McHenry County Blog

From left to right are seen the 2010-2012 McHenry County Republican Central Committee leadership: Chairman Mike Tryon, Secretary Glenda Miller, Vice Chairwoman Kathy Kuchta and Treasurer Fred Wickham.

The leadership team of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee will be the same as it has been the last two years.

Mike Tryon addressing committeemen after his re-election as chairman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake continues as Chairman.

Vice Chairwoman will be McHenry’s Kathy Kuchta.

Harvard’s Glenda Miller will be Secretary.

Fred Wickham, who won a contest two years ago will again be Treasurer.

Likewise there was no contest for 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman. All present voted for Barrington Township’s Gene Dawson.

With the empty precincts added in, pursuant to passage of a motion earlier in the night, Dawson received 10,134 votes in his attempt to turn back a challenge by the Schaumburg Township Committeeman, Michael Adelizzi.

In the race for the 16th Congressional District Committeemanship, the race was more interesting.

Cal Skinner made a pitch for Joe Wiegand, pointing out that he had never seen incumbent Dave Syverson during the past two years since he had joined the Central Committee for the third time. He said that Wiegand’s lack of a public office gave him the time to do much more than a state senator could.

Jack Schaffer spoke for Syverson, explaining that he was a respected leader on the Republican State Central Committee.  He added that Syverson had been in Congressman Don Manzullo’s Sunday School class.

Tom Zanck supporting Joe Wiegand's candidacy.

After Schaffer, Tom Zanck asked if he could second Wiegand’s nomination and was granted that wish.

“I don’t agree with Cal Skinner on anything, but I agree with him on Joe Wiegand,” he said. Zanck said he had worked with Wiegand in the campaign to defeat the establishment of a Kishwaukee Water Authority and praised his imagination, thoroughness and initiative.

A not-so-secret ballot was taken instead of a roll call, resulting in Syverson getting 4,054 votes and Wiegand 2,554.  (Because each precinct committee had the number of Republican votes cast in his precinct, the way people voted had to be known to the canvass team.)

After the vote Chairman Tryon asked if anyone wanted to switch to the winner and Dan Shea and Patrick Collins did, leaving the tally at 4,347 to 2,261.

Adding in the precinct totals of precincts where no vote was cast, Syverson ended up with a margin of 11,428. The total vote of precincts not represented because the elected committeeman did not show up or because no one ran for precinct committeeman was 9,342 votes.

15,950 people voted in the GOP primary in Congressman Don Manzullo’s part of McHenry County, but only 6,608 of them had elected precinct committeemen present at the meeting.

That means there is plenty of room for volunteers. If you would like your name passed on, you can email McHenry County Blog. The email is on the upper left hand side of this page.

Mike Tryon hand microphone to Jack Schaffer, who chaired gubernatorial winner Bill Brady's McHenry County campaign.

Schaffer, who chaired Bill Brady’s McHenry County campaign, told the party representatives that Brady was leading Kirk Dillard by 246 votes by Brady’s count.

“We think Brady will be the winner,” the former Central Committee Chairman said.

Brady is expected to be in Chicago shaking hands at the Union Pacific train station Friday morning and do a fly-around on Monday. The closest landing will be in Rockford.

Extolling the virtues of his candidate, Schaffer said, “His family is from Central Casting.”

Describing his principles, his spokesman described them as “solid.”

Schaffer also said that he his answers frustrate the media.

When asked a question about social values, he says,

”I am who I am.“

Then, he starts talking about the problems of the day.

“We stand at the brink,” Schaffer said. “The demographics are running against us. We have a chance. The Democrats have done everything for us but raise money…and Blagojevich is still working for us.

“If we can’t prevail this year, I don’t know when we ever will again.

“I won’t say, ‘It’s now or never,’  but you guys will all be as old as I am when we get the next chance.”

Republican County Board candidtes, from left to right, Nick Provenzano, Diane evertson, John Jung, Tina Hill and Donna Kurtz.

John O'Neill, who is a candidate for state representative against Democrat Jack Franks, makes pitch for attendance at his corn beef and cabbage Bull Valley Country Club fund raiser Monday, March 15th.

