McHenry County Blog

As I mentioned in my short article Saturday, the records of incumbent County Board members and the positions of challengers on holding real estate taxes constant or even lowering them could become the issue of the March 20th Republican primary election.

Since I have already done an article on the Board’s vote on the tax levy for next year, let me point you to it first:

Who Voted to Raise Your County Taxes?

The new McHenry County Board map lines for 2012-2020. Click to enlarge. District 1 is in the Southeast corner. No primary contest there. District 2 is just north in Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills and Lakewood. District 3 runs from Crystal Lake to McHenry. District 4 is comprised of McHenry, eastern Wonder Lake, Ringwood, Richmond and Spring Grove. District 6 is the biggest district in area. It covers the Western part of McHenry County.

If you don’t want to see the 11-11 tie vote (two absent) on the motion that lost (because it was a tie) and just want to focus on those incumbents who voted to hike your taxes, here’s the list, included those who could be considered to have voted both ways.  Those running for re-election are in boldface type.

• Robert Bless
• Scott Breeden
• Sue Draftcorn (a switch)
• Mary Donner
• Jim Heisler
• Tina Hill (a switch)
• John Jung
• Donna Kurtz
• Mary McCann
• Pete Merkel
• Anna May Miller (a switch)
• Marc Munaretto
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Ken Koehler

The McHenry County Young Republicans, stepped up to fill the shoes of

• Patriots United,
• the McHenry County League of Women Voters and
• the Northwest Herald,

by sponsoring forums Friday night for District 2, 3 and 4 candidates and for District 5 and 6 hopefuls on Saturday night.

The level of interest evidenced by local citizens was low, much lower than the turnout will probably be next Saturday night when

• State Rep. Kent Gaffney,
• Dave McSweeney and
• Danielle Rowe

face off at McHenry County College.

The YR’s asked the same first question Friday and Saturday.

It was about positions on raising taxes for challengers and how incumbents voted on the 1.5% tax hike all will see this spring when the tax bills come out after the primary.

The 1.5% increase, by the way, is the maximum allowed by the Property Tax Cap law (called PTELL by the technocrats) passed in 1992.

John Hammerand

Let me add here that folks disturbed about tax districts that hike taxes ought to be focusing on school districts.  That’s where the big money is.

But there is no monetary incentive for anyone to run for school board because members don’t get paid.

There is rarely any competition and even rarer for there to be a candidates’ night.  To have a candidates’ forum sponsored by any group that would question the maximization of tax collection by school districts is unheard of locally.

Let me set the stage of the County Board tax hike question by telling what the 1.5% tax hike will be used for.

According to District 4 County Board and longest serving Finance Committee member John Hammerand of Wonder Lake, the extra money will be used to purchase software to link them State’s Attorney’s Office to the rest of the court system.

= = = = =
What the candidates said tomorrow.

McHJenry County State's Attorney holds up his speech after he announces he will seek a third term.

Having been vindicated by not one, but two verdicts of acquittal in Circuit Court, McHenry County State’s Attorney has decided to seek voter approval of his stewardship of the office he first won in 2004.

Speaking at his annual fund raiser, Festa Italiana, Bianchi said,

“I cannot think of a more appropriate (time or place) to announce to you and our community that I will be seeking another term as State’s Attorney.”

The First Electric Newspaper's Pete Gonigam chats with Cary's Yvonne Barnes, a former McHenry County Board member who is contemplating another run.

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler had laudatory comments about Lou Bianchi when he introduced him.

The place was packed with reporters and I would imagine there will be big stories tomorrow.

There were also lots of office holders and candidates.

Bianchi was introduced by McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, as he was four years ago when Bianchi announced his run for a second term.

Four years ago, Koehler was reported to be filling in for Sheriff Keith Nygren, who went on to heavily support Bianchi primary opponent Dan Regna.

Koehler, of course, like all County Board candidates must stand for re-election in 2012.

Nunda Township Trustee Jim Schlader is running in District 3.

I’m not aware of any incumbents who are not running for re-election, but Barb Wheeler, who is running for State Rep.  At the risk of missing some (whose names I shall add if they contact me), the following were at the fund raiser:

• Donna Kurtz
• Marc Munaretto
• Nick Provenzano
• Sandy Salgado

There were also challengers who wanted publicity:

• Jim Schlader, a Nunda Township Trustee, who is a candidate in District 3.
• 

  Rachel Smith said she "definitely" was running for County Board in District 6. Here she is taling to Hebron Village Trustee and County Board Chairman Ken Koehler.

  Rachel Smith, a Republican Precinct Committeeman from Greenwood Township whose mailing address is Wonder Lake.

And people thinking about running who were not ready to have their ambitions spread across the McHenry County Blog screen.

