McHenry County Blog

The McHenry County Young Republicans started a new feature in its weekly email. It is profiling members.

The first was its Chairman Bryan Javor, who is stepping down this year.

What is your background?

Bryan Javor

I spent the vast majority of my youth in the suburbs near the Fox River.

The summers were filled with friends from a small but close group fishing, biking, learning about nature, playing neighborhood games, playing music and swimming.

The winter time was a period of social and academic development, as I attended a parochial school until 9th grade.  I grew up in a large yet close-knit, Italian catholic family.

My family was the sports crazy family in the neighborhood.  I have an uncle who played semi-professional baseball and another who played semi-professional hockey.

Ironically, sports didn’t interest me to much extent.  Sports merely helped pass the time with friends and family until I could escape to go fishing again.

I was a ‘geek’ until about 13, so I’m proud to say, there’s nothing wrong with being a geek!

I regularly got caught using my dad’s briefcase as a backpack in school.  For some reason I thought it was really really awesome to bring a briefcase to school.

Eventually this streak of coolness subsided and I became very interested in technology.  I spent the better part of my teen years learning how to write business plans, manage, negotiate, and write basic computer programs and web pages.

Bryan Javor at a Young Reublican meeting at 1776.

I worked for a few technology companies and eventually went on to a state university to further my knowledge.

It was during college I met my loving fiancée Angela.  Angela and I have 2 wonderful dogs (Diesel and Bailey) and hope to someday have a beautiful family together in McHenry County.

Why you are involved in MCYR?

In 2005 I was heavily involved in national telecommunications politics and desired to become more locally involved.

It began with one call to the McHenry County Central Committee.

The McHenry County Republican Party was incredibly welcoming and supportive of my desire to become involved and eventually even helped start a YR organization.  The group could not have succeeded without the likes of the original founding members and central committee’s guidance.

I became involved in McHenry County politics as a result of, and in opposition to, Illinois’ looming budget crisis.  Ill advised fiscal policy and atrocious borrowing established my drive for local involvement; however it is our local McHenry County policies and growth which continue to drive me.  I believe we have a wonderful community, with accomplished leaders.

If we, the youth of McHenry County, can learn the tenets of sound ethics and financial management in a bedrock of Republican values, such as McHenry County, we can grow and contribute to the well-being of our entire state.

We will lead with the virtues we learned here, back in McHenry County.

What do you do professionally?

Presently, I own and operate a start-up company called ReachFly, which is a strategic communications corporation and Chair the McHenry County Young Republican group.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, debating, singing, camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, hunting, swimming, martial arts, shooting, motorcycling, etc

What is your favorite book and movie?

It’s a hard tie between “Gladiator” and “The Patriot” for favorite movie and a hard tie between Sun Tzu “The Art of War” and “First, Break All The Rules”.

Any closing remarks?

I’m honored to serve the McHenry County Young Republicans and the voters of our community.  I hope to serve in many roles for the good of our community for many years to come.  Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me.   I look forward to meeting you personally.

Here’s what Young Republicans in McHenry County are talking about today in their weekly newsletter:

Warm weather is on its way.  The MCYR is gearing up for the spring and summer events.  Below you will find a list of events and projects that we would love for you to be involved with.

On Thursday, please join us at the Cottage in Crystal Lake from 6-8pm for Happy Hour.  We can’t wait to see you.

Our Membership Co-Chairman Jake Justen is organizing the “Page for a Day” program!

We have been offered the opportunity to join Senator Pamela Althoff in Legislative Session in Springfield! You will be shown the ropes and the work that is done in Springfield.  Two people will be able to register per date, and the Senator and her staff promise a great visit! In addition, families can stay at the Capitol and attend the committee meetings to observe and can sit in the Gallery during Session.  The Page is the only one able to sit on the Senate Floor with the Senator. The only costs associated with this opportunity are the cost of travel, food and lodging.

The following is a dress code for all pages:

You will be issued an identification badge which must be worn at all times while functioning as a Senate Page.  This ID provides you access onto the Senate Floor.
Bring comfortable flat footwear.  Dress shoes, moderately heeled, no tennis shoes or sandals.

