Election Day is tomorrow, April 2. For those who haven’t early voted, please get out and vote. Local government elections determine what local services you receive and at what cost— through your property taxes—with the School Board taking over 2/3 of your property taxes:
IMPORTANT: When the ballot says, “Vote for 2 [or 3]”, it really means, “Vote for UP TO 2 [or 3]” or, as the Waubonsee election section states, “Vote for not more than….” Vote only for the candidates you think will represent you as you want to be represented. Voting for additional candidates simply to meet a quota may help them win and your desired candidate(s) lose.
In order to help you make informed decisions, below is some information on candidates:
School Board—
Incumbents: Christopher Lowe and Cathy Dremel. If you like the property tax levy increasing the maximum amount every year despite decreasing enrollment, deaf ears to parents’ and citizens’ complaints, artificial turf, and boys being allowed in girls’ locker rooms, these are the candidates to vote for.
Facebook links—
Scott Naylor: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=648582093&ref=content_filter
Erin Meitzler: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=701699628&ref=content_filter
Christopher Solfa: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1574469201
Library Board—Please see the LWV Forum. There is little that distinguishes the candidates from each other. The only candidate to recognize that the referendum was a tax increase and seems truly concerned about taxes is Kenneth Vanko.
KCC comparison https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/03/04/batavia-library-candidates-agreeable-emphasize-background-and-experience/a9g3gjl/
City Council—Contested races in Wards 2, 4, 4(2 yr term), 5
Ward 2:
Incumbent Alan Wolff is the last remaining alderman who was responsible for our 28-yr Prairie State electricity deal; voted for tax increases; voted for the Shodeen apartments project.
Leonard Solfa is an attorney (father of Chris Solfa running for School Board), will read contracts critically before signing them; from the DH, “The main issue is funding for civic infrastructure improvements without overburdening the citizens of the community.” His flyer:
Please read the KCC comparison article https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/03/25/wolff-faces-challenge-from-solfa-in-batavia/a99bxad/
Ward 4:
Susan Alderson https://m.facebook.com/Alderson4Alderman/
Joseph Knopp https://m.facebook.com/votejoeknopp/
From the KCC comparison article (https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/03/25/two-candidates-seek-batavia-4th-ward-4-year-term-seat/aivhv8d/):
“To encourage improvements to residential areas, the city should consider the possibility of offering financial incentives, perhaps matching grants, Knopp said.
Alderson said communication with 4th Ward residents through telephone, email and social media will be the key, pledging regular meetings with residents at homes or businesses.”
Note: Regarding Knopp’s idea of “matching grants”, where does the City get its money for matching grants? Answer: taxes. He’s advocating taking your money and giving it to select private individuals.
Ward 4 (2 yr term):
Appointed incumbent Tony Malay (no active Facebook page) did vote against the Shodeen project, but voted for the current budget and levy that increased taxes.
Anthony Schullo (candidate page): https://m.facebook.com/anthonymschullo/ (personal page): https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005220644973
Please read candidate profiles and the comparison KCC article https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/03/25/schullo-challenges-malay-in-batavia/a4i8xkw/
Ward 5:
Abby Beck https://m.facebook.com/AbbyBeck5thWard/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0. Community volunteer in many areas; committed to a “Green” agenda; supportive of Shodeen project though wishes it were shorter; against a 2nd bridge as unnecessary (extra 5 minutes not worth the tax burden).
Mike Hanrahan small business owner; advocate for business owners; fully in support of Shodeen project; for 2nd bridge IF alternative revenue is used other than property taxes
Michael Woerner government experience in Hinsdale as Village Board member then Village President; for 2nd bridge IF alternative revenue is used, and had secured grants in Hinsdale to build a bridge without property taxes; against large variances like Shodeen’s (developers should fit the City’s plans, not the other way around): “What I bring to the table is the ability to say NO. There are other developers….”
KCC comparison article https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/03/26/its-a-three-way-contest-in-batavias-5th-ward/ajzv5gs/
PLEASE VOTE!
Batavians for Responsible Government 