McHenry County Blog

The Monday before last, McHenry County College President Walt Packard handed out a list of people whom he wanted to recruit for the community outreach effort, as recommended by tax hike consultants Unicom-ARC, out of St. Louis.

It looks like the beginning of a tax hike referendum committee to me. I’d offer the time line in this article for your consideration. And what are we paying? Here’s the price.

There haven’t just been hired by the McHenry County College Board. The St. Charles School District has also hired the firm.

At last Thursday night’s board meeting, the list was expanded. Board members probably made most of the suggested additions.

Below are listed the new names, along with an identifying description and a town, which, I note, is not necessarily where the people live. It may represent their place of work.

• Todd Bessey, Wayne Hummer Investments, Algonquin
• Roger Brown, Inland Real Estate Development
• Joe Cox, VP, J.P. Morgan/Chase, Crystal Lake
• Dr. William Cox, Jr., McHenry County Orthopaedics, Crystal Lake
• Cathlene Decaene, Artist, Woodstock
• Bill Donato, Teacher, Woodstock HS
• Chuck Ebann, Community Member, Crystal Lake
• Jackie Eberle, Treasurer, Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Crystal Lake
• Holly Emrich, Community Member, Crystal Lake
• Pedro Enriques, Regional Director, Illinois Migrant Council, Harvard
• Judge Michael W. Fetterer, Woodstock
• Julie Gibson, Program Director, Thresholds McHenry, McHenry
• Frances Glosson, MCC Board & Director, Community Learning Strategies/Centegra, McHenry
• Stacia Hahn, VP Finance, Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake
• Sean Haley, VP Regulatory Affairs, Sage Products, Crystal Lake
• Monica Heydari, Behavioral Health Counselor, Crystal Lake
• Pam Hoffman, MCEDE Treasurer and Associated Bank, McHenry
• Tracy Izquierdo, Weist, Botto & Gilbert/Foundation Board, Crystal Lake
• Cliff Jackson, Owner/Jackson Insulation & Exteriors, Crystal Lake
• Cathy Klettke, Admin. Asst., CL Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Lake
• Rosemary Kurtz, Retired legislator, Crystal Lake
• Mike Nygren, Director of Marketing Communications, Sage Products, Crystal Lake
• Ardale Pate, Distance Learning Professor, Crystal Lake
• Don Peters, Retired, Crystal Lake
• Marcy Piekos, Owner/Maverick Minds Consulting, Woodstock
• Linda Pohlman, Teacher, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake
• Roger Schlies, Retired, McHenry

Under this list of new potential recruits are the names released on Monday. They are categorized, rather than being listed in alphabetically on the new list, which includes all of the following except Terry Miller, “Terry Miller.” That omission may, of course, just be a clerical error.

Health Care

• Denise Eesley, Centegra
• Angela McAuley, Centegra Senior VP Women’s Health

Agriculture

• Linnea Kooistra, Woodstock
• Ken Book, Harvard
• John Pihl, Harvard
• Harry Alten, Harvard
• Mel Von Bergen, Hebron

Industry

• John Cain, Scot Forge, Spring Grove
• Sandra Pierce, Phoenix Woodworking, Woodstock

Retail/Business

• Jim/Cheryl Wormley [Cheryl is the Woodstock Independent's publisher)
• Bob Seegers, Jr., Crystal Lake
• Mike Splitt, Crystal Lake
• Luke Lohmeyer, Woodstock
• Jack Porter, Woodstock

Banking/Finance

• Charie Zanck, American Community Bank, Crystal Lake
• Tom Quinn, American Community Bank, Crystal Lake
• Bob Cormier, Jr., Home State Bank, Crystal Lake
• Maggie Rivera, Home State Bank, Crystal Lake
• Steven Slack, Home State Bank, Crystal Lake

School Districts

• Joe Williams, Regional Superintendent's Office
• Ellyn Wreszki, District 200, Woodstock
• Jill Hawk, District 155, Crystal Lake
• Dan Bertrand, District 154, Marengo

Political

• Lauri Olson, Richmond Village President
• Sandy Donley, County Board, Marengo
• Sandra Salgado, County Board, McHenry
• Anna May Miller, County Board, Cary
• Donna Schaefer, McHenry Township Supervisor, McHenry
• Bob Pierce, Dorr Township Supervisor, Woodstock
• Jim Heisler, County Board, Crystal Lake
• Ed Dvorak, County Board, Crystal Lake
• Rich Mack, Ringwood Village President

