It's Time We Move Forward as a Full Community

Dear Neighbors of Darien Ward 6,

My name is Rachel Lazich. I am a marketing professional, a dedicated relationship cultivator in both personal and business settings, a mother to three boys, and a proud Darien resident. I am writing to you to share why I am running to represent Ward 6 in Darien’s City Council. While I have spent a lot of time talking to neighbors both in-person and virtually, I know I won’t reach everyone. My hope is that this letter will reach those I have not had the fortune to meet, clearly relay my ideas for the future of our city, and earn your support. I am asking for your vote on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 because I want to serve our community as Alderwoman of Ward 6.
I am challenging Alderman Eric Gustafson because I believe we need a leader who will be a voice for all residents and has a vision for what tomorrow looks like for this city while bringing the community together to move us forward.

My Story

I grew up in rural Illinois where I learned the importance of working together as a community to support each other. I am a graduate of Western Illinois University where I received my Master’s degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Administration.

Once I made my way to this area, I knew I found my new home. My husband and I moved to Darien five years ago and are now raising our three boys here. I am grateful for the experiences this city has provided for my family. This ignited the inspiration to serve my community through:

• Volunteering as a member of the Community Engagement Forum during the Center Cass School District 66 referendum in order to hear all voices in our communities;
• Creating ideas for accommodations for special needs students to increase accessibility to Center Cass School District 66 PTO events and activities;
• Serving on the Parent Advisory Council through Center Cass School District 66;
• Coaching kindergarten basketball and soccer through the Woodridge Park District; and
• Serving as Recruitment Chair for Cub Scouts Pack 512.

My professional career has been grounded in service roles. In the early years of my career, I worked in the corrections field for Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. I also served senior citizens at different home healthcare organizations, with a focus on programming and community outreach.

I have a history of working with a variety of demographics to empower, protect, and provide resources and services. I currently serve as a Marketing Director for Behavioral Perspective, Inc. where I work to connect special needs children and parents to the services they need.

The Issues

Alderman Gustafson and I have dramatically different views of what effective leadership looks like. He has pitted residents and organizations against each other, creating a divide in our community instead of delivering the results we need. He has steadfastly refused to work collaboratively with ALL community members to address issues impacting his constituents.
His approach to addressing business growth utilizes antiquated outreach techniques that has led to, among other things, a lack of diversified businesses. Darien continues to lose valuable tax dollars as residents visit neighboring communities to eat, shop, and play.

Alderman Gustafson boasts in his candidate questionnaire printed in the Patch that he “developed and received city approval for a new city position designed to retain and attract new businesses in Darien.” (“Eric Gustafson, Darien Ward 6 Alderman Candidate”: Questions 7 and 13. Patch.com, published February 17, 2023). This part-time $30 per hour position was never advertised as open to the community to apply and was instead simply filled by the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission who is also a member of the Economic Development Committee. (“Darien Position Not Advertised: City.” Patch.com, published January 23, 2023). Not opening the position to the public showed a lack of transparency and impeded the necessary competition to hire the most qualified person to attract businesses to serve residents' modern needs.

In the same candidate questionnaire, Alderman Gustafson states that he “[m]aintained a safe city; only 3% of residents per the latest resident survey do not feel safe in Darien. Provided superior service to residents; only 6% of residents are not satisfied with the overall quality of life in Darien.” In making his claims about safety in Darien, Alderman Gustafson fails to acknowledge and give credit where credit is due: to our men and women in the Darien Police Department who are the true champions of safety, not only in Ward 6, but the entire city (“Darien Residents ‘Quite A Bit Safer’: Official”. Patch.com, published July 22, 2021). Moreover, in prior comments to The Patch not less than six months ago, Alderman Gustafson asked the Police Chief if he could legally aim a gun at a trespasser's head to get the individual to leave his property (“Aim Gun At Trespasser? No, Darien Chief Says” Patch.com, published September 20, 2022). A few months later, he stated that crime is everywhere and encouraged residents to arm themselves (“Woman Inside During Darien Attempted Burglary: Official” Patch.com, published January 17, 2023). At the January 16, 2023 Darien City Council meeting, Alderman Gustafson stated, “...and frankly, I have a gun, I’m well prepared for what potentially could happen but people have to get ready” (8:13 mark from the 2023-01-16 Darien City Council Meeting on YouTube). I fail to understand how crime can be a problem, but at the same time not be an issue in Darien. The Alderman cannot have it both ways. This is a time for leadership, not vigilante justice.

I point to these examples to demonstrate the inconsistencies in communication which has led to our community receiving partial truths and incomplete information, as well as growing distrust in our local government. I believe in a government that is transparent in all communications and delivers a message in a manner that provides complete facts to community members.

The only way we will get outcomes that fit our city’s ever growing needs is to work together, even with those with whom we often disagree, to develop solutions that benefit our community.

That is why I am running for Alderwoman of Ward 6 and why I am asking for your support. If I am given the opportunity to serve in this capacity, I will be a leader who brings people together, engages with all members of our community, and works to deliver results to the people and businesses that call Darien home.

I am passionate about seeking new solutions and have the drive, creativity, interpersonal skills, and administrative experience to execute change to benefit our city. I have many ideas that I would love to implement. Just a few include: (1) updating our city Master Plan using feedback from residents to ensure we are prioritizing projects while being prudent with our tax dollars, (2) new city events to draw people into Darien, and (3) attracting new businesses by marketing what a great city Darien is to them. Together, we can make Darien a place where our businesses can thrive, our youth can build a future, and our families and seniors can feel secure. I pledge to apply my enthusiasm and dedication to represent the voice and vision of ALL members of the community. Thank you for helping us move forward together by voting for me for Alderwoman of Ward 6 on April 4th.

Sincerely,
Rachel Lazich
Candidate for Alderman of Ward 6
Rachelforalderwoman@gmail.com
Rachel For Alderwoman Ward 6 - Facebook
https://www.stronger66.com/about-rachel

P.S. If you are unable to make it out on Election Day, early voting is also open starting on March 20 and you can find early voting locations by visiting the DuPage County Elections website or by clicking here.