Tryon then introduced the county board candidates in attendance and let state representative candidate John O’Neill make a pitch for his March 15th corn beef and cabbage fund raiser at the Bull Valley Country Club.

Young Republican President Bryan Javor announcing he would not be running for re-election.

McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor took the opportunity to announce he was not running for re-election, but, pointing to the county board candidates,  instead “would work to get these guys elected.”

Then, Tryon headed back to Springfield for session on Thursday.

He had left 1 PM Wednesday afternoon to drive up to Woodstock.

The post of party precinct committeeman is usually not contested.

One doesn’t get compensated. If one writes a precinct letter, one has to dip into one’s own pocket to pay for it.

Look at the bottom of the sample ballots for the Republican and Democratic Parties and you’ll see precincts all over the place with no candidates.

I see no contests in the Democratic Party.

There were a couple in the Republican Party, however.

The Northwest Herald made a big deal about a three-way race between McHenry County Board member Ersel Schuster, attorney Mark Gummerson and Robert Schlenkert, a prime supporter of McHenry County Sheriff’s candidate Zane Seipler.

The results for that Seneca Township Precinct 1, in which Gummerson emerged victorious, follow

• Mark Gummerson – 112
• Ersel Schuster – 77
• Robert Schlenkert – 29

Jon Heideman and family

Schuster also lost the election for Seneca Township Supervisor last spring.

Nunda Township Precinct 19 had a two-way contest between active Young Republican Jon Heideman and William Mann.

Heideman won the face-off 88-76.

In Algonquin 35, former Crystal Lake City Council candidate Kay Stanish, having been appointed to the office, was challenged by David King.

Stanish turned back the challenge 54-44. Now she is an elected committeeman.

There was another race I Nunda 15, but when former Crystal Lake City Councilman Mike Shorten filed for the office, Joe Gottemoller, the other candidate withdrew in Shorten’s favor.

Where Are the GOP Committeemen’s Poll Watchers’ Certificates?This is the first year that I, as a Republican precinct committeeman, have not received the form that is required for a person to be present in my polling place while not voting.

It’s always been mailed by the McHenry County Republican Party.

Not that that will stop me from finding a watcher’s certificate, but it certainly is a strange omission.

Click on the one above to enlarge it and maybe you can print it off, if you need one. Precinct committeemen candidates can sign for their own precinct.

McHenry County Republican Party Chairman (and State Rep.) Mike Tryon formed a political action committee separate from the Central Committee.

I thought you might find the contributors and expenditures of interest. They are included in the PAC’s campaign disclosure filing this month.

The price to join the group of inside advisors seems to be $500, although more seems to be welcome.

Here are the contributors:

• Algonquin Township Highway Commisisoner Bob Miller’s PAC – $500
• State Rep. Mark Beaubien’s PAC – $500
• Alliance Contractors Inc – $1,000
• Robert Boncosky – $500
• Randy Donley – $395.20
• Blake Hobson – a $500
• Howard Green Company, Cedar Rapids, IA (John Smith’s Smith Engineering was acquired by HR Green) – $500
• Human Resource Techniques Inc, Algonquin Karla Dobbeck is its president) – $500
• Innovative Component Sales Inc, Huntley (Mike Skala is its president) – $2,500
• Kathleen Kuchta – $500
• Donald Lewis – $500
• Madsen Sugden and Gottemoller – $500
• Marc Munaretto – $500
• Gary Overbay – $500
• Tom Zanck – $500

About $3,500 of the money raised has been spent on “Roundtable Breakfast Meetings” at Crystal Lake’s 1776 restaurant and Richard Walkers Pancake House. I’ve been told candidates were “vetted” at some such meetings.

Richard Walkers Pancake House

• 8/12/2009
• 8/12/2009
• 9/15/2009
• 10/23/2009

1776

• 8/30/2009
• 9/8/2009
• 9/14/2009
• 10/12/2009
• 10/23/2009
• 12/2/2009
• 12/9/2009

In addition utilities have been paid at the campaign office and a camcorder purchased for the Young Republicans.

