Only 11 months to go to the November 2012 election - just three-and-a-half months till the Republican primary.

Our candidates have filed their petitions - except those running for Congress, President and National Convention Delegate and Alternate. (The federal court has delayed filing for Congress until Dec. 23-27, and the Presidential and Convention petitions are to be filed a month later than the local candidates.)

No surprises on the local filings; none of the ROWT-endorsed legislative candidates has a primary. (There is a contest for State Senate in Dist. 30, which takes in the northeast corner of the township.) Dan Patlak does have a primary opponent, and he's going to need maximum effort from the precinct captains and friends of our organization ... starting Jan. 2. Will we be ready? That's up to you!

We're looking for volunteers to step forward and take the role of precinct captain, the backbone of our organization.

It was good to see so many of you at our annual Christmas party Sunday at LaZingara. Among the dignitaries who joined us were Dan Patlak, County Commissioners Gregg Goslin and Tim Schneider, Dr. Arie Friedman, Jonathan Greenberg and our township officials -- Supervisor Mike Schroeder, Clerk Paula Ulreich, Assessor Jerry Sadler, Hwy. Commr. Scott Saewert, Collector Ken Jochum and trustees JoAnne Schultz, Kathy Penner and Mike Domrzalski (as well as yours truly). Also in attendance were judicial candidates Paul Pavlus and Kay Steffen in the 13th subcircuit and Jim Pieczonka in the 12th.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to donate a huge collection of children's winter hats, gloves and scarves for needy township children.

Lincoln Day Adbook
In anticipation of our annual NW Suburban Republican Lincoln Day Dinner early next year, we are selling ads now for the program book. Would you like to have your name listed as a patron? Do you know a businessman or professional that should buy an ad? Let me know you'd like to  help build our treasury by buying or selling ads. Come into HQ during business hours to pick up a form. We led the pack in 2011 - help us sell the most ads (among the 6 cooperating townships) in 2012, too.