I picked up some McHenry County Board candidates’ literature at the Friday Young Republican candidates’ night at McHenry County College, but took time to look at it.
The biggest was from Linda Kvidera-Murphy, a candidate for a District 4 seat.
It’s well-done graphically, even though too large to stick into a number ten (ten) business-sized envelope that many precinct committeemen use to deliver campaign literature.
On the front is an attractive photo and the dates for early voting (Feb. 27- March 15) and her web site address.
As I compare the web site with the “palm card,” the information seems to be pretty much the same.
(I do note that the literature contains the required fund raising disclaimer, even though it does not solicit funds, while I cannot find it on the web site. Seems that the disclosure ought be be added since there is active solicitation there.)
Click to enlarge.
The web site does say Kvidera-Murphy’s campaign strategy is to knock on as many doors as possible, so the extra large card will be easier to see than a more typically smaller one.
But what caught my attention was the endorsement by Sheriff Keith Nygren, Treasurer Bill LeFew and outgoing Coroner Marlene Lantz.
LeFew and Nygren, of course, were in the forefront of trying to rid the courthouse of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.
It’s no big secret that Kvidera-Murphy is the sister-in-law of Nunda Township GOP Chairman Brent Smith.
My memory of her maiden name is the Kvidera who ran the butcher shop in Cary.
He was one of the most outspoken Democrats in town.
Two generations away and there’s a Republican.
Think it’s the water or just association with neighbors who mainly Republican?
“When we arrested him, they let me put the handcuffs on him,” Lantz said. She also said she witness his execution in 1995.
Asked the biggest health hazard, the coroner answered, “Hepatitis and AIDS.”
She stressed the personal touch in her dealings with relatives of those deaths handled by her office. Lantz kept in touch with one woman after her husband died and “got invited to the wedding” when she remarried “years later.”
Lantz also explained the necessity of keeping in good mental health “in order to help others.”
She said she had gone to counseling after, I believe, the Fox River Grove bus-train accident.
Lantz was also negatively affected after she saw a man in her official line of work who looked like her stepfather ten years after he had died. It didn’t help matters that the wife resembled her mother.
Her sense of humor shown through when she remarked,
”A lot of people think I’m tall, bald headed and pale.”
Yesterday I posted a story about the Huntley Police Department’s participating in in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s prescription drug collection program. Crystal Lake is, too. Maybe there are other local police departments who have signed on as drop off points that I don’t know about.
In the Huntley article, I noted that the first place I heard of the idea was from David Bachmann in his first email to McHenry Count Blog on his coroner’s candidacy.
This is the kind of publicity Jack Franks missed out on: Photo displays meds turned in under the OMC program on 11-14-2009. L to R: Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey- announcing the Operation Medicine Cabinet, Angelo Valente, Executive Director, Partnership for Drug Free New Jersey, and Mary Pat Angelini, Assemblywomen, 11 District, New Jersey Assembly
What I find most interesting is that when Bachmann took his idea to Democratic State Rep. Jack Franks, Franks did nothing with it.
Considering his constant need to have publicity, it is rather amazing to me that Franks did not jump on this idea.
Instead, he told Bachmann to draft a bill. As a former legislator of sixteen years, may I suggest that is a disingenuous kiss off. The minimum Franks should have done was to point Bachmann to the Legislative Reference Bureau, which drafts bills for legislators.
Don’t believe me?
Here’s the email to Bachmann:
Friday, June 27, 2008, 1:44 PM
Dear Mr. Bachmann
I have researched your legislation proposal about requiring police officers to dispose of unused prescription drugs when they respond to a death call.
State Rep. Franks urges you to draft a bill for consideration on this important issue. No legislator has submitted a bill like this in the 95th General Assembly. If you have any further questions, please call me.
Thank you,
Jake Smallhorn
Legislative Assistant
Jack Franks
And, here is the final contact from Franks’ office to Bachmann on the subject:
To: “david bachmann”
Date: Monday, June 30, 2008, 1:50 PM
Jack let me know today that he would like to see a draft of a bill so I sent off a request today to have the legislation drafted. Our office should be taking care of it. Sorry if there was any confusion.
Thanks,
Jake
Under yesterday’s article Bachmann has left the following comments.
09/15/2010 at 3:52 pm (Edit)
Thank you.
