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PartyschismapparentinWill county Republicans’ intra-party struggle can be found throughout the March 15 primary ballot as two factions, each with a slate of candidates, face off.One slate is being supported by the regular Republican organization, headed by party and county board Chairman John Annerino. The other slate is being supported by former party Chairman Louis Yangas.Political observers believe that the outcome of the primary will determine future control of the party in Will county.FOLLOWING IS a brief synopsis of the candidates in the GOP primary and their views on the major issues in their races. (The Circuit court judge and state’s attorney races were profiled in separate stories).In the race for Circuit court clerk the regular organization is backing Gary Fitzgerald, 38, of Joliet, in his first countywide race.Former longtime county board member Helen Harshbarger, 71, of Plainfield, is his opponent on the independent slate.Current Circuit court clerk Sam Paul is retiring after five terms.FITZGERALD SAYS his background and master's degree in public administration give him a working knowledge of the court system.He was director for three years ofGSUnamesnew career planning chiefnumerous Republicanracesthe criminal justice planning department for the city of Joliet. He said he would establish impartial personnel hiring practices and a formal evaluation program for the department.He said the major task facing the department is automation.Fitzgerald claimed Harshbarger attended the endorsement session in which he received the party’s unanimous endorsement. Harshbarger says she does not recall if she voted for Fitzgerald or remained silent.HARSHBARGER SERVED on thecounty board from 1972-1982 and as chairperson of the administrative services committee.She was involved in a state study of the operations of the criminal court justice system.She said she would like to correct formalize job descriptions and in-service training in the department. She said there is a need to streamline the access of information on computers to prevent logjams.Harshbarger said the most important issue is to maintain the office’s independence, saying there is the potential for favoritism in doling out the department’s 80 jobs.IN THE GOP recorder of deeds contest, incumbent James O’Connell, 55. of Joliet, is attempting to win the nomination for a fourth term.O’Connell is vying with the party-endorsed candidate, Shirley Kusta, 45, of Bolingbrook.O’Connell is running with the independent slate. He was temporarily removed from the ballot, then reinstated, following a challenge to his nominating petitions by Kusta.O’Connell said he would like another term to continue the automation of the department that he has started.SOME $250,000 collected from fees has been set aside to pay for the automation. He said he has been at the forefront in lobbying efforts on legislation affecting county government.Kusta is the wife of county board member Edward Kusta and is running for the first time in her own campaign. She has worked as a paralegal for 18 years in Will county.Kusta has criticized the recorder’s office as inefficient, especially in getting reassessed property recorded quickly.In the auditor’s race Joseph Mikan Jr. is the endorsed GOP candidate against Monee village Trustee Don Stevenson of the independent slate.MIKAN SAID his 14 years in business in commerical and insurance give him the administrative expertise for the position. Mikan insisted that the auditor should not be involved in developing the budget or policy.Stevenson says maintaining the integrity of the office is the key issue in the race. He has criticized Mikan for his short tenure as chairman of the controversy-plagued Private Industry council, whose headquarters suffered from a reason arson fire.Mikan says the leases were negotiated prior to his tenure and that the all the important data destroyed in the fire — some of which was subpoenaed by investigating agencies — has been reassembledIn the race for coroner, one candidate is wedged between the two slates. The trio is vying to replace Robert Tezak, who is not seeking a new term. All three candidates said (they would serve full-time in the coroner's office.THE PARTY-endorsed candidate is August (Gus) Martinucci, 66, a semi-retired eye, ear, nose and throat specialist in Joliet. Martinucci is stressing that the coroner’s office become more involved in public health issues.The independent slate is supporting Jon Dames, 33, of Joliet, a funeral director in town for 10 years. Dames stresses his knowledge about the coroner’s office through his daily contact as a funeral director.The third candidate, Eleanor McGuan-Boza, 55, of Joliet, is running solo. A registered nurse, she recently completed a masters degree in human services.She has worked as a superivsor at the Stateville correctional facilityand a hospital administrator at the Joliet Correctional center.By Mike CastelvecchiWinter SALEFREE VENTSWITH PURCHASE ANC INSTALLATION OF 6 OR MORE WINDOWSPITTSBURGH CORNING( iuTI i ■! fiDfDJ±AX _ JOREPLACEMENT WINDOWS PANELS WALLSOUR 53RO YEARWe Also Feature Alside Vinyl Replacement Windows Financing Available. FREE Estimates We Will Beat Any Qualified Competitors Price2 Convenient Locations711 W. 103rd ST.. CHICAGOSkeeieUt*GLASS BLOCK PANELS5152 W. 127th St., Alsip371 -8400. . ....Is your little one ready for school?Then don’t miss The Star’s special...HOME AWAY FROM HOMEA Pre-School and Day Care DirectoryThis /aluable guide of day care centers, preschool and nursery schools In your local area is a Terrence every parent will want to consult.APPEARING TODAYin theI dimensionssectionDan Amari has joined the staff of Governors State university as the new director of career planning and placement.Amari is the former director of career planning for St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He also worked incareer planning at the University of Vermont.Originally from Cleveland, Amari earned a bachelor’s degree from the Col-CJ. Where can Parents, Schools, Communities go to learn more about alcohol/substance abuse Prevention?Open to General Public —Fee $15.00Pre-Register or Register at the Doorsponsored by: lllloucllFOUNDATION 1, CENTER FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT14725 South Dixie Highway Harvey, Illinois 60426 (312) 339-8861United WAgertcy
Newspaper Details
Orland Park Star
Orland Park, Illinois, US
Sun, Mar 06, 1988
Page 5
Full Page
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