McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Huntley Area Tea Party:

Huntley Area Tea Party Presents

Chip Borman

HERITAGE ACTION FOR AMERICA
“Congress and The Constitution: Preserve, Protect and Defend”

We promised you action as our theme for May; and you will see some here from Chip.

Looking forward to 2014 we’re going to step up that action.

Don’t miss this meeting to see how we’ve already begun.

* * * * *
The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights have lately come under rigorous scrutiny and serious attack: Original intent or a living document? Does the Bill of Rights still matter?

Let’s discuss our founders’ intent, the current formulation, what Congress is doing and failing to do to uphold their oath of office to, “… support and defend the Constitution of the United States”.

Most importantly, let’s realize how activism in our communities and neighborhoods can keep Congress accountable to their sworn oath and how each of us, with the cooperation and support of organizations like Heritage Action For America and

Huntley Area Tea Party, can help.

Join us Wednesday, May15, 2013

Gather in 6:30pm; Program begins at 7:00pm

Huntley Park Districtp12015 Mill Street
Huntley, IL 60142

A press release from the Huntley Area Tea Party:

Property Tax Action Group Addresses Huntley Area Tea Party over Lunch

At Huntley Area Tea Party, May is “Action” month.

We begin with a lunch gathering at 12:30 pm* on Wednesday, May 8 at Golden Corral – 1591 S Randall Rd, Algonquin, IL.

The “Action” comes from PTAG – Property Tax Action Group – and Alan Scott who will tell us about PTAG, their activities and major goals to

1. keep our property taxes down and
2. seek equity and fairness in our assessments. 

Alan will also talk about the importance of local taxing district meetings and our participation there.

We’ll learn what can be done to help achieve each of those two important goals here.

Mark your calendar and  join us for a relaxing and important lunch, with information and some informal conversation about our property taxes – today and tomorrow.

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*The afternoon start brings us a free lunch drink, compliments of Golden Corral. Arrivals before 12:30 will miss this freebie.  Mention “tea party meeting” to the cashier, then bring your chosen meal (and free drink) to the meeting room. Eat, relax and listen to Alan help us all with information we can rely on and apply.

The Huntley Area Tea Party is hosting Steve Beaman, a “financial expert, author and successful entrepreneur,” its press release notes.

“Steve Beaman, self-taught self-made millionaire, is the author of over 100 articles, publisher of three books, and producer of a two volume – 12 CD Audio Library. He is dedicated to helping people live better lives by empowering them through financial and economic literacy.

“Steve devoted 25 years of professional life to a successful career on Wall Street, culminating in the sale of his company, Chicago Investment Analytics, to Charles Schwab & Company in 2000. He has participated in all areas of economics and finance, been seen on Fox News, heard on The Rush Limbaugh Show, and been keynote speaker at countless investment and success related conferences. He most recently wrote the powerful book, ‘Happiness & Prosperity in the 21st Century: The Five Paths To a Transformed Life.’

“Steve will be ‘Exploding the Progressive Myths,’ helping us see what’s really happening in our U.S. economy 2013 and beyond, insights into deficits and debt, with added focus on growing taxes and spending. We will also hear about conditions and situations either not well known or somehow distorted and often misleading. All directly leading to that bottom line: How all of that affects all of us!”

When’s the event?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Gather in 6:30pm; Program begins at 7:00pm

Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill Street

Here’s a recap of the event:

The Huntley Area Tea Party (HATP) March meeting opened with our Pledge of Allegiance, and was followed by recognizing several candidates present who are listed on ballots for local office in the April 9 election and would be available for interview following the meeting.

A new HATP Academic Award program to assist local students was introduced.

A $500 award will be given to both Elgin Community College and McHenry Community College in the name of their respective student who submits the winning 1000 word essay on their choice of one of the Ten Amendments in the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights. A donation offering immediately followed. The awards will be presented at the May 15th meeting.

The feature presentation was by Miguel Melgar, local representative of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an organization of young people dedicated to educating students (of all ages) about fiscal responsibility, free markets, and capitalism. Like Huntley Area Tea Party, Turning Point USA does not stand on political party, rather on principle. More: www.turningpointusa.net

Miguel Melgar, a nineteen year old freshman at Harper Community College, spoke with clarity and sincerity of how today’s fiscal policies of deficit spending and growing national debt amount to “generational theft” leaving behind a debt that must be paid by tomorrow’s generations. He referenced current and past sources of factual data that show our path of unsustainable and out of control policies and programs can only lead to continual decline.

Melgar focused on education and how our public schools at all levels are programmed to train students to think, but in a structured process that literally fails to inform, educate and prepare our youth for a future of opportunity and prosperity as individuals.

He cited another TPUSA principle:

“The greatest solution to combating generational theft is an educated electorate that understands the issues, civics, and basic governmental policy. Old political talking points of the past will then no longer be viable; candidates will be forced to stand behind their principles, and pressured to execute beneficial public policy.”

