Change for Nunda

Thanks for the support!

2009-04-08T10:47:00.009-05:00

Meredith Reid Sarkees and Patrick Murfin wish to thank all of our volunteers, contributors, supporters and the voters. We lost the election, but are proud to have stood up to be counted.

Here are the results as posted on McVote. These results are not final. Early and absentee ballots have not yet been recorded. But early voting was very light and will not significantly affect the out come.

NUNDA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Vote for 4
Precincts Reporting 29/29 100.00%

TOM PALMER REP

2468 19.08%
JONI SMITH REP 2565 19.83%
JAMES C. SCHLADER REP 2356 18.21%

KELVIN JENNINGS REP 2206 17.05%
PATRICK MURFIN DEM 1656 12.80%
MEREDITH SARKEES DEM 1685 13.03%

So what happened?

Support for the Democratic Party candidates closely tracked the turn out in most Democratic Primaries (the last Presidential Primary excepted.) In other words folks who are so strongly committed to the party that they have been willing to let their friends and neighbors in a traditionally overwhelmingly Republican area know who they are came out to vote. The much larger number of folks who now vote Democratic in state and national elections, but traditionally pay no attention to local races, could not be turned out despite a concerted effort. Some how we have to get the “national Democrats” to recognize the importance of local races.

Meanwhile the Republican Party, stung by the loss of McHenry County last November, was highly motivated to re-assert their traditional dominance of local governments. The party raised and spent unprecedented money in support of their Team Nunda slate and in support of Algonquin Township trustee candidates challenged by another Democratic slate.

The township was blanketed by hundreds of Team Nunda signs and hundreds more signs for each individual candidate. By contrast the Change for Nunda campaign could only afford 50 signs at least half of which were stolen. There were also multiple mailings and robo calls. Change for Nunda got out one targeted mailing and volunteers made about 1000 phone calls in concert with McHenry County College Trustee candidate John Darger. The Republicans also actually got out and canvassed door-to-door in some areas, which has been unheard of in recent elections. They had ceded the shoe leather department to Democrats who have tried to make up for less well funded campaigns with personal campaigning.

So it became a turn-out-your-base election. And the sad fact is that in Nunda Township the Republicans can still turn out a bigger base than the Democrats.

The Nunda Open Space Referendum was also a factor. Murfin and Sarkees enthusiastically supported the referendum, which would have issued bonds to buy and preserve open space for the protecttion ground water reserves. Although the funding mechanism failed to pass it by a mere handful of votes the last time it was offered, bringing it back to the voters in hard economic times was risky. But it was a matter of conscience for both candidates.

NUNDA TOWNSHIP OPEN SPACE REFERENDUM
Precincts Reporting 29/29 100%

YES 1705 40.89%

NO 2465 59.11%

You can see that the yes vote closely paralleled the Change for Nunda numbers. Murfin and Sarkees got the majority of yes voters. On the other hand support for the referendum undoubtedly cost the candidates some votes even among Democrats voting their pocket books over environmental concerns.

Finally, did the last minute smear campaign launched against Murfin have much effect? For all of the strum und drang it was essentially shouting down the rain barrel. It got half a dozen lunatics into a froth in the on-line comments to letters to the editor in the Northwest Herald. “Discussion” there quickly spun out of control and ended with accusations that Murfin was an actual “Communist.” But most voters of either party disregarded the noise. It certainly did not effect the Democratic base. At worst may have motivated a couple of dozen knuckle draggers to turn out to vote for Team Nunda—and to oil their guns in preparation for the upcoming insurrection against the “socialist/facist/muslim/terrorists/gun grabbing/baby killing regime in Washington.”

But despite the defeat, this election was an important skirmish in the on going guerilla campaign to “Turn McHenry County Blue.” By not ceding local races to the Republicans, Democrats force them to spend large amounts of cash. We keep our campaign organizations intact and in practice between even-year general elections. And we develop experienced candidates who learn the ropes and can go on to bigger things. First time candidate Sarkees, who outdrew old timer Murfin, has all of the credentials to go on to other races.

