McHenry County Blog

Michael Standard is another candidate running for the McHenry County Board in District 6. Below are his answers to the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water Questionnaire:

ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2012 Primary Election

A. Land Use

1. Do you agree that new development should be located where infrastructure exists, to minimize the extension of new roads, utilities and services, and protect farmland and water recharge areas? yes

2. If elected, will you support permanent protection of agricultural land and the agricultural industry in the County? yes

3. Do you agree or disagree that new rural development costs more for the extension of infrastructure (roads, water, sewer and services) than it brings to the County in taxes and that those extra costs are passed on to the existing taxpayers? agree

B. Water Resources

1. Would you oppose any land use change that would exceed a locally recharged aquifer’s capacity? yes

2. If elected will you enforce use of the SARA – Sensitive Aquifer Recharge Areas map developed by the County Water Resources Department, as a determining factor in every land use change decision? yes

3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water-rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater? no

4. In your opinion, will McHenry County be able to get Lake Michigan water? no

C. The Role of County Government

1. Should the county provide support services to municipal governments, for example issuing and enforcing municipal building permits, administering and enforcing the Storm Water ordinance? no

2. Do you support a county housing program where the county purchases, constructs, remodels, rents, sells homes throughout the county and in municipalities? no

3. Do you support a county bus program, where the county takes over responsibility for established service between select cities and townships? no

4. Should the county health department report to the county board as opposed to an independent board of directors? yes

5. Do you think county government should increase expenditures and the scope of its activities, which will increase taxes to its residents? no

D. Transparency and Commitment

1. County board records indicate that the average number of meetings necessary for attendance by a County Board Member is 8. This includes two full board meetings a month and two meetings a month for each committee (generally three) the member is assigned. Are you able and willing to make the commitment to represent your constituents to this extent? yes

2. During the last primary election 32 candidates for county offices voluntarily filled out the ALAW initiated Statement of Economic Interests BEFORE the election. This form is now required once you are elected, but we need to know before we elect you. Will you follow suit and file yours with us now? (Form attached with mailing instructions.) yes

3. Do you agree that all scheduled county meeting agendas and minutes, including committee and sub-committees, should be posted on the County web site? yes

4. Would you have voted to raise the county board members salaries? no

5. Would you have voted to increase the real estate tax levy by 1.5% thus increasing the amount of real estate tax collected by the county by $1.1 ml.? no

E. Short Answer. Only the number of words indicated will be published in the response report. (please add a page if you need more room, but remember that we can only print the number of words indicated and reserve the right to edit your response for that reason. Thank you.)

1. If you are elected to serve the residents of McHenry County, what external state and local agencies do you think are important for the county to liaison with and how would you make sure that information is flowing both ways with that agency? If you are currently serving and are an appointed liaison, please tell us what agency you are assigned and how you accomplish effective two-way communication. (50 words)

I will champion the common sense causes of soil conservation, protection of ground water, preservation of farm lands as well as related environmental issues, including hydraulic fracking if that technology threatens McHenry County, I will cooperate with and / or engage every local, state and or federal agency that is in a position to influence the questionable proposals or actions of private enterprise or governmental bodies.

2. By protecting agricultural lands and soil resources, groundwater and its natural recharge can also be protected. What will you do to provide that protection? (50 words)

I will resist efforts that threaten these important matters and champion the cause for their protection through my understanding of the issue, language skills and ultimately the power of my vote.

3. Most municipalities in the county have their own economic development commissions or committees. Economic development has to occur where there is existing infrastructure. The county funds the private McHenry County Economic Development Corporation ($635,985. for the 2009-2012 term) to create development in the county outside of municipalities. Is this a good investment of taxpayer money? (50 words)

The MCEDC, as well intended as its board members and staff may be, has produced few, if any, specific measurable results. Therefore, the expenditure of $635,985, as well as the substantial amount of time invested, seems not to be a sensible use of taxpayers dollars or a worthwhile endeavor.

4. Do you think Fleming Road, Alden Road and other county roads that do not serve highly developed commercial areas, need to be widened and “improved” at this time? (50 words)

No.

5. What weight should you as a county board member give the opinions of citizens affected by zoning decisions, special use permits and road projects? (50 words)

Ronald Regan said, “Government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem.” Of course, the County Board should listen to, respect and serve the citizens. Isn’t that the point of representative government?

