- George Kocan, TAPROOT Communications Director
www.gopillinois.com (3/16/08 News Clips page)
THE ARTICLE:
During the Watergate years, Democrats "slaughtered" the Republicans in Addison Township. They showed Addison Township Republicans what "the Democrat way" was. After winning Addison Township offices, they showed up on a Friday, fired everyone, and told them to clear out by Monday.
"They can do that today," warned Pat Durante. DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC) Chairman Dan Cronin recently appointed Durante to serve as DCRCC's Vice-Chairman.
Durante spoke to conservative activists Saturday, March 15, at the monthly breakfast meeting of the TAPROOT Republicans at the Old Country Buffet, in Lombard. Durante started out as a volunteer for Barry Goldwater and worked his way up, knocking on doors in Addison Township, working for the venerable Congressman Henry Hyde, until he earned a leadership position as Township Chairman.
It took 10 years, but eventually Addison Republicans cleaned the last Democrat from Addison Township elected office. Durante has earned recognition as the longest serving DCRCC member. His energy and charisma filled the room, as he related his efforts to build up the Republican Party not only in Addison Township, but throughout DuPage County. He worked to make even simple changes, like using computers instead of index cards to store information about members. He strongly advocates more public exposure for Republican candidates -- parades, Lincoln Day Dinners, and Republican Day events provide important opportunities for making contact with the public.
Durante offered a warning. The new Chairman of the Democrat Party in DuPage is Robert Peickert. He characterized him as a tough, rough opponent who does not play by the rules. Peickert has failed to file relevant forms, failed to report financial contributions, and reported fictitious contributions. Durante also warned the group about DAWN (DuPage Against War Now), a Democrat group which wants to cut and run out of Iraq. These Democrats seek to demoralize opposition to the war on terror by forcing township governments to issue public resolutions against military action in Iraq. Last year, they failed except in Downers Grove. This year, he expects them to try again on April 8. Republicans need to embark on a program of training and education.
Durante emphatically advised adherence to Ronald Reagan's Eleventh Commandment, "Thou shalt not criticize a fellow Republican in public."
Answering a question about the bias of major newspapers like the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, and Daily Herald, he predicted their eventual demise. The public is switching to the internet. Sam Zell, who bought the Tribune and may buy the Sun-Times, will likely strip these newspapers down and sell them off. They will not be a factor, he said.
Durante reported that Cronin had appointed TAPROOT Chairman Dave Diersen to serve as DCRCC's webmaster. Diersen moderated the meeting. Meeting attendees included Kathy Gilroy, who is making her mark by challenging gambling in Villa Park; Rosanna Pulido, vociferous opponent of illegal immigration; Wally Brown, long-time member of the DuPage County Forest Preserve board; and Ron Menna, former judicial candidate. Carolyn Connell, Bob Graham, Joyce Hundhausen, George Kocan, Vern McCarthy, Larry Moretti, Gloria Sciqousky, Mark Stern, Tim Whelan, and others also contributed to the success of the meeting.