McHenry County Blog

A press release from McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters:

FREUND FAMILY CENTENNIAL FARM

On November 29, 2012, Phyllis K. Walters, McHenry County Recorder, presented a Centennial Farm Plaque congratulating the Freund Family for having a family farm for over 130 years in McHenry, IL.

The farm is currently owned by Susan and Vincent Freund.

Phyllis K. Walters, McHenry County Recorder presents a Centennial Farm Plaque on November 29, 2012, congratulating the Freund Family for having a family farm in McHenry County for over 130 years. Pictured from left are: Phyllis K. Walters, Susan Freund, Vincent Freund, and Dolly Gibson – Administrative Supervisor.

The original purchase date was 1882 and owned by five generations of the Freund Family.

The farm was once a dairy farm, the family sold the cattle in the early 1970’s and the land is now used for growing corn and soybeans.

It is always interesting to search these unique farms in McHenry County. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Phyllis K. Walters at (815) 334-4009.

County Highway Engineer Joseph Korpalski and State Rep. Mike Tryon can be seen on the left as people waited for the ceremony to begin.

This morning’s ribbon cutting for Rakow Road had a bit better weather than the snowy day when the road was inaugurated.

McHenry County Board member Jim Heisler made a bee line to the coffee dispenser.

The sides to the tent weren’t lowered today.

Beginning the festivities, McHenry County Board Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller noted she had a “wind blown” look this year. She also wore gloves.

No participation, but wind strong enough to lift the unweighted tent poles from the parking lot surface.

How strong was the wind? You can get an idea from looking at McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters’ and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s hair.  Note the turned up collars.

And, it mused up more than Miller’s hair.

Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller introduced County Board Chairman Ken Koehler.

Traffic on the 32,000 a day road was light between 9 and 9:30 in the morning.

Most of the crowd was warmly dressed, including ear muffs, but I saw one man in shorts.

The road is designed to handle 60,000 vehicles a day.

Phyllis Walters, the widow of James Rakow, pointed out that his last name is pronounced “Raco” with a long “a,” not “Racko.” She told a humorous story about being asked how she knew. “I’m married to him.”

The main speaker was Phyllis Walters, the wife of Jim Rakow, the man after whom the road is named.

After the ceremony, Phyllis Walters pointed out her grandchildren in the enlarged photograph.

She pointed out that she wished Congressman Don Manzullo was in attendance since he had gotten $7 million for the widening of the road put into the Federal budget.  She said she would miss having him as Congressman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon spoke next.

And, then it was off to cut the ribbon.

“These are real scissors,” McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler was heard to say.  From left to right are County Engineer Joe Korpalski, Rep. Mike Tryon, Chairman Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Transportation Committee Chairman Chair Anna May Miller, Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters, and Peter Austin.

No stopping traffic.

The scissors didn’t work on the first try.

This ribbon cutting was as symbolic as the ground breaking ceremony a year and a half ago.

Ken Koehler tried a second time to cut the red ribbon.

The ribbon cutting part of the ceremony did not go as planned.

The third time was not the charm for the Rakow Road ribbon cutting.

By this time I was laughing my head off.

It was time to bring the local expert in ribbon cuttings in for assistance. Gary Reece, Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive came forward to offer advice.

I was asking,  “Is anyone getting video of this?”

The angle with which one applies the scissors seems key to success in cutting ribbons.

If at first you don’t succeed…

Still trying to cut that *x@# red ribbon.

And the wind kept blowing.

Try, try, try again.

I was laughing so hard, had I had a camera with film, the photos would have been fuzzy.

Can you spell “frustration?”

Maybe you had to be there to enjoy the spectacle.

Success!

I’m sure the guys who did the work were amused.

Standing at the back of the crowd where the ones who were responsible for the construction.

Afterward, there was a rush to the inside of one of the businesses in the at least half empty strip mall which has to have been hurt by the two construction seasons.

Phyllis Walters ended up with the Rakow Road red ribbon wrapped around her neck.

