marque of Around the Clock Restaurant & Baker promotes Operation Click Week.
The high school safety program that started in Crystal Lake, Operation Click, will hold its annual local luncheon today at 11 at D’Andrea Banquet Hall.
Around the Clock, a restaurant west on Route 14 has been advertising the event.
Two high school students will win cars donated by Black Diamond Plumbing and Crystal Lake Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.
If you’re not glued to McHenry County Blog and some cable TV network to find election returns, the McHenry County Republican Party faithful will be gathered in Crystal Lake at the southeast corner of Routes 14 and 31.
Geri Davis, Executive Director, offers the following details:
The Primary Election Night get together will be at D’Andrea’s Banquets in Crystal Lake beginning at 7:30pm.
Join us to see the results, enjoy some light refreshments, wine, beer and pop.
Cash bar also available for those who prefer cocktails.
Andy Zinke leading the Pledge of Alligience
The infrastructure of the McHenry County Republican Party had dinner at d’Andrea’s Saturday night
Keith Nygren
Pretty much all the county elected officials were present and lots of candidates.
Only five were introduced, however, except en masse.
They were State Rep. Mike Tryon, who is County Chairman, State Senator Paul Althoff, who introduced Congressman Randy Hultgren and Undersheriff Andy Zinke, who has announced his candidacy to succeed and been endorse for that post by Sheriff Keith Nygren. Zinke gave the pledge of allegiance.
District 3 County Board member Mary Donner was tapped to give the invocation.
I don’t know whether we should treat Lincoln Day Dinner time similar to the way Kremlin watchers treated May Day appearances on the Kremlin wall, but, just in case you are into that type of analysis, I include similar information.
I didn’t make an inventory, but I didn’t see State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and County Treasurer Bill LeFew, State Rep. candidates Barb Wheeler and Dave McSweeney and State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay. Congressman Joe Walsh, McHenry County’s first resident United States Representative also was missing, although a campaign aide was in attendance.
The showing of township officials was sparse, but I did see Algonquin Township’s Supervisor Dianne Klemm, Road Commissioner Bob Miller and Trustee Dan Shea, plus Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore, plus Nunda Township Trustees Jim Schlader and Kelvin Jennings.
Two candidates on the District 2 GOP ballot, newcomer Tom Wilbeck and incumbent Jim Heisler met for the first time.
I freely admit that I may have missed some township officials and, if they want a mention for having attended, the comment sections is the place to put it.
I saw very few municipal officials (in fact, I can’t name any) and no school board members but Mike Skala, who is running for County Board in District 5.
After a glowing introduction of Hultgren by former office mate Althoff, Hultgren lived up to expectations.
“We are in a battle,” he admonished. “They are attacking a way of life we believe in as Republicans–freedom, opportunity, liberty, local power, families, being dedicated to what’s right.
Hultgren quoted President Obama five days before his election:
Then the incoming Congressman for the overwhelmingly Republican 14th Congressional District asked,
The crowd reaction was not one of optimism.
Before his talk, Congressman Randy Hultgren worked the crowd. Here he greets McHenry County Board candidate Mary Alger.
Hultgren told of the sacrifices his great-grandfather made as a uniformed doorman at Marshall Field’s, “the sacrifices my great-grandfather made so I could serve in Congress.”
He related how his father had started the family funeral home where he grew up and his parents still lived on the second floor.
Hultgren added one anecdote about how he found it impossible to knot his tie properly for a junior high school dance.
I think he said he mother tried but couldn’t get it right. Off to his father, who was in the basement.
The elder Hultgren tried standing up but was frustrated.
Finally, he said, “Lie down.”
A prefect knot was the result.
“I believe it’s the most important election in our lifetimes,” he told the choir.
“They believe we are incapable of making more decisions than ever before. Not it’s our time to stand up for our freedom.”
He commented on the “Obama wave.”
“I’ve looked around. It’s a ripple now.”
Jack Schaffer presents plaque to Dee Beaubien honoring her husband Mark Beaubien.
Before Hultgren spoke, former State Senator an GOP County Chairman Jack Schaffer presented a posthumous award for former State Rep. Mark Beaubien from the McHenry County Republican Foundation to his widow Dee Beaubien.
After the speech was over some stayed to meet people they hadn’t had time to talk to before dinner began.
Danielle Rowe, Elizabeth and Kent Gaffney chatted after dinner.
