Algonquin Founders Day Parade – Mainly Politics

He wasn’t at the front of the parade but the owner of Port Edward, Ed Woloweic, was the Grand Marshall. The parade took about an hour, truncated because of construction south on Route 31. Most of the politic entries which … Continue reading

McHenry County GOP Fails to Muster Quorum for Summer Meeting

Just as there was not a quorum at the Special Meeting called to determine whether Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks would have Tonya Franklin as an opponent, there was no quorum Monday night. Gathering at the Algonquin Township meeting … Continue reading

Appointed Dorr Township GOP Committeemen Removed, Replaced

I’ve written previously that McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz was appointed March 29th as a precinct committeeman in Algonquin Township Precinct 20. (She lives in Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley’s precinct. Algonquin 10.) That was before Central Committee Chairman … Continue reading

“Chainsaw Jack” Franks Gets Third Free Ride in Four Elections Compliments of the McHenry County Republican Party

The McHenry County Democrat who can do almost no harm, according to the Northwest Herald, is getting a free ride for the third out of four elections. Instead of allowing Tonya Franklin and her supporters to go out and see … Continue reading

An Email of Thanks to Tell Those who Boycotted the Saturday Special Meeting What Happened

Unlike the email from Mike Tryon sent twice before the Special Meeting to discourage attendance at the gathering called to select the two missing members of the 63rd State Rep. District Representative Committee, this email from GOP Executive Secretary Geri … Continue reading

Last Minute Pitch for GOP Precinct Committeemen to Attend Special Saturday Meeting in Crystal Lake

As an operative for the Republican Party in McHenry County sends out (again, not to me) Chairman Mike Tryon’s letter discouraging attendance at the Special Meeting of the local GOP at d’Andrea’s Saturday morning at 9 AM (public is invited), … Continue reading

April 8th Northwest Herald Editor Dan McCaleb Decried Lack of Electoral Competition

Editor Dan McCaleb was aiming his April 8th comments mainly at McHenry County Democrats, pointing out the minority party locally had until June 4th to fill slots. For some reason McCaleb didn’t mention the obvious gap on the Republican side … Continue reading

Sharon Meroni Replies to Mike Tryon’s Call to Boycott Grassroots-Called Central Committee Meeting intended to Pave Way for Tonya Franklin Candidacy against “Chainsaw Jack” Franks

The following came into my email inbox from Algonquin Township’s Sharon Meroni, the new Precinct Committeeman who won a  write-in campaign this past spring. Meroni  is one of the people who convinced Tea Party-inspired Republican activist Tonya Franklin to volunteer … Continue reading

14 Days Until McHenry County Republican Inaction Annoints “Chainsaw Jack” Franks for a Third Uncontested Term

Over the weekend I became convinced that McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon is the only one who can either take steps to allow Tea Party activist Tonya Franklin a chance to get on the ballot to run against … Continue reading

Clock Is Running on Finding GOP Opponent for Jack Franks

During the last three election cycles the McHenry County Republican Central Committee has forfeited the election to Democrat Jack Franks two-thirds of the time. Once was under GOP Chairman Bill LeFew in his last term; once under current Chairman Mike … Continue reading

Only Fifty-Four File for GOP Precinct Committeeman by Noon Friday

[Either I can’t count or I typed 45 with I meant 54, as John Landon points out in a comment on another post. Correction has been made and I thank another citizen-editor.] As of noon Friday, more Republicans had filed … Continue reading

McHenry County Parties Have Little Financial Resources

It’s an off year for partisan politicians, but you’d think parties and candidates would be trying to raise money. Must be a tough economy, because the McHenry County Democrats didn’t even try. No receipts and $5,140 in the bank. The … Continue reading

Republican Precinct Committeemen in McHenry County 2010-2012

Here are the Republican Precinct Committeeman listed in the online version of the McHenry County Year Book as of October 5, 2011. The ones with no precinct committeeman are obvious. Less obvious are the ones where no one ran in … Continue reading

Republican Politics at Port Edward

Port Edward has pleasant memories for me all the way back to visiting the Algonquin Jaycees back in the late 1960’s. Then it was only a small corner bar at Harrison and Route 62. Algonquin Founders Days luncheons, fund raisers, … Continue reading

The McHenry County Fair – Political Angles

While the teen were exploring other parts of the McHenry County Fair on Friday, I went looking for things political. Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks’ tent was first.  It was closest to the free parking. Then,  I saw the … Continue reading

Republican Precinct Committeemen and Vacancies in Nunda, Richmond and Riley Townships

Today we look at the last three McHenry County Townships alphabetically speaking. They are Nunda, Richmond and Riley Townships. Nunda Township gets a Gold Star for having precinct committeemen in every precinct. It is the only large township to attain … Continue reading