Today’s decision by many McHenry County Law Enforcement Entities to help safely ‘Dispose’ of these dangerous medications, is an outstanding moment for all ‘In Home’ health care workers, and, for our school system.
I’ve always believed that the ‘Hospice’ workers needed protection from any possible claims of wrong doing as it may relate to narcotic pain medication disposal and the like.
I’ve strongly believed that our children should not have clear access to these medications which are visibly showing up within the walls of our schools.
I am a chronic pain suffer myself due to many, many surgeries. Although I carefully and faithfully remain under the care of professional ‘Pain Management’ medical teams, I constantly tell my children that narcotic pain medications have no place outside the direct supervision of licensed physicians who specialize in ‘Pain Management’ Medical Care.
To be sure, when properly utilized, these medications are a blessing and help those who might otherwise be bedridden for life, find comfort from debilitating pain. I am such a blessed person.
What I have never spoken about prior to this moment, is that I had in fact, taken the Video that can be found on YouTube, that was made during my campaign, and sent it to Federal Authorities.
I also met an “Author” named Alan Jacobson who has been most helpful in my own quest to publish my first book. Alan has direct connections to the DEA and FBI powers that be. You can see why by visiting Alan’s web site.
From there, things grew and grew. First in Newark, NJ, then on and on.
Now, finally home to McHenry County.
The most interesting part of my journey regarding this important program, was that I literally dropped it upon the lap of Democratic State Representative Jack Franks. My emails to Jack Franks office affirm my assertion.
Additionally, I have email correspondence from Jack Franks office stating that NEVER BEFORE, is Illinois Legislative history, has ANYBODY introduced such a bill before.
I thought from that email, Jack would have taken the many, many hours of time I gave to his office explaining the details of such a program.
Sadly, it never happened.
This program well could have become Illinois Law some time ago and McHenry County could have been the first in the entire nation to adopt such a “Bill” and implement such a vital program.
I’ve learned many things through this political process.
First, is that I do not like politics.
When I depended upon a State Representative to help me, I got nowhere.
I sought the help of people I’d had never met before who had no Political advantage in helping me, and we see what has come full circle.
Thank you to all in McHenry County Law Enforcement who are working hard and putting in extra duty to protect our kids and our health care workers!
“Sometimes,” just “Sometimes,” a guy with a big mouth wins. Today is a victory for “We, The People!”
Later, he added the following comments about Marlene Lantz, the Republican woman who beat him in the fall election:
09/15/2010 at 5:24 pm (Edit)
Quickly, then I will be still………
I want to thank McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz. I know Coroner Lantz has been dedicated to this cause and I’m certain she has been working hard with the home health care workers she and her staff work so closely with each and everyday.
It takes a team to get things done. Sometimes ‘teams’ stand on opposite sides of the field. We all seek “Victory!”
Thanks Coroner Lantz for your dedication and service on this “Mission.”
Yesterday was one of the biggest fundraisers for the McHenry County Republican Central Committee.
Candidates traditionally place their yard signs along the McHenry Country Club on Play Day.
My guess is that parking along the road during previous golf outings has led to the “No Parking” signs there now.
Time was that late comers had to park on the road. Today, I had no trouble finding a parking spot in the McHenry Country Club lot.
Kieth and Marge Nygren enter the McHenry Country Club. Barb Wheeler was selling raffle tickets to raise more money for the local GOP organization.
Talking to some folks outside the front door, I saw Sheriff Keith Nygren and his wife approaching. I asked if I could take a photo. They kept walking.
McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler and Chief Deputy Treasurer Glenda Miller are seen at the check-in table.
Inside volunteers were collecting checks and issuing meal tickets.
8th District congressional candidate Joe Walsh and his wife Helene met with the active Republicans.
I didn’t get all the luminaries, but 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Joe Walsh and his wife Helene were courting support.
State Rep. and McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon is caught in a tender moment with his wife Cathy.
Wives of politicians end up doing things they might not really want to do and going places they might not really want to go. Tryon was about party business most of the evening…but not all the time.
Jack Franks' GOP opponent John O'Neill sat with former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz and her daughter McHenry County College board member Donna Kurtz.