<Governmental Entities

• Ron Salgado, State's Attorney’s Office, McHenry
• Pete Austin, McHenry County Administrator, Woodstock
• Wayne Amore, McHenry Fire Chief, McHenry
• Derik Morefield, Deputy City Manager, Woodstock

Not for Profits

• Sue Krause, Youth Service Bureau, Woodstock
• Jane Farmer, Turning Point, Woodstock
• Anna Bicanic Moeller, McHenry County Council of Govts, Crystal Lake
• Kate Halma, Community Foundation
• Dave Barber, United Way, McHenry

Taxpayer/Residential

• Monic Heydari, Crystal Lake
• Dallas Schmidt,Woodstock
• Helen Ruth, Huntley
• Terry Miller
• Bob/Rosemary Blazier, Crystal Lake
• John Jung, Jr., Woodstock

College Educators

• Lillian Roy, retired from MCC, Cary
• Richard Wood, retired from COD [DuPage], Huntley
• Verne Manke, retired from Harper, McHenry

= = = = =
McHenry County College Board member Frances is seen on top. Below is retired State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz. Centegra’s McHenry Hospital is next. McHenry County College as seen from the northeast on a cold January day is seen directly below. The new Woodstock High School is next. McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi’s Chief Investigator Ron Salgado is the lowest photo.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

The Monday before last, McHenry County College President Walt Packard handed out a list of people whom he wanted to recruit for the community outreach effort, as recommended by tax hike consultants Unicom-ARC, out of St. Louis.

It looks like the beginning of a tax hike referendum committee to me. I’d offer the time line in this article for your consideration. And what are we paying? Here’s the price.

There haven’t just been hired by the McHenry County College Board. The St. Charles School District has also hired the firm.

At last Thursday night’s board meeting, the list was expanded. Board members probably made most of the suggested additions.

Below are listed the new names, along with an identifying description and a town, which, I note, is not necessarily where the people live. It may represent their place of work.

• Todd Bessey, Wayne Hummer Investments, Algonquin
• Roger Brown, Inland Real Estate Development
• Joe Cox, VP, J.P. Morgan/Chase, Crystal Lake
• Dr. William Cox, Jr., McHenry County Orthopaedics, Crystal Lake
• Cathlene Decaene, Artist, Woodstock
• Bill Donato, Teacher, Woodstock HS
• Chuck Ebann, Community Member, Crystal Lake
• Jackie Eberle, Treasurer, Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Crystal Lake
• Holly Emrich, Community Member, Crystal Lake
• Pedro Enriques, Regional Director, Illinois Migrant Council, Harvard
• Judge Michael W. Fetterer, Woodstock
• Julie Gibson, Program Director, Thresholds McHenry, McHenry
• Frances Glosson, MCC Board & Director, Community Learning Strategies/Centegra, McHenry
• Stacia Hahn, VP Finance, Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake
• Sean Haley, VP Regulatory Affairs, Sage Products, Crystal Lake
• Monica Heydari, Behavioral Health Counselor, Crystal Lake
• Pam Hoffman, MCEDE Treasurer and Associated Bank, McHenry
• Tracy Izquierdo, Weist, Botto & Gilbert/Foundation Board, Crystal Lake
• Cliff Jackson, Owner/Jackson Insulation & Exteriors, Crystal Lake
• Cathy Klettke, Admin. Asst., CL Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Lake
• Rosemary Kurtz, Retired legislator, Crystal Lake
• Mike Nygren, Director of Marketing Communications, Sage Products, Crystal Lake
• Ardale Pate, Distance Learning Professor, Crystal Lake
• Don Peters, Retired, Crystal Lake
• Marcy Piekos, Owner/Maverick Minds Consulting, Woodstock
• Linda Pohlman, Teacher, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake
• Roger Schlies, Retired, McHenry

Under this list of new potential recruits are the names released on Monday. They are categorized, rather than being listed in alphabetically on the new list, which includes all of the following except Terry Miller, “Terry Miller.” That omission may, of course, just be a clerical error.

