309-353

-TG

309-353-8467.

Tazewell County Republican Central Committee:

Demetra DeMonte,

Chairman

Lowell Schroeder,

Vice-Chairman

David Zimmerman,

Secretary

Donald Gronewold,

Treasurer

Party Headquarters:

1000 Court St.

Pekin, IL  61554

OP (8467)

Website:

www.tazewellgop.org

Executive Committee:

Bill Atkins

Dennis Conover

Janet Donahue

Rick Grashoff

Marjie Haning

Ginger Hermann

Lincoln Hobson

Poley Hoffman

Robert Huston

Max Hutton

Carroll Imig

Mel Stanford

Bartt Stevens

Claude Stone

Jim Unsicker

Comments from our Chairman

January 2008 - Primary Election Edition

Editor-in-Chief: Susanne Schurter

Chief Copy Editor:  Demetra DeMonte

TAZEWELL COUNTY REPUBLICANS

!!!News Flash!!!!

Rudy Giuliani will be the keynote speaker at our Lincoln Day Dinner!

After months of asking, cajoling, pleading, and yes, sweet-talking – we have accomplished the nearly impossible!

The Tazewell County Republicans will host a presidential candi- date for our Lincoln Day Dinner!

Mayor Rudy Giuliani

will speak at our 41

st

annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, February 2 . Our

nd

event will be held at the brand new Embassy Suites Conference Center in East Peoria.

Please note this is a date change from Friday, February 1 .

st

We have reserved the entire Grand Ballroom of the Conference Center so we can ac- commodate a large capacity crowd!

Most likely you have

already purchased

your tickets.  If not, send in your paid reservation as soon as possible to get the hottest ticket in town!

Tickets are $55 each and tables of 10 are $550. To see if reser- vations are still avail- able, call our HQ at

Please note: all proceeds go to our Tazewell County Republican Organization.

A special thank you goes out to Jim Maloof who generously gave up his reservation for the Embassy Conference Center so we could hold our

event on the 2 .  Also,

nd

many thanks to Representative Aaron Schock who interceded on our behalf, making this date-change possible!

In addition to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, all three congressional candidates will be attending our din ner and will address the audience.

To help us gain some further insight into our congressional candi- dates, we have asked each of them to write an article on what being a Republican means to them. We hope you find these articles informative.

Also, as there is a con- tested race for Chairman of the Tazewell County Board, we invited all four candidates to write an article on their candidacy. (Three of the four responded).  We did the same for the contested races for County Board members in District 3.

Again, I sincerely hope you will be able to join us on February 2

nd

a fabulous evening!

for

And, most importantly, don’t forget to vote on February 5 !

th

~ Demetra

2

18

2007 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CANDIDATES

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Rudy Giuliani Mike Huckabee Duncan Hunter John McCain Ron Paul Mitt Romney Tom Tancredo Fred Thompson

(Names and ballot order of the above candidates are contingent upon certification.)

THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES ARE LISTED IN THEIR BALLOT ORDER.

U.S. SENATE

Dr. Steve Sauerberg   Andy Martin

 Mike  Psak

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

th

Congressional District

John Morris Aaron Schock Jim McConoughey

STATE SENATE

Bill Brady – 44

th

Legislative District

Dan Rutherford – 53

rd

Legislative District

STATE HOUSE

Bill Mitchell - 87

th

Legislative District

Keith Sommer - 106

th

Legislative District

3

TAZEWELL COUNTY CANDIDATES

STATE’S ATTORNEY

Stewart Umholtz

CORONER

Dennis Conover

RECORDER OF DEEDS

Carroll Imig

CHAIRMAN OF THE TAZEWELL COUNTY BOARD

   Tim Church  Vivian Hagaman

     David Zimmerman

    Jim Unsicker

COUNTY BD. DIST. #1

COUNTY BD. DIST. #2

COUNTY BD. DIST. #3

(Vote for 3)

(Vote for 3)

(Vote for 3)

John Olsen

Robert Burress

Greg Sinn

Janet Donahue

Michael Godar

John Ackerman

Christopher Yount

Dean Grimm

Michael Harris

Paul Hahn

HELPFUL VOTING INFORMATION

Election Day – February 5:  Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Last Day to register to vote: January 8

Grace Period for Voter Registration: January 9-22.  New registrants must personally go to Clerk’s Office to register.  News registrants must vote at time of registration.

Early Voting: A temporary voting site will be held at the Clerk’s Office at 11 S. 4

th

Street,

Pekin.  Dates and hours of early voting are:

January 14- January 31 Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Absentee Ballots: Voters may request applications from the Clerk’s Office at 477- 2267 or by calling our Republican Headquarters at 353-8467. Completed applications must be re-   ceived by the Clerk’s Office no later than January 31 if the ballot is to be mailed to voter.