When asked “what can we silver-haired folks do?”, Melgar was clear: share his message with our own families, and get in touch with our elected representatives throughout government; especially local officials in school districts, and other governing and taxing bodies to let them know what we expect. Participate in local politics, seek out and support those who have the courage to act in the best interests of our people of all generations.

A press release from the Huntley Area Tea Party:

TURNING POINT USA comes to Huntley

Several years ago, a young generation of high school/college age Americans began to awaken to the financial consequences of a national debt larger than the US economy itself and out of control spending by the Federal Government.

In coming decades America’s youth will pay the price for all this debt as they endure a lower standard of living, paying heavy taxes for the decisions made by the current generations of their parents, grandparents and high-spending politicians.

Up until now, the American Dream of every generation has been that a better life for their kids was possible and waiting for them. It now appears that without stopping that spending, that dream may not be passed along to anyone under 30 years of age.

One of the leading groups raising their voices yelling “STOP!” is Turning Point USA (TPUSA), led by Charlie Kirk and his enlightened and energized team.

The mission of TPUSA starts with conversations among young people, educating students about fiscal responsibility, free markets, and capitalism.

Through non-partisan debate, dialogue, and discussion, TPUSA believes that every young person can be enlightened to true free market values and the need for fiscal responsibility through constitutionally limited government.

TPUSA is becoming a national voice for American youth that must be heard and heeded by us all in our debate about the financial future and fate of our country. For more information about Turning Point USA, click here.

On March 20th, the Huntley Area Tea Party will welcome Miguel Melgar, a freshman at Harper CC and local TPUSA representative, to join us and tell us more about the impacts of our debt, out of control spending and what it all means to us today and to his generation.

This is a great session for your kids and/or grandchildren! Invite them, bring them, and help them understand what’s at stake and what must be done.
Plan to be here Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Gather in 6:30pm – Program start 7:00pm
HUNTLEY PARK DISTRICT 12015 Mill Street (Just west of Route 47) Huntley, IL 60142

A press release from the Huntley Tea Party:

Meet and interact with former Congressman Joe Walsh

Hear more about what’s going on out there from someone who knows.

Joe Walsh ran a great, hard fought campaign for re-election to Congress.

We congratulate him for conducting a principled campaign, focusing on key issues facing our country.

Joe urged us all to act like grownups, acknowledge our financial crisis, and take the necessary steps to fix our current problems in all of America’s best interests; especially those of our children and grandchildren.

Joe will be joining us on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:00 PM to discuss the U.S. Congress, Republican strategies for negotiating and dealing with Democrats on taxes, spending, government expansion and more.

He will tell us how we citizens can help influence these important issues and events.

We can count on an open and frank discussion with Joe Walsh, and plenty of time for some Q & A!

Plan to be here Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Gather in 6:30pm – Program start 7:00pm

HUNTLEY PARK DISTRICT
12015 Mill Street (Just west of Route 47)
Huntley, IL 60142

Former Huntley School Board member James E. Carlin died Saturday, August 18th, at age 69.

He was born on March 13, 1943.

A message from his wife Carol related the following detains:

“With a saddened heart I wanted to let Jim’s friends and acquaintances know that Jim passed away unexpectedly.

“For those interested there will be a wake this Wednesday followed by a funeral on Thursday.

“Exact times of both are yet to be determined but can be obtained by calling the [Defiore Jorgenson] Funeral Home in Huntley on Tuesday.”

After his service on the District 158 School Board he was active in Patriots United and the Huntley Area Tea Party.

Certainly, no one can say that Carlin did not take his citizenship seriously.

The invitation said the Huntley Area Tea Party Income Tax Day demonstration on Saturday afternoon would be cancelled if it rained.

But the temperature was perfect with a beautiful breeze to keep the flags fluttering.

Congressman Joe Walsh headlined the event, bringing his new Walshmobile to be christened with supporters’ signatures.

Huntley, it should be noted is not in the new 8th Congressional District

It’s in the 14th District where Walsh lives and in which he was running against fellow freshman Randy Hultgren for a while.

So it’s doubtful Walsh made contact with many 2012 general election voters.

If, however, he is laying the groundwork for the 2014 race against U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, he was presenting himself again to one of the highest turnout parts of Illinois, Del Webb’s Sun City seniors.

“Five ‘progressive’ infiltrators showed up with their anti-Walsh signs.” one person told me.

“The male group leader was asked what he does for a living,” the message continued.

“He said he’s a retired teacher.”

A press release from Congressman Joe Walsh:

Rep. Walsh Responds to the Brady Campaign on Illinois’s Restrictive Gun Laws

Sends Letter to Acting President Henigan Highlighting the Importance of the Second Amendment

WASHINGTON – Representative Joe Walsh (IL-8) sent a letter today to Acting President Dennis Henigan of the Brady Campaign, an anti-Second Amendment organization, to describe the importance of gun rights and how they are currently being disregarded, particularly in Illinois.

