patrickmurfin

 

McHenry County Democrats and Barack Obama supporters packed the Stage Left Café in Woodstock to capacity Wednesday evening for an old fashion political rally before the Presidential Debates.

Representative Jack Franks opened the evening with an acknowledgement that Obama had energized the electorate and helped transform the political landscape of McHenry County.  He called on the audience to take that energy and apply it to candidates all down the ticket on the local level.

Robert Kaempfe, candidate for the General Assembly from the 64th District pledged to “lead by example” on issues like energy independence. Pointing to the incumbent state’s attorney’s billing of personal expenses to tax payers Auditor candidate Kerry Jullian and State’s Attorney candidate Thomas Cynor each attacked the culture of arrogance and entitlement of entrenched Republican leadership.  They pledged fiscal responsibility, transparency and integrity in office.

Candidates for County Board paraded to the microphone to call for diversity of opinion on the Board.  James McTague (D-1), Jill Mawhinney and Anita Harmon (D-2), Kathy Bergan Schmidt (D-3), Paula Yensen (D-5), and Bob Ludwig (D-6) hammered away on issues of accountability to tax payers, land use planning, groundwater preservation, and better government.

Meg Murray Bradshaw of Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for Obama called for volunteers to phone bank and travel to battleground states for Obama.  Several attendees signed up for trips to Wisconsin.

16^th Congressional District Candidate Robert Abboud arrived from a Rockford newspaper endorsement interview just in time to fire up the crowd with an impassioned call to arms.  He said that the magnitude of the country’s problems in the face of the current economic emergency truly made this “the most critical election of our lifetimes.”  Change, he said, must be secured from the “top of the ticket down t o the most local race.”  Abboud told his cheering listeners to each find “at least 16 Republicans or uncommitted independents” and convince them to vote for that change.

A highlight of the rally was a special auction.  Noting the ugly turn of the campaign as John McCain’s fortunes have waned, Cynor, who has coordinated the Democratic Party’s yard sign operation, noted that many of the more than 500 Obama campaign signs placed in the county have been stolen or vandalized.  In one case, signs were vandalized three times and the home of the sign host was broken into and defaced.  One of those vandalized signs was framed and put up for auction “to show that we cannot be intimidated.”  The spirited auction ran up the price to $2,000 and was won by Cynor himself.  Proceeds will go to supporting local Democratic candidates.

The crowd stayed to watch the Presidential debate on a big screen TV.  They cheered Obama when he landed telling points and hooted at McCain’s perceived misstatements and attacks on Obama.

Members of the crowd departed with unabashed enthusiasm taking with them buttons, bumper stickers, yard signs and a renewed commitment.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

      



     







     



     

 

 

 

 

 

    


 

 

 

McHenry County Democrats will stage an old fashion political rally at the Stage Left Café, next to the Opera House in Woodstock, beginning at 6:30 this Wednesday, October 15.  Led by incumbent Representative Jack Franks (D-63) legislative, county-wide, and county board candidates will be on hand.

The rally will lead up to the last Presidential Debate at 8 PM when local Democrats will cheer on Senator Barack Obama.

Among the candidates slated to appear at the rally are Bob Kaempfe, State Representative 64th District; Thomas Cynor, State’s Attorney; Kerry Julian, County Auditor; David Bachmann, County Coroner; and a raft of County Board candidates.

The rally will feature an opportunity an auction of a unique memento of the Obama campaign in McHenry County.

Pizza will be provided by Citizens for Cynor.

The event is free and open to the public.  There will be a cash bar.

David Bachmann, Democratic candidate for McHenry County Coroner, applauds the Fox River Grove Police Department’s efforts to collect unused medications.  Now he would like to expand the effort county-wide and have the Coroner’s office play a key role in collecting prescriptions left by the deceased.

“Safe disposal of medication has been number one on my platform from the beginning of the campaign,” Bachmann said.  “A systematic program would legally protect care givers, Hospice nurses and others from liability should the drugs fall into the wrong hands.  It would also preserve the water supply by preventing drugs from being flushed for disposal.”

“When my mother passed away under Hospice care, I noted that there was no oversight of the prescriptions she left behind.” Bachmann said.