4

Jim McConoughey

Congressional Candidate

To me, being a Republican means not just talk- ing about American values, but actually living them.  The values of faith, family and community are ones I strive to live by every day of my life.

I have had success in the professional world but my proudest accomplishment is my family— Gina, Elizabeth and Spencer. They are the foun- dation of my life and come first, not just in words but in deeds.

During one family dinner when I was discussing with them that I would be entering the race for Congress, my 16 year old daughter asked me a very important question that I continue to consider to this day. She asked; “Dad, so you’re running for Congress…how is this going to affect my life?”

Of course that sounds like an expected response from a teenager, but she followed that question with a critical explanation that “you better be able to give me an answer because people you meet campaigning will be asking you the

same thing…”  This advice comes from 16 year old Elizabeth, not some seasoned, high paid po- litical consultant – and she’s right.

People I meet want to know why I can make things better for them.  It is clearly my proven ability to bring people together to work for the common good.

I have been a business leader and economic development professional in the Peoria area for several years and our goal is to bring jobs to the region, improve our infrastructure and really make a positive impact on the quality of life.

There is plenty of work to do and that is why I want to continue my work in Congress – to affect these areas and others on behalf of Central Illinois.  I have 26 years of experience working in business and public service, proven leadership abilities and integrity.

This election is important for Republicans.

We

must return to our core values of small government, low taxes and strong national defense. We can best do that by electing new leaders not by electing career politicians who represent more of the same.

In central Illinois, we have a rich history of Re- publican leaders who can set an example for all of us—leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen, Bob Michel, Ronald Reagan and Ray LaHood.  They are my heroes and Republicans I want to emulate.

What does being a Republican mean to you?

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Aaron Schock

Congressional Candidate

Being a Republican means being faithful to the tried and true principles our party was founded on. It means being part of a cause and acting to further it.

Ronald Reagan said, “A political party is a group of people who may or may not be social friends, but more importantly, share values and principles and act on them together.”

Certain truths endure through the ages such as when Abraham Lincoln put what we stand for so succinctly, “The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or can- not do well for themselves in their separate and individual capacities……But in all that people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not interfere.

That expression of our principles is timeless. The ages have proven that Republican principles lift up humankind to boundless prosperity, safety and opportunity.

As an elected Republican officeholder, it is not enough just to vote right and it is simply not enough to be against what the Democrats sup port.  It brings a responsibility to offer positive initiatives based on core conservative values. We Republicans must articulate a compelling vision and inspire the voters.

We have to be able to engage the voters and win in the all important arena the competition of ideas.

I believe our superior ideas merit us taking them into inner cities and to groups who haven’t voted Republican in years, if ever. I have succeeded with my conservative voting record in taking our message into union halls, black churches and other groups who need to hear our message and how it can help them in permanent ways.

When I was growing up, Ronald Reagan was President and later Bill Clinton and I clearly saw the difference. That is why at age 16, I made my first contribution to the Republican National Com- mittee from my earnings from after-school jobs.

As a Republican, I believe we must act on our principles, not just hold them dear. Seeing how the Republican Party was open to supporting such a young candidate, many people of all ages—but especially young people—have come to me expressing their interest in running for office. I have encouraged them, given them insight, campaigned for them, contributed to their campaigns and put my full campaign operation be- hind them. Rebuilding a farm team of Republican officeholders is vital to the future of our state and I am deeply fulfilled in furthering the cause.

In addition to official legislative duties, a Con- gressman is the leader of the party in the district. If I am elected, building the Republican Party will be one of things I will be most dedicated to and most proud of.

What does being a Republican mean to you?

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John Morris

Congressional Candidate

Being a Republican means embracing our con- servative principles.

My whole life I have been a proud Republi- can.  Currently our party is at a crossroads and it is up to us to determine what direction or party is headed.

                    Runaway spending, lapses in judg ment and ethics by a few members of our Party cost the GOP the majority in 2006.  If we are to regain the majority we must return to our conservative principles and reaffirm what it means to be a Republican—lower taxes, less, strong defense and faith and family.

Make no mistake the Republican Party is still the best hope to protect the freedom and liberty we cherish as Republicans.  We face big challenges and our Republican principles, faithfully executed, are the best solutions to the challenges we face.  We face a threat from Islamic terrorism and the struggle to leave Iraq a free and democratic nation.  We face dangerous dictators with radical ideals, particularly in Iran, who pose a threat to American security and world

peace. Our next Congressman must be commit- ted to the Republican principle of maintaining a strong national defense coupled judgment and perspective necessary to face these challenges and keep America safe.

