McHenry County Blog

McHenry County Democratic Party candidates have sent our a press release announcing their appearance on You-Tub:

LOCAL CANDIDATES UNLEASH THE POWER OF THE INTERNET

WOODSTOCK Il. – From YouTube videos to campaign websites, local Democratic Candidates have unleashed the power of the internet. This week, Citizens for Cynor and others have made available a number of videotaped interviews on their campaign websites and the popular video sharing site – YouTube.

“It’s time traditional campaigns re-examined their methods,” said Citizens for Cynor Field Director, Laura Asbury. “By utilizing available technology we are able to reach out to an entirely new generation of voters. YouTube estimates that there are more than 100 million videos being watched every day. We, of course, only need capture a very small percentage of that viewership to be highly effective.”

Overall, the candidates seem extremely pleased with the YouTube interviews.

“There is no substitute for the personal videotaped interview when a candidate is attempting to convey a message” said Thomas Cynor, McHenry county candidate for State’s Attorney. “This technology is a cost effective and efficient way for our campaign to connect with the voters and get that message out.” A link to Thomas J. Cynor’s video interview can be found at the Citizens for Cynor website at www.CitizensforCynor.com.

Other candidates participating in the YouTube video interview enterprise include: Bill Gentes (26th Illinois Senate), Richard Garling (52nd Illinois Representative), Robert Kaempfe (64th Illinois Representative), Kerry Julian (McHenry County Auditor), David Bachmann (McHenry County Coroner) and Dr. James McTague (McHenry County Board, District One).

Video footage and interview was provided by Grant Crowell, Project Director of Grantastic Designs located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

McHenry County Democratic Party candidates have sent our a press release announcing their appearance on You-Tub:

LOCAL CANDIDATES UNLEASH THE POWER OF THE INTERNET

WOODSTOCK Il. – From YouTube videos to campaign websites, local Democratic Candidates have unleashed the power of the internet. This week, Citizens for Cynor and others have made available a number of videotaped interviews on their campaign websites and the popular video sharing site – YouTube.

“It’s time traditional campaigns re-examined their methods,” said Citizens for Cynor Field Director, Laura Asbury. “By utilizing available technology we are able to reach out to an entirely new generation of voters. YouTube estimates that there are more than 100 million videos being watched every day. We, of course, only need capture a very small percentage of that viewership to be highly effective.”

Overall, the candidates seem extremely pleased with the YouTube interviews.

“There is no substitute for the personal videotaped interview when a candidate is attempting to convey a message” said Thomas Cynor, McHenry county candidate for State’s Attorney. “This technology is a cost effective and efficient way for our campaign to connect with the voters and get that message out.” A link to Thomas J. Cynor’s video interview can be found at the Citizens for Cynor website at www.CitizensforCynor.com.

Other candidates participating in the YouTube video interview enterprise include: Bill Gentes (26th Illinois Senate), Richard Garling (52nd Illinois Representative), Robert Kaempfe (64th Illinois Representative), Kerry Julian (McHenry County Auditor), David Bachmann (McHenry County Coroner) and Dr. James McTague (McHenry County Board, District One).

Video footage and interview was provided by Grant Crowell, Project Director of Grantastic Designs located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Below you can read the latest email from Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck seeking volunteers to walk with the big elephant in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade Saturday.

This morning I received a similar email from the Democrats. It’s from
Laura Asbury, the Field Director for Citizens for Cynor. Here is what it says:

“Dear Friends and Volunteers:

“I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the current status of our involvement in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade.

“As you are aware, Citizens for Cynor was denied an opportunity to participate in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The application denial was based upon an unwritten and previously unenforced committee rule. Furthermore, the local Democratic Party was notified that all other Democratic Candidates were prohibited from participating in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade by e-mail from Chairman Alan P. Kirk (full text printed below).

“Since submitting a press release on the details of the denial there has been some position changes by Mr. Kirk. In a phone conference with Tim Kane, reporter for the Northwest Herald, Mr. Kirk attempted to clarify the language in his e-mail to the party. Mr. Kirk now takes the position that he committed a ‘typo’ when he wrote, ‘Please understand that you cannot have any candidates in the parade.’ It yet remains unclear what Mr. Kirk intended. We do, however, appreciate Mr. Kane’s efforts in trying to understand Mr. Kirk’s e-mail and subsequent retraction.

“For many years various Democratic Candidates and the local Democratic Party have enjoyed the privilege of participating in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The Algonquin Parade Committee is to be commended for a great job consistently putting together a grade A event. It is no wonder businesses, community groups and politicians wish to participate and everybody loves to watch. It really is an event which should not be missed.

“Accordingly, the campaign is encouraging all volunteers and interested parties to attend the parade and march with the local Democratic Party (http://www.mchenrydems.com). If you don’t already have a ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirt please contact the local party prior to the parade.

“We will see you all on Saturday. Before line up, stop by and say hi to our candidate, Tom. He’ll be one of the guys with the blue, ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirts on. And while you’re out at the parade please make sure to stop by and thank Republican Party Chairman, Mike Tryon, for supporting our efforts to be included in the event. If you don’t know Mike, he will be easy to spot. He’ll be wearing his brand new campaign shirt.

“Thanks for all your time, efforts and support.

“Sincerely,

“Laura Asbury, Citizens for Cynor Field Director”

One minor correction to what is stated in the email. As I pointed out Monday when McHenry County Blog broke this story, in 1992 when I was emerging from my 12 year remission from running for elective office, I was prohibited from being in the parade. While parade organizers apparently allowed McHenry County Democrats to promote candidates in 2004 and 2006, there certainly is a long-standing tradition against that practice.

= = = = =
The photo, supplied by Ashbury, shows candidates wearing campaign shirts in Algonquin in 2006. She wrote me that she is “in the picture, behind one group of hundreds of balloons I assisted in blowing up that day.”

