Schools
Lake County Tea Party 'Shares Core Beliefs'
Lake County party leadership explain the platform of the local Tea Party.
If you’re wondering what came first…Lennie Jarratt or the Lake County Tea Party…it was Lennie Jarratt.
Six years ago, Lennie Jarratt of Round Lake was a new resident in District 46 who decided to question a referendum. Jarratt spoke out loudly against the initiative and those that followed.
Today, Jarratt is chairman of the Lake County Tea Party, a grassroots movement seeking less governmental involvement, less taxation and better use of revenues.
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“In April 2009, a group of us got together but it fell apart," Jarratt said. "It wasn’t until nine months later that Paul Mitchell got involved and revived the movement."
The Lake County Tea Party's biggest gathering was at a rally in Libertyville in July with about 600 people in attendance, Jarratt said.
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“The Tea Party is a grassroots movement that means something different for every person. Members are frustrated by the way country is going,” said fellow party leader Mitchell of Hainesville, who lives in District 116.
“There is no charismatic leader. No one belief statement," Mitchell said. "We haven’t prioritized beliefs. We share some core beliefs, but there are people involved who may have one or two things they feel strongly about."
Jarratt is still championing lower taxes, reduced spending and greater transparency. He has recently worked to unearth unethical and illegal behavior within the D46 administration and school board.
“We simply want to set an example to other communities on any boards," Mitchell said. "This is not partisan. We want to stop taxpayer’s money being taken and put the focus on education.
"If there’s one central idea it’s we’re taxed enough already. My biggest fear is that we’re burdening our children with too much debt. We want them to be able to keep what they make.”
Jarratt’s recent D46 and D30 FOIA requests led to filings with the Lake and Cook County State’s Attorney’s office for improper usage of district resources for a political campaign. The allegations have created uproar in the community.
“If they were transparent, I wouldn’t have to FOIA,” Jarratt said. “We are not anti-public education. We want to improve education and get rid of corruption. Parents need to be more involved and in charge.
“I don’t want it swept under the rug. I’ve seen that happen too many times."
The party's hope is that appropriate law enforcement takes action, Mitchell said.
Not everyone in Grayslake appreciates Jarratt's involvement or approach.
"I ask you to stay broader picture," said district parent and former board member Colleen Wade during a recent school board meeting. "We have a fabulous administration and a balanced budget. The school board is about governance of policies and administration. Let the administrators do their jobs."
The Tea Party was first brought to the public’s attention in Grayslake earlier this year when Jarratt tweeted the websites for three new candidates for school board. Citing partisan politics, then-board president and incumbent candidate Mary Garcia contacted the media regarding Jarratt’s plug that seemed to associate the candidates with the Tea Party.
“Mary Garcia brought this issue into the election," Jarratt said. "I never endorsed other candidates. I provided a link to their websites so people could see what the platforms were. She and Sue Facklam did not have websites. I did add a link to their profiles in the Daily Herald."
The Tea Party has been perceived as extremist and to the far right side of the Republican Party.
“Comments made about us are trying to make people scared and distracted,” Jarratt said.
“We are not violent, we are not racist, but we’re not going to take it anymore," Mitchell said. "We are going to speak up for ourselves and we’re finding candidates to support our beliefs."
Both Jarratt and Mitchell, who ran against Sandy Cole for state representative in 2009, said they do not have any political aspirations for themselves.
Tea Party membership is free and open to the community. The Lake County Tea Party site allows people to register to receive regular e-mails with news, local events and relevant links.
For information on organizations related to the Tea Party initiatives, go to:
