Don't be fooled by 'independent' labels

Tuesday's election will see eight Blackberry Township candidates running under a strange banner, "Blackberry Independent Party." But they are the same old Blackberry Township Republican office holders, now ashamed to call themselves "Republicans."

Last November, a majority of the township's Republican committeemen, disgusted with the "rigged" history of prior Blackberry GOP caucuses, chose an open primary election that would bring needed change. Fearing an open primary would bring competition for their jobs, the eight incumbents invented the "Blackberry Independent Party" to fool both independents and Democrats, using the term "independent" to confuse the voters. Just the same old incumbents hiding behind the mask of a new name.

However, two true independent candidates are also on the ballot: Esther Steele, for township supervisor, and Jeff Danklefsen for township trustee.

New people with new ideas are needed.

Dennis C. Ryan

Elburn