Being a Republican means adhering to the rule of law and promoting national unity. These principles are how we must address the issue of illegal immigration. Controlling our nation’s borders and stemming the tide of illegal immigration has a direct impact on our national security.

Moreover, we must be a nation of laws. We must not continue to encourage lawbreaking.  We must not offer amnesty to those here illegally. While we need to encourage legal immigration, we must also encourage immigrants to become citizens.  That means learning about American government, history, and culture. And that means learning to speak English.

Lastly, Republicans know that the best way to grow our economy and ensure that everyone prospers is to get government out of the way of business. We need tax cuts and fewer onerous regulations. My experience on the city council proves that this works. I voted against property tax increases every single time, and I pushed for the spending cuts necessary to pass eight balanced budgets.

I am a proud Republican. These days, some Re- publicans behave as though we should be ashamed of our conservative principles.  I’m a conservative and don’t make any apologies.  I’m pro-life. I’m a strong defender of Second Amendments rights. And I believe we need more leaders in Washington willing to fight for the moral character and fiscal discipline we’re proud of and care deeply about in Illinois.  I appreciate your support in the February 5

th

Primary

election.  God Bless.

What does being a Republican mean to you?

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200

David

Zimmerman

Candidate,

Chairman of the

County Board

After 10 ½ years of service on the County Board and being active in the Party for even longer, I decided last May to run for Tazewell County Board Chairman. The decision was both difficult and easy. Difficult, because of the large decisions and responsibilities. Easy, be- cause of my preparation and encouragement of many friends. I believe I would bring many things to the Chairmanship and that I am up to the challenge.

First and foremost, I would bring proven leadership to the position. I have demonstrated this leadership by chairing several committees including my current role as Chairman of Finance. In addition, we formed the tax committee and put the right members on. This commit- tee has brought the tax cycle back on track and re- cently found a credible Supervisor of Assessments.

Second, I would bring open communication into the job. This open communication would build trust and account- ability with the full board, the elected officials, the press and, most importantly, the public. Next, I believe I would be an effective consensus builder. I have a good working relationship with all the board members, department heads, elected officials and employees.  This skill will allow for more efficient and less confrontational decision making.

Fourth, I would bring an openness to new ideas and a will ingness to try things that have worked for other governmental agencies to the Chair. I believe we should work with other governmental bodies to reduce costs and increase efficiency where it makes sense. Lastly, all of these things would be done with a sense of fiscal responsibility. I would cut my salary significantly because the salary has grown out of proportion to the roles and responsibilities of the job. All spending decisions would be scrutinized and reviewed in order to maintain our current low tax rate.

Leading a group of men and women like those on our cur- rent Board would be an honor. Representing the citizens of Tazewell County as Chairman would be an enormous privilege. I promise to bring integrity, openness and intelligent decision making to the position. I am humbly asking for your consideration and vote on February 5th of 2008.

Tim Church

Candidate,

Chairman of the

County Board

My name is Tim Church. I am running for Tazewell County Board Chairman.

People have asked why I am running to be Board Chairman and what I can add. First of all, I want to bring my no-nonsense values to the Board to help make the County a better place to live. The County Board faces many challenges. These challenges sug gest that it is time for a change in leadership from out- side the current Board. I would look to provide strong, principled leadership with respect to these challenges. Further, I would look to be a team player and try to en- gage all the relevant parties in open and honest discussions on issues. I would seek to bring transparency and openness to all the decisions of the Board.

People have asked me about my qualifications for the office. I have developed leadership skills through the last decade or more of my public service. I served four years as a Tazewell County Board member from 1998 to 2002 and two years as a Trustee of Fondulac Township from 5 to 2007. I currently serve as a Trustee of the Fondulac Park District in East Peoria. I have served as a Board Member/President of East Peoria Elementary School Dist 86 Foundation for many years. I have served as President of the East Peoria Rotary Club. I have served my church in various capacities over the years (Legal advisor, Administrative Board, etc.)

In the next few years, there will be important issues fac- ing the County and its use of tax dollars. These issues include personnel/health care costs, energy costs, and liability costs.  I think I can provide leadership in devel- oping partnership efforts to manage these costs. With respect to health care costs, the employees need to be involved in the creation and maintenance of the health care programs and encouraged to help think of creative ways to help minimize health-care costs.

Tazewell County is a great county. I would like to serve as its County Board Chairman to improve the lives of its citizens. I ask for your vote on February 5 . I am

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first on the ballot. Thanks!

