Eight Republicans running in McHenry Co. Dist. 3

From a Tea Party member to a former county board member, the crowded Republican field in McHenry County’s District 3 offers plenty of choice for voters.

Also running are Democrats Kathleen Bergan Schmidt, a current board member, and Lori J. McConville. District 3 includes parts of Algonquin and McHenry townships, and all of Nunda Township.

Here is a look at the Republicans running in the March 20 primary, where four will get weeded out:

Ÿ Mary Alger, 52, of Crystal Lake, serves as coordinator for the Crystal Lake Tea Party. She believes in limiting government’s intrusion on personal liberty and limiting taxation. She also believes the United Nations’ plan of action, commonly referred to as “Agenda 21,” is entrenched in McHenry County’s sustainable development goals, and wants to expose that and put a stop to it.

Ÿ Board member Mary Donner, 61, of Crystal Lake, works as a community relations representative. She was first elected in 2006 and serves on the finance and audit, planning and development and public health and human services committees. She believes in creating jobs in McHenry County by improving its transportation grid; she also wants to ensure veterans are provided with adequate services, including mental health services.

Ÿ Joseph Gottemoller, 54, of Crystal Lake, works as an attorney and has served as trustee for the McHenry County Conservation District. He believes the county must reduce its property tax levy in times when property values are decreasing. He wants to limit government spending with a “zero-budgeting” policy where departments have to qualify all requested funds, and encourage job growth by easing the limitations imposed by the county’s zoning ordinance.

Ÿ Mary McClellan, 47, of Holiday Hills, works as an attorney in the civil division of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. All levels of government must live within in their means and end the widespread practice of asking for the maximum of tax revenues permissible under the tax cap law, she says. She also stresses government accountability and promoting business growth.

Ÿ Linda Orphal, 60, of Crystal Lake, works as a development manager. She served on the county board representing District 2 from 2000 to 2010; she also served on the board of the United Way of McHenry County for eight years. Her primary goal is to help build consensus on the board, which she sees as fractured. She also wants to support the efforts of the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. to bring more businesses and jobs to the county.

Ÿ Board member Nick Provenzano, 50, of McHenry, works as director of government affairs for a nonprofit global trade center. He served on the county board from 2002 to 2008, and was re-elected in 2010. Provenzano chairs the law and justice committee, and serves on the building projects, transportation and legislative committees. He believes in being a fiscal watchdog by streamlining inefficient programs and keeping a close eye on grant-related expenses. He also wants to continue help local businesses expand their reach into overseas markets, as well as continue working with regional leaders to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.

Ÿ Jim Schlader, 62, of McHenry, works as a project manager and serves as trustee for Nunda Township. He has been involved with the McHenry County Environmental Defenders and the American Legion. He believes in preventing unnecessary property tax levy increases, minimizing “red tape” that stands in the way of business growth, and improving transportation infrastructure as well as Pace and Metra’s Star Line project.

Ÿ Michael Walkup, 62, of Crystal Lake, works as an attorney and organic farmer. He has served on the McHenry County Regional Planning Commission, the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission and the Nunda Township Planning Commission. He believes in preserving the county’s environment and agricultural base, and wants to reduce the size of the county board. He also wants to reduce the county’s expenses, for example by reducing the salaries and benefits awarded to county board members.