Election Day Tuesday—Get out the vote!

2009-04-06T10:58:00.005-05:00

It seems just yesterday since Nunda Township Democrats caucused to nominate Meredith Reid Sarkees and myself (Patrick Murfin) as candidates for Township Trustee. Less than three month is not much time to pull together a campaign, even one for an often neglected local race. So we have been pretty busy.

We appreciate the support offered to us in donations of time, talent, and treasure. Without it he could not hope to challenge one of the most entrenched political machines in McHenry County.

Now we need you to go the final mile. VOTE! Call your friends and neighbors and remind them to VOTE! In the race for Nunda Township Trustee vote only for you Change for Nunda candidates, Murfin and Sarkees. Do not “fill out” your ballot by voting for any of the Team Nunda Republicans. You don’t need to vote for all four positions. Vote only for the best.
While you are at the polls, please support the Nunda Township Open Space Referendum, which we have enthusiastically endorsed. And vote for John Darger, candidate for McHenry County College Trustee.

And after the polls close please join us and the friends and supporters of Algonquin Township Democratic Candidates—Frank Hyden, Robert Franks, and James McTague—and John Darger at Porter’s Oyster Bar, 446 W Virginia Street, Crystal Lake to follow the returns and celebrate the campaigns.

--Patrick Murfin

April 7, 2009 Consolidated Election Polling Place Locations
Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM

NUNDA 01 PRAIRIE ISLE GOLF CLUB (BANQUET ROOM) 2216 ROUTE 176. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 02 NATURE CENTER (VETERANS ACRES) 330 N. MAIN ST. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 03 SALVATION ARMY (CLASSROOM 134) 290 W CRYSTAL LAKE AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 04 ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH (FELLOWSHIP HALL) 405 W. STATE RD. (RTE 176). ISLAND LAKE

NUNDA 05 SALVATION ARMY (CLASSROOM 134) 290 W CRYSTAL LAKE AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 06 LAKEMOOR MUNICIPAL BUILDING (1ST FLOOR) 234 W. RAND RD. (ROUTE 120). LAKEMOOR

NUNDA 07 VILLAGE OF PORT BARRINGTON (MAIN ROOM) 69 S. CIRCLE AVE. (RTE 4). PORT BARRINGTON

NUNDA 08 SHAMROCK COMMUNITY CENTER (COMMUNITY ROOM) 4300 W. SHAMROCK LN. MCHENRY

NUNDA 09 OAKWOOD HILLS VILLAGE HALL (COMMUNITY ROOM) 3020 N. PARK DR. OAKWOOD HILLS

NUNDA 10 NATURE CENTER (VETERANS ACRES) 330 N. MAIN ST. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 11 ROTARY BLDG-UPPER LEVEL (VET ACRES-MAIN PRKG LOT) 5300 N. WALKUP RD. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 12 HOLIDAY HILLS VILLAGE HALL (CONFERENCE ROOM) 1304 SUNSET DR. MCHENRY

NUNDA 13 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH (UPSTAIRS-LUTHER HALL) 76 W. CRYSTAL LAKE AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 14 THE FOUNTAINS AT CRYSTAL LAKE (CANTERBURY PL-LOBBY) 965 N. BRIGHTON CIR. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 15 ROTARY BLDG-UPPER LEVEL (VET ACRES-MAIN PRKG LOT) 5300 N. WALKUP RD. CRYSTAL
LAKE

NUNDA 16 PRAIRIE ISLE GOLF CLUB (BANQUET ROOM) 2216 ROUTE 176. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 17 THE CHURCH OF HOLY APOSTLES (SOUTH ENT-ANGEL'S WING) 5211 W. BULL VALLEY RD. MCHENRY

NUNDA 18 ROTARY BLDG-UPPER LEVEL (VET ACRES-MAIN PRKG LOT) 5300 N. WALKUP RD. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 19 THE CHURCH OF HOLY APOSTLES (SOUTH ENT-ANGEL'S WING) 5211 W. BULL VALLEY RD. MCHENRY

NUNDA 20 NUNDA TOWNSHIP HALL (LOWER LEVEL) 3510 BAY RD. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 21 NUNDA TOWNSHIP HALL (LOWER LEVEL) 3510 BAY RD. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 22 CALVARY ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH (FOYER) 5906 S. RTE. 31. CRYSTAL LAKE

NUNDA 23 COTTON CREEK SCHOOL (LIBRARY) 545 NEWPORT CT. ISLAND LAKE

NUNDA 24 MCHENRY CITY HALL (VESTIBULE) 333 S. GREEN ST. MCHENRY

NUNDA 25 OAKWOOD HILLS VILLAGE HALL (BOARD RM) 3020 N. PARK DR. OAKWOOD HILLS

NUNDA 26 COTTON CREEK SCHOOL (LIBRARY) 545 NEWPORT CT. ISLAND LAKE

NUNDA 27 SHAMROCK COMMUNITY CENTER (COMMUNITY ROOM) 4300 W. SHAMROCK LN. MCHENRY

NUNDA 28 VILLAGE OF PORT BARRINGTON (MAIN ROOM) 69 S. CIRCLE AVE. (RTE 4). PORT BARRINGTON

NUNDA 29 NUNDA TOWNSHIP HALL (LOWER LEVEL) 3510 BAY RD. CRYSTAL LAKE

Murfin responds to attack letter in Northwest Herald

2009-04-02T11:06:00.003-05:00

Today’s Northwest Herald contained an attack letter by one Brent Smith (pictured right) on Change for Nunda candidate Patrick Murfin. Read the letter here. Smith’s attack was not unexpected. He lurked around the January Nunda Township Democratic Party Caucus at which Murfin appealed to the voters to consider his past before they voted to slate him--the same past which is frankly revealed in his candidate profile on this very blog.

Below are the responses Murfin made in the on-line comments to the letter.

In 26 years residency in Nunda Township, I have never tried to hide my past. During the agonies of the Vietnam War I was faced with a personal moral choice, which I made at a personal sacrifice. Others made other decisions. I respect them for it. I some folks will never be able to support me because of that. I understand. Others will look at a lifetime of community service and involvement and judge that. My many veteran friends may even remember when I advocated for decent medical care for vets while a Republican administration sought to short change them.

Mr. Smith is lying when he claims that his letter “is not about political partisanship.” His wife is one of my opponents for Nunda Township Trustee. He has been using his leadership in clout heavy Local Union 150 to build a political empire within the Republican Party. Insiders may recall how he arranged for Local 150 operatives to get appointed as Republican precinct committeemen even though some of them did not even live in the county. Allied with Nunda Road Commissioner Don Kopsell’s mini patronage army, he hopes to be calling the shots in the county GOP soon.

By the way, ask honest union leaders what they think of Mr. Smith’s cozy relationship with the Republican Party.

Bob Kaempfe airs radio endorsement ads

2009-04-01T15:33:00.003-05:00

Thanks and a tip-o’-the-hat to Robert Kaempfe for endorsing Change for Nunda candidates Meredith Reid Sarkees and Patrick Murfin for Nunda Township Trustee in radio ads that will air Saturday and Sunday on Star 105.5 FM. Eight spots will run each day. Listen for them.

Kaempfe was the Democratic Party candidate for Illinois State Representative in the 64th District in the last election and is planning to make the run again. A retired postal worker and Vietnam veteran, Kaempfe ran as a non-career politician, a “regular Joe” looking out for the interests of ordinary working people. In the ads he makes the same claims for Murfin and Sarkees as well as other McHenry County candidates in the April 7 Consolidated Election.

Also endorsed in the ads are Algonquin Township Trustee Candidates Frank Hyden, Robert Franks, and James McTague; Ed Riley for Supervisor, Kerry Julian for Clerk and Tom Ganka for Road Commissioner in Greenwood Township; Jeff Thirtyacre for Road Commissioner in Burton Township; and John Darger for McHenry County College Trustee.

