Lester Vaughan, Darien Ward 2 Alderman Candidate

DARIEN, IL — Incumbent Lester Vaughan is one of two candidates running for Ward 2 Darien alderman in the April 4 election. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Lester Vaughan

Age:

47

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is on the Darien District 61 School Board.

Education:

Oral Roberts University, School of Arts and Sciences, Education and Computer Science
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, IT Project Management for Professionals, PMP

Occupation:

Director, Business Development

Campaign website or social media page:

https://www.facebook.com/LVfor...

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Alderman, Ward 2

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______ and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is growth, and this is what I intend to do about it. As an Alderman, I continue to hear from residents that while the communities around us seem to be growing exponentially with new business development, they don’t see the same growth in Darien. During my last 6 years on the City Council, I have been a proponent of thinking creatively in our efforts to draw in new businesses and developers that are willing to invest in our city.

Overall, we have a healthy balance sheet, with a balanced budget every year. I am so proud to say that the City hasn’t raised taxes in 12 years. We also have asked for a 0% levy each year, helping to keep taxes low for our residents which is one of my priorities.

To make important investments in the community and infrastructure, we need to grow our business sector. I see so much potential for growth in different areas of the city, and look forward to continuing to work towards drawing in new businesses which will make Darien an even “greater” place to live.

How do you view Darien's handling of economic development?

I proudly voted in favor of the formation of the City’s Economic Development Committee which is intended to help grow business development and retention in Darien.

The last few years have been really tough on small business owners, and we worked hard as a City Council to find ways to support local businesses through the pandemic. I voted in favor of 2 local economic relief packages (in April 2020 and October 2020) that enabled the City to give more than $415,000 in food and beverage tax rebates back to Darien restaurants and bars. This was a creative solution that helped keep some of our most hard-hit businesses open during the pandemic.

Darien has a host of businesses that have served our community for decades - this demonstrates that Darien is a great place to live and also a great place to do business. In my next term as Alderman, I look forward to supporting business development for the City to bring new revenue-generating businesses to our community.

What is your perspective on the City Council's approval of an apartment complex on Sokol Court in 2021?

The Sokol Court development came before the City Council on a discrete zoning issue that required a vote which centered on approving the development for luxury apartments versus condominiums. The zoning ordinance for that land had been longstanding and clearly permitted the type of development sought by the builder. In fact, had the residential development not gone forward, neighbors in that community may have had a problem on their hands because the zoning also permitted industrial use.

Darien has two demographics who primarily can benefit from the Sokol Court development - our aging population and our younger population. For empty nesters looking to stay in Darien but scale down, or for young people seeking to join our community, Sokol Court provides an opportunity. The Sokol Court development also demonstrates to other developers that Darien is a great place to invest.

What type of residential and commercial development would you like to see in Darien?

I would like us to get creative with commercial and residential development. We see a lot of communities that have mixed-use properties with residential, commercial, and retail combined.

Having these amenities will contribute to Darien with sales tax, population growth and curb appeal.

As a father of 2 young children, I can attest that Darien is a fantastic place to raise a family. One vision I have for Darien is that it becomes more walkable, so that residents can more easily take advantage of our beautiful nature spaces with more bike lanes and sidewalks, and that provides more access points between the residential and commercial areas of the city. In fact, I’m proud to have advocated for and secured funding to add sidewalks along the east side of Clarendon Hills Road between Community Park and 67th Street, along with a traffic light at the corner of 67th Street and Clarendon Hills Rd. I was able to work with our partners in the Village of Willowbrook to share some of the cost of the traffic light which will be put up this Spring. For residents in this area, this will make a huge difference in being able to walk and access the park, and to feel safe when traveling by foot, bike or vehicle.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

I don’t know enough about my opponent to speak to this directly. What I do know is that 6 years ago, when my son was in Kindergarten and my daughter was an infant, I felt called to throw my hat in the ring and seek a seat on the City Council. I wanted to give back and add my voice to help guide a future for Darien that would make my children proud to grow up here.

