McHenry County Blog

It was supposed to be on the morning of the second day of the Grafton Township separation of powers trial last week.

8 AM.

The subpoena from McHenry County Board Chairman and Chairman of something called the McHenry County Public Aid Committee Ken Koehler.

Linda Moore

Delivered just the night before the Tuesday trial date, the subpoena “commanded” Linda Moore to

“bring the Complainant’s (name withheld) case file including any and all individualized documents or notices generated or received with regard to the applicant, the original application, all correspondence, referrals, and written notations to the McHenry County Public Aid Committee.”

The Wednesday meeting was scheduled in Koehler’s office, but Moore told me the meeting was canceled because the client withdrew her appeal.

Besides Koehler, all the other committee members are township supervisors. They are Preston Rea, Roger Naylor, Donna Schaefer, Diane Klemm and Bob Pierce

The day after the subpoena was delivered, Township Administrator Pam Fender was questioned about posting on Huntley Neighbors apparently about the woman in question. Fender insisted she did not violate confidentiality rules.

I read these incredible comments in Chuck Keeshan’s Daily Herald story Thursday about the Democrats carrying McHenry County:

“Coroner Marlene Lantz, an outspoken critic of the Bianchi administration, said she was skeptical of Bianchi’s olive branch and accused him of passing up earlier opportunities to settle their differences.

“’I really don’t know what to think of his public display,’ she said. ‘He’s had his opportunity to reach out to me, but he blew me off.’”

What Lantz does not seem to understand is that Bianchi now has a tested and dedicated campaign organization.

And, while the Democrats may come up with an opponent, without oodles of money, that opponent cannot be competitive.

Lantz’ supporters are the same ones who supported Roger Naylor for county board in District 6. Naylor ran 1,200 votes behind first place finisher Randy Donley and 500 votes behind Ersel Schuster, who finished second.

In short, having apparently alienated Bianchi himself, Lantz has now allowed Bianchi’s supporters in the most independent area of the county to learn of their dislike for each other.

That is a sure way to lose votes.

My conclusion is that Lantz is the one who is more likely to need to reach out than Bianchi.

After all, she has a former Crystal Laker funeral director with his name still on the door running against her.

Now living in Hebron, Dave Bachmann is also the only Democrat on the countywide ballot.

At least so far.

I still think Lantz has the woman’s five-percentage point advantage, but she also has an aggressive opponent.

What happens if he spends all those long summer days knocking on doors like Jack Franks did?

If so, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lantz ask Bianchi to send out an endorsement mailing.

At least to Republicans.

The question is would Bianchi do it?

I read these incredible comments in Chuck Keeshan’s Daily Herald story Thursday about the Democrats carrying McHenry County:

“Coroner Marlene Lantz, an outspoken critic of the Bianchi administration, said she was skeptical of Bianchi’s olive branch and accused him of passing up earlier opportunities to settle their differences.

“’I really don’t know what to think of his public display,’ she said. ‘He’s had his opportunity to reach out to me, but he blew me off.’”

What Lantz does not seem to understand is that Bianchi now has a tested and dedicated campaign organization.

And, while the Democrats may come up with an opponent, without oodles of money, that opponent cannot be competitive.

Lantz’ supporters are the same ones who supported Roger Naylor for county board in District 6. Naylor ran 1,200 votes behind first place finisher Randy Donley and 500 votes behind Ersel Schuster, who finished second.

In short, having apparently alienated Bianchi himself, Lantz has now allowed Bianchi’s supporters in the most independent area of the county to learn of their dislike for each other.

That is a sure way to lose votes.

My conclusion is that Lantz is the one who is more likely to need to reach out than Bianchi.

After all, she has a former Crystal Laker funeral director with his name still on the door running against her.

Now living in Hebron, Dave Bachmann is also the only Democrat on the countywide ballot.

At least so far.

I still think Lantz has the woman’s five-percentage point advantage, but she also has an aggressive opponent.

What happens if he spends all those long summer days knocking on doors like Jack Franks did?

If so, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lantz ask Bianchi to send out an endorsement mailing.

At least to Republicans.

The question is would Bianchi do it?

There are even three Democrats fighting in the most rural, western district.

In that District 6 these three Dems want the right to be one of two candidates in next fall’s election:

Darryl Frank, Andrew J. Georgi, Jr., and Robert Ludwig. The last two have Harvard addresses, two on Route 173. (What great sign sites.) The other is from Woodstock’s Westwood subdivision.

Georgi and Ludwig are also running against each other for Democratic Party precinct committeeman in Alden Township. Nancy Wicker is running against them for precinct committeeman.

There are even more people running in the Republican primary election in District 6.

Union’s incumbent county board member Randy Donnelly is running.

He is joined in the race by former county board member Ersel Schuster, who serves as Seneca Township Supervisor and barely lost the primary last time around.

Both Donnely and Schuster filed at the earliest possible moment, the same time John S. Jones of Woodstock turned in his petitions.

The ballot order of these three will be determined by a lottery.

Harvard’s Harry Alton, Jr., was the fourth candidate to file.

Last on the ballot will be Roger Naylor of Marengo.

So, in the GOP primary, there are two people from the western part of Woodstock and one from Harvard, Union and Marengo.

And none from Huntley, the growth tip of the district.

= = = = =
Candidates who wish to send some biographical information or press releases are welcome to do so.

There are even three Democrats fighting in the most rural, western district.

In that District 6 these three Dems want the right to be one of two candidates in next fall’s election:

Darryl Frank, Andrew J. Georgi, Jr., and Robert Ludwig. The last two have Harvard addresses, two on Route 173. (What great sign sites.) The other is from Woodstock’s Westwood subdivision.

Georgi and Ludwig are also running against each other for Democratic Party precinct committeeman in Alden Township. Nancy Wicker is running against them for precinct committeeman.

There are even more people running in the Republican primary election in District 6.

Union’s incumbent county board member Randy Donnelly is running.

He is joined in the race by former county board member Ersel Schuster, who serves as Seneca Township Supervisor and barely lost the primary last time around.

Both Donnely and Schuster filed at the earliest possible moment, the same time John S. Jones of Woodstock turned in his petitions.

The ballot order of these three will be determined by a lottery.

Harvard’s Harry Alton, Jr., was the fourth candidate to file.

Last on the ballot will be Roger Naylor of Marengo.

So, in the GOP primary, there are two people from the western part of Woodstock and one from Harvard, Union and Marengo.

And none from Huntley, the growth tip of the district.

= = = = =
Candidates who wish to send some biographical information or press releases are welcome to do so.