McHenry County Blog

Mike Bissett

I asked McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Bissett for his take on the election.  His reply is below:

Paula Yensen

“I’m proud of Nick Chirikos and Paula Yensen for putting in the long hours required to ensure their election.

Nick Chirikos

“I am also pleased that the voters in District 1 chose to elect Nick as their representative.

“Nick is an earnest and thoughtful man who will be a very strong and vocal contributor with an independent point of view.

Cathy Bergan Schmidt

“I was disappointed that Kathy Bergan Schmidt was not able to retain her seat.

• fiscal responsibility
• accountability and
• transparency in government

Democrats took imaginative aim at McHenry County Republican weak points in this 2008 parody on the game of Monopoly.

Democrats are running in all six McHenry County Board districts.

Two, Kathy Bergan Schmidt (District 3) and Paula Yensen (District 5), are incumbents.

One, Schmidt, seems likely to fall by the wayside without the pull of a Barack Obama victory.

In 2012, Mitt Romney is leading Obama 54 to 44 in McHenry County.

The other, Yensen is running fourth, almost a hundred votes ahead of the fourth Republican.

In District 1, however, newcomer Nick Chirikos seems about to keep the partisan balance on the County Board 22-2.

With 41 of 41 precincts reporting, Kathy Bergan Schmidt ‘s candidacy is succumbing to the one incumbent and three newcomers running on the Republican ticket.

In District 5, Paula Yensen is barely edging out newcomer Michael Rein.

In District 5, with early and absentee voting not yet included, incumbent Democrat Paula Yensen his edging out newcomer Republican Michael Rein.

Note that Green Party candidate Frank Wedig has again topped the 5% level necessary to keep the Green Part as an “established” party. Such status relieves Green Party candidates for County Board from having to get a really high number of petition signatures to get on the ballot.

Democrat Nick Chirikos, who is running in District 1, is nudging out incumbent Republican Bob Bless, as you can see below:

Nick Chirikos is running fourth ahead of Republican Bob Bless in District 1.

District 6 results show victories for the four Republicans.  Without consideration of early and absentee ballots, Jack Franks’ candidate Ryan Heuser is running 376 votes behind Ersel Schuster, one of the Republican women he attacked.

The 2012 results for District 6, without the early and absentee votes, show the four Republicans winning.

Democrats in District 2 also were behind prior to the adding of early and absentee votes:

Both Democrats fell short in the District 2 County Board race.

Likewise in District 4, Democrat Mary Margaret Maule is trailing behind the four GOP candidates.  She attacked John Hammerand in her first mailing.  Hammerand is running first.

Democrat Mary Margaret Maule is running behind the fourth Republican, Bob Martens. One wonders if she could have bridged the gap had her attack piece been directed at Martens, rather than John Hammerand.

Commenting on the totals you see above, Maule said, “I am very proud of the race that I ran and thankful to everyone for the support I received.

“I extend my congratulations to my colleagues and hope to work with them to continue building a vibrant and strong McHenry County.”

Another candidate missed my standing invitation to post campaign literature.

So, here is what District 1 Democrat Nick Chirikos is passing out.

It could be mailed, but since I don’t see a mailing permit, I’ll just show you the address side’s message.

On this side Democrat Nick Chirikos is seen talking to senior citizens.  He notes his endorsements by the two Heralds.

The back of Nick Chirikos’ piece is not designed like most of the ones out this year. Historical preservation is emphasized.  There are position statements, too, but they are unfortunately written in all capital letters, which make them difficult to read.  Click to enlarge.

You can read the contents below:

LAW OFFICES OF RONALD JUSTIN

102 N. EVERGREEN, SUITE 220
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004
RONALDMJUSTIN@GMAIL.COM

Nick Chirikos
10075 N. River Rd.
Algonquin IL 60102

Notice to cease and desist

Dear Mr. Nick Chirikos:

Please be advised that I have been retained, by Robert Bless, in the above captioned matter.

My client has been informed that you have made several untrue statements and disseminated literature that contained untrue statements.

At this time we are demanding the immediate cooperation by ceasing and desisting of any further conduct. Further more, you have disclosed private and privileged information, which is not publicly known and could jeopardize the identity of my client’s family in violation of the privacy act.

I have been advised by my client that should your conduct continue by you or any agent of yours after the receipt of this notice, I shall file suite for slander and libel and any other actions or remedies available to my client.

Again thank you for your time and the amicable resolution of this matter.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Very truly yours,

Ronald M. Justin
Attorney at Law

= = = = =
Chirikos told me at the County Executive debate that he would consult with his attorney before offering any comment.