6. What in your background qualifies you to serve the public as a county board representative and what do you intend to accomplish if elected to the County Board. You may also use this space to provide additional information regarding any of the “yes / no” answers given above. (100 words)

Background:My community involvement includes being

• elected president of the Village of Greenwood, serving as
• president of the Friends of the Opera House and as
• a member of Chester Gould / Dick Tracy Museum board. In addition, I’ve served as
• a member of the advisory board for Northern Illinois University’s College of Visual & Performing Arts. Served as
• an adjunct professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Currently
• adjunct faculty member, Elgin Community College.

Accomplishments while serving as president of the Village of Greenwood include

• the cost-effective restoration of the Village Hall with the support of volunteer trustees.
• With the considerable support of trustee John Ferris, won $250,000 in grants allowing the badly needed repair of Wondermere Road.
• Created ” Life in the Slow Lane” village banners.
• Designed and launched the Village web site: www.villageofgreenwood.org.
• Maintained and plowed village roads with an annual budget of under $40,000.
• With the support of Joeleen Stanard, who served the Village as volunteer Treasurer, established a context of alignment and cooperation where animosity and friction had existed for years.

Self-made entrepreneur. Established marketing, advertising & design firm One Zero Charlie, in July of 1978. (In business 34 years.) The firm’s ward-winning work continues to be published in professional journals worldwide. One Zero Charlie serves local, regional, national and multinational accounts. I am an instrument rated, multi-engine pilot. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America and Japan.

Goals: My goal is

• to align with like-minded County Board members on several fronts including the reduction of real estate taxes.
• I intend to create a demand for a reformed Sheriff’s Department,
• an end to the Health Department’s over-zealous nit-picking and
• to insist that the McHenry County Department of Transportation respect the wishes the citizens in matters such as those raised the by Alden and Fleming Road Alliances.

In brief, my goal is to remind those in government that their role is to serve the public, not the other way around.

A press release from McHenry County Board candidate Michael Stanard:

District 6 Candidate Michael Stanard Raises the Real Issues

Woodstock, Illinois February 15, 2012  For most of my adult life, I paid little or no attention to the workings of government.

I voted, but i just didn’t think much about local government or the people running things on our behalf.

I didn’t know a municipal road, from a township road, a county road from a state road or federal highway.

I was like most people, I suppose. I simply wasn’t paying attention.

By contrast, I’ve discovered that many concerned citizens are paying attention.

I respect the individuals who are involved and interested in government.

I’m optimistic about the future and sharing my point-of-view about the role of local government.

My goal is to let voters know who I am and what I hope to accomplish as I present myself as a candidate for the County Board.

I may have been more or less asleep in the past, but I assure you I am wide awake now.

Historically, issues in the largest and most rural district in McHenry County have been;

• ground water conservation,
• the protection of the county’s pristine farm land and
• the preservation of open spaces.

In brief, the safekeeping of our rural and small town way-of-life is the job-at-hand.

These issues are critically important to those of us who live in District 6 and, obviously, every District 6 candidate supports these causes.

Of course they do.

It’s a no-brainer.

The question then becomes, which of the candidates is best suited to represent the voters, effectively champion the cause and, in the end, product the result ?

Risking the appearance of conceit, I feel that I am among the strongest candidates, if not the strongest.

I must quickly add that, as important as these issues have been in the past, and remain today, virtually all development-related matters have been postponed and / or abated by the economy.

That is, the threat of urban encroachment has ended, at least for the foreseeable future.

This is not because of any wisdom or savvy action on the part of our elected officials.

It’s simply because we have been facing the most difficult economic times since the 1930′s.

The real issues, more pressing matters, should be addressed by the County Board, not the least of which is the unwarranted increase in our real estate taxes.

This unwarranted and unnecessary tax increase has been condemned by virtually every County Board candidate, with the the exception of one District 6 candidate, who voted for the increase.

Along with may other citizens I’ve spoken with, I am troubled with other aspects of our county government as well.

Following are three of several issues I am prepared to address if elected.

These as the “real issues” to be addressed over the course of the next few years:

1. We have a transportation department that seems hell-bent on forcing its will on the residents of Alden and Fleming Road.
2. Our Sheriff’s Department, has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on entirely unwarranted, seemingly vindictive, litigation. Moving forward, hundreds of thousands of additional tax payers dollars are sure to be wasted, no doubt.
3. The Animal Control people now demand veterinarian-certified death certificates for dead and buried farm dogs.
4. Incredibly, our over-zealous County Health Department prevented the ladies at the Historical Society from serving milk and homemade cookies. The Opera House staff was forbidden to serve hot dogs to student musicians visiting from Germany here, as our guests, to perform a free concert on The Square. I’m not making this up.