Health Care

• Denise Eesley, Centegra
• Angela McAuley, Centegra Senior VP Women’s Health

Agriculture

• Linnea Kooistra, Woodstock
• Ken Book, Harvard
• John Pihl, Harvard
• Harry Alten, Harvard
• Mel Von Bergen, Hebron

Industry

• John Cain, Scot Forge, Spring Grove
• Sandra Pierce, Phoenix Woodworking, Woodstock

Retail/Business

• Jim/Cheryl Wormley [Cheryl is the Woodstock Independent's publisher)
• Bob Seegers, Jr., Crystal Lake
• Mike Splitt, Crystal Lake
• Luke Lohmeyer, Woodstock
• Jack Porter, Woodstock

Banking/Finance

• Charie Zanck, American Community Bank, Crystal Lake
• Tom Quinn, American Community Bank, Crystal Lake
• Bob Cormier, Jr., Home State Bank, Crystal Lake
• Maggie Rivera, Home State Bank, Crystal Lake
• Steven Slack, Home State Bank, Crystal Lake

School Districts

• Joe Williams, Regional Superintendent's Office
• Ellyn Wreszki, District 200, Woodstock
• Jill Hawk, District 155, Crystal Lake
• Dan Bertrand, District 154, Marengo

Political

• Lauri Olson, Richmond Village President
• Sandy Donley, County Board, Marengo
• Sandra Salgado, County Board, McHenry
• Anna May Miller, County Board, Cary
• Donna Schaefer, McHenry Township Supervisor, McHenry
• Bob Pierce, Dorr Township Supervisor, Woodstock
• Jim Heisler, County Board, Crystal Lake
• Ed Dvorak, County Board, Crystal Lake
• Rich Mack, Ringwood Village President

<Governmental Entities

• Ron Salgado, State's Attorney’s Office, McHenry
• Pete Austin, McHenry County Administrator, Woodstock
• Wayne Amore, McHenry Fire Chief, McHenry
• Derik Morefield, Deputy City Manager, Woodstock

Not for Profits

• Sue Krause, Youth Service Bureau, Woodstock
• Jane Farmer, Turning Point, Woodstock
• Anna Bicanic Moeller, McHenry County Council of Govts, Crystal Lake
• Kate Halma, Community Foundation
• Dave Barber, United Way, McHenry

Taxpayer/Residential

• Monic Heydari, Crystal Lake
• Dallas Schmidt,Woodstock
• Helen Ruth, Huntley
• Terry Miller
• Bob/Rosemary Blazier, Crystal Lake
• John Jung, Jr., Woodstock

College Educators

• Lillian Roy, retired from MCC, Cary
• Richard Wood, retired from COD [DuPage], Huntley
• Verne Manke, retired from Harper, McHenry

= = = = =
McHenry County College Board member Frances is seen on top. Below is retired State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz. Centegra’s McHenry Hospital is next. McHenry County College as seen from the northeast on a cold January day is seen directly below. The new Woodstock High School is next. McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi’s Chief Investigator Ron Salgado is the lowest photo.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

There was a lot of heavy snow that I shoveled Friday night before we went out to dinner at the Crystal Lake Country Club. I was really tired and slept as late as I can remember.

Undoubtedly part of the reason was because of the barbecued ribs and the rest of the food I stuffed down my gullet.

As I was finishing the ribs off for lunch, I got to page four of Saturday’s Chicago Tribune and, lo and behold, there was a big, 856-word article on libertarian Republican Party primary candidate Ron Paul, headlined,

The blotch on the article next to the Iowa voter’s photo is barbecue sauce.

Maybe because I played the role of the ignored candidate for Illinois governor in 2002, I look at ignored candidates more than others. I’ve always admired underdogs.

And does “underdog” fit obstetrician Ron Paul’s campaign.

Even the slogan of the recent movie by that name fits the campaign, if you will allow a substitute spelling for “paw.”

And this underdog physician has certainly been ignored by the mainstream media.

The Chicago Tribune ignored Paul’s 1,500-person Hyatt Regency rally in mid-September.

But they covered John McCain’s Union League Club press conference.

And the press conferences of the other “leading” presidential candidates who just stopped in Chicago to raise money and decided to get some free press.

I’ll show you the Chicago Tempo photo of him as a “lonely guy” with no supporters again.

Until, he ended up raising more money in one day than any other presidential candidate ever has…twice.

Then, the Tribune gave him front page coverage.