The Committee to Elect Robert Kaempfe is paying for the spots.

Door bells and shoe leather

2009-03-30T10:44:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, Patrick Murfin, with Meredith Reed Sarkees one of the Change for Nunda candidates for Township Trustee, was out canvassing for votes the old fashioned way—by ringing door bells and talking to actual voters. He had to work fast with a heavy spring snow storm threatening to close in. He will be hitting the bricks again next weekend. So will volunteers in other “urban” precincts.

While the tactic may be traditional, a high tech voter data base enables Democratic Party Precinct Representatives to target likely supporters. Getting those supporters to the polls on April 7 or to cast an early vote is critical to electoral success.

Voters, including those in more rural areas of Nunda Township, are also being contacted by phone and by post card mailing.

Look for us in your mail box and at your front door!

2009-03-25T09:43:00.008-05:00

Patrick Murfin and Meredith Reid Sarkees, your Change for Nunda candidates, are campaigning hard for election as Trustees in Nunda Township.

Fifteen hundred post cards are already in the mail to Nunda Township mail boxes. A second wave will be going out at the end of the week. These cards will also be carried by the candidates and volunteer canvassers walking door to door in many urban precincts.

Early voting has already begun and continues through Thursday, April 2. Election Day is Tuesday, April 7. Make sure your voice is heard! Get out and vote. And remember to make sure to get the change we need, vote only for Murfin and Sarkees and not for any other candidates!

Join us to learn about water resources in Nunda Township

2009-03-24T10:53:00.006-05:00

The Nunda Township Plan Commission will be hosting an informational presentation on the Future Supply of Groundwater in Nunda Township on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 pm at the Nunda Township Hall.

Meredith Reid Sarkees and Patrick Murfin, your Change for Nunda candidates for Township Trustee, will be in the audience to learn more about our critical water resources. This program promises to shed light on the need to preserve open space to aid in re-charging precious ground water, as provided for in the Open Space Referendum on the April 7 ballot, as well as proving a broad view of the challenges we face.

Nunda Township was identified as one of several townships in Southeastern McHenry County at risk of running low of groundwater supplies. This meeting is intended to provide background on the situation to local residents and municipal officials. Two speakers will be featured; Cassandra McKinney, the Water Resource Manager for McHenry County, and Janet Agnoletti, the Executive Director of the Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG).

McKinney staffs the county’s Groundwater Protection Task Force and its effort to create a draft policy for groundwater management for all of McHenry County. Agnoletti recently guided the preparation of a groundwater analysis of the BACOG area, with consultant Kurt Thomsen, which mapped out three dimensional layers of groundwater supply over more than 100 square miles, including portions of Nunda Township.The meeting will help guide Nunda Township Plan Commission efforts in its updating of the township’s comprehensive plan.

The Nunda Township office is located at 3510 Bay Road. From Crystal Lake Road, take Edgewood Road east and turn South on Bay Rd. Or take Edgewood Road west off of Rt. 31, then left on Bay Rd.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs...

2009-03-20T10:11:00.004-05:00

Our Change for Nunda yard signs are in! If you would like to host a sign, please e-mail your request to pmurfin@sbcglobal.net. Hurry, supplies are limited!

CHANGE FOR NUNDA CANDIDATES ENDORSE OPEN SPACE REFERENDUM

2009-03-17T15:30:00.003-05:00

Patrick Murfin and Meredith Reid Sarkees, candidates for Nunda Township Trustee, announced their endorsement of the Nunda Open Space Referendum on Tuesday, March 17.

Democrats Murfin and Sarkees are running together as the Change for Nunda ticket and are opposed by four Republican Team Nunda candidates.

Both Sarkees and Murfin supported the last Open Space Referenda in which the authorization to establish the program was passed, but the funding mechanism was narrowly defeated. Both, however, wanted to take a careful look at the new proposal.