Clint Eastwood handled one empty chair at the Republican National Convention.

Three empty chairs on the McHenry County College stage do not represent President Barack Obama. They are where Republican District 1 County Board candidates Bob Bless, Anna May Miller and Robert Nowak would have been seated had they attended the candidates’ night.

Had he attended the candidate’s night for County Board Districts 1, 2 and 3 Wednesday at McHenry County College, he would have had to deal with four of them.

In District 1 no incumbent Republican showed up.

Only former County Board member Yvonne Barnes, trying for a comeback, was there to represent the Republican Party.

Missing were Bob Bless, Anna May Miller and Robert Nowak.

Perhaps that means they consider Democrat Nick Chirikos, who was in attendance, not much of a challenge.

In District 2 County Board Chairman Ken Koehler begged off because of a knee operation and “a family obligation has me elsewhere tonight,” according to a statement read by the moderator.

The candidates were unanimous in the opposition to Jack Franks’ referendum to change the form of government to County Executive-dominated structure.

Yvonne Barnes got the first whack at that ball.

“I’m 100% opposed,” she said. “If the senior class in high school is having an election, it is the senior class members who should be voting, not all the citizens of McHenry County.”

“The County Board has operated the way it should,” Democrat Chirikos added.

He criticized the referendum as “ill-timed, ill-planned.” He said it was unfair for voters “to hhave this foisted upon them” and related a conversation with a Will County State’s Attorney’s candidate: “Don’t let this happen in McHenry County.” Will County has a County Executive form of government.

In District 2, incumbent Republican Donna Kurtz got first chance at the microphone.

She pointed out that the referendum “stemmed from Jack Franks.”

Kurtz criticized the idea as one that would bring “political management” to McHenry County with “patronage for over 1,500 employees…Chicago-style government.

“I hope you will vote ‘No.’”

Incumbent GOP member Jim Heisler was next to speak.

“Vote ‘No!’ Vote ‘No!” was his succinct advice. Passage, he argued, would result in a complete 180 degree turn[ing of] things in the wrong direction.”

Newcomer to County politics, Republican Carolyn Schofield, now on the Crystal Lake City Council, also opposed the proposal.

“Instead of taking someone to be held accountable [by the County Board] on a daily basis, [the County Executive would be held accountable] once every four years.”

She said she did support electing the County Board Chairman at-large.

Former District 5 County Board member Jim Kennedy, a Democrat from Lake in the Hills now running in District 2 because of reapportionment, said he was glad “the proposition was put on the ballot,” then said, “I’m against a County Executive.”

Her said he was in favor of electing the County Board Chairman at-large.

“I’m against it as well,” Democratic Party newcomer and Kennedy running mate Jim Roden said.

He pointed out, however, “If there wasn’t a problem, this issue wouldn’t be on the ballot. Enough people though the Chairman was too powerful. If Mr. Koehler is not re-elected it is a moot point.”

Roden was quite critical of Koehler when Metra offered to buy the land that he and his deceased partner’s estate owned in Ridgefield.

Democratic Party incumbent Kathy Bergan Schmidt, the first of the District 3 candidates to offer an opinion repeated her characterization of the proposal as a Trojan Horse.

“Once you get him in there, he has all the power or she. It could be a woman.”

Schmidt pointed out that it would take a 3/5 majority to override a County Executive’s veto.

She also favors popular election of the County Board Chairman.

“I, too, am opposed to this. This is not like the city [of Chicago],” Republican newcomer Mary McClellan said.

“All they’re offering is another layer of government.”

Republican County Board aspirant Mike Walkup first brought up the subject in his opening remarks: “The County Executive is a very, very dangerous idea.”

He claimed credit for coining the phrase “County Czar.”

In answering the question, he said, “I think I was the first person out of the box to oppose this.”

He related being at the County Fair when Franks and his assistants “were accosting people saying it would elect the County Board Chairman. That’s not correct.”

Incumbent Republican District 3 member Nick Provenzano pointed audience members to the web site NoCountyCzar.com.

“I am against the County Executive form of government,” he said. He explained there would be no term limits and it would cost someone over $100,000 to unseat in incumbent County Executive.

Non-incumbent District 3 Republican Joe Gottemoller also lined up against the proposal.

“I can’t tell you how much I think this is a bad idea.”

He talked of how it would be a “consolidation of power.”

“There is no reason to put this much power in the hands of one person.”

