McHenry County Blog

Tennessee Estes Kefauver held hearings with crime syndicate witnesses in the 1950′s.

While kids now have far more exciting video games to occupy their time, then I was glued to our small black and white television screen listening to repetitive, “I take the Fifth” or “On the advice of my lawyer I respectfully invoke my Fifty Amendment right not to testify.”

Fascinating stuff back then.

As boring as watching paint dry today.

The Chicago Tribune reports on IRS official Lois Lerner’s taking the Fifth.

And now we have an IRS official taking the Fifth on television in the Congressional probe over targeting of Tea Party groups for special attention.

Tonya Franklin, the woman who was willing to run against Jack Franks for State Representative as a Republican but was denied that opportunity by the McHenry County Republican Central Committee, sent an interesting photo of her home.

It was taken by one of the Google mapping folks.

Look at it closely and you will see an American Flag.

And, there is another flag next to it that has been deliberately blurred.

It’s a Tea Party Flag.

Note the hiding of Tonya Franklin’s Tea Party Flag by Google.

Draw your own conclusion.

A friend in Chicago found some of his anti-Obama bumper stickers blurred.

Some bumper stickers are blurred, other aren’t.

Mary Alger and Tonya Franklin in Downtown Chicago on April 15th.

Accompanying a Tuesday Chicago Sun-Times column by Chris Mooney entitled “Conservatives are happier,” is a photo featuring Mary Alger and Tonya Franklin.

Folks will remember Alger as head of the Crystal Lake Tea Party and a former candidate for the McHenry County Board in District 3.

Franklin is the woman who stepped forward to challenge Democratic Party candidate Jack Franks.

This is the enthusiasm that could have attracted Tea Party volunteers from around the area–including Wisconsin–had the McHenry County Republican Party been willing to give Franklin a chance to get on the ballot.

The irony seems heavy that Republican County Chairman Mike Tryon has not taken Franklin up on her offer to become an appointed GOP Precinct Committeeman with so, so many precincts having no representative of the Republican Party

Mary Alger, who designed this GOP Tea Party logo, was at the McHenry County Republican Central Committee meeting last Saturday in support of Tonya Franklin's candidacy.

There must be a dam at the Illinois-Wisconsin border.

The water from Wisconsin’s boiling tea kettle didn’t spill over the state border last Saturday when the McHenry County Republican Party decided no candidate against Jack Franks was better than Tea Party activist Tonya Franklin.

I can’t help but note what Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady had to say about Wisconsin Scott Walker’s victory–the only Governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election:

“I enjoyed seeing all of the energy from Illinois Republicans over the past few weeks for Scott Walker and I know that energy will carry over to the Illinois Republican State Convention this weekend and to our elections this fall.

“I look forward to personally congratulating (Republican National Committee Chairman) Reince Priebus on Friday in Tinley Park for all his work in ensuring victory tonight.”

The abdication of the 63rd District seat to 7-time Mike Madigan supporter “Chainsaw Jack” Franks was three days before our state party leader’s praised that same energy.

Some may find some irony in the flat out rejection of the offer to take on a McHenry County GOP Establishment-predicted suicide run from a woman who had the energy to campaign in Wisconsin.

Not to mention for a month volunteering in Florida four years ago helping John McCain try to win the state on her own dime.

Ironically, McHenry County GOP Chairman seems more interested in not losing McHenry County to Barack Obama in 2012 as he did in 2008, than having a chance to beat Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks.  (From email discouraging Precinct Committeemen from attending the Special Meeting Saturday at which a crucial step could have been taken that could have led to a Republican opponent to Jack Franks being on the ballot: “We are committed to help elect our Congressmen, our State Senators and Representatives, our County Board candidates and most of all, electing a Republican President.“  Emphasis added.)

On the CNN fall election may last night while the analyst was debating on whether to change the color in Wisconsin from solid blue to pale blue, I noticed Illinois was the brightest of blues.

National commentators don’t share Tryon’s belief that Mitt Romney can carry Illinois this fall.

