McHenry County Blog

Nunda Township is holding an Easter Egg Hunt at the part of the Nunda Township complex next to the Supervisor’s Office on Bay Road.

It will start at 10 on Saturday.

Nunda Township will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday at the township offices, 3510 Bay Road.

Of interest to some may be the contents of the robo-call on the event.

Unfortunately, the Friend of McHenry County Blog who sent it to me did not get the beginning of the recording.

What was caught of Supervisor Jim Schlader’s message follows:

“…at Nunda Township. Bring the kids and meet the Easter Bunny. The fun starts at 10 AM at the Supervisor’s Office, 3510 Bay Road. Any questions, visit our web site NundaTownship.com or call me Jim Schlader or Leda Drain at 815-459-4011. Thanks and have a great day.”

The press release is a bit different, as you can see below:

To the residents of Nunda Township:

“We are pleased to announce our First Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Junior Wolves Football and Cheerleading, Reach Sly/Liberty Outdoor Advertising and donations from our Nunda Township Residents for the children of Nunda Township.

“Please come on Saturday, March 23 to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at 10:00 A.M., on the grounds of the Nunda Township Offices at 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake.

“For additional information, please call Jim or Leda at 815-459-4011.”

In a letter dated December 11th, Nunda Township Supervisor John Heisler submitted his resignation as of January 3, 2013.

The missive, addressed to Trustee James Schlader, read,

John Heisler

“Due to recent events and family responsibilities, I will be unable to complete my current term as the Nunda Township Supervisor.

“I hereby submit my resignation to you effective January 3, 2013.

“Further, I am withdrawing my petition for candidacy for the February 26, 2013 primary election.

“I will make myself available3 for the execution of official documents and transitional discussion through January 3, 2013.”

It is dated one day before a challenge to Heisler’s petition resulted in his being removed from the GOP primary ballot.

Following Schlader’s reading of the letter, the four Township Trustees voted unanimously to accept Heisler’s resignation.

“I know we have had our ups and downs…but I think John’s heart was really in it,” Schlader said.

One of the three remaining candidates for the Republican nomination for Township Assessor, Lee Jennings, moved that Schlader be appointed to Interim Supervisor.

Trustee Tom Palmer pointed out that Schlader was “a good choice” because he was “the senior Trustee.”

After a vote, Schlader said, “Seeing how it’s unanimous I do accept.”

Before the meeting Schlader had explained Thursday was the first day of his retirement after being at th3 same medical supply company for thirty-nine years.

Schlader explained that it was not necessary to make “a whole bunch of changes,” but there would be some. He solicited suggestions from the elected officials at the meeting.

“I will be here at the office tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock.

“I need everybody’s support and I thank everybody here for their support.”

A second candidate for the permanent position is Township Clerk Bridget Provenzano, who will swear Schlader in on Friday.

Kerry Leigh, an Oakwood Hills Trustee, is the third candidate for Supervisor.

John Heisler has filed the required Statements of Economic Interest with the County Clerk for twenty years, but, with his mother dying in hospice care, he didn’t remember to attach a copy of the receipt to his Statement of Candidacy and petitions.

That got him kicked off the ballot Thursday by the Nunda Township Electoral Board.

The Board consisted of Trustee Tom Palmer, who chaired the meeting, Trustee Jim Schlader and former Assistant State’s Attorney David Stone, a Nunda Township resident.

Nunda Township resident Russell Scott, a McHenry resident, bought the complaint against Heisler in a professionally-prepared legal document.

When asked to testify, Scott said, he was “just going over the paperwork and I didn’t think it met the requirements of the State Board of Elections.”

When asked he said he stood on the arguments made in the objection that he filed.

“No one is here on behalf of the candidate,” attorney Scott Puma then announced.

“The objection is basically one of a legal question,” Electoral Board member Stone, an attorney, explained.

The Election Code requires a receipt from the candidate’s Statement of Economic interest to be attached to the petition filing.

Stone noted that the objected had cited three cases “which basically cover every conceivable situation.”

And, their message was that the attachment was a “mandatory requirement.”

“I’m of the opinion that the candidacy of John A. Heisler is invalid,” Stone concluded.

Schlader said he had a copy of from the County Clerk and asked, “Does it have to be attached?”