Last week, Acting President Henigan requested an “explanation” after Rep. Walsh stressed the importance of permitting conceal carry firearms in the state and the right to keep and bear arms before gun rights advocates in Huntley, IL.

“I am happy to today respond to Mr. Henigan’s request for clarity when I emphasized that the Second Amendment is the most important amendment in the Constitution – because it protects every other amendment,” said Rep. Walsh.

“I hope I was clear in that and wanted to send this letter to help ensure that message is clear.”

“Illinois is now the only state in the entire nation that doesn’t allow lawful Americans to carry a firearm. Violent crimes continue to decrease even as more states such as Wisconsin – that recently passed a concealed carry permit – repeal archaic laws crafted to restrict gun rights.”

“We need not forget that freedom was gained and will always be maintained by a strict interpretation of our Constitution and this certainly includes the Second Amendment.

“While I respect the mission of the Brady Campaign to reduce crime and violence, we strongly disagree on how this should be done.

“It should not be done through the slow dismantling of our right to bear arms, and by disarming law abiding Americans.”

“Gun rights advocates are on the front lines in defending our freedoms. I stand with them in this noble mission and will always be an outspoken advocate for Second Amendment rights and particularly, a repeal of Illinois laws preventing the right-to-carry.”

The letter is below. Click to enlarge.

I arrived a bit late, not having figured out that the Cosman Cultural Center was in the Huntley Park District building where Grafton Township regularly meets.

What appeared to be a candidates’ night was underway.

A man I later learned was Robert Zadek was speaking about immigration laws not being enforced when I arrived at the meeting. I looked him up on the Illinois State Board of Elections web site and couldn’t find his name on the list of U.S. Senate candidates,  the way he is identified on his palm card.

His web site says he’s a write-in candidate from Loves Park, north of Rockford. His position on illegal immigrants was one of enforcing the law.

Incumbent Don Manzullo’s Democratic Party opponent George Gaulrapp got off a good anti-incumbent line:

“Where could they work if they don’t get elected?”

Manzullo, of course, is an attorney, but I’ve always thought he’d make a good minister, if he weren’t a politician.

State Senator Chris Lauzen, who represents the Kane County portion of Sun City and other parts Northern and Western Kane County picked up on Zadek’s immigration comments. He pointed out his being the only vote against giving illegal immigrants a two-thirds tuition discount. He explained that State Senator Randy Hultgren, the GOP candidate for Congress against incumbent Democrat Bill Foster, who was sitting two seats away, was not in the state senate at the time of the vote.

“They should not get the benefits of citizens when they’re breaking the law,” Lauzen asserted.

“The way that we get respect is we all follow the laws together.”

A questioner thanked Lauzen for the help provided on House Bill 750 and asked how important it was to get a Republican elected governor.

A softball question, if there ever was one.

“If we don’t get a Republican governor, I’m convinced Illinois collapses,” Lauzen replied.

Another man asked Gaulrapp a question:

“I understand that you were an Obama delegate. Is that right? How do we know that you won’t get down to Washington and hunker down with Durbin and the other Democrats?”

Gaulrapp admitted he was an alternate delegate for Barack Obama, but urged listeners to “look at what I did in Freeport.”

He is mayor of that town west of Rockford. He admitted to raising the sales tax a quarter and three-quarters of a percent. I don’t know if that means his administration raised the sales tax 75%, as Mayor Aaron Shepley led his Republicans on the Crystal Lake City Council to do.

The Illinois Revenue Department says the city’s Home Rule Sales Tax went up 25% to a total of 7.25% as of January 1, 2004. It went up to a total of 8% on January 1, 2010. Gaulrapp was elected mayor in 2005. I don’t know if was on the city council prior to that, which might explain his mention of the quarter of a percent increase.

Increasing the sales tax to 8% puts it higher than any municipality in McHenry County.

Someone from the audience interrupted him.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Bye-bye,” was what I heard.

“The part doesn’t make the man,” the Democrat replied. “I can pick and choose what issue I go with. As far as I know Congressman Manzullo has been in Washington, lived there ten years.”

Gaulrapp said he would live in Freeport and commute to Washington, if elected.

The Democrat got a chance to answer another question while I was there. It was about welfare. The person asking was disturbed that welfare benefits were increasing more than Social Security.

“Why don’t we stop giving extra benefits for welfare recipients that have more babies?”

Gaulrapp argued for cutting “off benefits after the first child.” He would give first-time mothers educational assistance.

A member of the audience advocated attaching drug tests to welfare benefits. One of the two state senators on the dais pointed out such a bill had been voted upon but was “voted down.”

Somehow I didn’t get any notes on State Senator Hultgren’s comments.