The fund has $11,800 in the bank.

On our way back from Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport, we drove through Woodstock on Route 47.

There was a big back-up as we entered and left Burger King.

As we paused at the McConnell Road stop light, here’s what I saw framed by the railroad overpass.

Demonstrators on both sides of Route 47.

Traffic was moving slowly.

There were a lot of people on my side of the road.

The first sign I saw was on the city side of the road.

It was held by a man in a ski mask to ward off the 35 degree temperature and biting wind and said,

There is at least one other that says,

You can click on the photo to enlarge it, but it was taken through the windshield and is a bit fuzzy.

My wife asked if our son knew what that meant.

“Of course, everybody knows abortion kills a child!”

He sounded exasperated to be asked such an easy question.

Most of the protesters seemed to be right in front of State Rep. Jack Franks’ office.

A pickup truck held some youngsters.

One’s sign read,

A man held a larger sign saying,

Taking another approach, a man with hat and earmuffs held a poster saying,

Tough to do when the Republican Party under both Bill LeFew’s and Mike Tryon’s chairmanships would not even get a candidate to run.

Maybe next year one of the demonstrators will run for the office.

As we waited to turn left on Route 14, we a cluster of demonstrators. A boy held a sign with a happy face saying,

I’ll run more if I get some reports from people who took part in the demonstration. Maybe they will even send me pictures of those who spoke to the crowd.

= = = = =
House Bill 2354 was introduced on Feb. 18th. Jack Franks signed on as a co-sponsor three weeks later on March 12th one day after it was voted onto the House floor on a 5-2 vote by the House Human Services Committee. Perhaps I will be excused for thinking that Franks is positioning himself for a statewide run for attorney general. With his colleague Julie Hamos also jockeying for the attorney general position and having become a co-sponsor the day the bill was introduced, perhaps I will be excused for suggesting Franks has figured out that a Democrat who is not acceptable to the pro-abortion Personal PAC will have a difficult time winning a Democratic Party primary election. Personal PAC has not traditionally been friendly to Franks.

HB 2354 basically puts into state law the ability to have an abortion any time during pregnancy.

It’s below most people’s radar screens, but Monday may reveal if any citizens in the five largest McHenry County townships have been tempted by the relatively large salaries paid to full and some part-time township officials.

McHenry County Blog has laid out how much winners will earn in

• Algonquin Township
• Dorr Township
• Grafton Township
• McHenry Township

  and

• Nunda Township

Even the township trustee positions—four per township—pay in the neighborhood of $100 a meeting in most townships I checked. Not bad pay for an evening meeting in a recession. And a good starting point for a Young Republican.

And the township clerks’ salaries.

One could send a kid to college on this part-time job’s salary in the larger townships.

Republican incumbents have bravely decided to allow themselves to be challenged in open primaries. The numbers of signatures required to get on the ballot is minuscule. One-half of one percent.

Four years ago here are the numbers of people who in the April township elections:

Algonquin – 7,986
Dorr – 2,977
Grafton – 4,872
McHenry – 6,756
Nunda – 4,884

It’s these numbers that one would multiply .005 by in order to find the number of signatures required on a petition. If my multiplication is correct, the minimum number of signatures needed would be

Algonquin – 40
Dorr – 15
Grafton – 25
McHenry – 34
Nunda – 25

None is an overwhelming burden, but, for those thinking of running, I would suggest you get at least twice or even three times as many signatures as are required.

Chicago political tactics have invaded McHenry County and it is quite possible that an opponent may challenge your petitions. You may win the challenge, but it will probably cost you legal fees and it will certainly distract you from the short campaign.

And when you turn your petitions in, make certain they are numbered at the bottom and stapled together with the other stuff you need to file. And, if you don’t know what that other stuff is, don’t file on Monday. Wait until you get your act together. The end of filing isn’t until the afternoon of 15th.