“One of our main campaign issues,” Murfin said, “has been ‘how can we best preserve our threatened ground water resources and preserve open space as citizens buffeted by the economy while tax revenues stagnate or fall?’” He said a close examination of the referendum question in its present form convinced the candidates that it was the best option for preserving ground water and maintaining open and undeveloped land in a responsible and affordable manner.

Responding to critics of the referendum Murfin noted that intense development with its roads and rooftops really is a demonsratable threat to scarce ground water resourses. Land purchases under the program will insure that more rain water and snow melt will recharge the aquifer.

The program, which will save smaller and isolated parcels, does not in anyway duplicate or compete with the McHenry County Conservation District’s land acquisition program, which the MCCD itself has acknowledged.

The total bonding authority being requested has been reduced to 15 million dollars from the measure as it last appeared on the ballot. Yet currently falling land prices means that the same amount—or even more—land will be able to be acquired for preservation.

The twenty year level tax rate to repay the bonds means that costs to individual homeowners are reasonable and predictable—they will not rise. An average 250,000 home, for example, would see only a $44 yearly cost. “And open space is proven to enhance property values in the long run,” Murfin said, “many homeowners could find their costs offset by the rise in the value of their property.”

Murfin and Sarkees join elected officials from both parties in supporting the referendum including Nunda Township Supervisor John Heisler, State Senator Pam Althoff, and County Board District 3 members Kathy Bergan Schmidt and Barb Wheeler.

The measure is also endorsed by virtually every environmental organization in the county including the McHenry County Conservation Foundation, the Land Conservancy, Boone Creek Watershed Alliance, USDA Natural Resources Conservation District, The Sierra Club, McHenry County Audubon Society, Friends of the Fox, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, and the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District Open Lands Project.

Agricultural and land owning interests including the McHenry County Farm Bureau and the Bull Valley Association are also on board.

“We feel we are in good company joining this broad support for the public good,” Murfin said.

Early Voting Begins Monday, March 16

2009-03-14T11:27:00.002-05:00

Early voting for the April 7 Consolidated Election begins Monday, March 16 and continues through Thursday, April 2. This increasingly popular voting option is the choice of many busy people and insures that your vote is locked in and counted no matter how hectic election day turns out to be.

Meredith Reid Sarkees and Patrick Murfin, the Change for Nunda candidates are opposed by an entrenched political machine. We need bank every reliable vote now.
Please consider opting for early or absentee voting.

If you want change in Nunda Township, when you get to the polls cast your Trustee votes only for Murfin and Sarkees. There are four Trustee positions up for election and only two Democratic candidates. You are not required to cast 4 votes! Votes for any of the Republican candidates will pile up votes for them and lessens the chance that your voice for change will be heard.

Early Voting Will Be Conducted At:

McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Rd., 2nd Floor, Conference Room A
Woodstock, IL 60098
Mar 16th thru Mar 20th, Mar 23rd thru Mar 27th,
Mar 30th thru Apr 2nd
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 21st and Mar 28th
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Nunda Township Offices
3510 Bay Rd, Annex
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Mar 23rd thru Mar 27th, Mar 30th thru Apr 2nd
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturdays--NO Hours

Early voting will also be conducted at a number of other locations in the county. Ballots for all jurisdictions will be available at each location. For a full list of locations and times consult the McHenry County Clerk’s web page.

Vote April 7--Donate Now

2009-03-03T21:37:00.000-06:00

Last November the winds of change blew through Washington. Now the same refreshing breeze is stirring in McHenry County as we come up on the April 7 Consolidated Election.

Patrick Murfin and Meredith Reid Sarkees your Democratic Party candidates are challenging an entrenched Republican establishment in Nunda Township. Just when the storm of economic crisis intensifies, fresh eyes, hands and voices are needed in local government.

These are the issues:

How can the Township serve the greater needs of citizens buffeted by the economy while tax revenues stagnate or fall?
How can we best preserve our threatened ground water resources and preserve open space operating under these restraints?
How can we coordinate planning with the County and local municipalities and re-think zoning and transportation systems geared to unsustainable sprawl?

