McHenry County Blog

This banner for Bruce Kaplan hung on the wall.

I got to Bruce Kaplan’s fund raiser in Cary about an hour after it started, so an accurate count of the number attending is impossible, but I’d guess there were 80-100.

In other words, a good crowd for a municipal fund raiser over two months before the election.

Kaplan is in the real estate business, so, not surprisingly, there were a number of real estate people in attendance.

But there were local political types as well.

Lou Bianchi talks to those supporting Bruce Kaplan for Mayor of Cary. The man in the middle is Michael Karnauch.  To the left is Michael Rein.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi was there.  So was Republican McHenry County Sheriff candidate Bill Prim.

Jack Schaffer talks with Chuck Lutzow’s wife Darlene.

The Bob Miller family was well represented. I counted four family Republican Precinct Committee in attendance, including County Board member Anna May Miller.

Cary Village Trustee Bob Bragg, Cary Fire Protection District Trustee Mark Guerra and Algonquin Township Clerk candidate Chuck Lutzow posed for this picture.

Demetri Tsilimigras, also a GOP Committeeman from Cary was there, too.

Former McHenry County State Senator and Republican Party Chairman Jack Schaffer was also in attendance.

I only saw one Algonquin Township candidate, Chuck Lutzow, who is running for Township Clerk.

A late arrival was McHenry County Board member Joe Gottemoeller, who reminded me that his District 3 contains part of the Village of Cary.

Bruce Kaplan was kept busy greeting supporters.

I asked Kaplan why he entered the political arena.

Before he ran successfully for Village Trustee, the Village requirement of a $95 fee for every real estate sign caught his attention big time.

That had never happened before.

After getting the Illinois Association of Realtors involved, the village dropped the fee to $45, then waived it entirely “for election year,” Kaplan told me and several others.

The back of Bruce Kaplan’s post card.

He also pointed out that before he and his allies were sworn in two years ago, the Village Board denied a homeowner permission to put on a metal roof.

Kaplan said there was no ordinance prohibiting metal roofs, but the Village Board wouldn’t let the man do it anyway.

Such non-written rules are high on Kaplan’s list of things to change in village government.

The address side of Bruce Kaplan’s post card has his talking points. They include continuing to ask hard questions, a low tax levy, making Cary more business friendly and a cohesive board, among others you can see above.

I had a good talk with Brett Coleman. He came up with this marvelous comment about the state of business in Illinois:

“The only business to be in in Illinois is the moving business.”

Donna Kurtz greets District 47 School Board member Ginny Visin and husband Allen.

For the second Thursday night in a row, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria was the site of a Republican event.  More sales tax revenue for my revenue-starved Village of Lakewood was one of my thoughts.

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Newt Gingrich Alternate Delegate candidate Mike Shorten, District 4 County Board canddiate Linda Kvidera Murphy and Nunda Township GOP Chairman Brent Smith converged on the door as I was leaving.

Last week, it was for State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay to meet local Republicans.

State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay chatted with McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer.

This week, it was McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz’ fund raiser.

Here's a view of part of the crowd who attended Donna Kurtz' Groundhog Day fund raiser. How many can you name below in the comment section?

Marvelous deep dish pizza, of course.

A view in the other direction of some of those in attendance.

Good thing I skipped lunch.

State Rep. Mike Tryon was at this table. One of the Honored Guests, Ralph Dawson can be seen to the right. Tom Pozmamski, Grafton Township Republican Party Chairman is in the foreground on the left. In the background in Nunda Precinct Committeeman Mark Daniel and County Board member Nick Provenzano, who is not only running for re-election, but as a Delegate for Newt Gingrich, whose Illinois campaign he is coordinating.

There was a more than a touch of class in the classical guitarist who entertained the crowd.  His name is  David Daoui (815-337-8707).

Cary Fire Protection District Trustee Mark Guerra, Assistant State's Attorney Donna Kelly and State's Attorney Lou Bianchi engaged in an animated conversation.

Politics, of course enveloped the room.

The woman with her back to the camera is the GOP canidate for McHenry County Coroner, Anne Majewski. She is conversing with State's Attorney's Chief Investigator Ron Salgado, her mother, former McHenry County Board member Lou Anne Majewski, Republican Precinct Committeeman Eileen Marhoeffer and Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore.

Allies from political wars past sometimes sat together.

Crystal Lake City Councilwoman and McHenry County Board candidate Carolyn Schofield met some new people. On the left is attorney Jim Bishop. Former Crystal Lake Estates Precinct Committeeman Tom Roti is on the right. Behind is District 47 Board member Nancy Gonsiorek.

Others were seating by the luck of the draw, meeting new people.

Donna’s mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz, was helping do the essential funding raising tasks while her daughter was making the rounds.

Lakewood Village President Erin Smith brought her husband and parents, who raise her on Gate 14 in Lakewood. Former Village Trustee Black Hobson and his wife were also in attendance.

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.