McHenry County Blog

Algonquin Township Republicans do more than try to elect Republican candidates, as they did on Tuesday, when they beat back the first Democratic Party challenge. The three Democrats‘ campaign included signs, the best mailing in the campaign, phone calls and some canvassing.

Mark Guerra, Chairman of the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee’s Scholarship Committee has released the following information on how high school seniors can apply for the two $500 grants. There is a April 30th deadline. The information follows:

Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee to award two $500 Scholarships

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Live in Algonquin Township
2. Be a graduating High School Senior & has been accepted to a College, University, or Vocational / Technical Institution
3. Complete and Sign application form including the essay question’s by April 30, 2009

Award recipients will be notified by June 1st, 2009.

To obtain a Scholarship application; contact Algonquin Township Republican Precinct Committeeman Chairman Mark Guerra at 847-639-3195, your school guidance office or visit www@algonquintownship-gop.org

There are still a few precincts for which volunteer GOP precinct committeemen (or women) are being sought.

If you are interested, email Karla Dobbeck or visit the website,
www.algonquintownship-gop.org.

Look what showed up on the Daily Herald’s web page under McHenry County news:

Here’s the press notice:

Algonquin Township GOP scholarships

The Algonquin Township Republicans will award two $500 scholarships to winning applicants who live in Algonquin Township, are a graduating high school senior, have been accepted to a college, university or vocational/technical school, complete and sign an application form that includes answering essay questions by April 30. Award recipients will be notified by June 1. To get an application, call Mark Guerra at (847) 639-3195 or your high school guidance office or visit algonquintownship-gop.org.

Great timing for sending out press release by Mark Guerra. I figure it can’t hurt the chances of the Republican township trustees running for re-election.

With four township trustees to be elected in Algonquin Township and five candidates, the incumbents called the day.

Even though challenger Mark Guerra had the best ballot position—right on top—he trailed second place Niels Sorensen by 58 votes.

There were very few voters.

Here are the results:

• Linda Lance – 464
• Joe Powalowski – 461
• Lowell Cutsforth – 454
• Niels Sorensen – 451

• Mark Guerra – 392

Note that the female candidate ran first.

Powalowski sent out a post card, the only campaign material I saw in the contest.

Algonquin Township Clerk Marc Munaretto sent me the results of the lottery for ballot position for township trustee.

Here are the results:

1.    Mark Guerra

2.    Nels Sorensen

3.    Linda Lance

4.    Lowell Cutsforth

5.    Joe Powalowski

It was a foregone conclusion that appointed incumbent Powalowski would be last because he did not file on the first day, as did the others.

That meant he did not qualify for the lottery for first place.

The irony is that newcomer Guerra drew the first spot over the three elected incumbents.

Word on the street is that pressure was put on Guerra to withdraw and now he has the best spot on the ballot.

That’s ironic.

And helpful.

I read a study in graduate school at the University of Michigan that examined ballot order. It concluded that in races of 6-7 or more, first place was worth an extra 10% with second and last place worth an extra 5%. Worst place on the ballot was next to last.

Of course, this race has only five contenders.

There is no contest for the Supervisor, Assessor, Road Commissioner and Clerk.

Algonquin Township Clerk Marc Munaretto sent me the results of the lottery for ballot position for township trustee.

Here are the results:

1.    Mark Guerra

2.    Nels Sorensen

3.    Linda Lance

4.    Lowell Cutsforth

5.    Joe Powalowski

It was a foregone conclusion that appointed incumbent Powalowski would be last because he did not file on the first day, as did the others.

That meant he did not qualify for the lottery for first place.

The irony is that newcomer Guerra drew the first spot over the three elected incumbents.

Word on the street is that pressure was put on Guerra to withdraw and now he has the best spot on the ballot.

That’s ironic.

And helpful.

I read a study in graduate school at the University of Michigan that examined ballot order. It concluded that in races of 6-7 or more, first place was worth an extra 10% with second and last place worth an extra 5%. Worst place on the ballot was next to last.

Of course, this race has only five contenders.

There is no contest for the Supervisor, Assessor, Road Commissioner and Clerk.

In McHenry County’s largest township Republicans occupying the offices of Supervisor, Assessor and Road Commissioner will skate through the February 24th primary election.

If there is a challenge to Supervisor Dianne Klemm, Assessor Bob Kunz or Road Commissioner Bob Miller it will have to come from unknown Democrats who are allowed by state law to hold a caucus to select candidates. Part-time Clerk Marc Munaretto also escaped an opponent.

That’s the way all but Democratic Party candidate for coroner Dave Bachmann and McHenry County Board member Paula Yensen gained ballot position for November’s election. The only caucused candidate who achieved victory was Kathy Bergan Schmidt, Democratic Party Chair, who won a county board seat in District 3 (between Crystal Lake and McHenry).

There will be a race of Algonquin Township Trustee, however.

Filing on the final day was appointed incumbent Joe Powalowski. That gives him last place on the ballot, something of an advantage.

That means all of the incumbents filed for reelection.

Trying to gain a seat is Mark Guerra.

The other incumbents seeking another term are

• Linda Lance
• Nels Sorensen and
• Lowel Cutsforth.

In McHenry County’s largest township Republicans occupying the offices of Supervisor, Assessor and Road Commissioner will skate through the February 24th primary election.

If there is a challenge to Supervisor Dianne Klemm, Assessor Bob Kunz or Road Commissioner Bob Miller it will have to come from unknown Democrats who are allowed by state law to hold a caucus to select candidates. Part-time Clerk Marc Munaretto also escaped an opponent.

That’s the way all but Democratic Party candidate for coroner Dave Bachmann and McHenry County Board member Paula Yensen gained ballot position for November’s election. The only caucused candidate who achieved victory was Kathy Bergan Schmidt, Democratic Party Chair, who won a county board seat in District 3 (between Crystal Lake and McHenry).

There will be a race of Algonquin Township Trustee, however.

Filing on the final day was appointed incumbent Joe Powalowski. That gives him last place on the ballot, something of an advantage.

That means all of the incumbents filed for reelection.

Trying to gain a seat is Mark Guerra.

The other incumbents seeking another term are

• Linda Lance
• Nels Sorensen and
• Lowel Cutsforth.