Carrying McHenry County will, at best, give bragging rights to local Republicans, while beating Jack Franks could make a difference in who controls the Illinois House.

A slim possibility, I will admit, but still a possibility, given what happened north of us.

Above the state line, Tea Party activists–even from Illinois–have been embraced by Republican leadership, including the Chairman of the National Republican Party Reince Priebus: “Thank God for the Tea Party.”

“We’re not in competition with the Conservative Movement. We’re just part of it,” Priebus said in an interview on Breitbart. “We need to have a party about addition and multiplication, not division and subtraction.”

Priebus, a Wisconsin resident, said,

Tea or Kool-Aid in the 63rd. Which did you prefer?

“Courage is on the ballot in Wisconsin.

“We need more people to run for office and govern like they campaigned.”

Can’t help but wonder how he would react to the McHenry County Republican Party’s defeatist attitude.

And, arguably, the Party Leadership’s policy of, how did the National Chairman put it?

“Division and subtraction.”

Kool-Aid in the 63rd District better than Tea?

A perspective from the Left (“The Political Environment, Progressive reporting from Wisconsin and the region. Scott Walker Recall Updated Frequently.”) on the Wisconsin election points out:

“But Walker got to spend and benefit from $35-$50 million, and an advantage over Barrett by something like 7:1 this time, so where’s Walker’s growth? Yes, he won, but not in a landslide.”

We Ask America had the race at 54-44-4, the 4 being undecided, but warned that differential turnout was what the contest was all about.

Wisconsin election results, almost final, from Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

I was listening to Milwaukee’s WTMJ coming home from a sleep apnea study this morning at Centegra’s Algonquin outpost and heard that no poll had predicted a Walker victory.

I guess, as with the mainstream media’s missing We Ask American’s poll on the Joe Walsh-Melissa Bean 2010 election, the commentator just didn’t look closely enough at this Illinois emerging source of information.

A McCormick Foundation analyst was interviewed.

Commenting on the effect the victory would have nationally, he said, “The political dynamic is certainly different.”

"You can't win the race, if you're not in the pool," as the swim coaches say. The McHenry County Republicans have forfeited the 63rd State Rep. contest.

But, as the swim coaches say,

“You can win the race, if you’re not in the pool.”

And, no one in the McHenry County Republican Party leadership will be wearing this sweatshirt at this weekend’s GOP State Convention in Tinley Park:

"Whatever it takes" may be the motto of one swim team, but it doesn't fit the McHenry County Republican Party.

An email from Sharon Meroni, who organized the effort to get Tonya Franklin on the ballot to oppose Democrat “Chainsaw Jack” Franks.

Meroni, a write-in candidate for Republican Precinct Committeeman in Fox River Grove, did something I have seen no other GOP Precinct Committeemen do since 1966–she got a Special Meeting of the Central Committee.

I want to thank the spirited coalition of supporters for Tonya Franklin’s application to be placed on the Republican ballot against Jack Franks.

Tonya Franklin

We worked hard to get our vote.

We failed.

Truthfully, that still hurts.

I am new to McHenry County Republicans.

Many of us are.

This project to get a legitimate vote for or against Tonya’s application had positive momentum with the goals to inform fellow committeemen (and precinct captains) while providing a venue to vote.

My personal disappointment at being denied that vote is raw.

I work at Defend the Vote every day and actually suspended my research to fight for the committeemen’s vote with the McHenry County Republican Party leadership.

That is how important this matter was to me.

This fight wasn’t planned.

After discouraging GOP Precinct Committeemen from attending the Special Meeting, Chairman Mike Tryon drove back to Crystal Lake, rather than to his vacation home in Missouri, to chair the meeting.

Rep Tryon asked us to find a candidate.

We did so, and we stepped up to support that candidate.

The discovery process of learning that Rep Tryon was actually actively suppressing the legal vote of the Committeemen was just that; a discovery process.

It was disappointing.