Bachmann proposes that the Coroner’s office advise police departments at the time of death of death so that they can visit the home and retrieve narcotics.  The police would also have a document in which the final care giver can sign off on medications

“Often at the time of death there are medications such as Vicodine, Oxycontin, morphine and Fentynol left on the bedroom dresser or nightstand with no oversight,” Bachmann asserted.  “I promise to enact this prescription drug retrieval and disposal program on day one of my administration of the Coroner’s office.”

Bachmann also urged state lawmakers to enact legislation to make the program a regular part of the duties of county coroners and local police authorities.

The Democratic Party of McHenry County assembled by Harvard High School before the Milk Days Parade. (Photo by Tom Cynor)

Hillary Clinton was giving her long awaited concession and endorsement of Barack Obama as McHenry County Democrats gathered for the Harvard Milk Days Parade Saturday morning.  It was hot and muggy.  The sun burned through thin clouds as we assembled and waited behind the high school. We were near the end of the parade so we had plenty of time to soak up the sun—burn.  We finally started moving after 2 pm, a full hour after the head of the parade started off.

About thirty adults plus assorted children turned out.  Our unit included a float, a Tom Cynor for State’s Attorney trailer and several candidates. Most of us were elegantly turned out in our bright blue “Proud to be a McHenry County Democrat” tee shirts.

For those who are unfamiliar with the place, Harvard lies in the northwest of McHenry County just a bit south of the Wisconsin border.  It once was the center of the dairy industry and the town was known as the “Milk Capital of the World.”  That status is celebrated by Milk Days, Illinois oldest continuous municipal festival dating to 1941, and by the beloved fiberglass statue of Harmilda the cow located at the intersection of U.S. Route 14, Illinois Route 173, and the city’s main drag, Ayers Street (AKA “The Milky Way.”

Although the Dean Foods dairy plant is still a major local employer, most of the dairy farms are gone now and the city long ago lost its dairy crown.

But Harvard is the most resolutely working class of all McHenry County municipalities.  Far from encroaching suburbia that has swallowed most of the southeast portion of the county and is now marching north from Huntley in the southwest housing prices are relatively modest.  Local industry has provided jobs.  A brief brush with prosperity evaporated when Motorola  shut down a mammoth new cell phone production factory a few years ago.  5000 jobs disappeared with the stroke of a pen.  And the building sits empty on the edge of town on the edge of town defying all attempts to attract new tenants and new jobs.

Nearly 40% of the population is now Hispanic.  There is a lot of tension between the new immigrants and the older Anglo community.  But Ayer Street and the rest of downtown would now be a virtual ghost town if it were not for the many Latino business that have opened there in recent years.  In fact the parade crowd along the Milky Way was largely Hispanic, while Anglos tended to gather on the tree shaded lawns along the residential streets between the High School and downtown.

Democrats, however, go a warm welcome from both communities.  Not a block was passed without out breaks of actual cheering, whooping and fist pumping.  A lot of folks called out for Obama.  While we have always had support in Harvard, not too many years ago scattered individuals sheepishly acknowledged us hoping that their Republican neighbors would not notice.  Boos would sometimes outnumber cheers.  This year there was one boo.

Coroner Candidate David Bachmann watched the parade from the sidelines with his family.  He wrote in an e-mail to other party members, “I am soooooooooo proud of our people that were in Harvard today…The Republicans should be embarrassed.  All they had was an old beat up car, not resorted at all, with a few campaign signs made of old cardboard stuck to the car with “duck tape”…Not a single candidate or party representation…”

Any way here are some photos from the day.

State’s Attorney Candidate Tom Cynor with his main man, Quinn. (This and all further photos by Murfin)

Auditor Candidate Kerry Julian and family.

                                       

The candidate contingent—Robert Ludwig, County Board Dist. 6; James McTague, County Board Dist. 1; Cynor; Robert Abboud, 16th Congressional District; Julian; and Jeff Thirtyacer, County Board Dist. 4.

                                       

 Thirtyacer and Bill Nowaskey prepare to step off at the head of the contingent.

Democratic paraders in Woodstock last year.

McHenry County Democrats plan to start the summer parade and festival season with a big contingent in the Harvard Milk Days Parade this Saturday.  

