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The Democratic Party of McHenry County will present a special panel to provide useful information for potential local candidates at its meeting 7 PM on Wednesday, June 17 at the McHenry County Farm Bureau Building, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock.

“We want to encourage anyone who has considered running for local or county-wide office to attend,” said County Chair Kathleen Bergan Schmidt. “It’s going to be about everything you always wanted to know about being a candidate but were afraid to ask.”

Panelists will include Nancy Shepherdson, 8^th District Committeewoman for the Illinois Democratic Central Committee and Chair of Eighth District Democrats and Independents (EDDI), which actively supports candidates in Lake County and portions of Cook and McHenry Counties. Tom Cynor, currently Treasurer of the County Party and a former candidate for State’s Attorney will speak from the experience of a candidate.  Michael Bissett managed Paula Yensen’s successful campaign for County Board.  Mike Fourcher of Purely Political consulting has worked on victorious campaigns and will address fund raising.

The program is free and open to the public.

For more information contact the party at 815 788-9540 or e-mail info@mchenrydems.org .

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.

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. 

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.”

Well, I missed the shindig at Govener’s Pub to watch returns and celebrate due to the sleet/snow storm that made travel a challenge.  Too bad, because it had the earmarks of a damn good party.  McHenry County Democrats have a lot to celebrate.  Of course the storm kept other Dems away and party Chair Tom Cynor was occupied with advanced baby arrival alert.

As of 2:30 a.m. Wednesday with 100% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results posted by County Clerk Kathy Schultz on the McVote Web site, 33,421 county residents voted in the Democratic Presidential Primary.  31,211 took Republican ballots.  These figures may not yet include early voting and absentee ballots which were to be counted only after all precincts had reported.  If not, the outcome will not change dramatically because early voting showed the same tilt to the Democrats.

It is safe to say that this is absolutely unprecedented in a county that has been a bastion of Republican power since the Civil War.

As in the rest of the state Barack Obama was a landslide winner. *

Local races in entry below.

*All election results from McVote.org

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.