From Open Doors to Closed Ranks: Frankfort's John Perish on Mayor Ogle

Frankfort, Illinois, is a town known for its historic charm, strong community ties, and engaged citizens. But as the village grows into a city, a troubling shift in leadership style has left many longtime residents and public servants questioning whether transparency and civic participation are still valued under Mayor Keith Ogle’s administration.
Former Frankfort Trustee and Citizen, John Perish, is a well-respected longtime local political activist who served 7 years on Frankfort's Village Board. In addition, during his 45-year residence in Frankfort, he served on multiple local Public Sector committees, including but not limited to, School District 157-C, High School District 210 and Strategic Planning Committees for the Village while on the Board and as a private citizen for years thereafter. Shortly after he left the Board, he also represented the Village as the chief spokesperson in the Village labor negotiations which resulted in the first collective bargaining agreement with Frankfort's Police represented at the time by the Teamsters’ union. It goes without saying, John's opinion on the upcoming mayoral election deserves a hearing.

Q: John, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the upcoming mayoral race. With your years of service as a Frankfort Trustee, what do you see as the most pressing need for the village at this time?

John Perish: Tom, thanks for the opportunity to share several concerns about the Mayoral race. With my long service in local government, it’s probably not surprising that I have strong opinions about this race. Right now, free and fair leadership is of the greatest importance to Frankfort. We are at a pivotal moment. We’re on the verge of transforming from a “village” with 1890s charm into a “city” with 1890s charm. As we grow, we need strong political leadership, but more importantly, transparent leadership that encourages broad participation from everyone.

Q: You’ve spoken before about the value of citizen engagement. How do you believe the current administration is handling this aspect of governance?

John Perish: Unfortunately, the current administration falls far short when it comes to transparency and citizen involvement. Right now, we have a Mayor who doesn’t seem to value grassroots input—and that’s a mistake. Frankfort is home to smart, creative, hardworking, and practical citizens who love this community. We should be capitalizing on the ideas and insights these committed individuals have to offer, not shutting them out.
When citizen input is dismissed or only superficially considered, the village misses out on valuable ideas and solutions. We need leadership that genuinely listens to the people and is willing to implement the best among the many ideas they offer.

Q: You’ve worked alongside several former mayors. How did their leadership styles differ from what you’re seeing now?

John Perish: During my time as a Trustee, I had the privilege of working with Mayors Ken Biel, Ray Rossi, and Jim Holland. What they all had in common was a genuine open-door policy, especially Jim Holland. They made it clear that their “bosses” were the Frankfort citizens, and they acted accordingly.
When a mayor truly embraces an open-door leadership style, it ensures that all voices—residents, business owners, and village staff—are heard. These mayors didn't just pay lip service to transparency; they welcomed ideas, concerns, and feedback from the community and acted on the best ones. That’s the kind of leadership Frankfort needs right now, and sadly, it’s not what we currently have.

Q: You mentioned the role of Village Staff. What changes would you like to see in how they are involved in decision-making?

John Perish: Our Village Staff is a vital resource—and their expertise should be tapped into far more often. The staff needs to be surveyed closely and consistently. They should be unrestricted in their ability to share improvement ideas, and their recommendations must be taken seriously.

These are the people who know the inner workings of the village better than anyone. They’re on the front lines, dealing with the day-to-day realities of municipal operations. Ignoring or sidelining their input is a disservice to the community.

Q: With so much at stake for Frankfort’s future, what kind of leadership do you believe the village needs moving forward?

John Perish: Frankfort is at a crossroads. We need leadership that prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and genuine collaboration. The next mayor must have the humility and wisdom to lead by listening—not just to a select few but to all citizens.

As a grandfather, father, husband, retired Operations and Human Resources executive, and former Trustee, I know from experience that an approach grounded in listening and inclusion works. We need a mayor who is committed to fostering a culture of openness—someone who not only welcomes citizen input but also acts on it. That’s how we’ll keep Frankfort the special place we all know and love.

Q: Finally, what is your message to Frankfort residents as they prepare to cast their votes?

John Perish: My message is simple: Frankfort deserves a mayor who values transparency, listens to its citizens, and leads with integrity. This election is about more than just policies—it’s about the character and leadership style that will define our future. We need someone who will put the people first and embrace the ideas and energy of this remarkable community. That’s the only way we’ll continue to thrive as we grow.