Plus former County Board member Yvonne Barnes, who, as indicated in the cutline under her picture above, is thinking about trying to regain the seat she lost to Robert Novak in 2010.

Chad Koppie, an announced candidate for State Senate in the 33rd District, shared a light moment with Lou Bianchi.

State legislative candidates were present, too.

Kane County’s Chad Koppie, who just announced he was running for the State Senate in an empty district where Kane County Chairman Karen McConnaughay has announced her candidacy was in attendance.

I did not see McConnaughay.

When she announced I asked when she would be visiting McHenry County.

There was nothing on her schedule at that time.

Arriving after the festivities had concluded was newly-appointed State Representative Kent Gaffney and his wife Elizabeth.

McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz converses with State Rep. Kent Gaffney and his wife Elizabeth.

I vented about Governor Pat Quinn’s proposal to hike toll taxes by 88%, wondering why Republican legislators were not pinning the toll tax hike on the state’s top donkey.

Gaffney was not the only person in the room interested in being elected from the district represents.

One of the many people who talked to Lou Bianchi after his announcement was Robert Hanaford.

Former Fox River Grove Village Trustee Bob Hannaford was discussing a potential candidacy in the Republican primary election against Gaffney.

Hanaford now lives in the southwestern corner of Lake County and has been active in the Cuba Township Republican Party.

McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler, who is a candidate for State Representative in the 64th District, talks with Donna Kurtz.

So I won’t be accused of discrimination, let me point out that McHenry County Board member and State Representative candidate Barb Wheeler was escorted to the Festa Italiana by her husband Joe Wheeler, even though he was not in the photo published here.

Barb Wheeler

I missed a good meeting of the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee earlier this month.

Kent Gaffney

Besides the main speaker, newly-appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney, other candidates were present to announce their candidacies.

McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler was one of them. She is running for State Representative in the district that runs from my Crystal Lake-Lakewood precinct to Antioch in northern Lake County.

There is no incumbent living in this 64th District.  Mike Tryon, who is State Representative in the current 64th District has chosen to remain in his current home, which is not within the boundaries of the new 64th District.

Nick Provenzano

Mary Donner

Mary Donner and Nick Provenzano, the two other Republican incumbent County Board members, announced their candidacies for re-election.

The other County Board member from District 3 is Democrat Kathy Bergan Schmidt.

Three people appeared seeking to join the two GOP incumbents.

Lyn Orphal

They are Lyn Orphal, who represented District 2 until she was knocked off by Donna Kurtz last year. Orphal’s precinct, just south of East Crystal Lake Avenue west of Route 31, was moved into District 3. She attended the County Board meeting when the new lines were approved.

John O'Neill

John O’Neill, now a member of both the McHenry Grade School District and the McHenry Library Board, plus being the only one brave enough to challenge Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks, announced he was going to run for County Board in 2012.

Rounding out the trio of those seeking County Board seats was Nunda Township Trustee James Schlader. Schlader ran unsuccessfully for County Board in 2008, getting a bit over half the votes received by Donner and Provenzano. Kurt Milliman, recently murdered, ran in the same primary and got about the same proportion of votes.  He was elected Nunda Township Trustee in 2009.

= = = = =
The photo of Kent Gaffney is by Robin F. Pendergast, Inc.

Two incumbent township trustees were dumped by Republican voters in Nunda Township.

One, Kevin Sarnwick, was an appointed incumbent.

The other Richard Meyers was also an appointed incumbent.

Taking them out were newcomer Joni Smith and rejected appointed trustee aspirant Kevin Jennings.

The results follow:

• Tom Palmer – 581
• Joni Smith – 540
• James Schlader – 512
• Kevin Jennings – 480

Notice the fall off of votes for Team Nunda candidates as folks proceeded down the ballot. Their order is the same as on the Team Nunda signs.

Results for the two who lost follow:

• Richard Meyers – 412
• Kevin Sarnwick – 388

They don’t get paid a lot, but township trustee is considered a step on the political ladder.

When Nunda Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano made the random selection. Here is what happened:

1. Thomas Palmer, an incumbent
2. Joni Smith, a challenger
3. James Schlader, an incumbent who ran for county board in the GOP primary election
4. Richard “Dick” Meyers, just appointed to take the place of Walt Romanus, who died, and a former township clerk and McHenry County Board member
5. Lee Jennings, who sought the appointment Meyers received
6. Kevin Sarnwick, an incumbent

Four will be elected.

No other contests exist, except for township assessor.

There incumbent Dennis Jagla will appear first will face off in the Republican Party primary election against challenger Alan Weaver, who serves as appointed assessor in Alden Township. Weaver ran as an independent last time around.

They don’t get paid a lot, but township trustee is considered a step on the political ladder.