Ladies . . . dresses, skirts, or dress slacks are suggested.  Mini-skirts and skorts are restricted.

Gentlemen . . . dress shirt, necktie, and jacket are required (there are some jackets available on the Senate Floor).  Denim jeans are restricted.

Please respond to jakejusten@mchenryyoungrepublicans.com as soon as possible to reserve a place as space is limited. The following dates are available for visitors:

• March 3, 4
• March 16, 18
• March 24
• April 14
• April 21, 22
• April 28, 29

We congratulate Brian Hain on his new appointment to Treasurer.  We will miss Greg Austin – who is leaving us due to career obligations which take him to Virginia.  Having said this, we are looking for a new Fundraising Chairman.  Please contact Bryan Javor at bryanjavor@mchenryyoungrepublicans.com if you are interested in the position.

Current YR logo

We need your creative talent.  We are still looking for a new MCYR logo.  Please send your logos to webmaster@mchenryyoungrepublicans.com by April 12th.  We will vote on the logos at the April General Meeting.  The winner will win a $25.00 gift card to the restaurant of their choice in Crystal Lake.

In closing, Erica Poremba our Vice-Chairwoman thought of a great idea.  Each week we will be highlighting a member of the MCYR.  We are starting with the Chairman.  (Take a look oat McHenry County Blog over the weekend for the interview.)

Bryan Javor, Chairman

Erica Poremba, Vice-Chairwoman

Brian Hain, Treasurer

Garret Hill, Secretary

YR Chairman Bryan Javor and Vice Chairwoman Erica Poremba

Erica Poremba, Vice-Chairwoman of the McHenry County Young Republicans has sent out the following weekly newsletter:

Weekly Newsletter

We hope that everyone is enjoying the sunshine and warmth.  Spring is fast approaching.  We would love if you would join us at the March Happy Hour which is being held at the Cottage in Crystal Lake on March 11 from 6 to 8 pm.  Its time that we all come together and have some fun before elections begin.  We hope to see you there!

We are proud to announce our Education Chairman Jon Heideman has ran yet another successful campaign (previously Precinct Committeeman) and is now the Vice Chairman of the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee.  A big congratulations to Jon!

We sincerely thank and welcome our two newest members of MCYR; Thomas Kantner of Crystal Lake and Mike Clarke of Harvard.  Its always great to have new and active members join us.  Welcome!

Don’t forget that MCYR is looking for a new logo.  We are offering a $25.00 gift card to a local bar or restaurant of your choice to the winner.  The deadline is March 10, 2010.  Forward your logo to the webmaster@mchenryyoungrepublicans.com  We will vote on the logo at the April meeting.  Good luck.

Jon Heideman the MCYR Education Chair is working on a Candidate Rally for the Spring/Summer that will include candidates from the area running for public office.  They will introduce themselves and explain their visions and plans for building better communities.  More information to come.  This will be a great way for MCYR members to meet the candidates and find campaign volunteer activities.

Also, Jake Justen, the MCYR Membership Vice-Chairman is working with the McHenry County GOP for this summer’s upcoming parades.  If you would like to be involved or volunteer for any of the parades please contact Jake at jakejusten@mchenryyoungrepublicans.com

That’s it for now.  I hope this e-mail finds you excited about the upcoming MCYR events and political events in general.  If there is anything in particular that you would like to see highlighted in the emails please let us know.

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.

Last night at Crystal Lake’s 1776 restaurant will be a night that Jason Plummer, an aggressive Downstate candidate for lieutenant governor, will remember forever.

How do I know?

Lientenant governor candidate Jason Plummer begins speaking after being introduced by McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor.

Because I’ve been on the same route he took twice, once in 1982 when I ran for State Comptroller against Roland Burris and twenty years later when I ran for governor in 2002 against Rod Blagojevich and Jim Ryan.

A statewide candidate doesn’t remember all the stops on the campaign trail, but some are memorable.

