McHenry GOP board hopefuls have varied backgrounds, goals

A lawyer, nurse, accountant and a businessman all walk into a McHenry County Board room.

It's not the beginning of a lame political joke, rather an overview of Republican choices voters have March 15 for the District 3 county board seat.

Incumbents Michael Walkup and Nick Provenzano hope to earn the nod for two, two-year seats; challenger Nancy Gonsiorek hopes to continue her public service and newcomer Cherie Rickert seeks her first public office.

Rickert, a registered nurse and retired human resources director, acknowledges she is short on government experience, but makes up for it with ethical behavior, benevolence and communication.

"I pride myself in being a good listener," said Rickert, who has lived in McHenry more than three decades.

Gonsiorek served eight years on the Crystal Lake District 47 school board and wants to continue her public service.

Gonsiorek, who is a certified public accountant who owns her own accounting business, said she is good with budgets and relationships. She said she will strive for 100 percent attendance if elected.

"I will always listen and be respectful," said Gonsiorek, a Crystal Lake resident. "A little change is a good thing. It's good to always have new people to keep things fresh and bring a new perspective."

Walkup, an attorney from Crystal Lake who is the sixth generation of his family to live in the county, said he also wants to focus on exploring potential government consolidation to help ease the tax burden on homeowners. He says the county's taxes are among the top 1 percent of the entire nation, and managed growth will bring more businesses to help share the property tax load.

"Growth is good, but growth has to be balanced," said Walkup, who has served on the county board since 2012. "We have obsolete units of government that are throwbacks to a horse and buggy era."

Provenzano, on the board for 12 years since 2002, has a background in business management and electronics. As a board member, he says he's worked to increase county transparency, supported the county's first ethics ordinance, and sees himself as a "tax watchdog advocate."

"We're talking about taxpayer dollars, it should be transparent," said Provenzano, of McHenry. "I am well respected by other board members. My input is sought on committees that I don't even serve on."

Early voting begins Monday and runs through March 14. The two winners will advance to the November general election.