Now maybe the at least half empty strip mall at the intersection of McHenry Avenue and Rakow Road will find some tenants.

The strip mall where McHenry Avenue meets Rakow Road has had a hard time renting space in 2011 and 2012 during the widening of highway.

What started out as a fall fund raiser for McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters at Algonquin’s Port Edward morphed into one for the McHenry County Republican Party.

This year it is set for Monday, October 8th. The cost is $55 ($100 a couple), as you can see below:

Click to enlarge this invitation to the McHenry County Republican fund raiser on October 8th at Port Edward in Algonquin.

There’s a “Women for McSweeney” rally being held Saturday in Crystal Lake at D’Andreas Banquets at 10.

On the Host Committee are

• Mary Alger
• Geri Davis
• Jean Marie Kapp
• Rebecca Kress
• Cara Kretz
• Rebecca Lee
• Lu Ann LeFew
• Anne Majewski
• Lou Ann Majewski
• Anna May Miller
• Irene Napier
• Linda Post
• Lucy Prouty
• Bonnie Quirke
• Kathy Salvi
• Sue Sedar
• Joyce Story
• Nina Stephenson
• Phyllis Walters
• Barbara Wheeler
• Monica Young

The invitation to Saturday’s “Women for McSweeney” rally.

State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. JoAnne Osmund and Kane County Board Chairman and unopposed State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay will speak.
McSweeney is running against Dee Beaubien (Ind.-Madigan).

Phyllis Walters

In an accomplishment that may be unmatched in the United States, the records in the McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Office have all be converted to electronic images.

When I talked with County Recorder Phyllis Walters at the Nunda Township Republican Picnic, she told me that she cannot find another Recorder in the country who has accomplished this.

Read her press release below, which has details of the celebration going on in her office today:

Phyllis K. Walters, McHenry County Recorder, and her staff are pleased to announce the commemoration of “No More Books”…celebrating the 1st Recorder’s Office in Illinois to achieve ALL documents imaged and indexed on computer (1839-2012).

Recorder Walters says, “We are proud to conclude our Backfile Conversion project and accomplish a long-awaited goal of producing ALL McHenry County land records, dating back to 1839, on computer. As a result of this project, ALL land records can now be searched, viewed, and printed within seconds.”

The Recorder’s Office will celebrate this significant event Tuesday, September 18, 2012 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The event will include “live” re-enactment portrayals of Former President Ulysses S. Grant and volunteers of the 95 th Regiment Illinois Infantry from McHenry County who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:

FINALLY!
Manzullo, Durbin Hail Start of Algonquin Western Bypass Project

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler is at the microphone praising Congressman Don Manzullo and Senator Dick Durbin for their roles in obtaining Federal money to help finance the Western Bypass of the intersection of Routes 31 and 62.  IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider stands between Koehler and Durbin.

[ALGONQUIN] U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said the strong resolve of local officials, business leaders and frustrated motorists led to today’s groundbreaking ceremony for the most awaited road construction project in McHenry County history – the $80 million Western Bypass in Algonquin.

Congressman Don Manzullo stands in front of the re-landscaped hill on the north side of Algonquin Road between the “S” curve and the Post Office.

On the books for decades, the project to solve gridlock at Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin broke ground today amid fanfare and the relief that the long-delayed project will finally be built.

Algonquin Village President John Schmitt is flanked by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on the left and Congressman Don Manzullo on the right. Schmitt’s political career started with his opposition to the Northern Bypass pushed by McHenry County’s Establishment. He lived near the designated Right-of-Way east of the Fox River then. Schmitt has since moved west of the river. If anyone needs an example of how a neighborhood uprising can change public policy, how this bypass ended up where it is would be perfect.

The project received two large infusions of federal funding over the years.

Golden shovel folks include, from left to right, State Senator Pam Althoff, Illinois Department of Transporation Secretary Ann Schneider, Congressman Don Manzullo, Algonquin Village President John Schmitt, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and Joyce Dwyer.

Manzullo secured $9 million in the 1998 federal transportation bill, TEA-21, and Durbin and Manzullo worked together to secure $10 million in the 2005 federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU.

Manzullo thanked U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. Mike Tryon, County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Algonquin Mayor John Schmitt, the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, and others for their determination to get the Western Bypass approved and funded.

Manzullo also thanked the “Road Warriors,” the conglomeration of local political, business and community groups that came together to lobby the State of Illinois for McHenry County’s fair share of road construction dollars in 2007 after Gov. Blagojevich stripped all the previously approved Western Bypass money from the state’s road construction plan.

“Finally! Due to a lot of hard work for many years by all the people here today, McHenry County motorists will soon experience relief from the horrific gridlock that has plagued the corner of Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin for decades,” Manzullo said.

“This project has long been my number one priority for McHenry County, and I’m excited to see it finally fulfilled. I only wish my good friend, the late Bill Dwyer who did so much to bring us to this day, could be with us to celebrate.”

Durbin added, “As the east-west gateway to McHenry County, the Route 31-Route 62 intersection has a well-deserved reputation as the most congested intersection in the region.

“It’s been that way for more than 20 years and the county’s population continues to grow.

“The Bypass will go a long way toward alleviating the traffic congestion that has restricted access to the businesses and shops in Algonquin’s Old Town District. As everyone gathered here today knows, this project has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years.

After the ceremony Congressman Don Manzullo chats with District 2 McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz and Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters.

“I offer a special salute to Rep. Manzullo for his determination over the course of 15 years to make this project a reality.

“I was happy to help along the way and am excited to be here today as we kick off a project that has been talked about since 1952.”

The new bypass road will start at Route 31 south of Virginia Road in Crystal Lake, veer southwest into the gravel pit, cross over Algonquin Road near the Algonquin post office, veer southeast and connect back with Route 31 near Huntington Drive.

It will remove the majority of north-south traffic from the Route 31-Route 62 intersection, allowing officials to double-time the traffic signals at the intersection to significantly improve east-west traffic flow on Route 62 and eliminate the mile-long backups motorists face during rush hour.

= = = = =

Photos provided by Congressman Manzullo’s office.

Katherine Keefe

Lou Bianchi

Phyllis Walters

Dr. Anne Majewski

Today, I thought it might be interesting to look at what countywide officials have in their campaign funds. This is the first year the public has not had to wait until January. The new quarterly reporting law took effect on January 1, 2011, so this is the first October snapshot of summer-fall fundraising.

Let’s look at the McHenry County officials up for election first:

• Circuit Clerk Katherine Keefe – $580
• Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters – $19,341
• State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi – $93,723
• Coroner candidate Anne Majewski – No report

Campaign disclosure reports do not have to be filed until either $3,000 is raised or spent.

McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Tryon talks to a table of Port Edward attendees.

Ed Wolowiec

Port Edward has pleasant memories for me all the way back to visiting the Algonquin Jaycees back in the late 1960′s.

Then it was only a small corner bar at Harrison and Route 62.

Port Edward has a men's room with views.

Algonquin Founders Days luncheons, fund raisers, Mother’s Day Breakfasts.

Always good food.

A gift shop to keep your wife and children out of by buying another glass of wine.

Urinals below portholes.

A host without peer–Ed Wolowiec.

Monday night the McHenry County Republican Central Committee held a fundraiser that about 100 people attended.

I was astounded that some candidates were not there. Maybe they don’t know that majority parties have to maintain an infrastructure that minority parties can ignore. Things like rent, phones, utilities, salary.

Not that candidates weren’t present.

McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters was seeking petition signatures for her re-election campaign. At the table to her right are State Rep. candidate Barb Wheeler and County Board candidate Nick Provenzano, who was sporting a Randy Hulgren sticker.

Plenty, like Recorder of Deed Phyllis Walters brought petitions.

Lots of people came over to pay their respects to Irene Napier, the leader of the Pro-Life movement in McHenry County. Barb Wheeler stands, while Lynn Wickham sits.

Barb Wheeler was doing the same and worked two streets in my precinct for signatures this afternoon with Blake Hobson.

