From Mike Shorten, running for one of two District 4 McHenry County Board slots:
Republican Candidates- Never Voted Republican
Mike Shorten Questions Opponents Believability
Crystal Lake, June 20, 2022— McHenry County Board Candidate Mike “Shorty” Shorten has issued a statement regarding his opponents in the Republican Primary on June 28th and their failure to vote in a Republican Primary since moving to McHenry from Cook County.
“For the past 15 years, I’ve been involved in local politics and I cannot recall at any point where individuals have filed to run as Republicans, without ever voting in a Republican Primary election.
“I support any individual that want to volunteer for the Republican Party or Republican candidates as a matter of principle, however, it’s beyond concerning that my oppositions first act as Republicans will be to vote for themselves.
“Both Mr. Barthel and Mrs. Delaney have relocated from Cook County in the past six years and neither one of them has participated in the Republican Primary, since they have lived here. Republican voters should have great pause about voting for Cook County transplants with no record to speak of.”
Shorten touted his record as a Trustee in Nunda Township and also addressed his commitment and involvement in the Republican Party in McHenry County and in helping many prominent Republicans in their election efforts.
“I have a proven record both as an elected official and as leader in the local party.
“Because of my efforts in Nunda Township, more than $600,000 has remained in taxpayers’ bank accounts, all Nunda Township Board Meetings are streamed live and efforts by a previous supervisor to have full control of the Cemetery Board it’s budget and spending were thwarted.
“I’ve also spent countless hours volunteering for the Nunda Township and the McHenry County Republican Party where I served in a multitude of leadership positions, with the latest being the Vice Chair of the county party. I’ve also worked in support of a multiple candidates, including the Current County Board Chair Mike Buehler, County Court Clerk Kathy Keefe and State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally.”
Shorten is endorsed, by Keefe, Keneally, former State Representative Barbara Wheeler and County Board Member Lori Parrish, who decided not to seek re-election and occupies the seat that Shorten is seeking.
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Mike “Shorty” Shorten is a 20 year resident of McHenry County, living in Crystal Lake with his wife and three daughters. Mike works full time as an Account Manager for a fortune 500 business services organization.
That’s what his wife calls him.
He should’ve gone after incumbent, Gottemoller who voted for the gay flag at the county building.
Another day, another YouTube video attacking me and Suzanne Delaney.
I fail to understand the obsession that Mr. Shorten has with me.
Why so threatened?
After all, I am merely this “crazy animal advocate guy.”
Normally, I prefer refraining from engaging with grifters who are compelled to be on the offensive, ever attacking their counterpart.
Again, Mr. Shorten reminds us that he has all this experience as a highly louted “Trustee.”
A trustee among several and yet never in a supervisory role.
Other than that, I really don’t know Mr. Shorten, or what he does other than run for office.
Any office.
Time and again.
Mr. Shorten, aka, “Shorty,” as he reminds everyone to address him, then suggests that the County’s role is tied in reducing taxes and has no recourse.
Further, Mr. Shorten then suggests that Mr. Barthel fails to understand and that there is nothing that can be done.
How is it then that he is a “fiscal conservative,” as he repeatedly reminds us, yet has no plan other than offering clichés?
Why no mention that the County perhaps cap its Motor Fuel Tax price at the pump at the same price before Biden crippled this country and drove gas to almost $6.00 a gallon?
The County now earns almost double its motor fuel tax portion on every purchase, yet no initiative to ease the pain at the pump.
Hell, even for a few months could help the constituents, truckers, and businesses of McHenry County.
Why no initiative?
Why no mention that the layers of Government in the County could further be reduced in an effort to save money?
Why does District 4, for example, (Crystal Lake, Cary, McHenry, Bull Valley, Woodstock) have two board members, however, the likes of rural Harvard and Johnsburg have the same yet are in different Districts?
Further consolidation could save even more monies.
Currently, Illinois has over 7000 units of Government, while Texas, a distant second has just over 5000.
Mr. Shorten, however, appropriately comes up short.
Only offering key clichés and constantly reminding everyone of his tenure as a “trustee.”
In any case, I must leave for work and will check later in the day watching for the latest YouTube creation by, “Shorty.”
Perhaps he can enlighten McHenry County more of his “fiscal conservative” approach.
In closing, will remind everyone of Mr. Shortens quote in the NorthWest Herald when asked about taxes during these unprecedented times when families are struggling.
Ya know, the “fiscally conservative” guy.
Quote, Mr. Shorten:
“Given the current economic conditions, I don’t believe that decreasing the county portion of residents’ property taxes is a feasible possibility. I am committed to keeping taxes flat by continual review and maintenance of vital services and supporting process improvements to drive out costs.”
Yeah, you’d think this was his first rodeo.
He’s downing most of his constituents as they haven’t voted in primaries either…til now.
Upon further review and emailed to me by several friends, as suggested, it appears Mr. Shorten has a history of running for office.
Over and over.
This, while hosting his “podcast” career.
Not sure what it is that Mr. Shorten does other than attack other candidates with false narratives as my history demonstrates voting in the Republican party numerous times.
His false rhetoric, “Republican Candidates- Never Voted Republican,” demonstrates his desperation and urgency to lie while running, yet for another office seat that he has made a career of.
Here is Mr. Shorten with his unsuccessful Gubernatorial Bid in 2006:
https://mshorten.blogspot.com/2006/11/mike-shorten-write-in-candidate-for.html
Apparently, Mr.Shorten, in 2006 believed he was capable of running Illinois.
Long before his lauded career as a “trustee.”
His short-lived bedroom Podcast career: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/shortyshow.
It seems, Mr. Shorten has an affinity for the public eye.
And then his failed run for McHenry County Board during the last election.
We all know what happened there.
Alas, Mr. Shorten, always on the attack whilst never capable of resting on his laurels.
I digress.
Ouch…..Ol’Shorty taking a beating.
I noticed his bid for governor in 2006 was as a write-in candidate.
But wait, I thought he was accusing others of not aligning with party affiliation?
Classic.
Absolutely, classic.
Barthel, at first I thought you were alright, then I had second thoughts cuz you talked about animals a bit too much in my opinion, and now I’m thinking you’re alright.
Your responses are pretty good.
(One thing I noticed is you wrote “liable” at one point in a response when you probably meant “libel.”)
Big agree with Lorna and Justin.
I’m disappointed that Shorten is going for the newcomers, since he has previously ran as a reformer himself, instead of going after jellyfish (no spine) Joe Gottemoller, who has been on the county board way too long.
Perhaps Shorty is going after you and Delaney because he has lost to Gottemoller too many times in the past and it’s pretty embarrassing to lose to Gottemoller!!!
Maybe “Shorty” is scared of Gottemoller, who has a decent parliamentarian mind but lacks courage to stand up and do the right thing.
Gottemoller lets himself get walked on and can’t see the forest for the trees.
I’m hoping he is not one of the two who wins, but unfortunately he has a lot of name recognition.
Shorten might actually be right that it will be difficult to cut taxes (prices rise, especially with all this inflation, and cutting services is usually unpopular), but I appreciate your optimistic attitude and willingness to at least try instead of throwing in the towel.
Good luck in your political endeavors Mr. Barthel.
Have a nice day.