The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Below you can read the latest email from Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Karla Dobbeck seeking volunteers to walk with the big elephant in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade Saturday.

This morning I received a similar email from the Democrats. It’s from
Laura Asbury, the Field Director for Citizens for Cynor. Here is what it says:

“Dear Friends and Volunteers:

“I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the current status of our involvement in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade.

“As you are aware, Citizens for Cynor was denied an opportunity to participate in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The application denial was based upon an unwritten and previously unenforced committee rule. Furthermore, the local Democratic Party was notified that all other Democratic Candidates were prohibited from participating in this year’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade by e-mail from Chairman Alan P. Kirk (full text printed below).

“Since submitting a press release on the details of the denial there has been some position changes by Mr. Kirk. In a phone conference with Tim Kane, reporter for the Northwest Herald, Mr. Kirk attempted to clarify the language in his e-mail to the party. Mr. Kirk now takes the position that he committed a ‘typo’ when he wrote, ‘Please understand that you cannot have any candidates in the parade.’ It yet remains unclear what Mr. Kirk intended. We do, however, appreciate Mr. Kane’s efforts in trying to understand Mr. Kirk’s e-mail and subsequent retraction.

“For many years various Democratic Candidates and the local Democratic Party have enjoyed the privilege of participating in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade. The Algonquin Parade Committee is to be commended for a great job consistently putting together a grade A event. It is no wonder businesses, community groups and politicians wish to participate and everybody loves to watch. It really is an event which should not be missed.

“Accordingly, the campaign is encouraging all volunteers and interested parties to attend the parade and march with the local Democratic Party (http://www.mchenrydems.com). If you don’t already have a ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirt please contact the local party prior to the parade.

“We will see you all on Saturday. Before line up, stop by and say hi to our candidate, Tom. He’ll be one of the guys with the blue, ‘Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat’ shirts on. And while you’re out at the parade please make sure to stop by and thank Republican Party Chairman, Mike Tryon, for supporting our efforts to be included in the event. If you don’t know Mike, he will be easy to spot. He’ll be wearing his brand new campaign shirt.

“Thanks for all your time, efforts and support.

“Sincerely,

“Laura Asbury, Citizens for Cynor Field Director”

One minor correction to what is stated in the email. As I pointed out Monday when McHenry County Blog broke this story, in 1992 when I was emerging from my 12 year remission from running for elective office, I was prohibited from being in the parade. While parade organizers apparently allowed McHenry County Democrats to promote candidates in 2004 and 2006, there certainly is a long-standing tradition against that practice.

= = = = =
The photo, supplied by Ashbury, shows candidates wearing campaign shirts in Algonquin in 2006. She wrote me that she is “in the picture, behind one group of hundreds of balloons I assisted in blowing up that day.”

The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Friday afternoon Algonquin Township Republicans were at Arlington Park raising money watching horses race.

Saturday, starting at 10:30 in the morning McHenry County Democrats will be working in McHenry County Board District 5 in Lake in the Hills for 7 hours, according to this notice on Party Builder.

They are meeting at the Sunset Park parking lot at the intersection of Miller and Albrecht Roads.

Want to bet that they will be passing out this piece of literature, which I believe is the template for all Democratic Party county board challengers this year?

The effort made the “Friday Five” on KX.com Blogs and Talk. The CBS station is located in Minot, North Dakota.

District 5 is where I suggested Paula Yensen might beat out McHenry County Board Vice Chairman John Jung. It is the district where Democrat Jim Kennedy beat Republican Perry Moy in 2006. Moy and Jung are from Woodstock. Kennedy and Yensen are from Lake in the Hills.

And, in Hebron, Tom Cynor, the Democratic Party’s anointed candidate for State’s Attorney is seeking volunteers to march with him. T-shirts and literature will be available, according to the information I got. “,,,we would love all the help we can get to spread his name.”

Those wanting to volunteer should gather at the staging area on Bigelow Avenue and Hebron Road at 10:30am. The parade begins at 11:30am.

After Wednesday’s McHenry County Democratic Central Committee meeting, there was a literature stuffing party at Cynor’s Woodstock home. One was announced for last night as well.

Laura Asbury was doing the recruiting for Cynor.

Images may be enlarged by clicking on them.

Friday afternoon Algonquin Township Republicans were at Arlington Park raising money watching horses race.

Saturday, starting at 10:30 in the morning McHenry County Democrats will be working in McHenry County Board District 5 in Lake in the Hills for 7 hours, according to this notice on Party Builder.

They are meeting at the Sunset Park parking lot at the intersection of Miller and Albrecht Roads.

Want to bet that they will be passing out this piece of literature, which I believe is the template for all Democratic Party county board challengers this year?

The effort made the “Friday Five” on KX.com Blogs and Talk. The CBS station is located in Minot, North Dakota.

District 5 is where I suggested Paula Yensen might beat out McHenry County Board Vice Chairman John Jung. It is the district where Democrat Jim Kennedy beat Republican Perry Moy in 2006. Moy and Jung are from Woodstock. Kennedy and Yensen are from Lake in the Hills.

And, in Hebron, Tom Cynor, the Democratic Party’s anointed candidate for State’s Attorney is seeking volunteers to march with him. T-shirts and literature will be available, according to the information I got. “,,,we would love all the help we can get to spread his name.”

Those wanting to volunteer should gather at the staging area on Bigelow Avenue and Hebron Road at 10:30am. The parade begins at 11:30am.

After Wednesday’s McHenry County Democratic Central Committee meeting, there was a literature stuffing party at Cynor’s Woodstock home. One was announced for last night as well.

Laura Asbury was doing the recruiting for Cynor.

Images may be enlarged by clicking on them.