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Jim Unsicker Candidate, Chairman of the County Board

For the last 11 years I have served my community as Tazewell County Board Chairman. There have been times of trials and times of celebration in those years and as anyone that knows me can say, I am as com- mitted today, as I was when I was first elected, to re- main dedicated to providing the residents of Tazewell County continuous high quality service and to keeping the taxes low for the next four years.

Most recently the County Board and I worked together to revamp the Supervisor of Assessments Office to work toward getting the tax bills mailed out on time. It has been quite a process and with the help of the County Administrator, the Planning and Zoning Administrator and too many others to name, it has finally be- come a reality as there are technology upgrades, staff trainings, and a Supervisor of Assessments has been appointed. The County is currently 4 months ahead this year than where we were last year and I am confident that the tax bills will be mailed out on time in 2008.

The McKenzie Building renovation project has in- creased both efficiency and public convenience in a way that has immeasurable impact on county citizens and employees since most of the County Depart- ments the public would utilize are now in the McKenzie Building.

The Public Safety Building is highly functional and has become a revenue source for the County through the   ability to house inmates from other jurisdictions as well as inmates from Tazewell County. It also serves as the Sheriff’s Department and the future De- partment of the Computer Crime and Financial Crimes Investigator that will provide a coordinated task force approach to the investigation of certain crimes such as identity theft, child pornography and computer fraud.

I will continue to maintain that my primary goal - high quality constituent service- does not necessitate reck- less spending. Creativity and constant diligence has been and will continue to be my formula for fiscal re- sponsibility, managing personnel decisions that in- clude the self funded Tazewell County Health Plan; and technology upgrades to increase the level of cus tomer services and employee productivity.

A note from Colene Lickiss

After the publication of a letter I authored last month, it was brought to my attention that other volunteers and office holders wanted to add their appreciation to Tazewell County Republican Central Committee Chairman Demetra DeMonte for her innovations, accomplishments and overall professional and pragmatic pursuit of her goals on behalf of the best interests of the Tazewell County Republican Party. Some of the officials and volunteers are listed below.

Congressman Ray LaHood, State Senator Bill Brady, State Senator Dan Rutherford, State Representative Keith Sommer, State Representative Bill Mitchell, State Representative Aaron Schock, Tazewell County Sherriff Bob Huston, State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz, Treasurer Duane Gray, Coroner Dennis Conover, Susanne Schurter, Tazewell County Board Chairman Jim Unsicker, Judy Given, Robert W. Lickiss, Sr., David Zimmerman, Lowell Schroeder, Don Gronewold, Mel Stanford, Bill Atkins, Max and Donna Hutton, Bartt Stevens, Jan and Jim Donahue, Ginger Hermann, Phyllis and Carroll Imig, Dr. Robert Ehrich, Norman and Gary Drummond, Millie and Dick Brooksbank, Helen and Dale Kuntz, Florence and Russ Patten, Mary Margaret and Loren Toevs, Daryl Dagit, Barbara and Robert Dunton, Lois Stetzler, Suzy Sirotak, Iola Preston, Kay M. Grillot, Kitty and Ted Yontz, Susan Woodruff, Harold Risinger, Donna and Mel Pleines, Norm Geyer, Bernice and Hank Rapp, Arvella Guidotti, Matt Jones, John Webb, Bob Pinkerton, David and Freda Snider, Jean Morris, John Olson, Donna Zimmerman, Rowland “Poley” and Donna Hoffman, Larry Koch, Jean and Jim Newman, Mike Godar, Nick McNeely, John Ackerman, Ken Aupperle, Jerry Rifner, Merlin and Carrie Keiswetter, Mike Harris, Stephanie Custer, Kay Allen, Jim Allen, John Allen, Jack Zimmerman, Andy Cali, Katherine Coyle, Charles Reynolds and numerous others but sorry we could not identify some signatures and we ran out of space…………

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Demetra and her husband, Dr. Anthony DeMonte, and Dr. Robert Ehrich enjoy the festivities!

Newsletter editor, Susanne Schurter, signs a pre-release copy of her military/political intrigue novel, The Façade, for door prize winner, Eleanor Geyer.

“Friends in Harmony” putting on the beat with an enthusiastic collection of Christmas carols and holiday music. The group entertained precinct committeemen and volunteers at the “thank you” Christmas party in Pekin.

Door prize winner, John Webb, leafs through his copy of The       Façade, as Jim Donahue looks on at the Christmas party.

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635-7624.

John Ackerman

I would like to thank the Republi- can Central Committee for giving the candidates in this primary this opportunity to address our base.