Three years ago only two townships held primary elections. Algonquin was willing, but there were no challengers. The number who voted in the 2005 GOP primaries follow:

Algonquin – None needed because there was no opposition
McHenry – 2,871, primary for road commissioner only.
Nunda – 418, primary for township trustee only

Democrats are not holding any primary elections. They can, however, hold township caucuses. If such candidates pop up, I would expect Republicans to emphasize that their candidates were chosen in an open primary, while the Democrats did otherwise (and I’m sure someone can come up with better words).

In addition to townships, city officials in Crystal Lake and Woodstock will be filing for office. In both instances, if more than twice the number of candidates file for the offices which are open, there will be a primary election will be held at the same time as the township primary.

Any township with an active primary election will be prime campaign territory for Crystal Lake or Woodstock city council candidates, because the turnout there would be expected to be higher than elsewhere.

The primary election will occur on February 24, 2009.

It’s below most people’s radar screens, but Monday may reveal if any citizens in the five largest McHenry County townships have been tempted by the relatively large salaries paid to full and some part-time township officials.

McHenry County Blog has laid out how much winners will earn in

• Algonquin Township
• Dorr Township
• Grafton Township
• McHenry Township

  and

• Nunda Township

Even the township trustee positions—four per township—pay in the neighborhood of $100 a meeting in most townships I checked. Not bad pay for an evening meeting in a recession. And a good starting point for a Young Republican.

And the township clerks’ salaries.

One could send a kid to college on this part-time job’s salary in the larger townships.

Republican incumbents have bravely decided to allow themselves to be challenged in open primaries. The numbers of signatures required to get on the ballot is minuscule. One-half of one percent.

Four years ago here are the numbers of people who in the April township elections:

Algonquin – 7,986
Dorr – 2,977
Grafton – 4,872
McHenry – 6,756
Nunda – 4,884

It’s these numbers that one would multiply .005 by in order to find the number of signatures required on a petition. If my multiplication is correct, the minimum number of signatures needed would be

Algonquin – 40
Dorr – 15
Grafton – 25
McHenry – 34
Nunda – 25

None is an overwhelming burden, but, for those thinking of running, I would suggest you get at least twice or even three times as many signatures as are required.

Chicago political tactics have invaded McHenry County and it is quite possible that an opponent may challenge your petitions. You may win the challenge, but it will probably cost you legal fees and it will certainly distract you from the short campaign.

And when you turn your petitions in, make certain they are numbered at the bottom and stapled together with the other stuff you need to file. And, if you don’t know what that other stuff is, don’t file on Monday. Wait until you get your act together. The end of filing isn’t until the afternoon of 15th.

Three years ago only two townships held primary elections. Algonquin was willing, but there were no challengers. The number who voted in the 2005 GOP primaries follow:

Algonquin – None needed because there was no opposition
McHenry – 2,871, primary for road commissioner only.
Nunda – 418, primary for township trustee only

Democrats are not holding any primary elections. They can, however, hold township caucuses. If such candidates pop up, I would expect Republicans to emphasize that their candidates were chosen in an open primary, while the Democrats did otherwise (and I’m sure someone can come up with better words).

In addition to townships, city officials in Crystal Lake and Woodstock will be filing for office. In both instances, if more than twice the number of candidates file for the offices which are open, there will be a primary election will be held at the same time as the township primary.

Any township with an active primary election will be prime campaign territory for Crystal Lake or Woodstock city council candidates, because the turnout there would be expected to be higher than elsewhere.

The primary election will occur on February 24, 2009.

Using Abraham Lincoln’s visage, the piece features the five countywide candidates for office.

The Illinois Republican Party decreased the postage cost by making the mailing for the McHenry County Republican Central Committee.

It’s a duplicate of what appears on the back of the sample ballot zoned by county board district. That piece has photos of all the GOP candidates, not to mention the judges up for retention.

What are the “Top Ten Reasons” to support McHenry County Republicans?

1. McHenry County Republicans do not suffer from Springfield Gridlock – There is not Rod Blagojevich, Mike Madigan or Emil Jones operating in McHenry County. Republican leadership works together for the benefit of the people in McHenry County.
2. Republicans Streamline Local Government – Republican controlled McHenry County has 25% fewer Governmental employees per capita than Democrat controlled Cook County.



