Good Crowd at Donna Kurtz’ Fund Raiser

Some of those attending Donna Kurtz Field of Dreams fund raiser at the Crystal Lake Park District’s Park Place.
McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz, seeking re-election for the first time after running first in her initial attempt in 2010, held a fund raiser Wednesday at Park Place, the old American Legion Home in Crystal Lake.
Some people got into the baseball theme.

There were little Cubs and Sox flags on each table, but two men wore their favorite team’s uniforms. Posing are McHenry County Deputy Sheriff Zane Seipler in the Sox uniform and Grafton Township Road Commissioner candidate Tom Poznanski in the Cubs suit.
Early in the event, which started at 5:30, State Rep. and McHenry County Republican Party Chairman stopped by and dropped off a check, Kurtz said while introducing elected officials and candidates in attendance.
McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren and his allies seemed to gather in one main floor room, while Lou Bianchi and his friends were in the other.
Nygren’s choice to succeed himself in 2014, Andy Zinke, was nowhere to be seen, but both opponents Bill Prim and Jim Harrison were meeting and greeting folks.

In the foreground are McHenry County Sheriff’s candidate Jim Harrison and his wife Colleen. Politicians at the table behind with Sheriff Keith Nygren are Grafton Township Supervisor candidate Marty Waitzman, Nunda Township GOP Chairman and McHenry County Republican Party Vice Chairman Mark Daniel, Grafton Township Road Commissioner candidate Tom Poznanski. At the table in the back are County Board member Ersel Schuster and Lake in the Hills Village Trustee Russ Ruzanski.
There was some cross-pollination with Zane and Rose Seipler and Eileen Marhoefer sitting in a corner booth within site of the Nygren table.
Dr. Anne Majewski chatted with McHenry County Sheriff’s candidate Bill Prim before the speeches began.

Unopposed Republican candidate for Coroner Dr. Anne Majewski chats with Bill Prim, the man she may be working with if he wins the three-way Sheriff’s race against Undersheriff Andy Zinke and Jim Harrison in 2014.
In introducing the event’s keynote speaker, McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, Kurtz told of Bianchi’s going “with his gut as to what was right to change the way things are done.
“When he did that, down upon him came a brick wall,” she continued, referring to the two indictments by Special Prosecutors that were so weak that Bianchi’s attorney did not even have to put on any evidence before the Judge found him not guilty.
“But he stuck to his dreams,” Kurtz concluded as Bianchi climbed the stairs to a roomful of applause.
Bianchi pointed out that “Donna is our client” as a member of the McHenry County Board, as are all elected officials.
“Our lawyers enjoy working with her,” he continued.
“She does a fine job representing her constituents [and is] one of the hardest working members on the board.”
Bianchi said Kurtz tries to understand all the issues before voting on resolution.
And she “speaks her mind.”
Kurtz was also praised for asking questions that need to be asked.
She was characterized as “an independent thinker.”
Kurtz then took the microphone.

Donna Kurtz greeted newly-appointed Algonquin Township Trustee Russ Cardelli. He was the only vote not to raise salaries of the officials who will be elected next spring. In her remarks, Kurtz gave Cardelli a shout out for doing the right thing.
She praised Cardelli for his “courage” in voting against the Algonquin Township officials pay raise.
She praise Jane and Bill Franz for giving of themselves to Crystal Lake for over 40 years.
She praised Pat Owens and The Advantage Group, often known by its acronym TAG. They have done substance abuse for twenty-five year Kurtz pointed out.“Over 1,000 people treated each year…25,000 lives changed for the better,” the County Board member explained.
Speaking of her public service, Kurtz said that you “have to have in our heart goodness and honesty.
“Everything I do has to be about you.
“It can’t be about me.
“Pursue our dreams and they will come true,” she concluded to rousing applause.






