When Nunda Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano made the random selection. Here is what happened:

1. Thomas Palmer, an incumbent
2. Joni Smith, a challenger
3. James Schlader, an incumbent who ran for county board in the GOP primary election
4. Richard “Dick” Meyers, just appointed to take the place of Walt Romanus, who died, and a former township clerk and McHenry County Board member
5. Lee Jennings, who sought the appointment Meyers received
6. Kevin Sarnwick, an incumbent

Four will be elected.

No other contests exist, except for township assessor.

There incumbent Dennis Jagla will appear first will face off in the Republican Party primary election against challenger Alan Weaver, who serves as appointed assessor in Alden Township. Weaver ran as an independent last time around.

Filing for the five Republican township primaries in McHenry County has ended and the major Nunda Township officers have emerged unchallenged, according to Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano.

That means Supervisor John Heisler, Road Commissioner Don Kopsell, Assessor Dennis Jagla and Clerk Provenzano can relax between now and the February 24th township primary election.

However, there does appear to be a spirited contest for township trustee in the offing.

With the death of Township Trustee Walt Romanus, the Nunda Township Board appointed former Township Clerk and McHenry County Board member Dick Meyers as his replacement last week.

Those running for township trustee follow in alphabetical order:

• Kelvin (Lee) Jennings, who applied unsuccessfully for the Romanus vacancy
• Dick Meyers, appointed incumbent
• Thomas Palmer, incumbent
• Kevin Sarnwick, incumbent
• James Schlader, incumbent
• Joni Smith

Four will emerge as primary winners.

Nunda Township runs north from Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake into the southern part of McHenry north of Bull Valley Road. Its western boundary goes north from the middle of Crystal Lake. The Lake County line is its eastern boundary.

Democrats could caucus in mid-January and name opposing candidates.

If so, it would be much like the state Democrats, who are now backing away from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s suggestion to hold a special election to select President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement.

Why hold an election to select the party’s candidate when an appointment is so much less dangerous?

Filing for the five Republican township primaries in McHenry County has ended and the major Nunda Township officers have emerged unchallenged, according to Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano.

That means Supervisor John Heisler, Road Commissioner Don Kopsell, Assessor Dennis Jagla and Clerk Provenzano can relax between now and the February 24th township primary election.

However, there does appear to be a spirited contest for township trustee in the offing.

With the death of Township Trustee Walt Romanus, the Nunda Township Board appointed former Township Clerk and McHenry County Board member Dick Meyers as his replacement last week.

Those running for township trustee follow in alphabetical order:

• Kelvin (Lee) Jennings, who applied unsuccessfully for the Romanus vacancy
• Dick Meyers, appointed incumbent
• Thomas Palmer, incumbent
• Kevin Sarnwick, incumbent
• James Schlader, incumbent
• Joni Smith

Four will emerge as primary winners.

Nunda Township runs north from Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake into the southern part of McHenry north of Bull Valley Road. Its western boundary goes north from the middle of Crystal Lake. The Lake County line is its eastern boundary.

Democrats could caucus in mid-January and name opposing candidates.

If so, it would be much like the state Democrats, who are now backing away from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s suggestion to hold a special election to select President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement.

Why hold an election to select the party’s candidate when an appointment is so much less dangerous?

They don’t get paid a lot, but township trustee is considered a step on the political ladder.

When Nunda Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano made the random selection, here is what happened:

1. Thomas Palmer, an incumbent
2. Joni Smith, a challenger
3. James Schlader, an incumbent who ran for county board in the GOP primary election
4. Richard “Dick” Meyers, just appointed to take the place of Walt Romanus, who died, and a former township clerk and McHenry County Board member
5. Lee Jennings, who sought the appointment Meyers received
6. Kevin Sarnwick, an incumbent

Four will be nominated in the primary election to represent the Republican Party in the early April election.

No other contests exist, except for township assessor.

There incumbent Dennis Jagla will appear first will face off in the Republican Party primary election against challenger Alan Weaver, who serves as appointed assessor in Alden Township. Weaver ran as an independent last time around.

They don’t get paid a lot, but township trustee is considered a step on the political ladder.

When Nunda Township Clerk Bridgett Provenzano made the random selection, here is what happened:

1. Thomas Palmer, an incumbent
2. Joni Smith, a challenger
3. James Schlader, an incumbent who ran for county board in the GOP primary election
4. Richard “Dick” Meyers, just appointed to take the place of Walt Romanus, who died, and a former township clerk and McHenry County Board member
5. Lee Jennings, who sought the appointment Meyers received
6. Kevin Sarnwick, an incumbent

Four will be nominated in the primary election to represent the Republican Party in the early April election.

No other contests exist, except for township assessor.

There incumbent Dennis Jagla will appear first will face off in the Republican Party primary election against challenger Alan Weaver, who serves as appointed assessor in Alden Township. Weaver ran as an independent last time around.