One unavoidable outcome of the meeting is on-the-record proof that our own party leadership literally actively worked to defeat the committeemen’s effort to have the vote Illinois law and McHenry Count By-laws specifically provides for.

Rep Tryon has never responded to the charge that he failed to set up the required meeting, despite being given ample notice that the vote from the “committee that was not a committee” (in his letter redefined as the Executive Committee) was not authorized in Illinois Law or in McHenry County Republican By-Laws.

In addition, Rep. Tryon made the political and tactical decision to cancel the meeting required by McHenry County By-Laws, and which should have been held on May 17th.

If this meeting had been held, Committeemen would have had the vote (for or against Tonya’s application) that is entitled as solely ours by Illinois law.

When we asked for this May 17th meeting to be scheduled, Tryon’s leadership responded with silence and then a cancellation of a meeting that was never scheduled.

When we asked McHenry County Republican Committeemen for a special meeting and achieved the 25% required in McHenry County Republican By-laws, Tryon’s leadership responded with two blasts from an email intimating it was not a legal meeting and that the Chairmen would not attend…Leaving the definite impression the June 2nd Special Meeting was not legitimate.

Then Chairman Tryon and Vice Chairman Mark Daniel showed up to Chair the meeting.

Chairman Tryon admits on the record, more than once, that it this was a legitimate meeting, but we needed a quorum.

Mark Daniel and Sharon Meroni compared Precinct Committeemen lists they had received from the McHenry County Clerk's Office.

When committeemen questioned Chairmen’s obvious manipulation to suppress a quorum, he literally ran off the stage.

Disappointing?

Chairman Tryon was unable to speak to us.

While emotions were high, we were not shouting; Committeemen who had the floor, asked for accountability.

We had lawyers and parliamentarians there to assure the meeting was professionally run.

Our attorney, a skilled election lawyer named Laura Jacksack, and the parliamentarians were instrumental in guiding the meeting. (You guys were great!)

It was an exercise in Liberty!

The result, Chairmen Tryon, who was unable to withstand scrutiny, ran off the stage.

Tonya Franklin will be at Vauchan's Family Restaurant in Woodstock to answer questions Friday from 1- 9.

Tomorrow is the day that willing Republican State Representative candidate Tonya Franklin learns whether she is authorized to seek 500 “good signatures” in two days

The meeting, to which the public is invited, will be held Saturday at 9 AM at d’Andre’s at southeast corner of Routes 14 and 31 in Crystal Lake. Franklin will arrive at 8 for those who have questions.

Tonya Franklin is playing, “Mother, may I?” with those who are quite comfortable, thank you, with having Democrat Jack Franks represent over one-third of McHenry County in Springfield.

Some of the Central Committee members eligible to vote at the meeting are contributors to past Jack Franks’ fund raisers. They are listed on his “Host Committee.”

One leading Republican even spoke in praise of Franks when asked if he would like to say a few words at a fund raiser a couple of years ago.

At Ken Koehler’s fund raiser last night I was asked again and again, “What’s going on?”

“Has there been a deal cut between Republican and Democratic Party legislative candidates that involves slating no one against the other?”

I wish I could answer either question, but I can’t.

Former GOP County Chairman Jack Schaffer also had no idea why the resistance to Tonya Franklin’s candidacy exists.

County Board Chairman Ken Koehler welcomed someone willing to that Jack Franks on.

Maybe it is as simple as the opponents’ not wanting anyone who was inspired to her Republican activism by the Tea Party movement.

Goodness knows there are plenty of Republican office holders who do not think we in McHenry County have been “Taxed Enough Already.”

= = = = =
What has the GOP in McHenry County got to lose by allowing Tonya Franklin’s to take on “Chainsaw Jack” Franks?
Click on the title of my article from earlier this week below:

What’s the Downside of Tonya Franklin’s Running against “Chainsaw Jack” Franks?

= = = = =
Since the Illinois House of Representatives has adjourned for the summer, GOP Chairman Mike Tryon should be able to chair the meeting Saturday morning.