These are only a handful of close-to-home examples of the slow-but-sure erosion of our personal freedoms and the squandering of staff-time and taxpayer dollars.

Perhaps I’m mistaken, but this seems like too much government, right here in our backyards . And, instead of actively addressing voter’s concerns, and discouraging governmental nonsense, the County Board stands by with folded arms.

With all this in mind, I am running for a seat on the County Board representing District 6.

I am in favor of shrinking the size of County Government . The only way to do that is to reduce the amount of government funding.

In brief, let’s cut taxes and reduce spending. Let’s put our county government on a modest budget like virtually every family, individual and business in McHenry County.

I have a plan to do exactly that.

To learn more. . . visit our web site at : www.stan-ard.com.

Saturday night’s crowd of candidates also gave opening statements.

And, as on Friday, some targeted like a laser beam on the tax hike issue. (See also Part 1 and Part 2.)

But before beginning, let me remind you of those incumbents who voted to increase the tax levy so much that the tax take from property owners will be as high as allowed by state law.

Those running for re-election are in boldface type.

• Robert Bless
• Scott Breeden
• Sue Draftcorn (a switch)
• Mary Donner
• Jim Heisler
• Tina Hill (a switch)
• John Jung
• Donna Kurtz
• Mary McCann
• Pete Merkel
• Anna May Miller (a switch)
• Marc Munaretto
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Ken Koehler

Michael Stanard, running for a spot on the GOP primary ballot drew the first slot to speak and said, “I would [have]voted against an increase in the tax levy.”

District 6 incumbent Diane Evertsen of Hartland Township said, “I voted against an increase in the tax levy. This is exactly the wrong time.”

Coral Township’s Shawn Green, also running in District 6, gave the same message: “I did not support the Board’s decision to increase the tax levy.” While he suggested the levy will have to be increased from time to time, “now is not the time to do it. With no new construction, the slightest increase will lead to an increase in taxes.”

Rachel Smith of Wonder Lake, another District 6 challenger, pointed out she knew the estimates of the average homes tax increase was $8, but

“$8 can help feed my family for a week if I go to Aldi’s.

“The government needs to live within its means.”

Marengo Alderman Corey Brackmann, also running for a District 6 Republican slot, said he didn’t think raising the levy at this time was a good idea.

He pointed out that he had “voted against the proposed increase in the City of Marengo.”

District 5 aspirant Michael Rein of Woodstock added this thought [remember all of this is in the opening statements]:

I also think the tax levy should not have [been] raises. ”

He urged voters to look at how his opponents had voted the last two years, not just this year.

“People who voted against the tax levy also voted to increase their [own] salaries,” he added.

[See

McHenry County Board Votes on Salary Hikes

Voting "No" were

• Virginia Peschke
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Ersel Schuster
• Paula Yensen]

“I was opposed to the increase in the tax levy,”  said David LaGue, the only farmer on the ballot in District 6.

“Workable alternatives [exist].”

He added that it wasn’t a good idea when when the economy was doing poorly.

Huntley School District 158 Board President Mike Skala agreed with everyone up to that point.

“I would not have supported the tax increase,” he said. “I led the effort to keep our levy flat.:

[Afterwards, I asked what that meant. Skala explained that his Board was abating taxes that were levied in order to keep the tax bill flat.

When I asked if that meant the school district could take a 4.5% increase for 2013, he admitted that was the case. (The 4.5% would consist of the 1% CPI increase allowed this year by the Property Tax Cap, plus the 3% allowed next year.)]

Michael Stanard, challenger in District 6, explained,

“I’m in favor actually of reducing the levy.

“The only way for the government to get smaller is to take the money away.

District 6 incumbent Ersel Schuster voted against hiking the tax levy as well. She said that there “should be an outside audit” to identify items that could be cut.

McHenry County Board incumbent Ersel Schuster voted against the tax hike.

She said there “should be an outside audit” to identify unneeded expenditures.

Missing from their forum were

• District 5 incumbent Tina Hill
• District 5 incumbent John Jung, Jr.
• District 5 incumbent Virginia Peschke
• District 6 aspirant Michele R. Aavang
• District 6 incumbent Mary McCann
• District 6 non-incumbent J. Vincent Ranzino

Those who voted for the levy hiking taxes on this year’s bills are in boldface type. The others who did so are mentioned in the articles.