Now, Paul’s campaign is sitting on a couple of tens of millions of dollars, enough, his campaign folks say, to take him through the February 5th primary elections.

I pointed out that Paul is the only candidate with energized Illinois supporters.

While that does not by any means translate into significant numbers of votes, it meant something to press coverage four years ago to Howard Dean.

Dean got it.

Paul hasn’t.

Now in a “cover our read end” article “just in case,” the Tribune assigned reporter Jason George to check out what the Paul campaign is doing in Iowa.

Illinois’ ex-presidential candidate John Cox’ campaign manager Craig Bergman is Paul’s political director there. Cox spent a lot of time in Iowa, so my guess is that Bergman has a lot of current grass roots Republican contacts. State chairman Drew Ivers ran the 1988 Pat Robertson campaign, plus two for Pat Buchanan. More contacts.

University of Iowa political scientist David Redlawsk had this observation:

“It might be the one thing that will make the Republican caucuses interesting.”

Paul now has thirty staffers in Iowa, up from four, and hundreds of volunteers, the article says.

“So, could Paul end up in the top three?” reporter George asks. “Could Paul ace out better-known candidates like New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain?”

“Odder things have happened,” political scientist Fedlawsk points out, noting that Pat Robertson finished second ahead of V.P. George Bush in 1988.

The Tribune found one “normal” (my characterization) Iowa Republican, a veterinarian named Carl Bockenstedt. He’s dropping off literature to farmers as he tends their animals.

“Here we are, a model family in Iowa, and the people who are supposed to work for us don’t.”

I think he’s talking about government folks in Washington.

Maybe that attitude among Republicans is why the Chicago Tribune wrote Saturday’s

“Does Ron Paul Have a Chance to Do
Better than the Tribune Has Treated Him?”

article. Former Springfield bureau writer Christi Parsons even mentions “maverick libertarian” Paul in her national wrap-up article, but can’t bring herself to call his position on abortion “pro-life.”

Meanwhile, this in the Wall Street Journal, written by editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader:

” Mr. Paul draws an unusual mix of libertarians, fiscally conservative Democrats, conservative Republicans, home-schoolers, vegans, gambling aficionados, anti-abortion activists and others who want the government to butt out of some aspect of their lives.”

All images may be enlarged by clicking on them. The blimp is from Ron Paul Blimp. Here is was in Norfolk, Virginia, now near Orlando, Florida.

There was a lot of heavy snow that I shoveled Friday night before we went out to dinner at the Crystal Lake Country Club. I was really tired and slept as late as I can remember.

Undoubtedly part of the reason was because of the barbecued ribs and the rest of the food I stuffed down my gullet.

As I was finishing the ribs off for lunch, I got to page four of Saturday’s Chicago Tribune and, lo and behold, there was a big, 856-word article on libertarian Republican Party primary candidate Ron Paul, headlined,

The blotch on the article next to the Iowa voter’s photo is barbecue sauce.

Maybe because I played the role of the ignored candidate for Illinois governor in 2002, I look at ignored candidates more than others. I’ve always admired underdogs.

And does “underdog” fit obstetrician Ron Paul’s campaign.

Even the slogan of the recent movie by that name fits the campaign, if you will allow a substitute spelling for “paw.”

And this underdog physician has certainly been ignored by the mainstream media.

The Chicago Tribune ignored Paul’s 1,500-person Hyatt Regency rally in mid-September.

But they covered John McCain’s Union League Club press conference.

And the press conferences of the other “leading” presidential candidates who just stopped in Chicago to raise money and decided to get some free press.

I’ll show you the Chicago Tempo photo of him as a “lonely guy” with no supporters again.

Until, he ended up raising more money in one day than any other presidential candidate ever has…twice.

Then, the Tribune gave him front page coverage.

Now, Paul’s campaign is sitting on a couple of tens of millions of dollars, enough, his campaign folks say, to take him through the February 5th primary elections.

I pointed out that Paul is the only candidate with energized Illinois supporters.

While that does not by any means translate into significant numbers of votes, it meant something to press coverage four years ago to Howard Dean.

Dean got it.

Paul hasn’t.

Now in a “cover our read end” article “just in case,” the Tribune assigned reporter Jason George to check out what the Paul campaign is doing in Iowa.

