Saturday, June 30th, is the day when McHenry County Pro-Lifers hold their annual fund raiser.
It’s a pig roast and, at least in election years, lots of politicians turn out.
Right before the 4th of July, the annual McHenry County Right-to-Life Pig Roast will be held.
It will again be at Irene Napier’s farm on Valley View Road.
Contact numbers are 815-861-5847 and 847-910-5001.
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.
Jack Franks staffer Parker Happ mans the Jack Franks tent, smiling as he did last year when my photo was good enough to end up on his Facebook’s front page.
Then, I saw the Sheriff’s Department’s Crime Stoppers Trailer.
This Sheriff’s Department trailer was parked behind the arena.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s booth was at the front of the first building I entered, although Sheriff Keith Nygren had not yet arrived.
The Sheriff’s Department has a double booth just as one enters one of the display buildings.
McHenry County Citizens for Choice was way around the corner.
Marian Michaels, Dee Many and Toby Levin were staffing/visiting the McHenry County Citizens for Choice booth.
The McHenry County Republican Party booth was down the aisle to the right. My second time around I found Jack Franks’ staffer conversing with the folks behind the table.
Eric Peterson, Glenda Miller and Pam Palmer talk with Jack Franks’ staffer Parker Happ.
I found the Sheriff’s Department had a second booth location to the right of the main one.
This McHenry County Sheriff’s booth was unmanned when I walked by.
In the next building, the Libertarian Party booth was the first I saw.
Jim Young, who ran for State Rep. as a Libertarian, was asking people to put pennies into the jar which best represented their beliefs about the national debt.
Into which jar would you put a penny supplied by the Libertarian Party?
Most pennies were in the “Cut Spending” jar.
Next door was the best political story.
The negative reaction of a modeling agency, which was across the aisle, and a County Fair Official’s reported reaction to a complaint was the best story I found. The complaining booth workers got another location.
The booth was called “Peter’s Net.” Those in it were clearly Catholics and they were explaining how Catholics were Pro-Life.
There were models of how large a baby was at various lengths of gestitation. This man was closely examining the part of the display at the early end of pregnancy.
Here’s a closer look at the models.
I particularly like the baby in God’s hands.
The booth renter across the aisle, described as a “modeling agency” complained about the medical models to Fair Officials. One came and, I’m told, said that the display might not be allowed next year.
The models at the other Pro-Life booth.
Since I vividly remember a similar display from 2000 at the McHenry County Right-To-Life organization, I have a hard time understanding such logic, assuming the story that reached my ears was correct.
It certainly makes no economic sense for the Fair, since another Catholic group, renting three or four spaces–as many as the Sheriff’s Department–also had in utero models.
Maybe it was the message on the button saying, “It’s a child, not a choice” that bothered the folks across the aisle or maybe the models were drawing too much attention from the young girls the complaining booth was targeting.
Just around the corner was the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee’s booth.
Terry Kappel and John Darger were staffing the Democrats booth.
They had an intimidating American history quiz that they were encouraging people to take. I was told Jack Franks wouldn’t take it.
This “Hands Off my Medicare” sign was on the side of the Democrats’ booth.
I hesitated, read the questions on the front page and figured by 7th and 8th grade American history classes would stand me in good stead. Then I started checking off the best answer. I did find until I got to the national debt question. It asked when the first debt ceiling had been passed. That was not in any of the American history classes I took. I won’t ruin the quiz. Suffice is to say that was my only wrong answer.
As I continued my political tour of the McHenry County Fair, I found a second large Pro-Life booth.
“Life is Sacred” is the largest print one sees as one approaches this booth from the south.
Young girls were looking at a display of baby booties and shoes called “Little Soles.”
“Little Soles” is the title of this Pro-Life display..
This is the other booth in which I found the in utero models seen above.
There is also a big banner proclaiming “Life Is Sacred” with a Bible quote.
The booth tee shirt.
Right across the aisle was the booth of the McHenry County Sportsman’s Association and the McHenry County Right to Carry Association.
With Illinois’ being the last state in the union where individuals are not allowed to carry firearms to protect themselves, the petition signatures gathered in past years may have been the reason that Jack Franks’ flipped from being opposed to being favor.
Barbara Wheeler, the only Republican candidate to have announced for the 64th State Representative District, talks with Anthony Lopez President of the McHenry County Sportsman’s Association at the booth his group and the McHenry County Right to Carry Association sponsored at the County Fair.
President Anthony Lopez was standing out front talking to Barb Wheeler, who was helping staff the booth. His wife Laura Rakers was behind the table with Richard Pere.
I went looking for Congressman Joe Walsh’s outpost.
Erin Westphal drew tent staffing duty for Congressman Joe Walsh. At the Wauconda Town Hall Meeting, she was one bringing the microphone to those who want to ask questions or make statements.
It was on the midway in a corner tent.
I doubled back to the building with the Sheriff’s display in hopes of finding Sheriff Keith Nygren and was rewarded by his presence.
Sheriff Keith Nygren talking to two members of his staff.
I made another circuit and found Congressman Don Manzullo’s booth. Former Wonder Lake resident Marilyn Davis was behind the table.
Kathleen Davis was staffing Congressman Don Manzullo’s booth.
As I left the building, Nunda Township Republican Chairman Brent Smith and Sheriff Nygren were having a conversation.
On the way out, I saw John O’Neill, an announced candidate for McHenry County Board staffing the Ray Chevrolet tent.
Here you see conservative challenger Tom Morrison campaigning against Palatine's liberal State Rep. Suzie Bassi. Any local candidates hoofing it? Send me a photo, but don't look at the camera and be at a door with a potential constitute.I thought you might want to see the mail that candidates or those being courted for their vote have sent out in District 3. (If I have missed any, I ask the candidates to email it me.)