Like the night at some big meeting hall in Carbondale when all the candidates on the ticket were standing under a big photo of us all and Jim Thompson was commenting on the St. Louis Globe’s endorsement that day.

“Even Skinner got endorsed,”

he exclaimed.

Of course, I thought and still think I was more qualified than incumbent Burris to be State Comptroller, but even I was surprised I had received the endorsement.

Last night the McHenry County Young Republicans held a candidates’ night for county board candidates.

Thank goodness, the YR’s were not as hidebound as the DeKalb League of Women Voters in 1982, when I was not allowed to speak because I wasn’t a legislative candidate.

In any event, the tallest Republican candidate I have seen since Thompson walked to the podium and was told, as the other candidates had been told, that he had five minutes and that when he was at the four minute mark, he would be told.

He started by pointing out the Illinois lieutenant governor had “no constitutional duties.”

He cited the three statutes giving the office some things to do—probably all enacted while Neil Hartigan was serving under Governor Dan Walker—and said,

“Clearly it’s not an overwhelming workload.”

Plummer talked about his having created jobs in companies he had started, as well as his role in the family lumber business, RP Lumber, with 43 yards in Illinois and two in Missouri.

He told of how he was in intelligence in the Navy Reserve, had worked at the Heritage Foundation and for U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald.

And, how he had returned from Washington to run for Madison County Republican Party Chairman.

He talked about fighting corruption in Madison County, something that no knowledgeable person would deny exits.

“I battled corrupt legislators, a corrupt county board and a corrupt judiciary.”

Plummer said,

“The state needs someone who knows how to sign the bottom of a check, not just the back of a check.”

Great line, don’t you think?

While at a trade convention in Indiana, he told a woman he was running for lieutenant governor.

“In Indiana?” the woman asked.

“No, Illinois.”

The New Jersey resident reacted with dismay, wondering why anyone would want to run for office in our corrupt state.

“When the people of New Jersey are questioning the ethics of Illinois, (we’re in trouble).”

Then, a very bright light put up by YR President Bryan Javor went out.

Jason Plummer's expression after the bright light went out at 1776, plunging the room into relative darkness.

Then came the best quip of the night:

“Is that what you do at one minute?”

I’m still chuckling.

Tell me that Plummer won’t remember last night for the rest of his life.

In that last minute, Plummer listed some endorsements. I caught the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Illinois Federation of Right to Life.

Lientenant governor candidate Jason Plummer posing at 1776 in Crystal Lake with his campaign manager, Ray Marchiori.

Afterward I got a photo of Plummer with his campaign manager, Ray Marachiori. Marachiori staffed my Privatization Committee during the 1995-96 legislative session.

Plummer stayed until the end of the meeting. I guess he figured everybody in the room would vote in the GOP primary election.

I noticed 6th District county board candidate carrying one of Plummer’s signs out of the restaurant.

= = = = =
If this story interested you, this might, too:

“Jason Plummer calling“

Gleaned from the weekly newsletter of the McHenry County Young Republicans is the following:

“Please join us at the Maranatha Assembly of God 2505 N. Ringwood Road in McHenry, Thursday night (December 17th) from 5:30pm to 8 pm as we host the Christmas Party for Home of the Sparrow the homeless shelter of McHenry County.

“This is a great community service event and the MCYR is honored, humbled and excited to host this event.  Please contact Erica Poremba, Vice-Chair at 815-712-0026 if you can join us.

“We will be eating dinner, playing Christmas bingo, cookie decorating, foam art and ornament making along with a guest appearance from Santa Claus.

“Happy Holidays from the MCYR to your family!“

If you are not satisfied with the representation of Democrat Melissa Bean in the 8th Congressional District, you might was to head on over to McHenry County College’s Conference Center tonight at 7.

All six of the GOP primary opponents will be answering questions.

In case you have figured out who is running, here they are:

• Dirk Beveridge
• John Dawson
• Christopher Geissler
• Maria Rodriguez
• Joe Walsh
• Greg Jacobs

From the number of them, I would suggests some folks think Bean, who just voted for the Democrats Health Care Plan, is vulnerable.

