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Watching out for taxpayers, not pols

Congratulations to McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks for rejecting the good old boy politics by choosing the best person to fill a county board vacancy instead of a hand-picked hack chosen by party insiders.

Franks took politics out of the process and leveled the playing field for all applicants. He required all applicants to respond to the same questionnaires that those who ran for county board did. He also added questions on whether the applicants were delinquent in taxes or been convicted of crimes. Reasonable requests in order to vet individuals who did not go through an electoral process.

Chairman Franks then had all the applications reviewed by two former Republican County Board chairmen, Mike Tryon and Ken Koehler, to determine who would be best for the county. Thereafter, Franks interviewed each of the applicants and the conferred with Tryon and Koehler to nominate Chris Spoerel. The county Republican Party then interviewed Mr. Spoerel and endorsed him for the position, indicating he was the most qualified. Interestingly, the party had failed to interview Mr. Spoerel prior to his nomination.

Chairman Franks once again demonstrated that putting aside party labels and doing what's right for the citizens is the best way to run government. His leadership is essential for McHenry County to get back on track and to make our government more responsive and representative. Other leaders should follow his lead. Franks is watching out for the taxpayers not the politicians.

Brian F. Presny

Harvard

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