Leafblad-Depke feud unfolding for encore January 30, 2004       Lakeland Newspapers

Political odds-makers are putting the three-way battle for the Republican nomination for District 6 County Board representative in a "down to the wire" classification for the March 16 primary. The mid-county collision features two long-time protagonists, Larry Leafblad and Bob Depke, and a savvy young Republican, Brian Gutraj, the attorney-CPA, who is positioning himself as a viable alternative to new chapters of an old feud. The District 6 seat is open due to the decision of incumbent Rep. Don Bauer (R-Round Lake Park) not to seek re-election. The newly redistricted sector includes Third Lake, Grayslake, and part of the Round Lake area. Leafblad and Depke clashed regularly during previous service, mostly over growth issues. Depke, as a former county board chairman, was an architect of go-go expansion, while Leafblad was outspoken for controlled growth that would provide open space and environmental needs. Early campaigning indicates that the outcome will swing on the growth issues. The three Republicans will square off at a Feb. 26 debate before members of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce.