Both State Reps. Mike Tryon and Jack Franks handily won their races for re-election.
Tryon beat second time challenger Robert Kaempfe over two to one.
Missing from these figures are early votes and absentee votes.
Franks is beating John O’Neill 1.77 to one.
Missing are five precincts of paper ballots, early and absentee votes.
By the zingers that flew between McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren and his Democratic opponent Mike Mahon, you could be excused for thinking there was a real contest going on.
Mike Mahon
In the last debate, the one in which the incumbent said the biggest problem was traffic while Mahon said it was heroin, Nygren hardly engaged Mahon.
Not so this time.
After Mahon reminded people he’d “walk in and save the taxpayers $1 million,” he cited the Deputy Chief of the jail.
“Why do we have a deputy chief, taking a vehicle home. It’s a waste, another crony job.”
Green Party candidate Gus Philpott provided a buffer this time. He said, “I’d probably spent all of it. If I can trim expenditures, I will. Have to look.”
Then, Nygren took a shot:
“You’re a Deputy Chief (of the Cook County Jail with 10,000 inmates). Why don’t they cut your job and save big money?
“Your solution is to fire people.”
From left to right are Gus Philpott, Mike Mahon and Keith Nygren.
Nygren said he wouldn’t do that.
He again said he would bring more revenue, rather than getting rid of people
There was applause from the Sheriff’s supporters such that the moderator admonished,
“I would ask that you restrain yourselves.”
In discussions about the $61 million that Nygren has said renting out the jail has brought into the county, Nygren never answered the question of what the net revenue was, even though the question was asked directly.
Gus Philpott
Twice Mahon pointed out that Nygren had not answered the question.
“We haven’t seen it broken down. What does does it cost?” Mahon asked.
“How much is it really bring in, Sheriff? You’re just not clear on that. That’s just your being a politician.”
“What happens if the Feds move the detainees to Thomson?” Philpott added.
In discussing training prisoners for work in the outside world, Nygren went off topic to point out that the Crystal Lake Police Department had announced Halloween trick or treating hours on the Nixle system. Mahon had criticized Nygren for using this community alert system to send out his press release about the food training program that is scheduled to start the day before the election.
One of Nygren’s supporters undoubtedly put in the question asking if any of the candidates had been arrested. It was the same one that Brent Smith repeatedly asked at the McHenry County Fair in front of Sally Wiggins’ tent.
Mike Mahon
“Have you ever been arrested for anything?”
Mahon said he had been arrested for drunken driving 19 years ago.
“It was the best thing that ever happened to my life.
“In 19 years, I haven’t picked a drink. I pleaded ‘No Contest.’”
Philpott revealed he had been stopped for a broken headlight ten minutes after it went out by a Woodstock policeman.
He said that he had heard that there was a $100 bounty “out on me.” The first officer was writing him a warning ticket when a second one came up and told him to issue a ticket.
“Two and a half years later, he told me he wrote the ticket because he had been told to write it.”
Nygren said he had never been arrested.
Keith Nygren
A shot across Nygren’s bow came twice about Nygren’s spending a lot of time out of the office.
When asked about community outreach, Mahon said he would “get rid of cronyism.”
“I’ll be at work everyday,” he emphasized.
Talking about the most important accomplishment or goal, Mahon added, “I’ll put my hours on the web site.”
In his concluding remarks, he repeated the theme,
“I also think it’s very important for the Sheriff to spend time here. I don’t believe he spends the quality amount of time in McHenry County he should.”
Nygren bragged about his “professionalization of the Sheriff’s Department.”
And his experience:
“I handled dog calls. I’ve handled homicides. Each time I’ve been promoted, I’ve learned,”
said the former Crystal Lake Police Chief.
From left to right are Gus Philpott, Mike Mahon and Keith Nygren.
Philpott said he would strive for openness. He complained about not being able to get information about McHenry County Crime Stoppers, whose calls are answered by Sheriff’s Department dispatchers.
He showed his sense of humor by pointing out that he was “guaranteed to come in no worse than third.”
He also said he would drive his own car, a 1999 Volkswagen, to work.
“I’m not going to ask the county taxpayers to pay for my gas,” he added.
Mahon taunted Nygren for having had the Chicago Tribune endorsement in the primary election.
“But he lost it (for the November election).”
Asked about community involvement, Mahon had an interesting answer.
“I have four children. I work 16 hours a day to support my family.
‘I’m not very involved with my community.
“I’m very involved with drug abuse.”
Philpott spoke of his involvement in special education and mental health.
From left to right are Gus Philpott, Mike Mahon and Keith Nygren.
Nygren was proud of his work with the Shop with a Cop program, which buys needy kids toys for Christmas.
Asked about red light cameras, Philpott’s response was, “I’m absolutely in favor of red light cameras,” explaining that many people “scoot through on a yellow light. The habit needs to change.”