3. Republicans Invest in Future Transportation – The Republican led County Board has taken the bold initiative to reduce congestion by borrowing $50 million to spend on road construction NOW. This is a smart move as road construction costs are rising faster than the borrowing rate. The existing motor fuel tax repays this debt.
4. The Republican County Board Adheres to a Balance Budget – While most counties deficit spend, McHenry County Republicans insist upon operating a balanced budget and have built a five month cash reserve.
5. Republicans Borrow Smarter at Lower Rates – McHenry County has earned an AA1 bond rating, one step from a perfect AAA. This outstanding rating allows the county to borrow at LOWER rates. This SAVES tax dollars. This is a rating that less than 3% of counties in the U.S. have attained.
6. Republicans Protect the County’s Scenic Beauty – The Republican controlled McHenry County Board introduced the Land First Initiative. This initiative protects ground water and preserves open space. This ordinance was applauded by conservationists and developers alike.
7. Republicans Crack Down on Crime – The Republican States Attorney and Sheriff have taken a tough stand on crime which has led to harsher sentences and more penitentiary time for offenders. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been saved by handling civil lawsuits with staff attorneys, rather than outside counsel.
8. Republicans Protect the Environment & Lead the State in Ground Water Protection – McHenry County Republicans have launched one of the most aggressive programs in the state to protect ground water. Further, they have implemented a Green Building Policy to protect the environment.
9. Republicans Don’t Tax Everything that Moves and let you keep More of YOUR Money – Unlike Democratic controlled Cook County, McHenry County does NOT have soft drink, amusement, liquor, natural gas, electric telecommunication or special restaurant taxes. Democrat controlled Chicago has the highest sales tax in the U.S. At 10.25%.
10. There is no Glass Ceiling for Women with McHenry County Republicans – Woman play an important role in McHenry County. Four of five countywide candidates are women.

Click to enlarge the images.

Using Abraham Lincoln’s visage, the piece features the five countywide candidates for office.

The Illinois Republican Party decreased the postage cost by making the mailing for the McHenry County Republican Central Committee.

It’s a duplicate of what appears on the back of the sample ballot zoned by county board district. That piece has photos of all the GOP candidates, not to mention the judges up for retention.

What are the “Top Ten Reasons” to support McHenry County Republicans?

1. McHenry County Republicans do not suffer from Springfield Gridlock – There is not Rod Blagojevich, Mike Madigan or Emil Jones operating in McHenry County. Republican leadership works together for the benefit of the people in McHenry County.
2. Republicans Streamline Local Government – Republican controlled McHenry County has 25% fewer Governmental employees per capita than Democrat controlled Cook County.



3. Republicans Invest in Future Transportation – The Republican led County Board has taken the bold initiative to reduce congestion by borrowing $50 million to spend on road construction NOW. This is a smart move as road construction costs are rising faster than the borrowing rate. The existing motor fuel tax repays this debt.
4. The Republican County Board Adheres to a Balance Budget – While most counties deficit spend, McHenry County Republicans insist upon operating a balanced budget and have built a five month cash reserve.
5. Republicans Borrow Smarter at Lower Rates – McHenry County has earned an AA1 bond rating, one step from a perfect AAA. This outstanding rating allows the county to borrow at LOWER rates. This SAVES tax dollars. This is a rating that less than 3% of counties in the U.S. have attained.
6. Republicans Protect the County’s Scenic Beauty – The Republican controlled McHenry County Board introduced the Land First Initiative. This initiative protects ground water and preserves open space. This ordinance was applauded by conservationists and developers alike.
7. Republicans Crack Down on Crime – The Republican States Attorney and Sheriff have taken a tough stand on crime which has led to harsher sentences and more penitentiary time for offenders. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been saved by handling civil lawsuits with staff attorneys, rather than outside counsel.
8. Republicans Protect the Environment & Lead the State in Ground Water Protection – McHenry County Republicans have launched one of the most aggressive programs in the state to protect ground water. Further, they have implemented a Green Building Policy to protect the environment.
9. Republicans Don’t Tax Everything that Moves and let you keep More of YOUR Money – Unlike Democratic controlled Cook County, McHenry County does NOT have soft drink, amusement, liquor, natural gas, electric telecommunication or special restaurant taxes. Democrat controlled Chicago has the highest sales tax in the U.S. At 10.25%.
10. There is no Glass Ceiling for Women with McHenry County Republicans – Woman play an important role in McHenry County. Four of five countywide candidates are women.