The first political entry was Undersheriff Andy Zinke driving a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. Note the sign with his name and title on the door.

Andy Zinke in the Lake in the Hills Parade.

Steve Harlfinger

I say “political” because I never saw him in a parade before he announced he was running for McHenry County Sheriff in 2014 with Sheriff Keith Nygren’s full endorsement.

Maybe I wrote too soon.

I see that a truck carrying Lake in the Hills officials came before Zinke.

Since they are elected officials, their photos certainly belong in this article.

In the cab was Village Trustee Steve Harlfinger.

I recognize him because he comes to Grafton Township Board meetings in support of the Township Trustees.

Other village officials and family members were in the back of the yellow truck.  Please help me identify them.

Lake in the Hills Board Village Trustees are Ray Bogdanowski (festival shirt), Paul Mulcahy (glasses),  are seen in the truck.   Denise Barretos is out of camera range. Note the flying candy.

Trustee Bob Huckins is on the left.  Paul Mulcahy is standing next to him?

And while he’s not a politician, Lake in the Hill’s first Police Chief Irv Floress (can you remember the early 1960′s?) and his wife Lois were the Parade’s Grand Marshalls.

Lois and Lake in the Hills first Police Chief Irv Floress. I got this wave when I yelled, “Hey, Irv!”

The last time I talked to Floress he was living in a lake community south of Rockford.

As you can see from the hands over the kids’ ears, the Northern Illinois Fire Museum engines had their sirens blaring.

There were a couple of fire engines from the Northern Illinois Fire Museum.

The message from the Lake in the Hills Historical Society was that its members and the community has saved the Ford School.

While it’s non-political the truck with the message that the Lake in the Hills Historical Society had saved Ford School had been saved was neat enough to merit a photo.

A group of supporters for State Senator Dan Duffy’s re-election was the first massive show of support for any candidate. Duffy is the one in the yellow working the crowd on the other side of the street.

The Dan Duffy for State Senate contingent came next.

State Senator Dan Duffy was shaking hands of crowd members.

Duffy’s volunteers were handing out plastic hands that, when shook, made a noise and looked as if they were clapping.

The novelty items that Dan Duffy was giving away can be seen here, not to mention a couple of Lake in the Hills’ parade volunteers.

I asked one volunteer to hold up what she was passing out.

Now for something completely different. Here’s Miss Lake in the Hills Smaantha Bolet, sp0nsored by Black Diamond.

One of the next entries was Miss Lake in the Hills in a Black Diamond convertible.

Kids were scrambling for candy.

Next came the Democrats.

Democratic Party District 5 McHenry County Board member Paula Yensen waves at the camera. Her husband, McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee Chairman Mike Bissett.  Debbie Chirikos rides shotgun.

And, as the sign on the side of the cars says, besides incumbent District 5 Democrat Paula Yensen,  there was another County Board candidate, Nick Chirikos, who is running in District 1.

Nick Chirikos was walking with the Democratic Party convertible.

I turned around and found another Democrat.  Looking at the photos, I note that the word “Democrat” does not appear on the signs.

Intermission time.

Students of a dance school showed their stuff at the Lake in the Hills Parade.

Next came a dance school whose name I didn’t catch, but it had high steppers, as you can see.

A violin school called “Four Strings Attached” played the Star Spangled Banner. People stood up.

Immediately thereafter was a group playing the Star Spangled Banner on violins.  What a treat?

This was what the street looked like after the violin players.

I thought that was the end of the parade and got ready to leave.

The Donna Kurtz car stopped near where I was standing and children gathered near the driver’s side seeking candy.

It turns out the pokey entry belonged to District 2 McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz.  Gone was the husband-powered Kurtzmobile.  A spiffy red car was the replacement.

Donna Kurtz was handing out candy and working the adults in the crowd.

Entertainment was provided by a band and singers from Living Waters Church.

Living Waters Lutheran Church on Miller Road in Crystal Lake was singing a contemporary Christian song we often sing at the First United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake at the 11 o’clock service.

Walking with them was a clown named Caasi.

Caasi tried to throw popcorn in kids’ mouths. He missed the time I watched.  He wore a pin that said, “I’m the body of Christ.  I’m a funny bone.”

A car and people handing out candy for State Rep. Mike Tryon were the next political entry.

State Rep. Mike Tryon apparently took the day off, but volunteers still handed out candy and made his name visible.

Close behind was a black pickup truck with signs for District 5 GOP County Board members John Jung and Tina Hill, plus District 1 County Board member Anna Miller.