Joe Walsh staffer Andrew Nelms and Helene Walsh chat with Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Brent Smith.

Congressman Randy Hultgren’s employee Nick Provenzano was circulating, as was Congressman Joe Walsh’s wife Helena and new staffer Andrew Nelms, who is from Genoa.

I mentioned that State Rep. candidate Barb Wheeler was courting votes.  So were two candidates from the 52nd District Mark Beaubien used to represent.

Oakwood Hills Trustree Dan Carlino and Village President John Theiss talk with State Rep. Kent Gaffney as Garrett Hill observes.

Appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney was there with his wife Elizabeth.

52nd District State Rep. candidate David McSweeney greeted former McHenry County Board member Lou Anne Majewski.

So was former 8th Congressional District candidate David McSweeney, now running against Gaffney.

The food line at Port Edward contained Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay. She is the second woman from the right with her back to the camera.

There are three candidates running for the empty 33rd District State Senate seat.  The only one to show up was Kane County Board member Karen McConnaughay.

Sheriff Keith Nygren greets Metra Board member and former State Senator Jack Schaffer and John McCrory.

McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren was making the rounds.

Sheriff Keith Nygren introduced his Undersheriff Andy Zinke to someone after greeting former McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Jack Schaffer, whose head in in the bottom of the photo.

He was introducing his chosen successor, Undersheriff Andy Zinke, although Zinke was doing that well enough by himself before Nygren arrived.

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi talked briefly with Irene Napier before hurrying off to another event.

So was McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.  I did not see the Sheriff and the State’s Attorney conversing.

McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer and McHenry County Board Vice Chairman John Jung chatted.

McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer was busy gathering petition signatures.

Dr. Anne Majewski and attorney Bernie Narusis renew acquaintances.

Candidate for McHenry County Coroner Dr. Anne Majewski was courting support at Port Edward, too.

This was a County Board District 6 political table. From left to right are Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore, McHenry County Board member Ersel Schuster, County Auditor Pam Palmer, County Board member Diane Evertsen and Hartland Township Supervisor Ev Evertsen.

There were a good number of McHenry County Board members and a  couple of township officials.

Two District 2 McHenry County Board members, Ken Koehler and Donna Kurtz, posed for the camera.

The County Board members were spread throughout the room. No open meetings violations for these folks.

My lens caught three County Board members here: Mary Donner of District 3, Mary McCann of District 6 and Bob Bless of District 1.

Some, like District 1′s Anna May Miller and her husband, Algonquin Township Road Commissioner, I didn’t get photos of. Anyone who feels aggrieved can not their attendance in the comment section.

Phyllis Walters

The last time I talked to McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters she was undecided as to whether to run for re-election.

Today’s mail brought her Republican primary petition, so it’s obvious she has made up her mind.

Walters has been Recorder of Deeds since 1984.

Why is she running for re-election?

“I want to be sure we get this back file conversion completed.

“We’ll have all of the documents that are microfilmed put on CD’s and then we scan them for the image and index the number–tie the image to the number–so we’re at about 1870 now.  Before that they are hand written, so they are hard to read.”

She pointed out that they are written on both sides.

“We’re redacting all Social Security numbers off the documents.  We did that before the state passed the law.

“We’re continuing to put programs together to protect the people.”

Mchenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters poses with Dr. Anne Majewski, who is running for McHenry County Coroner.

Almost forgot what may turn out to be one of the more significant bits of information I picked up at State Rep. Mike Tryon’s Huntley Fish Boil.

I asked McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters if she was up in 2012.

She said she was, so I, of course, asked if she was running for re-election.

Walters told me she was undecided.

When I told one person at the fund raiser about her comment, he reminded me that Walters had said something similar four years ago.

Rather than talking politics, Walters was more interested in talking about her governmental duties.

She explained that people should sign up on the fraud alert part of her web site.

At least one McHenry County Board member can be expected to seek to be her replacement, maybe more.

It is a job that pays about $100,000 a year.