Public service is not just a phrase to me, it requires action. From the time I was a teenager, I have actively sought opportunities to give back to my community. I have been proud to serve the residents of Darien for the last 6 years.

I have a unique skill set that has prepared me to work alongside other stakeholders that is setting the course for the future of Darien. I have a background that includes public service, technology, business development, project management and community engagement.

I am very proud to be the first Black Alderman in the history of Darien. I have received meaningful feedback from residents in my ward and throughout Darien, including students and young people, about what it means to them to see diverse representation on the City Council.

The future of Darien is inclusive, it is vibrant and forward-thinking. This is why my family has put its roots down here and why I am so excited about what the future can bring.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As Alderman, I serve on 2 important committees: the Police Committee and the Admin Finance Committee. Safety of our residents is of the utmost importance, and I have been proud to serve on the Police Committee where I have seen firsthand how hard our Darien Police Officers work every day to keep us all safe. In turn, it is also a solemn responsibility as a City Council to ensure our police officers are protected. As a member of the Admin Finance Committee and as an Alderman, I have always voted consistently to support our law enforcement on issues ranging from their daily needs to protecting and funding their pensions.

Further, my role on the Admin Finance Committee has given me a detailed understanding of what it takes to run our local government.

In addition, some accomplishments that I’m very proud of as Alderman are:

• Championed to get a traffic light installed at one of the most problematic intersections in Darien, at 67th Street and Clarendon Hills Rd. That street light will be installed in the Spring of 2023. I worked with Willowbrook officials to share the cost, saving Darien taxpayer dollars.
• Advocated and obtained approval for sidewalks to be installed on the east side of Clarendon Hills Rd. between Community Park and 67th Street. I remain vocal about improving Darien’s walkability score by investing in sidewalk programs and bicycle lanes that connect our community.
• I continue to support economic development plans to improve our community, grow our business base and invest in key infrastructure initiatives in Darien. I am committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and to continuing to have balanced budgets and to seek zero levies.
• When Darien switched garbage pickup services, I advocated for an affordable rate for Seniors.
• I have proudly supported our local schools and students in various ways, including by initiating and helping to pass Hinsdale South Day in Darien, by supporting common-sense school referendums, and meeting with school administrators.
• Advocated for environmental initiatives and voted in favor of Darien’s “no idle” ordinance which prevents large trucks from idling in Darien. I worked alongside our amazing community on the Stop Sterigenics movement.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

I represent Ward 2 in Darien, but I firmly believe that what’s good for one part of Darien is good for all of Darien. My goal has been and remains to be responsive to the needs of the citizens, and doing so with creative solutions and always ensuring that we spend every single taxpayer dollar wisely.

We still have areas in Darien that have flooding issues, we have intersections and streets in Darien that could use improved safety measures; we have untapped resources in terms of business opportunities, as well as beautiful outdoor spaces that are not used to their full potential. Improving access and public safety for those who live in Darien and for those who commute through the city will remain at the forefront of my mind.

At the end of my term, I will feel it was a success when I can say that I worked alongside others to move Darien in the right direction, and did so while being careful stewards of the taxpayers’ money.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

I plan to serve out my full term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When someone first shared with me the quote attributed to Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” it truly resonated with me. This is a guiding principle of my life, and one I work to instill in my children.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m running for re-election because I care too much about our city’s future not to. I’m very proud to be representing Ward 2 in Darien which includes Hinsdale South High School, Community Park and the Indian Prairie Library. We’ve faced our fair share of challenges as a City Council and have had some contentious moments since I first became alderman back in 2018 - the fight over Sterigenics, contentious zoning issues, school referendum issues and a worldwide pandemic, to name a few.

It is the way our community has faced and overcome these challenges that gives me great hope - that even despite any differences we have, we collectively care about this city and its residents.

Local politics is about getting things done for the people every day. We must be guided by our values and our common interests when we vote as a City Council on issues that affect everyday residents. I know I have done that without a doubt, but we can do more if I’m re-elected.