Several candidates will accompany the McHenry County Party float including Robert Abboud from the 16th Congressional District and county auditor candidate Kerry Jullian.  County Board candidates will also march including Darryl Frank and Robert Ludwig from District 6, Jeff Thirtyacre from District 4, and James McTague of District 1.

State Representative Jack Franks and McHenry County State ’s Attorney candidate Thomas Cynor will also each have their own entries in the parade.

“Local Democrats are excited to come out and meet the people,” said party Secretary Patrick Murfin,  “We’re pumped up about our strong showing in the February primaries, a hunger for change nationally and locally, and a strong ticket from president to county board.”

The party invites supporters to march with them.  Look for the red, white, and blue float in the staging area by Harvard High School.  Assembly will begin around noon and the parade steps off at 1 p.m.

For information call 815 788-9540 or e-mail info@mchenrydems.com

At the third annual Thomas Jefferson Dinner of the Democratic Party of McHenry County, more than two hundred folks, almost half of them from organized labor, crowded the ball room of the Prairie Lodge at Sun City in Huntley on Saturday Night.

The room was buzzing with excitement.  And I must admit that I was a little excited myself.  I was on tap to receive the Robert McGarry Award for Community Service.  The Murfin contingent filled up two tables right up front.  Not only was my wife, Kathy Brady-Murfin, in attendance, but my daughters Heather Pearson and Maureen Buchanan were on hand with their families.  So were Evan Buchanan’s parents Laurie and Len, “Grandma” Pat Sorensen, and Libby Pappalardo of the McHenry County Peace Group and her husband Brian.  My former sister in law and dear friend Arlene Brennen was there with her husband Michael. A whole contingent of Wobblies came up from Chicago including Fellow Workers Judy Freeeman, Mike Hargis, Kathy Taylor, and Hannah Frish.  These folks surprised me with another gift I will treasure, an IWW belt buckle.

Here are some photos from the evening.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White kicked off the evening with remarks.  He made a special effort for all the candidates present to get photos with him to use in their publicity.  His advice to them:  “Use my name any way you like to help you and ask for permission later.”  White had to rush off to another event, but took time for everyone who wanted to shake his hand.

                                                 

McHenry County Democratic Party Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt, was mistress of ceremonies.
                                

Congresswoman Melissa Bean was on hand telling the audience how frightened suburban Republicans in Congress are as they watch once reliable districts slip into the Democratic column. Bean has also been on the road for Barack Obama’s  Presidential Campaign.

                                                   
Sean McGarry, son of the late, beloved Party Chair Bob McGarry reminisced about his father and paid tribute to his mother Lois as he introduced the presentation of the Robert McGarry Award for Community Service.

                                

It was an overwhelming honor to receive the award.  I managed to get through my acceptance speech.  The prepared remarks, which were more or less what I actually said, are posted at the end of this entry.

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is a popular figure in McHenry County.  Last summer he made a point of marching with the Party in several local parades.  Giannoulias is also a high profile supporter of his good friend Senator Obama.

                                                   
 

Paula Yensen, Lake-in-the-Hills Turstee, candidate for District 2 McHenry County Board, and major domo of the Jefferson Dinner introduced the Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement.  Latter in the evening former Party Chair Patrick Quimet surprised her with a dozen roses in recognition her work on the dinner and the audience rose in a standing ovation.

                                                

Former Illinois AFL-CIO President Margaret Blackshere rose to accept the Thomas Jefferson Award.  Her rise from kindergarten teacher to leadership of the state labor  body is legendary.  She recounted ticking items off of her personal “Bucket List” since retiring last year.  She told inspiring stories of defying gun toting guards in Indonesia by singing Solidarity Forever  to young women workers barred from receiving her visit to their company housing  and aiding an injured girl in Cambodia.  But her biggest “bucket list” item this year is “Getting Barack Obama elected President.!”                   

The following is, more or less, what I said in my acceptance remarks.

This is an honor in so many ways.  I am so glad to be part of this celebration honoring a personal hero, Thomas Jefferson whose ringing words have been a major inspiration to me and whose flawed personal life reminds me of how difficult it can be to live up to our loftiest aims.