Melissa Denker.

Remember that name.

For those of you who can’t remember reading about her candidacy for Dunham Township Republican Precinct Committeeman, take a trip through this recent McHenry County Blog article.

19 years old.

McHenry County College student.

Computer literate.

Tea Party.

The future of the Republican Party, if its members want a future.

Not yet elected (although sure to be, since there is no opponent on the GOP primary ballot), Denker already has a web site.

And, it’s not just a place holder.

It has valuable content.

She attended the Young Republicans Candidates’ Forum for District 5 and 6 McHenry County Board candidates.

She tells a bit of what the candidates said and offers her opinions.

Here’s a sample of her writing style:

Second, even though some candidates didn’t show up… * Cough* Incumbent Mary McCann * cough* Michele R. Aavang * Cough* Cook County Deputy Sheriff  J. Vincent Ranzino * Cough -Excuse me , I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting 6 out of the 10 candidates running.

Read why she was impressed with

• Michael Stanard
• Ersel Schuster
• Shawn Green
• Diane Evertsen/David LeGue

Primary voters get to vote for four candidates because there are four seats to be filled.

It’s 42 days until the primary election, but early voting starts February 27th.

Candidates not on her favorable list could change her mind, I sense, but what if she doesn’t wait until election day to vote.

The Young Republicans provided a public service Saturday night by sponsoring a candidates night for McHenry County Board candidates in District 5 and 6.

The Friday night counterpart for District 2, 3 and 4 candidates, on the other hand, had three incumbents who defended their maximization of the tax take from taxpayers.

Only $8 a household was the best defense.

Four incumbents skipping the Saturday night’s affair (tax hikers in boldface type):

• Tina Hill – District 5
• John Jung – District 5
• Virginia Peschke- District 5
• Mary McCann – District 6

There only incumbents from Districts 2, 3 and 4 who missed the Friday night meeting were County Board Chairman Ken Koehler from Crystal Lake and Wonder Lake’s Draffkorn.  Both voted for the tax hike.

I wondered if the absence of those who voted “Yes” for big levy was because the tax hike question asked of District 2, 3, and 4 candidates the night before.

To their credit two of those from District 2 who voted to maximize the tax take, Jim Heisler and Donna Kurtz attended and gave their defenses.  Koehler also voted for the one and one-half percent tax hike, the most allowed by the Property Tax Cap.

In District 3, Mary Donner, who also supported maximizing county taxes, was in attendance defending her vote.

Of the incumbents absent in District 5, Jung supported the tax hike and Hill did not.  Peschke did not cast a vote.

In District 6, incumbent Mary McCann was the only incumbent missing.  She supported the tax hike.

So, when the same question was asked of candidates in District 5 and 6 as was asked of those from District 2, 3 and 4, there was no one on the stage to defend the maximum extraction of taxes possible from us taxpayers.

Do I sense an issue that might have some traction?

= = = = =
The roll calls that might interest you on the tax hike:

Who Voted to Raise Your County Taxes?

I got these emails from 6th District McHenry County Board candidate Michael Stanard:

Someone in McHenry County evidently “turned me in to the authorities.” < smile >

This morning I got a call from Ron Brooks about my using the old Standard Oil icon.

He followed up the the following email.

Mr Michael Standard

It has been brought to our attention that you are using our Trade mark logo of Standard Oil Company on you campaign poster. We are the owners of record of this trade mark with the US Patent office. Please remove the Logo asap from any public uses.

Thank you
Ronald Brooks CEO
Standard Oil Company

I responded as follows:

Ron,

I didn’t mean to step on your toes. I apologize.

I was unaware of your company.

I assumed that brand identity disappeared when BP took control.

As you can imagine, using that vintage icon seemed a natural parody, given the spelling of my surname.

Would you be willing to allow me to continue until the election cycle is complete?

As a practical matter, my use of it will not damage your brand and I would appreciate your good humor and generosity in the matter.

Of course, if you prefer, I’ll stop using it and take it off the site.

Cordially,

Michael

p.s.

If that was you on the phone, I thought it might have been my high school buddy from Dallas, zooming me.

His response was:

Hi Michael

Sure I hpx; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; mpaine truck.
So you have our ok to use”>

And by the way Best Of Luck to you.

Ron Brooks CEO

Cal,

I’d love to know who let Ron know about my promotional materials. Wouldn’t you?