Mahon said it was a legislative issue, but pointed out that vehicles were being rear ended because of stopping too fast.
Speaking last on the issue, Nygren came out flatly against them.
“I won’t hedge on the question. I’m absolutely against them.”
Gordon Graham and Robert Kaempfe campaigned in the hall.
Outside the auditorium was judicial candidate Gordon Graham and State Rep. candidate Robert Kaempfe.
REFILL
says the license plate on the delivery vehicle owned by Cartridge World.
I found this vehicle in the Crystal Lake Plaza while buying refilled ink jet cartidges.
How fitting for an ink jet refilling business saving customers from Hewlett Packard’s rapacious replacement ink prices.
Cartridge World has a sign for the Democratic Party candidate for State Representative, a customer. If Mike Tryon, also a customer, stops by, there will be one for him, too.
And, as a bonus, I asked the owner why he was displaying a Robert Kaempfe for State Representative sign.
“He does business here,” was the reply. “So does Mike Tryon.”
He told Bob that Mike asked to post a sign that he would do so.
Does the headline shock you?
Could it be that anyone wants to allow a baby to be aborted the day before its due date?
McHenry County Citizens for Choice booth at the McHenry County Fair.
That’s the law now in Illinois and Personal PAC doesn’t want any limitations on current law.
Personal PAC ally McHenry County Citizens for Choice has posted on its web site the endorsements and identifications of candidates in McHenry County considered “anti-choice.”
The local group relies on what I would characterize as the most “pro-abortion” political action committee in the country, Personal PAC, for the information, which is displayed below.
I’ve published Personal PAC’s endorsements for County Board before.
Democratic Party candidate for Sheriff Mike Mahon attended the post-primary Patriots United Pro-Life Unity Breakfast in March.
The local group, however, notes,
“Although some other candidates have expressed pro-choice views, those views cannot be recognized if the Personal PAC questionnaires were not returned and those views documented.”
New information is provided about the Sheriff’s race.
Mike Mahon is described as “anti-choice.”
Guess that means he is pro-life.
Nothing is next to Green Party candidate Gus Philpott’s name.
The only thing next to incumbent Keith Nygren’s is that he is an incumbent. (That’s what “inc” means below.)
Click to enlarge.
Jack Franks
John O'Neill
No hints of the position of either GOP candidate for judge Associate Judge Gorgon Graham or Independent candidate Sally Wiggins for the 22nd Circuit judicial vacancy. Their names were below what you see above.
For some reason, the group does not note that State Reps. Jack Franks and Mark Beaubien are endorsed by Personal PAC, as is Mike Tryon’s opponent Robert Kaempfe.
Franks’ opponent John O’Neill is pro-life, as is Tryon. Beaubien has not opponent.
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See also Jack Franks Goes to the Dark Side
Signs in David Phoenix' front yard.
I first noticed the write-in for state representative sign when I took one of my son’s friends home after a sleepover.
There it was in the front yard in Four Colonies next to a Bill Brady for Governor sign.
It was a sign re-cycled from David Phoenix campaign for the Crystal Lake Grade School Board.
When it was pick-up time after another sleepover yesterday evening, I hurried out to get an interview with David Phoenix.
“Why are you running?” I asked.
“Because I didn’t want to vote for either of the candidates running and I wanted my vote to count,” Phoenix told me through his vehicle window.
“I was so upset with Mike (Tryon) for voting for the capital bill tax increases in 2009,” he explained.
“Which ones?” I asked the attorney, who served on the Crystal Lake Grade School Board.
“All of them…beer, liquor, shampoo, candy that doesn’t include wheat.”
I asked if candy containing rice was taxed, but he didn’t know.
“I never got a satisfactory explanation from Mike even though he lives eight or nine houses away from me,” he continued.
“I disagree with (Robert) Kamepfe on just about everything,” he concluded.
Phoenix has a Facebook page here.
It says,
“After Mike Tryon’s vote to raise taxes in early 2009, during a recession, I contacted his office for an explanation.
“Mike has yet to get back to me.
“His opponent is a liberal tax and spend Democrat.
“Since there seems to be no candidate in the 64th District who seems to be willing to stop with the typical Illinois tax and spend philosophy, I filed my paperwork to ‘officially”‘ be a ‘write in’ candidate.
“If you are tired of politics as usual and tax increase after tax increase, feel free to write my name in on November 2nd for your representative for the 64th Congressional District.
“I will no longer vote for the lesser of two evils.
“I welcome you to join me.”
His email address is davidgphoenixpc@yahoo.com.
What you see is the side of the agenda for the McHenry County Concealed Carry rally held Thursday night at the Operating Engineers Lakemoor Banquet Hall.
I see four candidates for Congress were present or representated.
From the 16th District, incumbent Republican Don Manzullo had a statement read by McHenry Right to Carry Association President Lou Rofrano. Challenging Democrat George Galrapp spoke for himself.