Click to enlarge the images.

Here is an email received from Crystal Lake’s State Rep. Mike Tryon:

Dear Resident:

A statewide construction program has not been passed in the last nine years and failure to pass one now could result in the loss of $9 billion dollars of matching federal transportation funds that could be used to fix our crumbling roads, bridges and schools. Political infighting on this issue also jeopardizes the opportunity to create thousands of job opportunities at a time when citizens could benefit from additional employment.

Just recently, the House was called back into session and voted to pass SB 1460. The bill increases bond authorization for transportation by $360 million—to be divided $240 million for highways and $120 million for mass transit—for the sole purpose of matching federal funding. While this measure is one piece of the puzzle to prevent us from losing critical federal dollars, we still have more work to do to in producing a statewide comprehensive capital plan that will identify and earmark how funding should be spent for infrastructure projects.

Illinois is on track to reaching a record high 3,450 bad miles of roads in just a few years, and have 2,450 of its bridges have been rated “structurally deficient.” I continue to support a jobs and infrastructure plan that will revitalize the economy and improve the quality of life for our residents.

Pay Raise Rejected

I am pleased to report the Senate joined the House in rejecting cost-of-living increases as recommended in House Joint Resolution 132. The measure was rejected with a 47-0 vote.

In Illinois, the state’s Compensation Review Board issues a report each even-numbered year making recommendations for salary increases for members of the General Assembly, the state’s top elected officials, and executive members of state departments, agencies, boards and commissions. The board’s recommendations automatically go into effect July 1st of the next calendar year unless both houses of the General Assembly vote to reject them.

Comptroller Dan Hynes had indicated the state could not afford to award almost 12 percent increases for the state’s top leaders and its legislators. In the House, legislators agreed finances should be used to pay down debt and fund other worthy projects in need. I was pleasantly surprised the Senate also followed suit in rejecting the increases.

Governor Vetoes Ethics Bill

The Governor rejected ethics legislation this month and instead sent the bill with changes back to legislators.

The original bill stands as House Bill 824, a measure that will ban supporters who have or want major state contracts worth at least $50,000 from giving to politicians who dole out that business. The legislation would also require those business entities and affiliated persons to register with the State Board of Elections where information regarding their bids or state contracts will be maintained in a searchable database.

The Governor’s amendatory veto of the bill removed a provision that would prohibit anyone seeking state business from donating to the person who awards the contract. Instead, it would ban contributions from those who have won a contract. Some lawmakers have already criticized the move and plan to override the veto. They will need a 3/5 majority in both the House and Senate. Otherwise the proposal fails.

New Law to Save Counties Money

A bill that I sponsored has recently become law allowing county boards to rent computer equipment for up to five years. Currently, county boards are forbidden from renting or leasing equipment that would last past the next county board election. As such, when county boards rent equipment, those leases can only go past a 2-year maximum if the contract includes an “opt-out” clause that the next county board can maintain. Those clauses usually increase the cost of the lease agreement.

House Bill 2913 provides that the county board of any county may by a 2/3 vote enter into a lease for a period of not to exceed five years for computer equipment, data processing machinery, and software as may be required for its corporate purposes. This measure can allow counties to save money because they would have the option of entering into lease or rental agreements for equipment at a lower cost.

I was also successful this week in passing House Bill 4766 into law. That measure specifically allows counties to lease space on a telecommunications tower to other entities, such as cell phone providers. The initiative was created because McHenry County is seeking specific legislative authority to lease space on a 911 tower to a wireless phone company.

Thank you again for showing an interest in legislative matters. Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime at my district office at (815) 459-6453 if I can be of help.

Sincerely,

Mike Tryon
McHenry County Republican Party Chairman
State Representative, District 64