Another reason for a Democrat to be happy

Yet-to-be-named Baby Cynor has much to learn about timing.

The Super Snow of '08 was still a blob on radar and the Super Show of McHenry County Democrats had yet to be tallied when Baby Cynor made her push to arrive on Election Night.

She, apparently, didn't know her daddy, Tom Cynor, the head of McHenry County's Democratic party, was at the McHenry County Government Center eagerly awaiting the first election returns right after the polls closed.

And, just like votes being counted on a snowy election night, the little girl took her time, arriving at 2:10 a.m. Wednesday -- right about the same time as California results.

Amid his joy over his daughter's birth, Tom reveled in the fact that more Democrats voted than Republicans in Tuesday's primary. That's a first in a usually very Republican region.

McHenry County Clerk Kathie Schultz said Thursday that 33,472 voters had asked for Democratic ballots and 31,585 had requested GOP ballots. "It really is the birth of a new day in McHenry County," the proud dad said. It sure was for at least one family. Congratulations!

My boss, by the way, who fancies himself a clever boy, suggests that Tom and Kathy name the baby (drumroll, please) Demi.

How about that!

Even if the surge in Democratic voters was just the result of voter unhappiness with a certain guy in Washington, D.C., or the historic nature of choosing a woman or a black man as a potential president, I'd be worried if I were a Republican candidate going into the November general election. Voters are showing they won't hesitate to demand change.

At the same time, I wouldn't be gloating over the numbers if I didn't have a challenger on this ballot. It'll be a very different contest in November. In fact, those voters who stayed home this time just might want to consider joining the fun.

If you wonder if your vote matters, just ask two of the McHenry County Board candidates for District 1 seats. Only six votes marked the difference between the winner and loser as newcomer Bob Bless edged former Fox River Grove mayor Bill Yocius 2,153 to 2,147 to, apparently, snag a spot on the GOP ballot in November. Those totals could yet change once final absentee and provisional ballots are finalized in a few weeks.

Open and shut case

Pity the school officials charged with calling a snow day. It's a tough job anytime, particularly when we've had a couple of storms fizzle and others turn furious. McHenry County government leaders looked brilliant Thursday at their decision to declare the government center closed and District 300 looked less so after its decision to go ahead with classes even as the storm intensified. With 20-20 hindsight, it is easy to bash District 300's decision -- and many of you have done just that. Plenty also found fault with the district's decision to then close on a snowless Thursday. Perhaps we need to not bash school officials, then, when they guess wrong and the storm fizzles or conditions improve? Far better they err on the side of caution, don't you think?

Plowing along

Lake in the Hills resident Doris Aussin was a bit worried she'd seen several plows but none had cleared her street not far from the village's public works facility during the heavy snow Wednesday. Concerned, she called just to make sure no one had forgotten her. They cleared her street in less than a half-hour.

She already thought Lake in the Hills public works crews provide excellent service. Now she wants you to know it, too!