McHenry Times

A McHenry Township trustee says he is being subjected to nasty Facebook posts, offensive bumper stickers, sharp brads left behind his vehicle's tires and other harassment since winning his seat last spring.

It isn't clear who is taking covert aim at Bob Anderson, the trustee told the McHenry Times. 

"I don't know who did it," Anderson said about the brads, which are finishing nails used in carpentry. "I think I'm being subjected to this because I'm a township trustee. I've lived in Wonder Lake since 1947; never a nail problem before."

One of a number of "Abolish Bob Anderson" bumper stickers around McHenry Township. This image was posted on Anderson's Facebook page. | Image provided by Bob Anderson

Anderson believes in small government, fiscal responsibility and other conservative values, which he says doesn’t sit well with more left-leaning residents in the township of fewer than 50,000. At the next township board meeting, Anderson said he plans to call for a referendum in the next general election to consolidate the McHenry Township Road District into McHenry Township.

The longtime owner of a Wonder Lake barbershop won his first term as township trustee in April in part on promises he would work to eliminate or consolidate the township. He was among Republicans and independents who split the McHenry Township vote.

The harassment began shortly after his election, Anderson said.

 "This past summer, on my way to the barber shop after lunch – I have lunch at home – I came upon a vehicle that had a large 'Abolish Bob Anderson' bumper sticker," Anderson said. "I've also seen nasty comments on Facebook from my comments on 'Township Talk.'"

Anderson also found nails scattered across his business' parking lot and "Abolish Bob Anderson" signs and bumper stickers popping up all over the township, he said.

Anderson told a Chicago-based radio talk show host that the harassment was a sign that opponents of his conservative approach to township government are running scared. 

"I don't think the townships are any different from all the school districts, all the library districts, all the fire districts we have," Anderson said. "As you are well aware, Illinois has 7,000 governments – 2,000 more than in any other state. Every one of these governments are a fiefdom."

Anderson said the harrassment shows no sign of ending anytime soon.

"Last Friday (Oct. 20), at home behind my car, I found 39-inch-long bent brads to give me a flat tire," he said.

Anderson filed a police report but has seen no results, he said.