Republicans should unite, not divide

To the editor: Recently the Daily Herald ran a full page ad signed by Richard Maxwell. It is filled with misleading statements. He claims to want to unite the members of the Republican party. Your readers deserve some background.

I have had the privilege of being a volunteer for the Republican Party in Palatine Township for roughly 30 years serving with four different committeemen: Bernie Pederson; Bob Bergman; Jack Tatooles and Gary Skoien, who is the current committeeman. Gary is not only personally inspiring but, by far, the best administrator of the four.

After four years of relative inactivity by the local party under Tatooles, Mr. Maxwell, nonetheless, supported Tatooles for re-election in 2002. The voters selected Gary Skoien, and Maxwell's candidate lost. He has apparently been angry for six years.

Skoien initiated and continues to bring Republicans together at monthly breakfast meetings (open to all Republicans, including Maxwell). These meetings allow interaction with both candidates and party leaders. They are a fine opportunity for the party faithful to exchange ideas. Maybe an opportunity to quiet some of that anger.

While he claims he wishes to unite the party, Mr. Maxwell has not chosen to participate regularly at these inclusive local party meetings. Sitting on the sidelines and criticizing our duly elected local party chairman does not help to unite the party. Why would Maxwell and his wealthy friend who owns a direct mail house produce mail piece after mail piece against (state) Sen. Matt Murphy when Murphy ran in the 2006 general election against a well-financed Democrat? Anger? Pride? Ego? Spite? I can't even guess.

Art Goes

Palatine