State Rep. Candidate John O’Neill was eating with former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz and her daughter Donna Kurtz, who is a McHenry County Board member and county board candidate in District 2. Her running mate Ken Koehler was at the event, too, but I didn’t get a shot of him.
State Rep. Mark Beaubien and his wife Dee ate dinner.
State Rep. Mark Beaubien ate with his wife Dee.
Judge Gordon Graham was sitting with former McHenry County Board member Don Brewer.
Judge Gordon Graham was eating with former McHenry County Board member and former Algonquin Village Board President Don Brewer.
Former McHenry County Board member Bob Vorisek (sitting) was talking to current McHenery County Board member Marc Munaretto.
Former Algonquin Township Supervisor and County Board member Bob Vorisek was talking with McHenry County Board member and Algonquin Township Clerk Marc Munaretto.
Three women who run county offices are Recorder Phyllis Walters (back left), County Clerk Katherine Schultz (back right) and Auditor Pam Palmer (front center). On the left is Walter's sister Marie Holte, visiting from Colorado. On the right is Sheriff's Department employee Kathy Seith.
I caught this tower of feminine courthouse power after I finished eating steak.
From left to right are Greenwood Township Supervisor Barbara Klasen, McHenry County Board member John Hammerand and former State Senator Jack Schaffer.
Former State Senator and GOP County Chairman Jack Schaffer was eating with Greenwood Township Supervisor Barbara Klasen and McHenry County Board member John Hammerand.
Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager talks to Bruce Novak and his wife Louise.McHenry Township Clerk Bruce Novak and his wife Louise chatted with Woodstock Mayor Brian Sagar.
Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager spoke with McHenry Township Clerk Bruce Novak and his wife Louise.
Black Hobson, Cheryl Meyer and Mike Skala, all from Grafton Township, sit together.
Three Grafton Township politicians, from left to right, newly-appointed Lakewood Village Trustee Blake Hobson, Cheryl Meyer and Huntley School Board member Mike Skala.
There were many other Republicans present, of course, including former McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Al Jourdan and Bill LeFew. Coroner Marlene Lantz was sighted. McHenry County Board candidate Nick Provenzano, who is managing Joe Walsh’s campaign, was in attendance as was McHenry County Board member Pete Merkel. I’m sure there were more candidates. Please email me with others’ names.
McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz just revealed the name of the 51-year old man who killed himself by stepping in front of a Metra train yesterday near the Pingree Road Station.
He is Crystal Lake resident Marty A. DiFusco.
The copy cat suicide is part of Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano’s legacy, in my opinion.
= = = = =
An 11:29 AM update from the Crystal Lake Police Department:
“On Thursday, May 27, 2010, at approximately 12:56 PM, the Crystal Lake Police and the Crystal Lake Fire-Rescue Department responded to the area of Pingree Road, approximately 300 feet east of the train crossing, for a report of a pedestrian struck by a train.
“Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered a male body, subsequently identified as Marty Difusco (51) of 1155 North Shore Drive, Crystal Lake, IL. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Train service was interrupted for approximately two hours while the scene was investigated. At this time there is no foul play suspected.
“This case remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.”
One of the issues that Dave Bachmann, unsuccessful 2008 Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner, proposed in his October 31, 2007, candidacy announcement was initiation of a prescription drug collection from those who died at home under hospice care.
I’m pretty sure that incumbent Republican Marlene Lantz included it in her platform, but haven’t heard anything about it since the election.
Now I read in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration press release that the idea has taken hold in New Jersey. The first two paragraphs of the release follow:
Thousands of New Jersey Residents Prescribe to Operation Medicine Cabinet
Over 9,000 Pounds of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medicine Collected During First in the Nation Day of Disposal
NOV 18 — (Newark) – Gerard P. McAleer, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division and Angelo M. Valente, the Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), announced today that over 9,000 pounds of medicine, with a street value of over $35 million, was collected during Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey, the first in the nation statewide day of disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.
This statewide effort is being spearheaded by the DEA New Jersey Division, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the PDFNJ, with partnership and support by many other local and statewide prevention and enforcement organizations.