Meredith and Patrick need you help to bring

Change to Nunda and end routine business as usual.

Please consider giving $100, $50, or $25 to Friends of Murfin and Sarkees. Even $5 or $10 would help us print literature, send out mailings, and buy the signs needed to challenge our well funded opponents and the political machine that backs them.

Just click on the convenient PayPal button in the left hand column to make a contribution.

Or send a check to:

Friends of Murfin and Sarkees
c/o Murfin
522 W. Terra Cotta Ave.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

John Darger for MCC Trustee and Change for Nuda Campaigns Join for Phone Banking

2009-02-27T13:46:00.005-06:00

Please join us for a co-operative voter calling party this Sunday, March 1 from 12 to 3 PM at Pauline Walker's house, 233 Third Street in Crystal Lake. Volunteers will be calling identified Democratic voters on behalf of John Darger’s campaign for McHenry County College Trustee, and the Change for Nunda candidates Meredith Reid Sarkees and Patrick Murfin.

If you are not familiar with John Darger, you should be. A former candidate for the McHenry County Board, Darger is a leading McHenry County Democrat who worked full-time as an Obama Fellow this past summer in Saginaw, Michigan, the town where his parents grew up, and worked weekends for Obama in northwest Indiana. Now he is applying that hard earned political acumen to making our community college work for all of us.

Darger is a sale representative for a leading independent publisher, W.W. Norton and has the intellectual curiosity of a true bibliophile.

He has also been a strong supporter of MCC, as well as a vocal critic when this vital community institution has strayed away from its mission. Many observers point to him as critical to crystallizing opposition to the Board’s ill advised scheme to build an addition with a minor league baseball stadium last year. And he has been skeptical of the current proposal to locate the world’s tallest free standing broadcast antenna on land sold by the college.

Bring your cell phones and join us this Sunday!

And the Winners are…

2009-02-25T11:33:00.005-06:00

Change for Nunda candidates Patrick Murfin and Meredith Reid Sarkees congratulate the winners of the Republican Party Primary, Tom Palmer, Joni Smith,
James C. Schlader, and Kelvin “Lee” Jennings. We look forward to engaging them in a vigorous debate about the future of our township. The vote totals courtesy of McVote are:

NUNDA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

Vote for 4

Precincts Reporting 29/29 100.00%

TOM PALMER 581 19.95%
JONI SMITH 540 18.54%
JAMES C. SCHLADER 512 17.58%
KELVIN JENNINGS 480 16.48%
RICHARD MEYERS 412 14.14%
KEVIN SARNWICK 388 13.32%

All four trustee candidates ran together as part of Team Nunda, which was led by powerful Highway Commissioner Don Kopsell, who was unopposed in the primary. Dennis Jagla crushed Alan Weaver, the candidate who ran as a “soft” Republican and who appealed for Democratic support with a disingenuous mailer.

All in all, it was a triumph for the regular Republican political machine and business as usual. Team Nunda can leave out all of those campaign signs already dotting the township. They probably believe that they can sprint toward victory in the April 7 Consolidated Election while hardly breaking a sweat.

But only about 850 voters participated in the primary. They represent, for the most part, the core of party diehards. The spring election is also typically a low turn-out affair. But this time Democrats and the many Independents, who are loath to identify party preference to their friends and neighbors, will be in the mix. And these voters are eager to see the refreshing winds of change and reform blow through this corner of the county as they have blown through Washington. They know that the economic crisis faced by all of us will bring new challenges to township government that can only be met with fresh eyes and hands.

Democrats and Independents have often skipped the spring off-year election because the races are low profile and they have assumed the contests—when there are any—have been decided by an unchallengeable GOP machine. But if we can get only one quarter of the folks who cast Democratic ballots in the 2008 Primary or who in the privacy of the voting booth changed the political landscape of McHenry County forever by decisively supporting Barack Obama, we can win. Yes we can!

It is our job to make sure those Democrats and Independents know what is at stake. You will be hearing from us. We will be reminding you to vote—and to cast your votes only for Sarkees and Murfin.