Among those were 52nd State Rep. candidates Danielle Rowe and Kent Gaffney and his wife Elizabeth.
For those interested in memorabilia, here’s the program for the event:
What may have been the major political event of the run-up to the March 20th primary election took place Saturday morning at D’Anrea’s Saturday morning.
Politicians everywhere courting voters.
It was the third annual Pro-Life Unity Breakfast put on by Patriots United.
Congressmen Joe Walsh, Peter Roskam and Randy Hultgren
With reapportionment having sliced and diced McHenry County, three of the four United States Congressmen who have present or future ties with the area were in Crystal Lake. Congressman Don Manzullo, the 19-year U.S Representative in whose present district the banquet hall lies, was in LaSalle County duking it out with freshman Congressman Adam Kinzinger
Elizabeth and Peter Roskam
Making his first foray into the McHenry County part of his 6th congressional district (Algonquin Township) was Peter Roskam.
Roskam, as Deputy Whip in the House Republican Leadership, is in high demand all over the country.
It’s his job to rev up the Republican base and he did a good job of it at the sell-out crowd of almost 300 people.
Peter Roskam renews acquaintances with Kathy Salvi.
With Roskam, his wife Elizabeth, and his former colleague Al Salvi, plus bride Kathy, and yours truly, it was almost old home week for conservatives elected to the Illinois House in 1992. Only Tom and Ginny Johnson were missing.
I wish my wife had been there, but she down the road at a retreat run by the United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake.
Peter Roskam
Roskam was the first speaker.
“The Left wants to disarm you.
“It want’s to convince you that can’t make a difference,” Roskam told the crowd.
He pounded on President Barack Obama’s denigration of the Conscience Clause.
He cited Obama’s controversial speech at the University of Notre Dame in which Obama famously said, “We can agree around those issues of conscience.”
“He has not just moved away from (from that position), but he is “thumping us on our chests saying
‘We’re going to jab you in the chest. What are you going to do about it?’
“That is a provocation that cannot go unanswered!”
Peter Roskam
Roskam was referring to the announcement that the Catholic Church’s hospitals, universities and other non-church institutions would have to provide birth control in their health insurance in contravention to Church teachings.
Roskam recommended a book by Britisher Paul Johnson, “A History of the American People.”
Summarizing, Roskam told of the author’s comparison of the leadership in England and America during the Revolutionary War.
American had “all of the A-Team…unbelievable gifted people.
“But was unique was their ability to come together.”
Roskam said conservatives have to be able to do that this year, because “the most important thing is the people who are in charge at the top.”
He was on a rhetorical roll.
“Our choice is to recede (or go forward).
“It’s just too big (an opportunity) to squander. We can’t squander the Freedom God has given us…the opportunity (to keep) economic freedom, political freedom and economic opportunity.
“That’s what this crowd is all about.
“Thank you for what you’re doing in these sharp-elbowed times.
“We need you to work together (and not to be defensive about being a conservative.”
There was much more, of course. I try to get to it in the coming days.
Press releases from Congressmen with connections with McHenry County:
Peter Roskam
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor announced the national unemployment rate is 8.3%:
“It’s encouraging to see more Americans employed and unemployment dropping, but the Obama economy is simply not working for the millions still out of work. Unemployment is still above 8 percent effectively three years after the “stimulus” passed. Yet even still, the Administration’s putting their political agenda ahead of American jobs. Just last month President Obama unilaterally blocked the creation of 20,000 private-sector American jobs when he rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline expansion. This comes in addition to the Senate blocking 29 House-passed jobs bills that would help our economy. It’s time for the Administration and Senate Democrats to change direction and finally embrace bipartisan job-creating solutions – a win for Americans.”
Don Manzullo
[WASHINGTON] – Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) issued the following statement this morning in response to the January jobs report. The Labor Department reported that 243,000 jobs were created in December and the national unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent:
STATEMENT:
“It’s wonderful to see some people returning to work, but we need to do much more to strengthen our economy and help employers create even more jobs. While 243,000 Americans returned to work, the long-term unemployed – those without jobs for more than 6 months – remained essentially unchanged at 5.5 million people. There are still too many Americans who want to work but can’t find a job. My American Jobs Agenda would go a long way to help our employers expand and create jobs.