Photo displays meds turned in under the OMC program on 11-14-2009. L to R: Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey- announcing the Operation Medicine Cabinet, Angelo Valente, Executive Director, Partnership for Drug Free New Jersey, and Mary Pat Angelini, Assemblywomen, 11 District, New Jersey Assembly
Over 440 local police departments and sheriff departments, in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, hosted collection sites, where New Jersey residents came out in force to support Operation Medicine Cabinet and rid their homes of unused, unwanted, and expired medicines on November 14th, clearing their homes of over 9,000 pounds of prescription and over-the- counter medicine.
Perhaps this good example will be followed in Illinois. Lots of publicity potential for anyone who pulls it off.
It’s always interesting to see how elected officials spend campaign money in a non-election year.
While I was looking up how much McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren had in his campaign fund while writing a story about his “posse” fundraiser, I glanced at what he had spent $13,640 on during the first six months of 2009.
Just in case you might be interested, here’s what is on the Illinois State Board of Elections web site:
Each month A T & T – Charge for Campaign Cell Phone $523.57
In addition $250 was given to State Rep. Mike Tryon’s campaign fund and $1,450 to the McHenry County Republican Central Committee. $800 more in contributions of $150 and less was donated to other political action committees.
$2,430.56 in expenditures was not itemized because of being $150 or less.
The only contribution reported was $500 from McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz’ campaign fund.
Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner Dave Bachmann has issued the following statement of concession:
“I congratulate Ms. Lantz on her Re-Election.
“Participating in this wonderful process we call Democracy, has been a distinct pleasure and a life’s experience I shall forever feel blessed to have been a part of.
“In 2002, I was told I would die within 8 months of my 42nd birthday, the day I was diagnosed with cancer.
“Although I have survived a near fatal brush with death, my campaign ‘Bachmann for Coroner’ on the other hand, can now be forever placed into eternal rest.
“My plans are to relocate back to Mexico to continue a project I began in 2005. That being, opening the country’s first Mortuary School in Puebla Mexico.
“Again, its been a distinct pleasure. I wish all office holders well!
“Remember to laugh each and every day. That ‘perspective’ is really the key to true happiness!”
To show he has a sense of humor, he sent these photos.
Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner Dave Bachmann has issued the following statement of concession:
“I congratulate Ms. Lantz on her Re-Election.
“Participating in this wonderful process we call Democracy, has been a distinct pleasure and a life’s experience I shall forever feel blessed to have been a part of.
“In 2002, I was told I would die within 8 months of my 42nd birthday, the day I was diagnosed with cancer.
“Although I have survived a near fatal brush with death, my campaign ‘Bachmann for Coroner’ on the other hand, can now be forever placed into eternal rest.
“My plans are to relocate back to Mexico to continue a project I began in 2005. That being, opening the country’s first Mortuary School in Puebla Mexico.
“Again, its been a distinct pleasure. I wish all office holders well!
“Remember to laugh each and every day. That ‘perspective’ is really the key to true happiness!”
To show he has a sense of humor, he sent these photos.
Any hopes of Democrats sweeping away lots of Republicans in McHenry County seem to be dashed from early returns.
With one-third of the vote counted, John McCain is leading Barack Obama by just over one percentage point.
That should buoy Democratic Party hopes, wouldn’t you think?
But look at the congressional race between incumbent Republican Don Manzullo and challenger Robert Abboud.
It’s 63% to 33% with Green Party candidate Scott Summers scoring 3 1/2%.
No coattails there.
State Rep. Mark Beaubien is cleaning Democrat Rich Garling’s clock 69% to 30%.
Much was made of Democratic Party state representative candidate Robert Kaempfe’s getting more votes in the primary election than incumbent Mike Tryon.
No carryover can be noticed this fall.
Tryon is winning 64% to 36%.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi is leading challenger Tom Cynor almost 2-1.
McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer, another Republican incumbent is not leading her opponent by as much as Bianchi, but she is still topping 61%.
Four term incumbent Coroner is getting 63% over Democrat Dave Bachmann. Not quite as high as Bianchi, but quite close.
So, at the legislative and countywide levels, there is no sign McHenry County voters are defecting to the Democrats.
The only potential crack in the Republican wall appears in county board races. More on that later.
This is a journal of news and opinion designed to bring to light matters of public interest and to encourage public participation in the governmental process.
Emphasis will be on McHenry County, but Illinois state news will be covered. Articles and photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without explicit written permission.