He said the copy had been “left in his box.”

Stone asked whether he got the copy before or after the filing and Palmer answered, “Well after.”

“I also declare that his petition package is invalid,” Schlader said.

Palmer agreed.

Stone then made a motion to take Heisler off the ballot.

Puma produced a resolution which the Electoral Board members read the document (that’s what the members are doing in the photo above).

After reading it and making a minor correction, the Board adopted the resolution unanimously.

That means the following candidates will be on the ballot for Nunda Township Supervisor:

• Bridgett Provenzano (current Township Clerk and wife of County Board member Nick Provenzano)
• Kelvin Lee Jennings (current Trustee)
• Kerry Leigh (Oakwood Hills Trustee)

Arriving via email today is another message that a candidate wants shared more broadly. This time it is from Jim Schlader, who is running for the County Board in District 3.

You see his “Talking Points” below:

Schlader’s more colorful web site is here.

You may remember that Kevin Craver’s Northwest Herald article about District 2 McHenry County Board candidates focused on the vote to increase the property tax levy by the maximum of 1.5% Cost-of-Living increase allowed by the Real Estate Tax Cap.

(You can find out who voted to hike your real estate tax bill as much as the law allows here.)

That stimulated my article entitled,

“Northwest Herald Turns Up the Heat on Three Crystal Lake County Board Members Who Voted to Maximize Tax Bill.”

Saturday’s NWH article about the District 3 campaign continued on the same property tax theme, the “touchiest issue,” as the reporter puts it.

There are three incumbents running for re-election.  Two Republicans–Mary Donner and Nick Provenzano–and Democrat Kathy Bergan Schmidt.

Donner and Schmidt voted for the tax hike; Provenzano did not.

Craver points out in the article that only challenger Lyn Orphal, a former District 2 Board member unseated by Donna Kurtz, came out in favor of the real estate tax hike.

Of the challengers, the following opposed the “Tax to the Max” approach:

• Mary Alger
• Joe Gottemoller
• Mary McClellan
• Jim Schlader
• Michael Walkup

Of the eight comments (as of 5:30 Saturday when this article was written) under the District 3 article, all are negative regarding the impending real estate tax hike.

The Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water has issued its recommendations for the McHenry County Board.  McHenry County Blog is in the process of publishing all of the candidate questionnaires that were turned in.  Not all candidates chose to do so.  The ALAW press release follows:

ALAW County Board Candidate Recommendations

The Alliance for Land Agriculture and Water (ALAW) is pleased to announce its recommended candidates for McHenry County Board in the upcoming primary election March 20, 2012.

Republican Party Candidates

• District 2: Donna Kurtz, Jim Heisler, Carolyn Schofield
• District 3: Jim Schlader, Michael Walkup
• District 4: John Hammerand
• District 5: John Jung Jr.
• District 6: Ersel Schuster, Diane Evertsen, Michelle Aavang, David LaGue

Democratic Party Candidates

• District 2: Jim Roden
• District 6: Scott Summers

Green Party Candidate

• District 5: Frank Wedig

Each of these candidates has expressed an understanding of the impact of land use decisions and transparency on the preservation of land, agricultural and water resources. A total of 25 candidates returned the survey, available at the Alliance web site. https://sites.google.com/site/landagricultureandwater/2012-county-board-elections

Also available on the site are summary sheets for each recommended candidate that include the candidate’s photograph and position on selected environmental questions.

https://sites.google.com/site/landagricultureandwater/2012-county-board-elections/recommended-candidates-for-mchenry-county-board-march-2012

The Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water was formed in 2006 as a response to citizen concerns with the proposed 2020 McHenry County Land Use Plan.

Since then, ALAW has continued to advocate for preservation of open space, agricultural lands and water resources through many programs including

• the campaign for the Kishwaukee Valley Water Authority,
• the Addendum to the Economic Interest Statement for county officials,
• participation in the county’s 2030 Land Use Planning process, and
• a Candidates Survey to identify and recommend environmentally aware candidates at each county election.

More information about ALAW is available on our web site: https://sites.google.com/site/landagricultureandwater/home.

= = = = =

The Democratic and Green Party candidates have no primary opposition.