“Things are looking much brighter in northern Illinois. Just last week, I was able to greet the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it stopped in Rockford on its maiden tour of international airports. The production of that amazing airplane will generate $16 billion in contracts for just one Rockford company – Hamilton Sundstrand – and many more local companies will benefit through sub-contracts. In addition, we were ecstatic to learn just yesterday that Chrysler – now owned by Italy’s Fiat — plans to add 1,800 jobs by this summer at the Belvidere Assembly plant to build the exciting new 2013 Dodge Dart, the first Chrysler vehicle to incorporate Fiat architecture, similar to that used in the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Things are definitely moving in the right direction, and I strongly encourage the Senate and the Pr
Randy Hultgren
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ January jobs report.
“While these numbers are a small step in the right direction, it’s clear that President Obama’s policies just aren’t doing what our economy needs,” said Hultgren. “Unemployment has now been stuck above 8 percent for 36 straight months – 3 entire years. Moreover, this week the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that unemployment will actually rise towards the end of 2012 and into 2013.
“What our economy, and American workers, need are predictable pro-growth policies to encourage private sector job-creation. The House has passed 27 such bills, all with bipartisan support, that would cut spending, shrink the size of government, and cut the red tape that’s holding small businesses back. Another stagnant jobs report underlines the need for the Senate to act on those bills immediately.
= = = = =
All three of these Congressmen will be attending the Patriots United Pro-Life Breakfast at D’Andrea’s Banquet Hall at the intersection of Routes 14 and 31 tomorrow morning. The event starts a 7:30 and costs $35.
Crystal Lake Policeman Sean McGrath on ABC in 2008.
The program to entice high school students to fasten their seat belts that started in Crystal Lake will hold its annual awards luncheon at D’Andrea’s Banquets at 10:45 on Thursday, April 21st.
That’s what Crystal Lake Policeman Sean McGrath, the non-paid President of the not-for-profit organization told me the day the hearing for Mercy Hospital was held at city hall.
“Saving Students One ‘Click’ at a Time” is the group’s slogan.
Students are rewarded during the year when they are stopped by police and have their seat belts fastened.
If 90% of students at a high school are found to have buckled up, a student from the school gets a chance at winning a car.
Does the program work?
Take a look:
From 65% seat belt compliance to 95% buckling up in Crystal Lake high schools! This is a program that works.
Show me another teen safe driving program that can produce results like that.
This voluntary incentive program is better than any law that has ever been passed.
The Barrington/Hoffman Estates Chapter and Libertyville/Wauconda Chapter will be on Friday, April 29th at the Sears Center as part of the Chicago Slaughter Indoor Football Game. If you have questions or interest in attending, contact Sean McGrath at 815-482-8885.
The 2008 awards ceremony. Sam Oginni, sponsor and owner of Crystal Lake Buick-GMC is seen on the left.
In 2008, ABC Channel 7 did a story explaining the program that can be found here.
The utter failure of Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen to put on a criminal case against McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi seems to have emboldened the McHenry County Board.
After the acquittal on all counts rendered by Rockford Judge Joseph McGraw delivered before Defense Attorney Terry Ekl put on any evidence, the County Board through the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office is asking that Judge Gordon Graham stay his order for payment of Tonigan’s latest bill
That’s what Law and Justice Committee Chairman Nick Provenzano explained before the Patriots United Pro-Life Breakfast Saturday morning at D’Andrea’s in Crystal Lake.
McHenry County Board member Nick Provenzano (center) talks to Joyce Story as his son Ryan ((left) and speaker Rev. Bob VandenBosch listen.
“We asked the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office to file a motion on our behalf for a stay of the court order issued by Judge Graham to pay the Special Prosecutor his latest bill,” Provenzano said.
“Having these charges dropped so quickly and so completely showed me that this was nothing but a witch hunt and we just flushed $500,000 of the taxpayers’ money down the drain.
“And that doesn’t count State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi’s legal bills which will no doubt be presented. He’s an employee of the county was found not guilty.”
Provenzano said county officials were also interested in looking at bills that have already been paid.
The invitations are out and the spring effort to raise money for the local Republican Party will be headlined by newly-elected U.S. Senator Mark Kirk.
The event will be held at Crystal Lake’s D’Andrea’s at the southeast intersection of Routes 14 and 31.
On February 19th, the event will begin with cocktails at six with dinner served at 7.
Seating will be determined in order of payment. Reservations are requested by February 10th.
“Senator Kirk is appearing at this event only as a featured guest,” the bottom line on the invitation reads.
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