McHenry County Blog

Donna Kurtz greets District 47 School Board member Ginny Visin and husband Allen.

For the second Thursday night in a row, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria was the site of a Republican event.  More sales tax revenue for my revenue-starved Village of Lakewood was one of my thoughts.

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Newt Gingrich Alternate Delegate candidate Mike Shorten, District 4 County Board canddiate Linda Kvidera Murphy and Nunda Township GOP Chairman Brent Smith converged on the door as I was leaving.

Last week, it was for State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay to meet local Republicans.

State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay chatted with McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer.

This week, it was McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz’ fund raiser.

Here's a view of part of the crowd who attended Donna Kurtz' Groundhog Day fund raiser. How many can you name below in the comment section?

Marvelous deep dish pizza, of course.

A view in the other direction of some of those in attendance.

Good thing I skipped lunch.

State Rep. Mike Tryon was at this table. One of the Honored Guests, Ralph Dawson can be seen to the right. Tom Pozmamski, Grafton Township Republican Party Chairman is in the foreground on the left. In the background in Nunda Precinct Committeeman Mark Daniel and County Board member Nick Provenzano, who is not only running for re-election, but as a Delegate for Newt Gingrich, whose Illinois campaign he is coordinating.

There was a more than a touch of class in the classical guitarist who entertained the crowd.  His name is  David Daoui (815-337-8707).

Cary Fire Protection District Trustee Mark Guerra, Assistant State's Attorney Donna Kelly and State's Attorney Lou Bianchi engaged in an animated conversation.

Politics, of course enveloped the room.

The woman with her back to the camera is the GOP canidate for McHenry County Coroner, Anne Majewski. She is conversing with State's Attorney's Chief Investigator Ron Salgado, her mother, former McHenry County Board member Lou Anne Majewski, Republican Precinct Committeeman Eileen Marhoeffer and Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore.

Allies from political wars past sometimes sat together.

Crystal Lake City Councilwoman and McHenry County Board candidate Carolyn Schofield met some new people. On the left is attorney Jim Bishop. Former Crystal Lake Estates Precinct Committeeman Tom Roti is on the right. Behind is District 47 Board member Nancy Gonsiorek.

Others were seating by the luck of the draw, meeting new people.

Donna’s mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz, was helping do the essential funding raising tasks while her daughter was making the rounds.

Lakewood Village President Erin Smith brought her husband and parents, who raise her on Gate 14 in Lakewood. Former Village Trustee Black Hobson and his wife were also in attendance.

About a fourth of the crowd at the rural Nunda Township estate that hosted Barbara Wheeler's fund raiser.

An impressive crowd turned out for McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler’s fund raiser for her State Rep. campaign.

It's been a long time since I dipped into Lake County politics. Wheeler has no choice since just over 50% of the new 64th District is across the county line. Bryan Winter, who is running for Lake County State's Attorney, was accompanied by his wife Judge Diane Winter. Former McHenry County State's Attorney candidate Dan Regna can be seen in the foreground. He was not the only one from Lake County present.

From those attending, I concluded that she will be the favorite of most of the McHenry County part of the 64th District that she seeks to represent.

Donna Kurtz chatted with Duane Sokolosky, an Algonquin Township GOP Precinct Committeeman.

There were candidates galore, including several thinking seriously about running for County Board, incumbents running for re-election, plus those interested in Grafton Township governmental slots.  Of significance is that none of Grafton Township is within the 64th District.

McHenry County Board member Tina Hill visited with Crystal Lake Grade School Board member Nancy Gonsiorek.

The idea of fund raisers is to raise money, of course.

Newly-appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney and his wife Elizabeth conversed with Right to Life leaders Bonnie Quirke (Lake County) and Irene Napier (McHenry County). Like Wheeler's, Gaffney's district straddles the Lake-McHenry County line.

There was no set price, so there is no way anyone outside of Wheeler’s campaign knows how much was contributed, but there are several observations that can be made.

Barb Wheeler greets McHenry County Circuit Judge Mike Chmiel.

A successful fund raiser has to keep down expenses. The private home eliminated the need to rent a hall.

In this view of people attending Barb Wheeler's fund raiser I see former Crystal Lake City Council candidate Mike Shorten on the far left.

Beer, wine, soft drinks and water were provided, as were Italian beef sandwiches. There were some other light snacks.

How late did the party, which started at 6, last? This was my last shot. You seen Nunda Township Republican Party Chairman Brent Smith and Joe Gottemoller well after sunset.

The execution of the event pretty much guaranteed the net would be as large as possible.

Although it doesn’t make much of a story, those who stay home and send money can increase the total contributed at events like this.

District 47 Sample Ballot.

