McHenry County Blog

In my article on the Seneca Township supervisor’s race, the second to involve township buildings, as Northwest Herald reporter Kevin Craver caught, I suggested that the Democrats had a big role in electing the man who beat Ersel Schuster.

From the comment that James C. Kagel left under the article, it seems I was wrong.

Kagel insists he is not a Democrat…or a Republican and that the Bartmans were not as helpful in his campaign as I said. Read his own words below and give him credit for knocking on 450 doors in Seneca Township. They are not as close as the 225 I knocked on in my Algonquin 7 precinct the Saturday before the election:

Number one I am NOT a Democrat or for that matter a Republican, I am an Independent and have been my whole voting life!!!

Number two John Bartman was not the backbone of my campaign! I don’t know where you got your information, but in the future verify your source,and not assume the information received is credible.

I personally went to 450 homes within the township campaigning for the Supervisor’s position.

No one contributed funds to my campaign.

The only support I received was encouragement from the concerned citizens of Seneca Township.

James C. Kagel

Kagel beat incumbent Ersel Schuster 500-216.

So, I guess that means the Democrats had no pick-up victories at the township level this year. Certainly, none were on the ballot as Democrats, as I reported election evening.

If I am wrong, I’m hoping some Democrat will set me straight.

And, while we’re talking about Seneca Township, there was a three-way race for road commissioner.

Incumbent Robert Helfers did not run for re-election.

Scott Swanson won the race with 362 votes, 51.9% of the total.

Second was Jim Kunde with 272 or 39%.

Running last was Mark Keil. He received 64 votes for 9% of those voting.

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The photographs are from the 90-person candidates’ night held before the election. Click to enlarge the photos.

When 90 people come to a candidates’ night in a two precinct township, I guess one could assume something was up.

Standing room only.

Something about renting out the township hall by incumbent Ersel Schuster.

Schuster was defeated by challenger James Kagel, a Democrat, by a preliminary vote of 500-216.

Better than 2-1.

The backbone of Kagel’s campaign was former Democratic Party Chairman John Bartman and his mother Rosemary, a Seneca Township Trustee. John Bartman was hired by the Rod Blagojevich administration to work in the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Here is something I got via email about the meeting:

A bright pink flyer was sent to 1,200 homes in Seneca Township inviting everyone to a candidates forum for the thee road commissioner candidates and the two supervisor candidates.

Latecomers among the 90 who turned out, were left literally standing out in the
hallway.

The idea for this forum was started when a group of concerned residents were having breakfast out and decided it was time to let the candidates speak for themselves and end some misinformation that had been circulating in the township.

The forum began with the road commissioners.

Each candidate talked for a minute and then turns were taken answering written questions from the audience, with each candidate responding to each question.

The supervisors went next in the same fashion.

One topic of note was the subject of renting out the town hall. Kagel felt it was a bad idea because of the liability involved.

Supervisor Schuster responded by saying that the hall was the property of the voters and renting out the facility was their right. She explained that the liability issue could be addressed with a simple document that is easily created.
Schuster pointed out that the new addition was completed without any debt or tax increases.

The parking lot was filled beyond capacity and everyone was cordial.

Not much. If anyone would like to fill me in on the issues of the campaign, feel free.

Schuster also serves on the McHenry County Board, having been elected last fall.

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The head shot is of Ersel Schuster.