Illinois’ ex-presidential candidate John Cox’ campaign manager Craig Bergman is Paul’s political director there. Cox spent a lot of time in Iowa, so my guess is that Bergman has a lot of current grass roots Republican contacts. State chairman Drew Ivers ran the 1988 Pat Robertson campaign, plus two for Pat Buchanan. More contacts.

University of Iowa political scientist David Redlawsk had this observation:

“It might be the one thing that will make the Republican caucuses interesting.”

Paul now has thirty staffers in Iowa, up from four, and hundreds of volunteers, the article says.

“So, could Paul end up in the top three?” reporter George asks. “Could Paul ace out better-known candidates like New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain?”

“Odder things have happened,” political scientist Fedlawsk points out, noting that Pat Robertson finished second ahead of V.P. George Bush in 1988.

The Tribune found one “normal” (my characterization) Iowa Republican, a veterinarian named Carl Bockenstedt. He’s dropping off literature to farmers as he tends their animals.

“Here we are, a model family in Iowa, and the people who are supposed to work for us don’t.”

I think he’s talking about government folks in Washington.

Maybe that attitude among Republicans is why the Chicago Tribune wrote Saturday’s

“Does Ron Paul Have a Chance to Do
Better than the Tribune Has Treated Him?”

article. Former Springfield bureau writer Christi Parsons even mentions “maverick libertarian” Paul in her national wrap-up article, but can’t bring herself to call his position on abortion “pro-life.”

Meanwhile, this in the Wall Street Journal, written by editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader:

” Mr. Paul draws an unusual mix of libertarians, fiscally conservative Democrats, conservative Republicans, home-schoolers, vegans, gambling aficionados, anti-abortion activists and others who want the government to butt out of some aspect of their lives.”

All images may be enlarged by clicking on them. The blimp is from Ron Paul Blimp. Here is was in Norfolk, Virginia, now near Orlando, Florida.

I had a chance to talk to presidential candidate John Cox while he was running for Cook County Recorder of Deeds, I think.

He is a bright guy with good policy ideas.

Two years before I met or saw him at a pro-life affair when he was running in the congressional primary election that Mark Kirk won.

Most people I know can’t figure out why he is running for president, but, as Zorn points out in his column Tuesday, he is putting a lot of effort and significant money into his effort.

Zorn had this wonderful quote from Cox:

“Chicago businessman John Cox began his speech at last Saturday’s Republican presidential straw poll in Iowa talking about fairy tales.

”Years ago, he said, he was reading a bedtime story to one of his daughters when she asked, ‘Daddy, do all fairy tales begin with ‘Once upon a time?’’

”No, he said he told her, ‘There are a whole series of fairy tales, and they begin with, ‘If elected, I promise …’’

“Rim shot!”

In the Iowa pay-to-vote presidential poll-fund raiser, Cox finished last.

But Fred Thompson and John McCain were only scores of votes ahead of him.

Ironically, Cox is not being allowed in the Illinois Straw Poll. They won’t let any candidate participate who has not been in a debate or has not polled 5%.

= = = = =
I found this John Cox for Recorder of Deeds at State Senator Chris Lauzen’s Porky Picnic.

I had a chance to talk to presidential candidate John Cox while he was running for Cook County Recorder of Deeds, I think.

He is a bright guy with good policy ideas.

Two years before I met or saw him at a pro-life affair when he was running in the congressional primary election that Mark Kirk won.

Most people I know can’t figure out why he is running for president, but, as Zorn points out in his column Tuesday, he is putting a lot of effort and significant money into his effort.

Zorn had this wonderful quote from Cox:

“Chicago businessman John Cox began his speech at last Saturday’s Republican presidential straw poll in Iowa talking about fairy tales.

”Years ago, he said, he was reading a bedtime story to one of his daughters when she asked, ‘Daddy, do all fairy tales begin with ‘Once upon a time?’’

”No, he said he told her, ‘There are a whole series of fairy tales, and they begin with, ‘If elected, I promise …’’

“Rim shot!”

In the Iowa pay-to-vote presidential poll-fund raiser, Cox finished last.

But Fred Thompson and John McCain were only scores of votes ahead of him.

Ironically, Cox is not being allowed in the Illinois Straw Poll. They won’t let any candidate participate who has not been in a debate or has not polled 5%.

= = = = =
I found this John Cox for Recorder of Deeds at State Senator Chris Lauzen’s Porky Picnic.