It is great to be here on a night that is so much a celebration of labor movement and our mutual dedication to the rights and welfare of working people.  I am humbled to be honored the same evening as Margaret Blackshere.  By the way, Margaret, we both are former Union officers.  You led the thousands of members of the ALF-CIO in Illinois.  At the age of 23 I was General Secretary Treasurer of the Industrial Workers of the World and literally sat in Big Bill Heywood’s old chair, the nominal leader of maybe 2000 member world wide.  Some of my oldest friends from my Wobbly days are in attendance.  It may be safe for them to share a few stories.  I believe the statue of limitations has run out.

It is humbling to receive an award in the name of Bob McGarry.  Not only was he a good friend—he was a friend to every one he met—but he was a personal mentor who dared bring me on as his vice chair at a time some in the Party fretted that I was a wild eyed radical.

I am also happy to see folks I have worked with over the years as I have tried to be of service to the causes of peace, justice, and equality in McHenry County.  Any thing that I might have accomplished has only been made possible by the hard work and sacrifice of so many as we worked together at the Congregational Unitarian Church, with the Interfaith Council for Social Justice and Diversity Day, and in the McHenry County Peace Group.

Of course my family has been patient with me.  They were often cheated from my full attention.  They got used to me being gone for meetings or finding me at the computer at 3 AM.  Special thanks to my wife, Kathy Brady Murfin; my daughters Heather Pearson and Maureen Buchanan who are here tonight with their families.

I was a stranger in McHenry County, lonesome and at a loss as to how to renew the activism that had been the center of my adult life when I responded to a little want ad placed by then Democratic Party Chair Richard Short for precinct committeemen.  Since then I have served under chairs Monty Yeats, Frank McClatchy, Bob McGarry, John Bartmann, Pat Ouimett, Tom Cynor, and Kathy Bergan Schmidt.  I even spent a couple of months in the chair myself.  That’s better than 18 years.  I realize I am receiving this award mostly for having hung around so long.

But I appreciate it more than I can say.

The McHenry County Democratic Central Committee voted to add candidates for State’s Attorney and Auditor to the November ballot when they caucused at the McHenry County Farm Bureau on Wednesday Night.

When the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee meets on Wednesday, March 19 at the McHenry County Farm Bureau Building, 1102 McConnell Road, Woodstock at 7 p.m. the main order of business will be voting to caucus candidates on to the November general election ballot.

The party’s Executive Board interviewed candidates for a number of offices at its March 12 meeting.  The board voted unanimously to make recommendations to the Central Committee for the offices of State’s Attorney and Auditor.  It also unanimously recommended two candidates for County Board to the Precinct Representatives of District 2, who will caucus at the meeting.

The names of candidates will be presented at the meeting and each candidate will have an opportunity to speak.

“We are presenting to the Party highly qualified candidates who will give voters a real alternative on November 4th,” said County Chair Kathleen Bergan Schmidt. “This election is going to be about change, and nothing needs changing more than the culture of insider business as usual offered by the Republicans in McHenry County.”

If the nominations are approved, as expected, on Wednesday, McHenry County voters will be presented with Democratic candidates in the 8th and 16th Congressional Districts; the 26th State Senate District; the 52nd, 63rd, and 64th General Assembly Districts; for State’s Attorney, Auditor, and Coroner; and at least one candidate in each of the six County Board districts.

“The days of voters not having a Democratic Party choice in McHenry County are over,” Bergan Schmidt declared.

McHenry County Democrats met in biennial convention Wednesday night at the Woodstock Opera House.  In the words of outgoing Chair Tom Cynor we were celebrating more than 32,000 votes cast in the February Primary—more than the total Republican vote.  He noted that there were now more registered Democrats in the county than Republicans.  Noting that McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren told the press the next day that the results were “an anomaly,” Cynor said he had his own six dollar word for it—“an epiphany.”  He said that the results were not yet a victory, only a sign post to victory in November, if the party takes advantage of the opportunity handed to them

Then it was time to get down to business.  The elected Precinct Representatives present represented a total of 5,100 votes cast in the Democratic primary.  Each PR casts a weighted vote for officers based on the total Democratic ballots taken in the primary.  In the end a slate of officers was elected by acclimation.  Don Finochio, a candidate for Vice Chair withdrew his name from consideration when it became clears that Sam Melei was winning overwhelmingly and called for Melei’s election by acclimation.