You can help us get the message out by hitting the PayPal button in the left-hand column and donating now to the Friends of Murfin and Sarkees.

--Patrick Murfin

NUNDA TOWNSHIP—Only Votes in April Election Can Elect Democrats

2009-02-19T15:51:00.004-06:00

McHenry County Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Bergan Schmidt addressed confusion over the upcoming Republican Party primary elections in Algonquin and Nunda Townships in a recent statement.

“The only way voters can support Democratic candidates in these townships is to cast their ballots in the April 7th Consolidated Elections,” Bergan Schmidt said.

Republicans chose to select their candidates in a primary election scheduled for Tuesday, February 24. Democrats elected to choose their candidates by caucus, which Bergan Schmidt noted was a considerable savings to tax payers.

Winners of the Republican primaries will square off against Democrats for trustee seats in both townships. Frank Hyden, Robert Frank, and James McTague are the party nominees in Algonquin Township. Patrick Murfin and Meredith Reid Sarkees will be on the ballot in Nunda Township.

“If a voter chooses to participate in the Republican primary, however, he or she can still vote for Democratic candidates in the April election,” Bergan Schmidt pointed out.

Voters with questions should contact Friends of Murfin and Sarkees at 815 814-5645 or e-mail changefornunda@yahoo.com.

Meredith Sarkees Mourns the Loss of her Father

2009-02-14T16:49:00.005-06:00

My condolences to my running mate, Meredith Sarkees, whose Father has passed away in Niagra Falls, New York. Our prayers are with Meredith and her family.

Meredith has returned to Niagara Falls and will remain there for some time as she attends to the needs of her family. In the mean time, we will continue the campaign for Change in Nunda Township to which we are both committed.

--Patrick Murfin

Republican Candidate Sends Phony Democratic Mailing

2009-02-05T17:39:00.008-06:00

I came home from work and was mystified to find a slick postcard mailing splashed with Democratic blue and featuring prominent donkey logos promoting Alan Weaver for Nunda Township Assessor. I went to his web site and confirmed that he is running in the Republican primary. My guess is that this was a special targeted mailing to Dems to get us to vote in the Republican primary under the theory that anyone opposed to the incumbents are our allies. It does mean that he is pretty well financed for a Township campaign if he can afford to print and send a special mailing to Democrats. I am not sure if he will succeed in attracting any votes. I think his message is confusing. And as a real Democratic candidate for office in Nunda Township, I certainly won't be voting in a Republican primary or encouraging anyone else to do so.

Patrick Murfin,

Candidate,

Nunda Township Trustee

MEREDITH REID SARKEES

2009-01-21T17:35:00.007-06:00

Meredith Reid Sarkees and her husband John are natives of Niagara Falls, New York, and moved to Nunda Township after living there and in Romeo, Michigan.

Meredith spent most of her career as a professor of political science at Niagara University and DePaul University, while John is an automotive engineer. Meredith is currently working as a consultant and an author, while retaining an honorary appointment as a faculty fellow with the Women & Politics Institute at American University.

She has written extensively on issues relating to women's leadership, the making of American foreign policy, and international wars. As Director of the Global Women’s Leadership in International Security (GWLIS) project, she is interviewing women who are leaders in the realm of international security, including women in both governmental and non-governmental organizations. This project led Meredith to create ties with women's organizations in Sri Lanka, where she did volunteer work in the wake of the 2004 tsunami.

Meredith has become involved with a number of local organizations, particularly the McHenry County Democratic Party. She was appointed and then elected as the Precinct Representative for Nunda 14.

Meredith received her B.A. in political science from Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio; her M.A. in international affairs from George Washington University in Washington, DC; and her Ph.D. in political science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

PATRICK MURFIN

2009-01-21T17:12:00.000-06:00

Patrick Murfin was born in Montana on March in 1949 and grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The family left Cheyenne and relocated to Skokie, Illinois in 1966.