The people on the ballot for the Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 School Board number four:

• Robert Fetzner
• Nancy Gonsiorek
• Ryan Farrel
• Carlo Agnello

There are three to be elected.

I’m ashamed to tell you that my level of knowledge about the candidates and where they stand is about as low as in any election in my experience.

I see yard signs in people’s yards that I know and respect for all of the candidates, except Agnello, who doesn’t seem to have yard signs.

No literature has reached me, even my subdivision of Country Club Additions has over 420 homes that can be covered by two people in a car.

Four years ago Gonsiorek ran on a platform of saving music and art and was informally endorsed by elementary school teachers.

This year I’ve been told that CLETA, the Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers Association, interviewed candidates. Further that they favor Gonsiorek and Fetzner. Whether that is an official or unofficial endorsement, my source did not know.

Signs guided Barb Wheeler supporters to houses on a street I didn't know existed off Oak Ridge Road.

Around the pool off Oak Ridge Road, McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler had a well-attended fundraiser Saturday afternoon.

I thnk this is what is left after one drinks a martini.

Labeled a “Teeni Weeni Bikini Martini Pool Party, it lasted into the evening.

There were musicians from Florida playing beach music as guests talked around the pool in the middle of the woods.

Barb Wheeler greated guess.

Barb Wheeler herself greeted me as I came down the stairs from the driveway. I had passed Geri Davis and John Landon on the way in.

I would all sorts of political types, plus a lot of those whom I had never seen before. I figure that was a good sign Wheeler was reaching out.

Precinct Committeeman Dave Gervais and County Board member John Hammerand were among those attending.

Of course, some of the regulars attended.

Dave Fredericks and Melissa Bean opponent Joe Walsh talked more than a little.

8th Congressional District GOP candidate Joe Walsh chatted with long-time Republican activist Dave Fredericks.

Sue Serdar and John O'Neill discuss how State Rep. Jack Franks has fallen into the clutches of Personal PAC, the most radical pro-abortion Political Action Committee in the country. Those Personal PAC supports have to oppose any restrictions on abortion, including allowing mothers to have an abortion the day before they are scheduled to deliver their babies.

Jack Franks’ Republican opponent John O’Neill worked the crowd.

Basia O'Neill made sure baby Jerry didn't jump into the pool.

His wife Basia and the six kids were seen also.

Former County Board members Don Brewer (on the left) and John Jung (on the right) talk with former State's Attorney Gary Pack. Jung is seeking to regain his seat.

Winning the man-mile award was former McHenry County State’s Attorney Gary Pack, who came all the way from the Panhandle of Florida.

State Rep. candidate John O'Neill, District 47 board member Nancy Gonsiorek and former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz posed for this photo. That's the martini bar in the background.

Former State Representative Rosemary Kurtz and District 47 Grade School member Nancy Gonsiorek were among the notables in attendance.

Flanking Dirk Beveridge is Sue Serdar on the left and Sheila Morgan on the right.

Former 8th District GOP primary candidate Kirk Beveridge, Sue Serdar and Shelia Morgan got together.

Barb Wheeler looking like a rock star, but she was just announcing a water balloon toss.

But it was Barb Wheeler’s day.

One of the “encore” challengers, Nancy Gonsiorek, captured one of the three seats up for grabs on the Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 board.

Her running mate, Bob Linning, did not do so well, placing fourth.

The winners—David Hubbard, Gonsiorek and Lisa Koeppel—all pulled more than 3000 votes.

Hubbard ran first topping 4000 votes.

Gonsiorek came in second with almost 3500 votes.

Incumbent Koeppel was at about 3400.

A little over 200 votes behind Koeppel was Linning.

The incumbent who lost was Jeff Larkins.

He placed last with about 2600.

Here are the exact returns:

Dave Hubbard – 4016
Nancy Gonsiorek – 3467
Lisa Koeppel – 3376
Bob Linning – 3157
Jeff Larkins – 2592

One of the “encore” challengers, Nancy Gonsiorek, captured one of the three seats up for grabs on the Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 board.

Her running mate, Bob Linning, did not do so well, placing fourth.

The winners—David Hubbard, Gonsiorek and Lisa Koeppel—all pulled more than 3000 votes.

Hubbard ran first topping 4000 votes.

Gonsiorek came in second with almost 3500 votes.

Incumbent Koeppel was at about 3400.

A little over 200 votes behind Koeppel was Linning.

The incumbent who lost was Jeff Larkins.

He placed last with about 2600.

Here are the exact returns:

Dave Hubbard – 4016
Nancy Gonsiorek – 3467
Lisa Koeppel – 3376
Bob Linning – 3157
Jeff Larkins – 2592