McHenry County Blog

This trailer was near where we parked at the Decatur Convention Center when we attended the Illinois Republican Convention.

It was there even though John McCain had sewed up the nomination.

Some Ron Paul supporters—the Republicans who showed the most enthusiasm during the primary campaigns—actually ran for precinct committeeman as well as working for their candidate.

These small government folks could provide interesting leavening for the GOP in the future.

Meanwhile, other Libertarian-minded folks have formed a McHenry County Libertarian Party. It will hold its regular monthly meeting August 14th at 7 PM at Vaughn’s Family Restaurant in Woodstock.  790 S Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, according to Dave Brady.

“The purpose of this meetup is to bring together Libertarians or people interested in libertarian ideas in McHenry County. This first meeting is more geared towards getting to know each other and find out what people are interested in. Come bring your enthusiasm for politics and your community!”

, according to Brady’s email.

This trailer was near where we parked at the Decatur Convention Center when we attended the Illinois Republican Convention.

It was there even though John McCain had sewed up the nomination.

Some Ron Paul supporters—the Republicans who showed the most enthusiasm during the primary campaigns—actually ran for precinct committeeman as well as working for their candidate.

These small government folks could provide interesting leavening for the GOP in the future.

Meanwhile, other Libertarian-minded folks have formed a McHenry County Libertarian Party. It will hold its regular monthly meeting August 14th at 7 PM at Vaughn’s Family Restaurant in Woodstock.  790 S Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, according to Dave Brady.

“The purpose of this meetup is to bring together Libertarians or people interested in libertarian ideas in McHenry County. This first meeting is more geared towards getting to know each other and find out what people are interested in. Come bring your enthusiasm for politics and your community!”

, according to Brady’s email.

I haven’t mentioned how wet it was in Decatur last weekend for the Illinois Republican Party Convention.

Since there were pans collecting water on the convention floor, it seems appropriate.

It was pouring Saturday morning as delegates were arriving.

The next morning Republican Party State Chairman Andy McKenna spoke to our McHenry County Republican caucus.

Platform committee chairman Gene Dawson, the Barrington Township Republican Committeeman, who is also the 8th congressional district State Central Committeeman, explained the proposed 12-page platform. I asked him if it would be posted on the web site and he said it would.

McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon qualifies as a notable. I got his photo, but, for some reason didn’t take them of State Senator Pam Althoff and McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. Sorry about that, guys.

Kathy Salvi, whom I wanted the chance to vote for on the convention floor spoke to us, informing us that she had agreed to accept the offer of the woman the committee had recommended be selected Republican National Committeewoman, Demetra DeMonte, to be her deputy. It’s a good fit since DeMonte is from near Peoria and Salvi is from Lake County.

More Illinois GOP Convention notables tomorrow.

I haven’t mentioned how wet it was in Decatur last weekend for the Illinois Republican Party Convention.

Since there were pans collecting water on the convention floor, it seems appropriate.

It was pouring Saturday morning as delegates were arriving.

The next morning Republican Party State Chairman Andy McKenna spoke to our McHenry County Republican caucus.

Platform committee chairman Gene Dawson, the Barrington Township Republican Committeeman, who is also the 8th congressional district State Central Committeeman, explained the proposed 12-page platform. I asked him if it would be posted on the web site and he said it would.

McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon qualifies as a notable. I got his photo, but, for some reason didn’t take them of State Senator Pam Althoff and McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. Sorry about that, guys.

Kathy Salvi, whom I wanted the chance to vote for on the convention floor spoke to us, informing us that she had agreed to accept the offer of the woman the committee had recommended be selected Republican National Committeewoman, Demetra DeMonte, to be her deputy. It’s a good fit since DeMonte is from near Peoria and Salvi is from Lake County.

More Illinois GOP Convention notables tomorrow.

Yesterday, I started a story about the Republican notables I saw at the Republican State Convention held in Decatur on Friday and Saturday.

My wife and I arrived later than expected on Friday–about 6:30. It turned out all the decision has been made in committee. None were changed by anything done on the convention floor on Saturday.

Friday night, after registering and eating a bit, we decided to take up State Senator Kirk Dillard’s invitation to those attending the convention to visit the mansion of Lincoln supporter Richard Oglesby in downtown Decatur.

As we were walking out the front door of the convention center, the sun was setting behind the elephant that House Minority Leader Tom Cross had parked outside.

I’ll leave whether that is symbolic of anything that happened at the convention up to others.

At the Oglesby Mansion, I met Terri Ann Wintermute, the Republican candidate for state senate in the 42nd district. Democrat Linda Holmes is the incumbent. Republican Judge Ed Petka held the seats for years.

Earlier I had met Bollingbrook Mayor Roger Claar. I got a picture of State Senator Dan Rutherford conferring with a smiling Claar at the mansion.

Next I ran into our host Kirk Dillard. He told me that Oglesby was the last person to have an appointment with Lincoln before he was shot.

After looking at the bedrooms, I found my friend former State Representative and Republican National Committeewoman Penny Pullen talking with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerburg in the parlor.

More notables tomorrow.

Yesterday, I started a story about the Republican notables I saw at the Republican State Convention held in Decatur on Friday and Saturday.

My wife and I arrived later than expected on Friday–about 6:30. It turned out all the decision has been made in committee. None were changed by anything done on the convention floor on Saturday.

Friday night, after registering and eating a bit, we decided to take up State Senator Kirk Dillard’s invitation to those attending the convention to visit the mansion of Lincoln supporter Richard Oglesby in downtown Decatur.

As we were walking out the front door of the convention center, the sun was setting behind the elephant that House Minority Leader Tom Cross had parked outside.

I’ll leave whether that is symbolic of anything that happened at the convention up to others.

At the Oglesby Mansion, I met Terri Ann Wintermute, the Republican candidate for state senate in the 42nd district. Democrat Linda Holmes is the incumbent. Republican Judge Ed Petka held the seats for years.

Earlier I had met Bollingbrook Mayor Roger Claar. I got a picture of State Senator Dan Rutherford conferring with a smiling Claar at the mansion.

Next I ran into our host Kirk Dillard. He told me that Oglesby was the last person to have an appointment with Lincoln before he was shot.

After looking at the bedrooms, I found my friend former State Representative and Republican National Committeewoman Penny Pullen talking with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerburg in the parlor.

More notables tomorrow.