The event is being sponsored by the McHenry County Young Republicans and Patriots United.

Jerry Agar from the Illinois Policy Institute and WGN will moderate our debate/panel discussion.

Doors will open at 6:30. A $5 donation is requested to defray the MCC rent.

For more information, contact Jon Heideman, MCYR Education Committee Chairman, or Patriots United’s Bill Parrot or Mary Alger.

The patriotic decor of Crystal Lake’s 1776 restaurant was an ideal setting for Wednesday night’s meeting of the McHenry County Young Republicans.

It was so much more appropriate that the little room in the Pizza Hut basement outside the men’s and women’s restrooms where I remember the YR’s once met back in the 1970’s.

The main speaker was U.S. Senate candidate Ed Varga, a resident of Richmond and a ten-year member of the McHenry County Board of Health.

Varga was upbeat, having just been invited yesterday to give a five minute talk in Springfield to the Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association at 10 today.

He previewed the speech on the YR’s.

Varga described himself as a 42 year old engineer who was a single parent of an 11-year old son who had lost his health insurance last year. His father emigrated from Europe.

He described his greatest achievement in his pubic service as

“Our leaders in Washington, D.C., have forgotten how to listen,” he continued.

“People are speaking, but people in in Washington aren’t listening.”

Varga outlined his “core values:”

• Pro-life
• 2nd Amendment supporter
• In favor of state’s rights
• Opposed to national health insurance
• Favors a strong, well-equipped military
• Opposed to cap and trade
• Supports the military’s patrolling our borders
• Opposed to devaluation of the dollar caused by the Stimulus Package
• Opposed to global environmental standards

From his hand out, I see Varga is [Mistake originally published follows: "also opposed to." Correction has been inserted following this parenthesis.] in favor of same sex unions. (Click to enlarge the image.)

After Varga’s short speech, YR President Bryan Javor announced the group now has 726 members and the goal of activating 10% of that number.

One of the on-going projects is to notify Young Republicans who live in a precinct which now had no elected GOP precinct committeeman and encourage them to run for the office.

Javor then called on heads of committees for reports.

While the McHenry County Young Republicans met Sunday in Crystal Lake’s Veterans Acres for a Petition Party, they will meet tonight at 7 PM at the upscale 1776 Restaurant on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

The YR weekly newsletter reports that the following candidates attended their Petition Party:

• Congressman Don Manzullo
• State Senator/Gubernatorial Candidate Matt Murphy from Palatine
• United State Senate Candidate Ed Varga from Richmond
• McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren
• McHenry County Treasurer Bill LeFew
• McHenry County Board Members/Candidates

= = = = =
Gubernatorial candidate State Senator Matt Murphy can be seen in the red shirt to the left of the top photo and on the left hand side facing right in the bottom picture. Sheriff Keith Nygren is sitting at the picnic table in the top shot looking right. His wife Marge is sitting across from him. Standing behind Nygren in that same picture is County Treasurer Bill LeFew. STAR 105 FM radio newsman Stew Cohen is standing next to LeFew, facing the end of the table. YR Jon Heideman, who is running for Republican precinct committeeman in Nunda 19, is in the foreground right looking away from the camera. He was the grill master.

In the bottom photo, McHenry County Board candidate John Jung is center right facing right next to Brent Smith. Again, you can see YR Jon Heideman’s back in the foreground left.

Area Young Republicans gathered for a picnic and meet the candidates session in Barrington Sunday.

Below you see the organizations’ leaders. Speaking here is McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor.

Collin Corbett, the President of the Lake County Young Republicans (Green Shirt) can be seen to the left, Amy Sejnost Kovacevic, President of the DuPage YRs (White Shirt) walking toward Crobett, Bryan Javor with the microphone and to the right, Drew Veeneman, President of the Kane County YRs. If someone will identify the man in the white shirt and baseball cap, I’ll add his name.