McHenry District 4: Merkel, Salgado

Newcomer Democrat Jeff Thirtyacre is challenging incumbents Sandra Salgado and Peter Merkel for two seats on the McHenry County Board from District 4.

Republicans Merkel and Salgado are endorsed.

Merkel, director of parks and recreation for the village of McHenry, is a strong fiscal conservative with a good head for long-term planning, and he is smart enough to keep a wary eye on the potential impact of the state's funding woes. Salgado, a human resources manager, has served the county well, overseeing the board's senior services funding and community block development grant committee.

Thirtyacre, a highway worker, has passion, but gives conflicting messages, saying the current board is too focused on growth while also complaining that the county needs growth to help residents. He hasn't found time to attend county board meetings and his lack of knowledge of county operations is apparent.