District 3 Republican McHenry County Board candidate answers the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water’s Questionnaire below:

ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2012 Primary Election

A. Land Use

1. Do you agree that new development should be located where infrastructure exists, to minimize the extension of new roads, utilities and services, and protect farmland and water recharge areas? YES

2. If elected, will you support permanent protection of agricultural land and the agricultural industry in the County? YES

3. Do you agree or disagree that new rural development costs more for the extension of infrastructure (roads, water, sewer and services) than it brings to the County in taxes and that those extra costs are passed on to the existing taxpayers? YES

B. Water Resources

1. Would you oppose any land use change that would exceed a locally recharged aquifer’s capacity? YES

2. If elected will you enforce use of the SARA – Sensitive Aquifer Recharge Areas map developed by the County Water Resources Department, as a determining factor in every land use change decision? YES

3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water-rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater? NO

4. In your opinion, will McHenry County be able to get Lake Michigan water? NO

C. The Role of County Government

1. Should the county provide support services to municipal governments, for example issuing and enforcing municipal building permits, administering and enforcing the Storm Water ordinance? YES

2. Do you support a county housing program where the county purchases, constructs, remodels, rents, sells homes throughout the county and in municipalities? YES

3. Do you support a county bus program, where the county takes over responsibility for established service between select cities and townships? YES

4. Should the county health department report to the county board as opposed to an independent board of directors? NO

5. Do you think county government should increase expenditures and the scope of its activities, which will increase taxes to its residents? NO

D. Transparency and Commitment

1. County board records indicate that the average number of meetings necessary for attendance by a County Board Member is 8. This includes two full board meetings a month and two meetings a month for each committee (generally three) the member is assigned. Are you able and willing to make the commitment to represent your constituents to this extent? YES

2. During the last primary election 32 candidates for county offices voluntarily filled out the ALAW initiated Statement of Economic Interests BEFORE the election. This form is now required once you are elected, but we need to know before we elect you. Will you follow suit and file yours with us now? (Form attached with mailing instructions.) YES

3. Do you agree that all scheduled county meeting agendas and minutes, including committee and sub-committees, should be posted on the County web site? YES

4. Would you have voted to raise the county board members salaries? NO

5. Would you have voted to increase the real estate tax levy by 1.5% thus increasing the amount of real estate tax collected by the county by $1.1 ml.? NO

E. Short Answer. Only the number of words indicated will be published in the response report. (please add a page if you need more room, but remember that we can only print the number of words indicated and reserve the right to edit your response for that reason. Thank you.)

1.If you are elected to serve the residents of McHenry County, what external state and local agencies do you think are important for the county to liaison with and how would you make sure that information is flowing both ways with that agency? If you are currently serving and are an appointed liaison, please tell us what agency you are assigned and how you accomplish effective two-way communication. (50 words)

I have always been an advocate of two-way communication. It is especially important in harsh economic time that we work even harder at promoting constructive communication. I was particularly encouraged when I attended the “Helping People Forum” recently. These are the kinds of services that I will help promote.

2. By protecting agricultural lands and soil resources, groundwater and its natural recharge can also be protected. What will you do to provide that protection? (50 words)

We should continue to enact and enforce regulations that promote soil and water conservation like the McHenry County Groundwater Resources Management Plan and our McHenry County Stormwater Management Ordinance both of which I support.

3. Most municipalities in the county have their own economic development commissions or committees. Economic development has to occur where there is existing infrastructure. The county funds the private McHenry County Economic Development Corporation ($635,985. for the 2009-2012 term) to create development in the county outside of municipalities. Is this a good investment of taxpayer money? (50 words)

Yes, I support the McHenry County EDC because it promotes a strong business climate and encourages new jobs for the people of McHenry County. “Its mission is to encourage and develop the economic health of McHenry County, Illinois through the retention, expansion and attraction of commerce and industry which is conducive to an optimal quality of life for its citizens.”

4. Do you think Fleming Road, Alden Road and other county roads that do not serve highly developed commercial areas, need to be widened and “improved” at this time? (50 words)

I feel that it is very important for us to protect and preserve our heritage for future generations to also enjoy. I have no problem with resurfacing projects that stay within the roads current footprint. I think the people have spoken on this issue. NO!