District 1 County Board member Anna Miller waves. District 5 County Board member Tina Hill sat beside her.

Must be something about Lutherans, because right behind came another Lutheran Church entry.

Crosspoint Lutheran Church of Lakewood led with a banner, but had music, too.

This time it was Crosspoint Lutheran Church of Lakewood near Lou Malnati’s.

More coming.

A press release from the McHenry County Historical Commission:

McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission Photo Contest Winners

WOODSTOCK, IL – As part of “Look at Local History Month” the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission ran a photo contest which solicited pictures of historic buildings and architecture of note from around McHenry County.

“Streit Road Barn”, by Peter McCormack. This first place photo highlights the shadow of the farm’s windmill against the barn’s gambreled endwall.

The contest winners were:

• First Place: Peter McCormack, for Streit Road Barn,
• Second Place: Margie Bjorkman for McHenry High School, East Campus, and
• Third Place: Rob Peterson for Starline Building, Harvard.

“McHenry High School, East Campus”, by second place winner Margie Bjorkman. Distinguishing this stunning architecture and ornate limestone facade against a beautiful blue sky.

In addition, the Commission received photos of the Boy Scout Cabin in Deicke Park, Huntley, the Fish Hatchery in Spring Grove and several private homes. Please view the photo contest winners attached and on the McHenry County Historic Commission website: http://mchhpc.org/.

“Starline Building, Harvard” by third place winner Rob Peterson. Hay-handling equipment manufacturer Hunt, Helm, and Farris (later the Starline Corporation) expanded job opportunities in the community when it arrived in 1883. By April 1891 Harvard had become so populous that voters acted overwhelmingly to form a city. Harvard’s first mayor was N. B. Helm.

The McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission celebrated “Look at Local History Month” in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local historical societies, municipal commissions and committees.

McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission’s Chairman Nick Chirikos (left) presenting the award to the First Place winner Peter McCormack (right) at the Historic Preservation Commission’s meeting on June 6.

Historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability and is relevant for people of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds.

For more information on the photo contest, please contact Sean Foley in the Department of Planning and Development at 815-334-4560.

= = = = =

Nick Chirikos is running for the McHenry County Board in District 1 as a Democrat.

Nick Chirikos

Kathy Bergan Schmidt

With the rumor circulating that the Democrats will file at least one candidate in each of the six McHenry County Board districts, two have now filed petitions with the County Clerk’s Office.

The first was newcomer Nick Chirikos from District 1.

Filing at the end of the week was District 2 incumbent Kathy Bergan Schmidt. She was head of the McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee when she won.

McHenry County Board District 1

Nick Chirikos of 10075 N River Rd in Algonquin has filed papers to run for the McHenry County Board in the district that runs from Fox River Grove into Lake in the Hills.

His Housewright Dura-Build firm sells an insulated wall product

Three incumbent Republicans have filed:

• Anna Miller
• Bob Bliss
• Robert Nowak

In addition, Yvonne Barnes, who was knocked out of office last year by Robert Nowak will be on the ballot.

Incumbent Marc Munaretto, who ran unsuccessfully against Ken Koehler for County Board Chairman, losing his chairmanship of the Finance Committee thereafter, has not filed for re-election.

Nick Chirikos Linkin profile summary.

On his Linkin profile, I found the following:

Owner
Housewright Dura-Build Ltd.

Currently holds this position

McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, Chairman

January 2004 – Present (8 years)

Although the industry category is not accurate, the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission is a publicly-funded volunteer organization created by ordinance to preserve and protect valuable historic resources in McHenry County, IL. We interface with both the general public and private individuals and organizations to foster the goals of historic preservation in our area.

Airport Communications Infrastructure, SITA

Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Information Technology and Services industry

January 1998 – September 2001 (3 years 9 months)

Managed CAD services for airport LAN, fiber optic and communications cabling infrastructure for SITA airport clients worldwide. BICSI member.
Airport Communications Infrastructure, Siemens Nixdorf Transportation Technologies Inc.

January 1996 – December 1997 (2 years)

CAD manger for airport communication infrastructure within the Siemens global airline transportation network. Company is no longer in business. Siemens sold its transportation division. I was hired by its biggest competitor, SITA.

His education and other activities are listed as

• University of Denver, BA, Political Science, Interpersonal Communications, 1966
• Activities and Societies: Political field work, campaigns, Choral vocal groups, McHenry County Historic Barn Preservation Association, Northern Illinois BMW Riders Association

Thus far he is the only candidate from the southern part of District 1.