Searching for the Motivation for the Township Consolidation Push

This is not the first time that I have wondered why folks are putting so much effort into getting township consolidation referendums on the ballot. It seems to me that none of the smaller townships will end up with majorities … Continue reading

Township Consolidation Committee Wants March Election

County government’s Township Consolidation Task Force seems to want to fast track an election on the subject. Carolyn Schofield, head of the Task Force and a candidate for State Representative to replace retiring legislator Mike Tryon, said she wanted to … Continue reading

Gottemoller Appoints Township Consolidation Committee

McHenry County Board Chairman Joe Gottemoller has appointed three County Board members and two township officials to a committee to consider township consolidation. Chairing the committee will be Crystal Laker Carolyn Schofield. The other two County Board members are Michele … Continue reading

Tobin Supports Fewer Townships

A press release from Jim Tobin: Downsizing Government in McHenry County Chicago – Taxpayers United of America (TUA) announces its endorsement of the McHenry County initiative to consolidate townships from 17 to 8. “There’s an exciting new trend in Illinois … Continue reading

An Example of Why Cost-Benefit Analysis Is Needed Before Reorganizing Local Government

Yesterday I basically lamented that proponents of township consolidation have not presented necessary homework. Before moving toward a change in governance, one should do a study estimating future costs with future benefits. Vividly I remember the pitch Governor Pat Quinn … Continue reading

Effort to Combine Townships Announced

A press release from Nunda Township Trustee and Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Shorten: Township Consolidation Initiative Launched Citizen Lead Effort to Reduce Government Units in McHenry County Crystal Lake, IL March 31, 2015 — The McHenry County Citizens for … Continue reading

Republicans Recruting Candidates for Local Office

This press release below from local Republican Party is too narrowly headlined. It is aimed at any Republican planning to run for any local office. All of those on the ballot next spring are non-partisan, but the actions of those … Continue reading

Sandra Salgado Heads New McHenry County Republican Party Leadership Team

The vote was 12,153 to 8,703 in the contest between McHenry County Board member Sandra Salgado and Mark Daniel, Vice Chairman of the Republican Central Committee and Chairman of Nunda Township’s Central Committee. A victory margin of 3,450 votes. (Each … Continue reading

Mike Shorten Running for Vice Chairman of GOP Central Committee

A letter from Nunda Township Republican Precinct Committeeman and Township Trustee Mike Shorten: April 6, 2014 Mr. Skinner, Congratulations on your election to precinct committeemen. Whether you are new to the position or have been re-elected, thank you for making … Continue reading

Mary McClellan Endorsements for County Clerk

Hearing that State Rep. Barb Wheeler had endorsed McHenry County Board member Mary McClellan for County Clerk, I reached out for confirmation. Come to find out, it was easy to confirm because Wheeler’s name is right at the top of … Continue reading

With Fox River at Record Height Nunda Township Trustee Says Need for Sandbagging Volunteers “Urgent”

An email from Nunda Township Trustee Mike Shorten: Urgent… Volunteers still needed Good Morning, Despite reports relayed in the media that the Fox River had crested yesterday, the Nunda Road District Employees have seen otherwise and the water has risen … Continue reading

Fox River Still Rising, Nunda Township Sends Out Another Plea for Volunteers

Another message from Nunda Township Trustee Mike Shorten: “The sandbagging operation continues today as the river is not expected to crest until sometime tonight or early tomorrow morning. “We need people to fill, tie and stack sandbags today.  I’m attaching … Continue reading

Sandbag Helpers Still Needed in Nunda Township

A second message has come from Nunda Township Trustee Mike Shorten: “Thanks for the response yesterday. “Between efforts Wednesday and yesterday over 16,000 sand bags have been created, but the need is still great as the Fox River in not … Continue reading

Republican Precinct Committeeman Mike Shorten Emails Election Recommendations

I thought you might be interested in the use of email for election purposes. Remember to Vote This Tuesday!!!!! Good Morning, This Tuesday there will be an election for several municipal and school boards that most people will not bother … Continue reading

Four-Way Race for Nunda Township Supervisor

I have given up trying to understand Nunda Township Republican politics. Township Supervisor John Heisler, a former McHenry County Board member, is being challenged by three people. Heisler, whose family’s name has been associated with Crystal Lake since his grandfather … Continue reading

Message of the Day – Irony

In the what goes around comes around category is the lack of a quorum for the most recent meeting of the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee. McHenry County Republican Central Committee Vice Chairman Mark Daniel is also the Chairman of … Continue reading