In the 8th District, incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean was a no-show. Republican Joe Walsh came in person and Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer had a statement read.
Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Sheriff Mike Mahon spoke early on. Green Party candidate for Sheriff Gus Philpott was slotted in the middle.
Incumbent Republican Sheriff Keith Nygren is not listed on the agenda. Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran had a statement read on his behalf, as did his Demcoratic Party opponent Doug Roberts.
For state representative, the southern McHenry County district now represented by Republican Mike Tryon saw him speaking for himself. Challenging Democrat Robert Kaempfe sent a statement to read.
Incumbent Democrat Jack Franks was apparently a no-show, but his Republican opponent John O’Neill spoke.
A view from the back of the Lakemoor Banquet Hall.
Lake County’s State Senator Michael Bond is listed on the agenda. His opponent, Suzi Schmidt, had a statement read.
The only statewide candidate on the agenda was Republican gubernatorial aspirant Bill Brady. A statement was read on his behalf.
Nick Provenzano, seeking to return to the McHenry County Board, also spoke to the crowd.
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If you would like some facts about the effectiveness of the proposal after which the association is named, I would suggest reading the third edition of “More Guns, Less Crime” by John Lott.
For my review of the book, click here.
Personal PAC is the most strident pro-abortion political action committee in Illinois, perhaps in the nation.
To gain its endorsement one must be willing to support abortion when a baby is viable and beyond.
Below are the endorsements for state representatives serving parts of McHenry County:
The three endorsed are Republican Mark Beaubien, plus Democrats Jack Franks and Bob Kaempfe.
Below you see the front page and the back page of an insert that taxpayers financed the printing of.
You can tell that by looking at what is printed at the bottom of the letter.
The front of State Rep. Mike Tryon's insert in the Northwest Herald.
Look closely at the bottom of the letter and you will see how many inserts the Legislative Printing Office ran through its presses.
If you want me to do the heavy lifting, it’s 15,000 copies.
Do you think that means the Northwest Herald has 15,000 subscribers in Mike Tryon’s district?
Tryon’s office tells me the cost was about $800 for the distribution.
About five cents apiece.
Cheaper than mailing them.
But I imagine Tryon’s Democratic Party opponent for State Representative Bob Kaempfe is envious that he does not have this incumbent advantage.
When I wrote the story about the Citizens for Life pro-life endorsements yesterday, there was an omission that deserves noting.
Instead of taking a dive this year, the Republican Party has put up a candidate to challenge veteran Democratic Party State Representative Jack Franks.
His name is John O’Neill and he holds three elective offices in the McHenry area. I left him out of the original (but now modified) post.
He is on the grade school board, the library board and is a GOP precinct committeeman.
I left him out of the article.
So you can see the differences on the abortion issue among those in legislative office and those running in McHenry County, a summary of the local ratings follows:
“Fully Pro-Life”
“Unknown (Did not answer or complete survey)”
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John O’Neill is top left. On the right is Mike Tryon. From left to right on the bottom are Bob Kaempfe, Mark Beaubien and Jack Franks.
Illinois Citizens for Life, a statewide pro-life group, has endorsed Zane Seipler for McHenry County Sheriff.
Seipler is challenging incumbent Sheriff Keith Nygren in the February 2nd Republican primary election.
The organization is also endorsing candidates for county board.
In District 1, ICF is endorsing the only man and only non-incumbent running for one of the two spots. His name is Robert Nowak. He is a Cary resident, as are the two incumbents he is challenging—Anna May Miller and Yvonne Barnes.
In District 2, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and challenger Sandra DePaul are the two getting the group’s nod. Both are from Crystal Lake. Other candidates are incumbent Lyn Orphal and challengers Donna Kurtz, a McHenry County College board member and Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller.
In District 3 the only incumbent running for re-election, Barbara Wheeler is endorsed. Former county board member Nick Provenzano also won the group’s support. The opponents are Karen J Tynis, Veronica Armstrong and Craig Steagall.
In District 5, newcomer Dave Frederick and former county board member John Jung received the pro-life endorsement. Also running is incumbent Tina Hill.
There is no endorsement in District 4, where there is no GOP primary election, or in District 6, where five candidates are vying for the two places on the fall ballot.
State legislative candidates are ranked as well.
Mike Tryon (R-Crystsl Lake) is deemed to be “Fully Pro-Life.” His Democratic Part opponent Bob Kaempfe merited an “Unknown (Did not answer or complete survey).” State Reps. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) and Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills) are rated the same as Kaempfe.
Franks’ Republican opponent, on the other hand, was characterized as “Fully Pro-Life.”
The only other state candidate endorsed is for the 2nd Appellate Court. Mary S. Schostok is endorsed for the Barbara Gilleran-Johnson vacancy.
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