Otherwise, the evening was without drama, except for the palpable excitement of Democrats determined to change the course of McHenry County History.

A selections of photos below capture the evening.

 Stanchions representing the 6 McHenry County Board Districts leaned against a back wall before the evening got under way.
  

Outgoing Chair Tom Cynor kicked off the evening



Brian Meyers was elected presiding officer of the Convention.


Kathy Bergan Schmidt makes her appeal to the Convention.  The former Vice Chair was elected Chair by acclimation.

.Convention Secretary Nancy Sschietzelt, B.J Rendine, and Jim Kennedy count up votes in the contested race for Vice Chair.  Unfortunately my camera’s batteries died and I missed a photo of the victorious Sam Melei.  Cynor was then unanimously elected Treasurer.


Patrick Murfin, the sole candidate for Secretary, has a few words.


Outgoing District 3 Chair Pauline Walker holds the stanchion as District PRs gather round her to elect her replacement.  Dan Giallombardo, to Walker’s left was elected.  Meanwhile other districts were holding their caucuses.  Elected were Brian McTague in District 1, Carolyne Quinn in District 2, Mary Margaret Maule, District 4, Chris Emmerich in District 5, and Robert Ludwig in District 6.


Madam Chair meets the Press after the meeting.


A bevy of former Secretaries congratulate the galoot who got the job—Kathy Bergan Schmidt, Marti Swanson,  Carolyne Quinn, and Dianne Oltman Ayers. 

Below is a copy of the official invitation to the McHenry County Democratic Party’s annual Thomas Jefferson Dinner.  This year the Dinner will recognize long time labor leader Margaret Blackshere with the Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement and some guy named Patrick Murfin with the Robert McGarry Award for Community Service.

Modesty aside, it is one of the greatest honors of my life to be recognized like this.  I know it is primarily because I have been around the party a long, long time and it may just be my turn.  And I also recognize that these awards are presented not only to honor folks, but in the hope that their friends and associates will buy lots of tickets for the privilege of watching them get it.  It’s a win-win-win.  Friends get an elegant night out with a good meal, the recipient gets a refreshing ego boost, and the Party gets money desperately needed to lead a revolution in McHenry County.

So how about helping me out?  I don’t want to be embarrassed and have the fewest fans ever to show up in his/her honor.  Can we get enough people together to fill a couple of tables?  That would be great!

Click  here to get more details and download an invitation RSVP.  Tell them you want to sit at a Patrick Murfin table.  Or send your check to the party and e-mail me at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  and let me know you want to be at a table.  I’ll make sure you are included.  Thanks!

Please join us for the Thomas Jefferson Dinner on Saturday, April 12 at the Holliday Inn Crystal Lake.

The Thomas Jefferson Dinner is a celebration of the enduring principles of the Democratic Party of the United States of America. In past years this gala event has featured inspiring video presentations as well as stellar guest speakers such as Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and State Representative Jack Franks. This year’s dinner promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The Thomas Jefferson Dinner is also your opportunity to publicly support our shared values. Since local Democratic organizations receive no funding from the state or national Party, we depend entirely on the generosity of our friends and neighbors here in McHenry County. Your participation in this event ensures that we can continue the hard work of building a strong and effective political organization that will help elect Democrats to local, state and national office.

For more information about this event, contact Paula Yensen at 815-404-3918 or email her at pyensen@mac.com .

You can download the invitation and reply card here:

http://www.mchenrydems.com/Pages/Events/ThomasJeffersonEventInfo.htm

The Democratic Party of McHenry County will assemble for its biennial Convention at the Woodstock Opera House at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.  The main order of business will be the election of officers and County Board District Chairs.

Only elected Precinct Representatives  may vote in the election.  Each P.R. will cast a weighted ballot reflecting the total number Democratic ballots cast in the precinct in the February 5 Primary Election.  County Chair Tom Cynor noted that each P.R. will bring to the election many more votes than ever before, “reflecting the fact that the majority of McHenry County voters cast Democratic ballots in the Primary.”

