McHenry County News
WOODSTOCK CAR WASH
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11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 • (815) 654-4850 • www.McHenrycountynewspaper.com Display Advertising & Classifieds: 815-654-4850 • Circulation: 815-654-4854 • E-mail:McHenrynews@rvpublishing.com
Volume 6 Issue 10
O P E N
• 3 Heated Bays • Brand New Vacuums • Truck Wash Opening This Spring • Automatic Wash Coming Soon
218 Fair Street, Woodstock, IL (Behind McDonalds)
March 3, 2016
234423
Two candidates vying for McHenry County State’s Attorney position
I
By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
recently wandered around the Marengo-Union Home & Business Expo, chatting with people and learning new things. As I wandered, a political aide for Patrick Kenneally grabbed my arm, “Are you press? Wait right here. Don’t move. I’ll get him for you.” In McHenry County, there are three people listed as running for the office of State’s Attorney. Lou Bianchi, Patrick Kenneally and Daniel J. Regna. The end date to file signed petitions to run for office is November 30. On December 7, State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi announced his retirement from
the office of State’s Attorney, leaving two candidates for the position. The political aide brought Assistant State’s Attorney Kenneally to me. “I am running for the primary reason of continuing to do a good job prosecuting violent and repeat offenders, insuring that victims are heard and creating a sterling relationship with police based on mutual trust,” he tells me. As it happens, former Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel J. Regna is also at the M-U Expo. “I am a 23 year resident of McHenry County. I am committed to McHenry County. My kids attended McHenry County schools,” Regna tells me. “I have participated in the Woodstock Little
Daniel Regna is running for the McHenry County State’s Attorney position. Current State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi recently announced his retirement from the office.
League, Cub Scouts, American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Regna continues, “I have 21 years of experience in law, working as both a prosecutor and defender. To do a good job as State’s Attorney, you need to have experience as both.” I have heard what both candidates have to say. It is now time to do my research. Why? Because I have learned that when men, women, or political candidates talk pretty and make promises, it is time to take a long hard look and find out if their track record backs up those pretty words or not. Here is what the record shows: Regna – long time resident of McHenry County. Licensed lawyer for
19 years (according to his website), he has been both prosecutor and defender. There are no police reports charging him with anything. Kenneally – long time resident of Barrington. He rented a place in Crystal Lake 6 months ago to establish residency within McHenry County. He has been licensed for 11 years (according to his website), has worked as a prosecutor. It will be interesting to watch what happens in this campaign. Meanwhile 2016 is an election year and I still have a lot of research to do on all the candidates from local public offices all the way up to the position of President if I am to choose wisely. Are you doing the same?
photos by Anne Eickstadt
Patrick Kenneally is one of the candidates for the McHenry County State’s Attorney position.
Recreation Center open for operation By Samantha Fetzner Reporter
MCHENRY — As of Monday, Feb. 29, the McHenry Recreation Center is open for operation. Located at 3936 Municipal Drive, the 18,200 square foot building houses space for numerous functions, most notably a new fitness center in the area. The rec center also provides space for child care, parties or room rentals, and dance space. Construction of the building cost $5.8 million in total. The project began over 16 years ago and originally encompassed both the recreation portion as well as aquatics. The aquatics portion of the plans are on hold due to the expense involved. The fitness center covers 4,500 square feet within the building
and includes a variety of cardio and weight equipment for use by paying customers only. There are designated rooms for group and personal training sessions as well as locker rooms on site. Before opening, the fitness center membership mark was near 500. Cardiovascular equipment includes bicycles, treadmills, arc trainers, ellipticals, stair climbers and more. Due to the wind variety of services and the wide age-range of clientele able to utilize the services of the recreation center, costs affiliated with use vary greatly. Pricing structure for fitness center memberships, room rentals, child-care and more can be found at the City of McHenry’s website here: http://www. ci.mchenry.il.us/departments/
departments/parks/reccenter. html. The site offers a number of answers to frequently asked questions in all departments. Rental pricing and availability questions should be directed to the Rec center via telephone for the most up to date information. The building will also be home to the offices for McHenry’s Parks and Recreation department. They will be moving from their existing location inside city hall. Given the large number of operations housed in one building, hours will vary greatly as well. The fitness center offers the largest variety of options for patrons to visit with hours all seven days of the week. Child care services are only open Monday through Saturday.
Recycling
photo by Anne Eickstadt
EDMC runs a used bookstore called The Green Spot as a fundraiser to support their recycling efforts. This bookstore is located in the Woodstock Square Mall across from their office. See story on page 2.