The invitation said the Huntley Area Tea Party Income Tax Day demonstration on Saturday afternoon would be cancelled if it rained.

American Flag totting McHenry County Board member Diane Evertsen attended the Huntley Area Tea Party rally.

But the temperature was perfect with a beautiful breeze to keep the flags fluttering.

Congressman Joe Walsh greets Huntley Area Tea Party Income Tax Day demonstrators Saturday.

Congressman Joe Walsh headlined the event, bringing his new Walshmobile to be christened with supporters’ signatures.

The Joe Walshmobile arrives at Sun City.

Huntley, it should be noted is not in the new 8th Congressional District

Huntley Area Tea Party demonstrators on Route 47 Saturday.

It’s in the 14th District where Walsh lives and in which he was running against fellow freshman Randy Hultgren for a while.

"There was great interaction between himself and the people," the Friend of McHenry County Blog who took most of these photos reported. It looks as if McHenry County Board member Diane Evertsen is asking a serious question.

So it’s doubtful Walsh made contact with many 2012 general election voters.

Continuing the tradition of signing a vehicle started two years ago with a horse trailer, a Huntley Tea Party demonstrator affixes the first signature.

If, however, he is laying the groundwork for the 2014 race against U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, he was presenting himself again to one of the highest turnout parts of Illinois, Del Webb’s Sun City seniors.

"We are better than Washington, D.C." begins this sign in the middle of the back of the Walshmobile. Click to enlarge.

“Five ‘progressive’ infiltrators showed up with their anti-Walsh signs.” one person told me.

Weekly meeting with Congressional constituents leads the list from this sign on the Walshmobile. It contains,"It's time to end career politicians!"

“The male group leader was asked what he does for a living,” the message continued.

"It's time to repeal Obamacare" leads a list of platform statements from Joe Walsh on his Walshmobile.

“He said he’s a retired teacher.”

In light of Congressman Don Manzullo’s loss to Adam Kinzinger, a freshman deemed

• more liberal that Manzullo by every organization that did a ranking and
• more compliant with national House Republican Leadership’s wishes, as evidenced by Eric Cantor’s contributions and support to him,

Rockford Tea Party leader David Hale is polling those on his email list about whether he should run for Congress.

The Tea Party folks in the 16th District that were not shills for the Republican Party endorsed and worked for Manzullo.

In an email headed, “Is Adam Kinzinger your real choice for Congress?” Hall asks recipients to answer a series of questions.

Take a look at them:

A Run For Congress

1. Would you support a Tea Party Conservative Independent for Congress against Adam Kinzinger? Yes, No
2. Would you support David Hale for such a run? Yes, No
3. Would you provide financial support? Yes, No
4. Would you volunteer for his campaign? Yes, No
5. Would you help him obtain signatures for petitions? Yes, No
6. Would you invite him to speak to your friends, neighbors, small group or community group? Yes, No
7. Do you want David Hale to run for Congress in the 16th Congressional District in the November General Election? Yes, No
8. If you are willing to support David Hale for Congress please write you name, phone number and valid email address in the box below and complete this survey.

Here is the press release:

ILLINOIS TEA PARTY ENDORSES DON MANZULLO FOR CONGRESS

The Illinois Tea Party is pleased to endorse Don Manzullo to represent Illinois in the 16th congressional district.

Don Manzullo

Congressman Manzullo has an excellent voting record of focusing on

• fiscal responsibility,
• limited government, and
• free markets;

not only in this congress, but as a long standing representative in the house.

“There really is a stark contrast between Congressman Kinzinger and Congressman Manzullo,“ said David Hale, leader of the Rockford Tea Party.

“Adam likes to run around on TV claiming to be a fiscal conservative while voting for pork barrel spending.

“Don just quietly makes his voice heard with his votes on the floor of the house and that makes all the difference for our members and myself.”

For Illinois voters of the 16th district, the choice could not be clearer.

In 2011, Manzullo voted 79 more times to cut $209 billion more in federal spending than Kinzinger, which is why Manzullo is receiving all the awards and endorsements from conservative organizations that are serious about cutting wasteful spending and reducing debt.

