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Endorsement: Our choices for McHenry County Board in districts 1, 2 and 5

District 1

Voters in the McHenry County Board's District 1, which includes parts of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Barrington Hills, Cary and Fox River Grove, have the choice between three candidates to fill two board seats at stake in the Nov. 3 election.

Incumbent Republicans Tom Wilbeck and Yvonne M. Barnes face a challenge from Democrat Theresa Meshes.

We endorse Wilbeck of Barrington Hills and Barnes of Cary. Both candidates have proved knowledgeable on the county's issues. Wilbeck and Barnes also have residents' best interests in mind and support reducing property taxes. Wilbeck is adamant about balancing revenues and expenditures, while Barnes offers a solid plan moving forward with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meshes is also a worthy candidate but did not participate in our endorsement process.

District 2

Incumbents Jeffrey Thorsen and John Reinert, both Republicans from Crystal Lake, face a challenge from new Democratic candidate Jessica Phillips in the race for McHenry County Board District 2. The district includes parts of Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Cary and Algonquin.

Voters have a choice between the three candidates to fill two board seats. While all three candidates are concerned about reducing taxes, Thorsen and Reinert have impressive history in the county both as board members and residents. This experience can only benefit the county when dealing with future spending and the economic impact of COVID-19.

Phillips is a capable option, but we favor the experience of Thorsen and Reinert.

District 5

Voters have four candidates to chose from to fill two board seats in McHenry County Board District 5 races, covering most of Woodstock. Incumbents Paula Yensen, a Democrat, and Michael Skala, a Republican, are facing newcomers Lynn M. Gray, a Democrat, and Damon Hill, a Republican.

We endorse Yensen, of Lake in the Hills, who serves as the chairwoman of the senior services grant commission, and Skala, of Huntley, who serves as chairman of the finance and audit committee.

Yensen is a fiscal conservative who takes pride in being involved in her community, and Skala wants to reduce the size of the county board if reelected to save taxpayers' money.

Both candidates bring solid experience and knowledge to the board that residents can count on to address their concerns regarding taxes and finances.

Gray and Hill did not participate in our endorsement process.

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