5. What weight should you as a county board member give the opinions of citizens affected by zoning decisions, special use permits and road projects? (50 words)

I believe the citizens should be allowed the opportunity and the time to review any key project that borders them, is funded by them and is affecting them by the decision. It is important to allow our citizens the chance to provide their feedback and we should listen.

6. What in your background qualifies you to serve the public as a county board representative and what do you intend to accomplish if elected to the County Board. You may also use this space to provide additional information regarding any of the “yes / no” answers given above. (100 words)

I will bring over forty years of experience in business dealing with issues, making correct critical decisions. I have always been an excellent communicator, a good listener and a person who respects the rights of others.

I am a conservative who applies what has learned over the years, to make the right choices. I am active member of the community, supporter of my church and servant of my God. I try to do the right thing to protect my environment and have taken an active role as a member of the McHenry County Defenders.

After an overly long set-up yesterday, today we move into what office seekers who attended the McHenry County Young Republicans’ Candidates’ Forum said about the County Board’s having decided to maximize the amount of money it will take out of our pockets this summer.

Before beginning, let me remind you of those incumbents who voted to increase the tax levy so the tax take from property owners will be as high as allowed by state law.

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

Candidates were allowed two minutes to introduce themselves. Some used the time to emphasize the tax hike issue.

Friday night it was Joe Gottemoeller, Nick Provenzano, Mary Alger, Sandy Salgado, John Hammerand and Ed Varga, (I was taking photos, so if I missed someone, let us know in the comment section.)

The tax issue surfaced in some of the opening comments.

“I voted ‘No’ on the tax increase,” District 3 incumbent Provenzano said in his opening.

“I’m here to put the brakes on…raising taxes,” said Tea Party candidate Mary Alger, running in District 3.

“I voted ‘No’ on the tax increase,” District 4 incumbent Sandra Salgado chimed in.

And that was all before the tax hike question was asked.

Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Carolyn Schoefield praised the process set in place to immediately begin an effort to see how the budget could be cut. She explained that her city “dipped into our reserves to lower the tax levy,” but noted, “the reserves are not limitless.”

“I voted against the budget increase,” John Hammerand said.

“If there’s money to be spent, we use it.”

District 4′s Ed Varga of Richmond:

Ed Varga

“I was upset about hearing about the tax levy, the last minute nature of it.

“Just go to each department and say, ‘You’ve got 5% less to spend.’”

Having served on the McHenry County Board of Health, he pointed to an outside audit that said the local health department did more with less than any other Chicago area health department.

Joe Gottemoeller, a challenger in District 3, expanded on his opening remark by answering, “No” and pointing out that property taxes had increase from 2% of a home’s value to 4% since 1994.

“Government has to tighten its budget.”

“I’m not looking for increasing the tax levy,” explained District 2 challenger Tom Wilbeck. “That’s what got me involved on the very last day.”

He told that people asked, “Are you going to raise my taxes?” as he went door-to-door soliciting petition signatures.

Incumbent Mary Donner of District 3 said, “I guess you get to hear frankly (from one in the) peanut gallery who voted, ‘Yes.’”

The Finance Committee member explained that the Committee started working on the budget in May. She pointed to mandates, e.g., courtrooms for two new judges.

“We are the smallest unit government [at least the smallest Illinois county] that has a Triple A bond rating.”

District 3 incumbent Nick Provenzano reiterated that he had voted against the $2.7 million increase. He pointed out that the Board had taken “an addition $1.2 million out of the tax reserves.

“That was a mistake.

“We need to relieve staff of some of the high level decisions. We have to stop spending where we don’t need to.”

District 3′s Tea Party Republican, Mary Alger, said, “I would not have voted for the increase in taxes. I’ve looked at the notices that are tacked on houses.”

“I did not vote for the tax levy,” District 4′s Sandra Salgado repeated. She told of excesses in the budgets of “political figures.”

Salgado was told by a colleague, “That’s a great question, but you’re not the one to ask it.” She said the question involved “over $600,000.”

She said she “put a stop to elected officials salaries” going up.

“The office pays what it pays,” she observed. [Most county officials get about $100,000 a year.]

District 3 challenger Mary McClellan, first on her ballot, had this response:

“A resounding, ‘No.’