Manzullo holds a huge 21% lead in conservative ranking from Heritage Action for America, the political arm of the Heritage Foundation.

This is the kind of frivolous spending that needs to be cut in Washington according to the Illinois Tea Party.

“America’s rising indebtedness to foreign governments endangers our national security and is robbing current and future generations of employment and prospects for a brighter future,” Jane Carrell added, leader of the Northern Illinois Tea Party.

“We just cannot continue to spend recklessly and hope everything ‘turns out ok’.  We have to provide the promise of liberty and freedom to the next generation of Americans and Don is working hard to make that promise a reality.”

While the Illinois Tea Party recognizes that some may want change just for the sake of change, incumbents must be rated by their voting records.

“In our opinion, Don is the true fiscal conservative in this race,” announced Barb Offill, President of the Iroquois County TEA Party.

“Don is an ethical man and a passionate conservative who always votes in-line with his values.
His 19 years of experience in

• manufacturing,
• creating jobs,
• cutting wasteful
• spending, and
• reducing the deficit in Washington

is a strength.

“He hasn’t been named ‘Mr. Fix it’ for nothing, the Congressman just gets things done in Washington.”

“All politics is local,”

said Democratic Party House Speaker Tip O’Neill.

Too many Tea Party people haven’t figured that out.

These signs on Randall Road in Algonquin don't have a local angle. Dissatisfaction is directed at the national government. There are lots and lots of vacancies for GOP Precinct Committeeman in Algonquin and Lake in the Hills.

You can tell by the signs at the early demonstrations.  Most were aimed at President Obama and Obamacare.

True, elements were deeply involved in the victory of Joe Walsh over incumbent Melissa Bean.

But, for 2010, I can identify only three new McHenry County Republican Precinct Committeeman candidates who were at a demonstration:

• Diane Evertsen of Hartland 1, who also ran for the McHenry County Board and won
• Shawn Green of Coral 3, then-President of the Huntley Park Board, now running for the County Board
• Rita Heuel of Algonquin 13 in Crystal Lake’s Coventry subdivision

It’s now 2012.

Both Evertsen and Heuel are running for re-election as Precinct Committeeman, while Green is not.

But, there is a new crop.

Not large, but enthusiastic.

They cover all four corners of the county.

In the northwest corner is 19-year old [not 23, as originally posted] McHenry County College student Melissa Denker. She is running in Dunham Township, which is the southern part of Harvard and points south.

Lori Lee White

In the northeast section there are two candidates, also women:

• Mary B. Joestgen in Richmond 4
• Lori Lee White in Burton 3, active in the Antioch Tea Party. White provided most of the content of this weekend’s article,

Spring Grove Tea Party Members Rally for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

In southeastern Algonquin Township Heuel has been joined by Andrew Gasser in Algonquin 4, a Fox River Grove precinct south of the tracks.

Andrew Gasser

Gasser is a coalition coordinator within the tea party movement and also leads the TEA Party in Space.

During the debt ceiling debate, he worked in DC to spread the Tea Party message of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets.  Gasser reaches out to state and local Tea Party leaders to ensure message clarity to maximize impact in Washington DC. He most recently worked the SOPA and PIPA issue informing leaders and members of the tea party who to contact in Washington, besides their local Congressman, which lead to SOPA and PIPA being dropped.  In McHenry County, he works closely with the Algonquin Tea Party and Crystal Lake Tea Party.

Although not running for GOP Precinct Committeeman, Nunda Township’s Mary Alger, head of the Crystal Lake Tea Party, is running for the McHenry County Board in District 3.

You can tell from Mary Alger's yard sign that she is a TEA Party Republican. Look especially st the upper left hand corner where Alger has turned the stylized GOP elephant into a tea pot.

Of course, there are others who identify with the Tea Party folks, but pre-date the movement.

If I missed anyone activated by the TEA Party movement, please tell us in the comment section.