The offices of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and General Counsel are up for election.

Cynor has announced that he will not seek re-election and instead seek election as Treasurer.  Cynor, who became a father for the second time on Primary election day, cited family responsibilities for stepping down as chair.  “I have enjoyed the experience and responsibility and am proud of the Party and what it has achieved.  I have confidence that the new chair, whoever it might be, will lead the Party to a historic victory in November and I will be on hand to offer my continued services.”

Current Vice Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt has circulated nominating petitions for the office of Chair.  Other candidates may also present petitions, which much be signed by at least three elected P.R.s, at the Convention.

After the election of the new county wide officers, County Board District P.R.s will caucus to elect District Chairs.  District Chairs also sit on the County Party’s Executive Committee.

For more information call 815 788-9540, e-mail info@mchenrydems.com, or visit www.mchenrydems.com .

Soothsayers of by-gone days would surely have made something of it.  On a crisp, cold night in the parking lot of the McHenry County Farm Bureau a group of Democrats paused to wonder at the progress of Lunar Eclipse.  I recalled a similar event in my childhood and the astonishing shade of deep, deep orange the Moon presented.  One of the others remarked, “The Sioux called it the Blood Moon.”

What did this Blood Moon portend for McHenry County Democrats?

We had gathered earlier for the regular monthly Party meeting and to hear from our candidates for McHenry County Board.

Party Chair Tom Cynor began the with the announcement that a majority of registered voters in McHenry County are now Democrats—333,421 Democrats to 310,211 Republicans.  He read figures in race after race in the recent Primary Election in which Democrats piled up dramatically more votes than the Republicans they will face in the fall.  Then he introduced the County Board Candidates.

Dr. James McTague, District 1 went first.  McTague is making his second run for the Board.  He cited water conservation, traffic and development as key, interrelated issues in his district, which occupies the Southwest corner of the county.  “The County Board has no plan for water use,” McTague charged and said a new approach to planning that, “puts citizens a head of businesses and developers.”

Kathy Bergan Schmdit, District 3.  (Photo did not come out. This head shot from the McHenry Dems web site.)  A resident of the District for 25 years, she began her involvement as a representative on the Planning and Development Committee of the Fox Valley Freeway Advisory Committee in the early 1990s.  Although the Fox Valley Freeway never got built, the experience gave her a background on transportation issues and an appreciation of the need for planning.  An innocent sounding volunteer commitment to the Wild Flower Committee of the McHenry County Defenders led to greater appreciation of the need to preserve open space and a commitment to groundwater preservation.  The Wild Flower Committee helped create the local Land Conservancy, which has been critical in preserving small and isolated chunks of pristine land.  As Director of Membership for the Nunda Township Friends for Clean Water and Open Space, Kathy was a leading advocate for the Open Space Initiative on the 2004 November ballot.  She has continued her involvement with planning issues as a board member of Visioning McHenry County.  Kathy is also a member of the Latino Coalition, McHenry County Breast Cancer Task Force, The McHenry County Historical Society, and the McHenry County Genealogical Society.  She previously run for Nunda Township Trustee and for the County Board.  She served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention and is currently Vice Chair of the County Party.  Pointing to the failure of the County’s 2020 Plan, she says “The issues haven’t changed,” as the county struggles to come up with a 2030 Plan.  She has the experience in the vital issue areas of transportation, water conservation and planning to make a big difference on the Board

McHenry County Democratic Party Chair Tom Cynor invites the public to hear presentations by the party’s County Board Candidates at a “meet and greet” at the McHenry County Farm Bureau Building, 1102 McConnell Road, Woodstock from 6:45 to 7:30 on Wednesday, February 13.

The candidates will make brief introductory remarks and be available for questions from the audience.  They include Dr. James McTague (District 1), Kathleen Bergan Schmidt (District 3), Jeff Thirtyacre (District 4), Paula Yensen (District 5) and Darryl Frank and Robert Ludwig (District 6.) 

Each of these candidates won nomination in the Primary Election.  The party may still caucus in candidates for other open County Board Seats.

The candidate presentations will precede the regular party business meeting at 7:30.  The positive results of the primary election, in which 51% of voters cast Democratic ballots, and the upcoming County Convention are expected to be topics at the meeting.

