Time to get out and vote
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
By the time this edition of the Elmhurst Independent hits the newsstands, there will only be a few days left to consider early voting, available at City Hall. City Clerk Patti Spencer announced at the latest City Council meeting that early voting would conclude on Saturday, April 1, but it will be open that day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Up until then, citizens can vote Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
It is an Election year with very few contested races on the ballot, which is usually a sign that things are going along pretty well, that voters are happy with how things are for the most part.
There will be three ballot questions for those who live north of North Avenue in Addison Township (see related story elsewhere in this issue).
City Council races
Mayor Steve Morley
Mayor Steve Morley is running unopposed, perhaps because he has done more than any other mayors to move forward on some solutions to flood mitigation. It’s easy now to see why others may have dragged their feet — it’s profoundly expensive and it takes the cooperation of all the taxing bodies in the City, which Morley has not always had.
The Independent does not always endorse candidates but this is the only opportunity to point out what a great job Steve Morley has done as mayor of Elmhurst. He has represented the City well at all levels, has been a no-nonsense person who is unafraid to call people out and hold their feet to the fire — even the other taxing bodies. He runs the meeting well, everyone gets their say with the meetings running into the wee hours. City staff is performing well and one can’t say enough about all the construction going on in downtown. While the traffic may get snarled and travel times are longer, once it is all done, there will be more and more people with whom to share the tax burden. Other towns are green with envy.
Also running unopposed is City Clerk Patti Spencer and City Treasurer Elaine Libovicz.
Aldermen seeking re-election are:
Ward One
Martha “Marti” Deuter
Ward Two
Norman Leader
Ward Three
Michael J. Bram
Ward Four
Kevin York
Ward Five
Tina Park
Ward Six
Ronald James Sebonia
Jim Kennedy
Ward Seven
Mike Brennan
Deuter, Leader, Bram and York are all incumbents, running unopposed. Tina Park is running in Ward 5 for the seat formerly occupied by Chris Healy. Mike Brennan is seeking the seat vacated by 7th Ward Alderman Patrick Wagner. Brennan is fully endorsed by Wagner.
Ward Six
Ward Six has a contested race with Ronald James Sebonia challenging incumbent Jim Kennedy.
James M. Kennedy (I)
Jim Kennedy has done an outstanding job as Chair of the Public Works & Buildings Committee, which has had a great deal to do with the various flood mitigation projects. He rarely misses a meeting, even when he’s out of town on business, he “attends” as a computer monitor set up at his spot on the dais.
Kennedy is a life-long resident of Elmhurst, as his parents bought their house in the community in 1963. He grew up attending Immaculate Conception Church. He is married with three children and the family now attends Visitation.
He believes his biggest strengths are problem-solving and knowing how to assess a situation, understand its constraints, identify potential solutions and move forward on the best one. Kennedy holds a Bachelors of Science in Engineering from Marquette University as well as a Masters in Engineering Management from Northwestern University. His education makes him an ideal person to work on the flood mitigation projects.
Kennedy recognizes the world and the demographics of Elmhurst are changing and he pledges to create a culture of change that continually challenges the status quo.
Over the past years, Kennedy has met with some controversial times when other aldermen have challenged his position on issues, but he always maintains his cool and carefully explains steps in the process, especially in flood mitigation, that others might not know. He’s been a genuine asset to City Council.
Ronald James Sebonia
Ronald Sebonia is a 54-year-old independent trader who holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University. He has never held office before, but says he has observed all the turmoil at the national and state level in government and politics and decided to get involved locally.
“Complaining on social media is easy, but has no impact. I’ve chosen to act locally by becoming involved in my local government,” he said.
He believes his education gave him a thorough understanding of the principles and obligations of government and that the most important aspects of governing a municipality are fiscal responsibility, efficient delivery of services and planning. Sebonia believes his work as a floor trader has given him the experience of making decisions based on research and knowledge. He also feels his position has instilled a deep understanding of market-oriented economic analysis. In addition, Sebonia recognizes the need to move with the trends in lifestyle and change as the future requires. “There are fundamental shifts in consumer behavior that will adversely affect the need for bricks-and-mortar retail,” Sebonia said.
School Boards
Elmhurst School District 205
Jim Collins
Kara Caforio
Margaret D. Harrell
Three candidates are running for three open spots. Running for the first time is Kara Caforio who has been a big part of the Focus205 efforts over the past few years. She has been very active and is very passionate about serving the students and residents of District 205. She will make a fine addition to the School Board.
Collins and Harrell are both outstanding School Board members and will continue their good work throughout the next term.
Salt Creek School District 48
There are no challengers in this race.
Leslie McDonnell is running for an unexpired two-year term.
The following people are seeking four-year terms on the Board:
John R. Downer
Stacy K. Rattana
James V. Van De Velde
Raymond C.J. Kielminski
Park Commissioner, Elmhurst Park District
Incumbent Mary E. Kies is facing off against Tim Sheehan and Robert “Bobby” Smith for two available seats on the Elmhurst Park Board of Commissioners.
