Accountant running as write-in for auditor post

An Algonquin accountant with a background in auditing utilities, local governments and transportation firms is mounting a write-in campaign for McHenry County auditor.

Richard Evans said Friday he believes he could serve the office more independently than either of the listed candidates on next month's Republican primary ballot, incumbent Auditor Pam Palmer and challenger Richard Kelly.

"An independent auditor would be good for the county, to have someone not beholden to the folks who are trying to manipulate the process," Evans, 52, said.

Evans, a certified public accountant who runs a tax service and performs risk-management audits as a consultant, was one of seven to apply for the auditor's post in early 2006 after the resignation of Ruth Rooney, but he was bypassed in favor of Palmer, at the time Rooney's top deputy.