Candidates for the District 3 McHenry County Board seats are starting to send out mailings.
I thought you might want to see the ones that I have found.
Any candidate in any district who would like to have a bit wider coverage of their direct mail campaign is welcome to email me what is sent out. And, if you as a reader receive a mailing and will be so kind as to scan it for me, I’ll be appreciative and try to get it up.
With the Chicago Democrats having set the primary election in one of the coldest times of the year to protect incumbents from challengers, the postman really is the precinct committeeman.
Not many voters will see a candidate knocking on doors like the challenger to Republican State Rep. Suzie Bassi of Palatine, two districts away from most of us.
So, let’s take a look at some District 3 mailings for county board.
Here’s a mailing from District 2 challenger Craig Steagall. It arrived last week.
This post card from District 3 challenger Craig Steagall appears to be an introduction of the candidate and theme of the campaign--"Fresh Leadership." It also includes the campaign web site www.craigsteagall.com
Here’s the other side.
It contains biographical information. I'm guessing the yellow patch is where the address and bulk mail permit goes. Steagall discloses his successful business background, his family's service to the agriculture community, a bit about his role in building the Prairie Ridge High School soccer fields and his role in the Continental Little League.
The piece from District 3 challenger Karen Tynis is next.
This is the address side of a Karen Tynis mailing. The highlight, of course, is the photo of her family. She talks of her business background and being a community volunteer.
This is the only post card I have seen so far that has to be rotated to be read. I don't whether that is good or bad, but tend to think it is good because it is different from the others.
On this postcard, the volunteer work mentioned on the address side is fleshed out, including volunteering for Prairie Ridge High School and Club Fusion volley ball, the Salvation Army, the Prairie Grove Parks Dept. and the Shepherd of the Hills Church.
Tynis lists her goals as
Tynis also lists her business experience with Tynis Concrete and KT Leasing, two property owners associations and ten years of real estate closings.
Barb Wheeler, the only incumbent running, is the only one to have sent out a letter.
Click to enlarge any image.
It includes her web site www.BarbaraWheeler2010.com and gives her phone number–815-245-4556.
She tells of her endorsement by the Northwest Herald and being described as an “INDEPENDENT” three times.
“I am a proud member of the Republican Party; however, in local government that doesn’t always mean I will vote in lock step with the party leaders.”
Here’s her closing pitch:
“The economy is the number one issue facing the county, state and country. Because of McHenry County’s fiscal discipline, our county has consistently passed a balanced budget.
“In the last five years, we have actually seen our county’s portion of the tax bill go down.
“Further, I have proposed initiatives not only to attract and to retain businesses, but also to help McHenry County businesses expand and grow. These efforts will improve business and employment opportunities.
“Obviously, the county can’t act alone; we will need the collaboration of the Economic Development Council, the McHenry County Community College, as well as other industry leaders.
“My consensus building experience will help to bring these groups to the table for the betterment of McHenry County.”
Finally, here is a mailing from former county board member Nick Provenzano, who is seeking a return to the county board.
It is a piece aimed at Pro-Lifers. It is the most professional looking piece I have seen aimed at that important segment of Republican primary voters. I wonder what the distribution was.
Clearly, District 3 county board candidate Nick Provenzano is positioning himself to be "THE" Pro-Life candidate.
Nick Provenzano touts his endorsement by the Illinois Citizens for Life, Irene Napier, Chairman of McHenry County Right to Life and Bonnie Quirke, Chairman of the Lake County Right to Life, plus the Northwest Herald. He includes his web site address.
Over 200 people showed up at Jack Franks’ Woodstock office on Route 47 last Saturday.
I had seen some emails about it, so drove past on our way home from the easy-to-park-in and human-sized Milwaukee airport.
I asked John O’Neill, one of the organizers, to provide me with a time line and here’s what he sent:
Below is the time line of events which transpired over the past couple of weeks and culminated in the big Prayer Vigil/Rally at Jack Franks’ office on Saturday.Saturday, March 14 I received an email from my Knights of Columbus Council #1288 talking about HB2354 and that we had to stop it.
I went to the Illinois General Assembly site (ILGA.org) to see all of the details and was stunned to see that Jack Franks had signed-on as co-sponsor 2 days earlier (Thursday 3/12).
I wrote a letter to State Rep. Franks detailing my dismay at his co-sponsorship especially in light of the fact that he had given me the tired old line that,
“I personally oppose abortion but I support a woman’s right to choose.”That letter was copied to all of the Pro-Life friends in my email address book.
On Monday (March 15th), I began receiving copied emails to State Rep. Franks ditto-ing my letter. Most had simply forwarded my email and added their own comments. Then a friend suggested we compile the contents of the letter into a full-page ad in the Northwest Herald.
We contacted Irene Napier and a group of conservative residents we had been corresponding with and the decision was made. I began designing the ad and shared it with the group of friends. After multiple revisions the ad was done. Irene and I brought it to the Herald, she and another friend made additional revisions, and on Sunday, March 22, the ad was published.
On Monday and Tuesday we had many people tell us that they had sent the ad or a copy of the ad to Franks and Beaubien along with a letter of disappointment in their co-sponsorship of the bill.
On Wednesday I was notified that Karen Verr was organizing a Prayer Vigil/Rally at Jack Franks’ office for Saturday at noon. I immediately copied all in my address book again. Thursday and Friday we continued calling and emailing to drum up support. We figured we would max-out at 50-100 people.
Saturday we showed-up for the Prayer Vigil/Rally and, as some were counting, found-out that there were well over 200 people there (211 was actual number I heard).
Thank God for the many Pro-Life people who, at the last minute dropped what they were doing and came out, into the cold in order to protest this terrible bill.
All images can be enlarged by clicking on them.
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