For the past ten years I have been active in nu- merous ways within the party and have had the opportunity to visit with a majority of you. I love Tazewell County not only for its rich soil and beautiful landscape but also for the quality and richness of its residents.

I am running for the county board in order to in- crease the voice agriculture has on county is- sues. While a proponent of planned, orderly de- velopment and growth of our communities, I want to protect our agriculture resources from spot zoning and non-conforming development.

I also am interested in discussing ways to lower the county’s staffing budget. I have had the pleasure to work at some of the area’s leading companies in the past several years including State Farm, OSF Saint Francis and Caterpillar. At all of these corporations, reducing the over- head cost was a priority. I believe this can be done at the county.

As for my personal life, I am currently working for Volt Technical Resources performing administra- tive work for Caterpillar’s Transmission Business Unit at building KK in East Peoria. I am living in Washington and am engaged to Maria Randitsas of Peoria. We are planning a September wedding for next year.

I am asking for your support in this primary elec- tion and if I can be of any assistance to you or answer any question or concerns you may have, please feel free to contact me anytime at 309-

Michael Godar

                                      to the Since being elected Tazewell County Board in

1998, we have had many oc- casions to celebrate taxpayer ‘wins’. Taxpayers benefited from what an informal survey of Illinois counties revealed – Tazewell 2006 property tax rate was lower than all but four of Illinois 102 counties!

Our wins included stopping the buying of build- ings and using those funds to remodel and con- solidate offices within the McKenzie building. We also stopped the expansion of the toxic Pekin Landfill and used a $200,000 state grant to move sediment from the Eastport marina to the landfill. We challenged the hiring process for county ad- ministrator avoiding a potential litigious situation.

Our biggest win was improving the Assessment office by developing a five-year technology plan, reorganizing staffing, upgrading the un-repairable hardware and software, hiring a Supervisor of Assessment and preparing to mail tax bills out on time for 2008! As your county board representa- tive, I will continue to work on the final closure of the Pekin Landfill and dredging projects within the Illinois River and marinas.

I will work to implement a standardized human resource policy through the 21

st

                                                       Century Work- force Planning Initiative that I co-authored and will seek affordable, user-friendly health insur- ance for our employees. I will work to bring our technology and telecommunications into the 21

st

Century resulting in a more efficient workforce and taxpayer friendly services. I will be bringing forth an initiative to study teen violence issues and the sometimes costly and failing juvenile jus- tice system.

Your vote for me will be another ‘win’ for the tax- payers of Tazewell County!

District 3 County Board Candidates

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Paul Hahn

Paul Hahn was born and raised on a farm near Joliet Illinois and he has resided in Mackinaw Illi- nois with his family for the past 18 years. Paul and his wife Diane have six children, both run businesses and share a commitment to community service and hard work.  Paul is a lifelong farmer and carpenter and his entrepre- neurial spirit has included starting and running a successful home and commercial construction company as well as creating Mackinaw Valley Vineyard from 80 acres of farmland into a thriv- ing vineyard and wine making operation.

Civic responsibility and serving in the communi- ties in which he lives and works has always been a priority for Paul.  In Joliet Paul served as a volunteer Firefighter and served as a School Board member and President of the District 81 School Board.

After moving to Mackinaw Paul became active in church and civic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Lion’s Club and Masons.  Paul has served in the position of President of the Central Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association. He is currently Vice President of the state organi- zation and will become the President in February 2008. The wine industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of our state economy.  As one of the officers of the State Grape Growers and Vint- ners Association Paul has been and continues to be active in assisting with developing legislation to expand the wine industry.

Paul feels that his conservative values, common sense approach to solving problems and his experience working on complex legislative is- sues at the State Capital give him practical un- derstanding of how to work successfully within local government.  He understands the role of government is to responsibly serve the commu- nity, appreciate diverse interests and not hinder local progress.

Mike Harris

I have served on the County Board for the last nine years and would like to continue.  I am, therefore, a candidate for re-election to the County Board – District 3.  My man- agement and decision making skills have been developed by being active in leadership roles in various local organizations and work experience.  I have a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from ISU.

The critical issues I have been involved in during my tenure on the County Board are the Landfills, budgeting and the Assess- ments Office.  As the Chair of the Health Ser- vices Committee, I assisted in the ongoing movement to properly close the Pekin Land- fill and chaired the Sitting Committee for the safe development of the Indian Creek Land- fill.  I am an active member of the Finance Committee.

                     As a member of the Tax Com- mittee, I was a part of the management team that helped guides the Assessment Office to a status of being current.

The main issue for the future of the county is the conservative use of revenues.  This must be done by creating more synergies and the revamping of the Human Resource policies and procedures.  Other important issues that need continued attention are health and dis-