Patrick attended Shimer College, then in Mt. Carroll, Illinois and Columbia College in Chicago, where he studied creative writing. As a student he became involved in the anti-war movement. In the summer of 1968 Patrick was a participant in most of the major actions around the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In1969, Patrick joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW.) He served the union in many positions including Editor of the Industrial Worker and, at the age of 23, General Secretary-Treasurer. With Fred W. Thompson he co-authored The IWW: Its First Seventy Years 1905-1975.

Patrick was a member of the staff of The Chicago Seed, the city’s underground paper in the early ‘70’s.

Patrick was tried, convicted, and sentenced to prison 1973 for refusing induction into the Armed Forces. He served six months.

He returned to active participation in the labor movement. He helped found the first Chicago labor support committee for the United Farm Workers, marched with Cesar Chavez, and helped organize the city’s first grape boycott. While working as a drill press operator at Dietzgen Corporation, he was elected Secretary of the Employees Association and served on the bargaining committee.

He also became involved in community organizations. He drafted the constitution and by-laws for what became the Ravenswood East Association and was active in the Logan Square Neighborhood Association where he coordinated gang awareness, graffiti removal projects and neighborhood watch programs.

He got involved in electoral politics as a volunteer for Independent Democratic aldermanic campaigns and was active in Harold Washington’s mayoral campaigns.

In 1981 Patrick married Kathy Brady-Larsen, a young widow with two daughters, Carolynne and Heather.

After the birth of daughter Maureen in 1983, the family moved to Crystal Lake in 1985. Patrick found work as a school custodian.

In the fall of 1989, Patrick became a Precinct Committeeman in the McHenry County Democratic Party and has served continuously ever since. Later, when the office of Vice Chair of the Party was left vacant by a death he was appointed to fill out the term and was elected in his own right the next year. Upon Chairman Bob McGarry’s death he served briefly as County Chair. He was elected Secretary in the 2008.

Patrick has twice before been a candidate for office. In 1997 he ran for Crystal Lake City Council and in 2002 ran for County Board District 3.

Patrick has been a long term lay leader at the Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock.
In 1995 Patrick helped found the Diversity Day Festival in held annually on Woodstock Square and is now its Executive Director.

He served a term on the Crystal Lake Human Relations Commission.

Patrick was among the founders of the McHenry County Peace Group, which he has served as press and public relations spokesperson.

In 2004 Skinner House Books of Boston published his poetry collection We Build Temples in the Heart.

The same year Patrick was retired as a Head Building Custodian. He is currently Communication Manager and Non-Profit Consultant for Oaktree Capital Corporation in Woodstock.

Patrick launched his blog, Heretic, Rebel, a Thing to Flout, in January of 2006.

CELEBRATING THE INAUGURATION

2009-01-21T16:34:00.006-06:00

We celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as President at a party organized by MoveOn members at Porters’s Oyster Bar in Crystal Lake. Meredith is shown with Dan Gialombardo, District 3 Chair of the McHenry County Democratic Party. District 3 encompasses all of Nunda Township. Patrick snapped the photo. Together we hope to bring the same energy, passion, and conviction to local government as the President has to national office.

SARKEES AND MURFIN ENTER RACE FOR NUNDA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

2009-01-15T17:30:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday, January 13, 2008 Democrats meeting at the Nunda Township Hall selected Meredith Reid Sarkees and Patrick Murfin as candidates for trustee in the April 7 local elections.

Sarkees of unincorporated Crystal Lake is a ten year McHenry County resident is a professor of political science who has published widely on international relations, war and women. She told the caucus voters that she felt the time had come in her life and career to turn her attention to local government and service.

Murfin of Crystal Lake is the Secretary of the Democratic Party of McHenry County and previously ran for Crystal Lake City Council in 1997 and for McHenry County Board from District 3 in 2002.

Nunda Democrats identified groundwater preservation, open space, and regional planning as top issues in the upcoming campaign.

Watch this space for more information on Meredith and Patrick, news, events, and examination of the issues.

Early voting begins Monday March 16 and Election Day is Tuesday April 7.