New Democratic Township Supervisor: ‘Our goal is to continue and innovate new services’
After the Tuesday, April 1, election, voters saw a shift in color from red to blue among elected officials in York Township, both in the supervisor’s office and on the board.
Incumbent Township Supervisor John Valle lost to challenger Tim Murray (41.5 percent to 58.5 percent respectively, according to post-election results), and while Valle declined a request to comment for the Independent*, he did share his thoughts in the township’s Senior Sun Newsletter, from which the Independent was given permission to quote.
Valle first emphasized that “It has been my honor and privilege to have served as your supervisor throughout this journey of the past 20 years,” adding that some of the readers had likely been with him from the beginning.
Calling his loss and subsequent departure “bittersweet,” Valle said “I feel sad about a job I have loved so much, and happiness on the other hand, born of a sense of accomplishment, because our administration produced 20 years of fiscally responsible stewardship of township funds while continuously innovating, expanding and enhancing township programs and services.”
“We have left the new supervisor a township that is in excellent fiscal shape,” he continued, “as well as a building and property that is highly functional and utilized, by the people and for the people …”
“I am going to miss serving you all on a daily basis,” Valle concluded, adding that as a York Township resident for over 45 years, “I plan to stay because I love it here. It’s my home!”
Incoming Supervisor Tim Murray said he decided to run for office in part because he had used some of the York Township services for family members and “came away with a feeling of ‘it could be better.’ ”
He further said, “I have a desire to serve and give back for all the years of living in a community where I paid taxes, used the services directly and via my family, and progressed in my career.”
Murray, who served on the board and as president of the York Center Community, also said he was encouraged to run.
He believes the shift from Republican to Democrat was due to the focus of the campaign—such as a shift in demographics.
“Some identify it as people moving from the city to the suburbs,” he continued. “Make no mistake, there is more blue in DuPage than in the past; the key is how to motivate those people in the municipal election cycle.
“For that, we focused on our tagline—‘Frustrated Nationally-VOTE LOCALLY’—and then our messaging of efficient use of tax dollars, transparency and innovating services … People are very unhappy with Republican policies that are a big step away from our shared values as Americans.”
When asked to look ahead, Murray responded that the team intends to “listen to the people and provide what the township is charged with providing,” which he stated includes bringing services to the needy, maintaining the integrity of the assessor’s function and providing safe roads.
“We will make every attempt to be more modern in communication and thus transparent in our community,” he added.
As for how a township benefits residents, Murray said that with a threat of federal cuts to social services, a township is “literally the focal point for people to access services, and for organizations, individual towns, social associations and others to funnel resources back into the community.”
Murray concluded by saying that “Change can be uncomfortable … however there is no plan to eliminate senior programs or the food pantry. Our goal is to continue and innovate new services.
“As I get to know everyone, please say hello. Together we can be proud of York Township.”
*Editor’s note: The Independent also reached out for comment from outgoing board member Rae Rupp Srch, but did not receive a response.