After all, he’s is way out in Dallas, Texas and there is no way on God’s green hearth that he would have discovered it with out a ” little help ” .

Re: http://www.standardoilcompanyusa.com ( It’s a exploring and drilling company. )

I knew politics was a dirty game. In McHenry County it seems petty and small-minded as well.

= = = = =
This reminds me of one of my 1992 primary opponents objecting to my excerpting a phrase from a Mike Royko column.

He wrote,  “Down in Springfield is an honest young legislator named Cal Skinner.”

When we got a call from Royko’s office, we faxed a copy of the column.

His reaction was something like, “I guess I wrote it.”

Here’s the column, probably from May, 1976:

It’s really hard to figure out what is going on in McHenry County Board District 6. That’s the district that stretches from the Kane County line up the western townships and east to the Hebron-Richmond Township line.

[If you would like to help me my eyes and ears, the email address is on the left.  My number is listed, but to say you time, it;'s 815-459-3506.  I am interested to know when you get political phone  calls of any nature, political mail, political visits, literature at your door, including letters from precinct committeemen.  Even when you see inserts like the one below.  INformation from candidates is also welcome, as are their press releases.]

Micheal Stanard has started his election effort (besides the Marengo Parade) with an insert in two publications I didn’t know existed:

• The Harvard Mainline
• The Marengo-Union Times

He inserted what you see below:

Stanard also has a web site which you can find here.

When he filed his petitions in early December, Stanard released this statement, which I see I neglected to postt:

Michael Stanard filed petitions this morning as he formally entered the race for a seat on the Mc Henry County Board, District 6.

Needless to say, like virtually every candidate in the race, Mr. Stanard supports the on-going and critically important issues facing the residents of District 6. Namely, protecting ground water supplies, as well as preserving the farms and open spaces in western and northwestern McHenry County. These issues are serious matters that in years ahead will directly effect residents in the rural areas and small towns located in District 6.

“Obviously, these issues remain critically important to us all.”, says Stanard. “As a practical matter, however, they have been temporally abated by the economy. For the next few years the threat of suburban sprawl has been delayed if not eliminated by the most difficult financial conditions since the Great Depression.” Stanard continues, ” For better or worse, the housing boom has ended.”

“Today, citizens are worried. People are concerned about their financial future and what the future holds for their children and grandchildren. Many individuals, both young and old, see our American way of life slipping away.”, says Stanard. ” Incredibly, in the face of declining property values, the County Board has again caused our property taxes to increase. Given the financial pressure most people face today, this is an astounding turn of events.”

“It seems that government simply can’t stop.” Stanard goes on.

“Our politicians behave like the plant in The Little Shop of Horrors . . . Feed Me! Feed Me ! ”

“Few voters are aware that the County Board now spends a whopping $254 million each year.

“That amounts to $24 million every month – $695,890 each and every day!

“As a member of the county board, I will vote against every tax increase and resist each and every attempt to spend taxpayer’s dollars.”

Stanard concludes, “If elected, I promise that I will strive to reduce the size of government by pressing for lower taxes, reduced budgets and the elimination of bureaucratic waste. I’m open to suggestions, comments, even criticism. I can be reached at 847.209.0481.”

There are four incumbents in McHenry County Board District 6, as there are in all districts.

Since everyone is up or election after reapportionment, there are four vacancies.

One incumbent, Randy Donley of Union, who got by far and away the most votes four years ago, announced his retirement pretty early.

So with probably the best known and most popular incumbent not to be on the ballot, all sorts of people decided to run.

As of the close of petition filing Monday at 5 PM, eleven people had filed, including Donley.

Six filed in a tie at 8 AM on the first day possible:

• Diane Evertsen
• Shawn Green
• David LaGue
• Mary McCann
• Ersel Schuster
• Rachel Smith

There are three places on a ballot that is as long as this one that add extra votes to one’s total.

First place is worth about an extra 10%, second place and last place get a 5% bonus. I actually read a study that showed that in a municipal election when I was attending grad school at the University of Michigan.

The first and second place ballot advantages will be decided by lottery.

Last place went to Corey Brackmann. He filed last.

Worst place is next to last, according to what I remember from the study. Michael Stanard got that slot.

The filing period ended at 5 PM.  I was there from 4-5 and there was no “fight” for last place.  After looking at all the candidates who filed, I find that strange.

The three others running, all of whom will be in the bottom middle of the ballot, are

• Michele Aavang
• J. Vincent Ranzino
• Randall Donley

So, who’s going to win?

The best guidance is contained in the canvass reports from the 2008 and 2010 GOP primary elections.

Donley was way in front in 2008 and McCann had a substantial lead in 2010.

There’s not really much reason to believe their popularity had diminished.

That means that Ersel Schuster and Diane Evertsen, the two who placed second in 2008 and 2010, respectively, will probably be the targets of incumbents.

Each person could cast two votes.

Next year, because there are four vacancies, everyone gets four votes.

10,564 votes were cast in the presidential year of 2008.

8,942 in the non-presidential year of 2010.

In both years various candidates urged supporters not to cast all of their votes so opponents wouldn’t win with a 2nd choice vote.

That resulted in and under votes of 2,230 in 2008 and of 2,280 votes not cast in 2010.

What will it take to win?

Give us your best guess in the comment section below.

Monday and Tuesday, I ran the final look at Marengo’s Settlers Days Parade.

Today we complete our visit of one of the better parades of the year.

I wasn’t the only one taking photographs.

On the back of the big black truck was a band.

Behind the band was Artic Heating and Air Conditioning’s truck.

And, then, there was a fifth County Board candidate.

Nothing on the front of the old red pickup truck to provide name identification, but on the side was a variation of the Standard Oil logo, now gone because British Petroleum bought out the Illinois-based company.

One of the big problems that new candidates have is name identification.

I heard on NPR that names are so hard to remember because they are absolutely random.

There is nothing to associate them with except a face and a face gives no clue as to a person’s name.

Michael Stanard has probably found a way to make his name memorable, if he advertises enough.

Bringing up the rear of the parade proper was a woman leading a pony. She followed a woman holding a banner identifying the entry as the Hooved Animal Humane Society.

The kids were enchanted by the animal and none of the other participants had to step on any pony poop.

My car was parked down near the old high school, so I walked the parade route.

I found these boys waving American Flags.

it looked as if people were not ready for the parade to end.

I passed a card table which solicited $10 to “Support Our Sean,” a youth with leukemia.

Parade candy had been gathered.

I found a Corey Brackmann tee shirt and asked the man wearing it to remind Brackmann that he had not sent McHenry County Blog an announcement of his candidacy.

I thought the pony was the end of the Marengo Settlers Days Parade, but it wasn’t.

The street closing barriers were being picked up.

The parade was over, but people were slow in leaving.

I found retired United Airlines Buck Hilbert enjoying the afternoon.

And some women who wondered where the Lawn Chair Dads were.

More on that in another story.

Strangely missing from the parade was McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

I think this is the first I have attended that he was not in.

It’s too bad that it takes so long to post photos.  I still haven’t finished the Marengo Settlers Day Parade from a couple of weeks ago.

When we stopped looking at what entries offered on that beautiful day in Marengo, the first of the county officials and candidates had passed.   The last entry we saw was the Harvard Milk Day Court.

Before the county board members/candidates after Mary McCann came by, there was a fascinating demonstration that took me a bit of time to figure out.

When I finally did, with the help of the sign on the side of a truck that said, “GloBowl Fun Center,” it turned out to be a y0uth pretending to be a bowling ball throwing himself against a larger person dressed up as a bowling pin and knocking him down.

I found the physical humor fun to watch.  (You can guess I liked the Three Stooges, right?)

Obviously, I enjoy the simple pleasures.

The Red Hat Sassy Lassies were next.  They were riding on hay bales tossing beads to parade spectators.

And, then, there were two more McHenry County Board candidates–Diane Evertsen and Ersel Schuster.

Both were riding in the back of a pickup truck.  I didn’t notice it at the time, but a web site called District 6 Online was being advertised.  It seems to be dedicated to an interface between the two County Board members and their constituents.

Next came Crystal Lake High School Prairie Ridge High School band.

I saw a man taking a video of the performance. Afterward I asked him why there were so many bands in Marengo. I learned that there was band contest at Marengo High School. That’s what drew the bands, which certainly made the parade quite enjoyable.

The Future Farmers of America float was next.

The next tractor-pulled hay wagon was sponsored by the Marengo Society for Historical Preservation’s float promoted its web site–MarengoHistory.org

Ronald McDonald came atop a big clown’s shoe after the Historical Society.

Next was the Marengo School of Dance.

Just as martial arts academies, its students strutted their stuff.

There was a hay wagon next promoting the Otis Sports Center.  I admit to being ignorant about it.

More tomorrow.