For more information call 815 788-9540, e-mail info@mchenrydems.com, or visit www.mchenrydems.com .

I missed, I mean really missed, the McHenry County Democratic Party bash primary night at Govner’s Pub in Lake in the Hills.  Inclement weather may have held down attendance some, but a hearty band, mostly from Algonquin Township and the southwestern part of the county partied hard.  Party Secretary Carolyn Quinn presided over the affair in the absence of other wise engaged Chair Tom Cynor (see post below for his excuse.)  Thanks to photographer James Harvey we can share some of the fun.

District 1 Chair Chris Emmerich shares a precinct read-out tape with County Board Destrict 5 Candidate Paula Yensen, incumbent County Board Member Jim Kennedy, and party General Council Sam Melei.



Dr. James McTague, a candidate for County Board District 1 and friend track results from the County Clerk’s office.



Carolyn Quinn celebrates with 16th Congressional District Candidate Robert Abboud and his wife Patricia.



Elizabeth Puchmelter, who ran as a Richardson Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, Yensen, Quinn, and District 3 Chair Pauline Walker study results.

BABY GIRL CYNOR

Primary evening was more than usually busy for McHenry County Democratic Chair Tom Cynor.  Cynor was at the McHenry County Government Center awaiting the first election returns at 7 p.m. Tuesday when his wife Kathy called to tell him that labor contractions were beginning.

Helping the family out became a Democratic project.  Mary Margaret Maule, County Board District 4 Chair, drove down from Johnsburg to watch the Cynors’ five year old son Quinn.  Meanwhile at Northern Illinois Medical Center Dr. Mary Riggs, wife of former Democratic Chair Patrick Ouimet, was the delivering physician.

Although Cynor missed the Party’s results watching party at Govner’s Pub in Lake in the Hills, “we had CNN on during the delivery and I was able to keep track of the local races on the web at the Hospital… Baby girl Cynor (name still yet to be determined) was delivered when the California results were coming in from the West Coast (2:10 a.m.)”

The newest Cynor weighed in at 6.5 pounds and was 19.5 inches long.  “Mother and baby are doing well,” Cynor reported in an early morning e-mail to local Democrats, “Father, not so well (but that is nothing new)!”

Meanwhile local Democrats were enjoying their best primary results in memory.  33,421 county residents voted in the Democratic Presidential Primary.  31,211 took Republican ballots.  Democrats dominated across the county and out drew Republican candidates in almost all races. Proud papa Cynor said, “It really is the birth of a new day in McHenry County.”

The Democratic Party of McHenry County will welcome 16th Congressional District Candidate Robert Abboud to address the Central Committee at its meeting on Wednesday, January 16. The meeting will be called to order at the Farm Bureau Building, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock at 7:00 PM.  Abboud’s presentation will be the first item on the agenda. 

Abboud, Village President of Barrington Hills, serves as an executive member of both the Barrington Area Council of Governments and the McHenry Council of Governments. 

The 16th Congressional District extends to Crystal Lake, Algonquin, and Barrington Hills on its eastern border, and west to the Mississippi River.  Representative Donald Manzullo (R-Rockford) is the incumbent.

Abboud is running unopposed as a Democrat on the ballot in the February 5 Primary Election.

“I believe the citizens of the 16th deserve the best representation possible, and Manuzullo has consistently failed to fight for the needs of his district,” Abboud said recently. “Rather than be the prime advocate for our region, Manzullo has consistently followed policies that have failed to have a positive impact on our area. Citizens of the 16th congressional district deserve a voice in Washington and I intend to be that voice.”

Abboud is the principle owner of RGA Labs, a research and development firm that specializes in the engineering, consulting and manufacturing of specially designed equipment for nuclear technology facilities.  He has more than thirty years experience and expertise in the areas of developing safe and efficient alternative energy sources. 

“This has been an outstanding election cycle for the McHenry County Democrats,” said Chairman Tom Cynor.  “Mr. Abboud is a prime example of the exceptional caliber of candidates that we can count on to drive change in McHenry County. I am very pleased that he has made himself available for our central committee meeting.”

The meeting is open to the press and public.