“Hold any County Board member responsible for the votes they made.”

District 2 incumbent Donna Kurtz said,

“I voted for the tax levy because I believe in fiscal responsibility.

“We had labor contract’s and inflation of 1.5%. and that [was] what the tax levy [increase] was [for].

“Others wanted to use money earmarked for capital to pay for the [operating] expenses. That was [irresponsible].

Linda Kvidera Murphy of District 4 put in her two cents worth: “I also don’t support the increase in taxes. I think County Board members should be held accountable [for their votes].

“I did support the tax increase,” admitted District 2 incumbent Jim Heisler.

He explained he started out in opposition to the increase, but “wages got us corralled where we couldn’t back out of it.”

Crystal Lake Park District Commissioner Mike Walkup, a challenger in District 3, expresses his opposition to the hike.

“I agree with Cal [Skinner]. Set the number you have and [make] that number the [levy].

“The economy is not going to get better quickly,” he predicted.

[See

"How to Cut a Budget, Plus How to Provide Political Camouflage for Incumbent McHenry County Board Members"]

District 3 aspirant Jim Schlader was the last Friday participant to answer the tax question.

“People I talk to out on the streets are asking whether they’re going to but food or [pay taxes].

“I would not vote for that increase.”

Missing from the event were District 2 candidate Ken Koehler, the Chairman of the McHenry County Board.  Koehler voted for the tax hike.

Among the missing from District 3 was former Board member Linda (Lyn) Orphal.

Not taking part from District 4 were incumbent Sue Draffkorn, plus challenger Robert “Bob” M. Martens, Sr.  Draffkorn voted in favor of the tax  hike.

= = = = =
What District 5 and 6 candidates said Saturday night tomorrow.

Crystal Lake Park Board member Michael Walkup obviously was going to file someone’s petition(s).

He arrived about 4 when I did, but was very secretive about what was inside the unmarked plain paper envelope.

Jim Kennedy was there to file as a Democrat when we walked in the County Clerk’s Office. But, as detailed here, Kennedy was running in District 2, not District 5, which he served for four years. He had been remaped into the district to the east.

Only Huntley’s Mike Skala, running in District 5, was similarly waiting for the last moment. Obviously, both wanted the last ballot position.

McHenry County Clerk warned the two that their receipt for income disclosure must be filed and attached to their petition packets and the processing of the filing started before the 5 PM deadline.

Skala took her advice more seriously than Walkup, but both filed in time.

And, what did Walkup file?

A petition for himself for McHenry County Board in District 3.

As explained in my District 6 GOP County Board candidate story, last place gives a candidate a bonus of about 5%, the same as second place, with first place on the ballot worth an extra 10%.

Since six of the eight District 3 candidates had filed simultaneously, two would get bonus position, while the other four would be in the middle of the ballot.

Those six first minute filers are

• Mary Alger
• Mary Donner
• Joe Gottmoller
• Mary McClellan
• Nick Provenzano

Next to last is the worst position on the ballot and that’s where Jim Schlader ended up.

Presumably Walkup decided that filing last was the safety play.

Let’s look at the numbers from the two previous District 3 elections.

In the 2008 Presidential primary election, there were 7,976 votes.  Remember that each person got two votes.

From the canvass below, you can see that many people–2008–did not use both of their votes, probably lest their second choice beat out their first choice.

Similarly, election results in 2010, seen below, saw 6,944 votes cast.  1,772 votes went uncast.

One of the first things one does in a campaign is try to figure out how many votes it will take to win.

What’s your guess in District 3′s Republican primary election?

Let’s put the highest numbered district first this time.

Those Republicans who filed who did not file the first day, follow:

• District 6 – J. Vincent Ranzino of Marengo
• District 3 – Jim Schlader of McHenry
• District 1 – Robert C. (Bob ) Nowak of Cary

All but Nowak are challengers.

I typed in the name of “J. Vincent Ranzino of Marengo” into Google and came up with this:

“JOSEPH V RANZINO, (Zip code: 60152) $250 to GERY CHICO FOR SENATE on 10/30/03″

Couldn’t find anything else.

This makes a total of 28 Republicans running for 24 vacancies.

There are two incumbent Democrats who have not filed for re-election, plus a newcomer from Algonquin.