Trustee Jessica Petrow Slams Mayor Keith Ogle's Leadership and Conduct

In a blistering and unapologetic public statement, issued by video Thursday March 27, 2025, Frankfort Trustee Jessica Petrow has pulled back the curtain on what she describes as deep-seated issues of cronyism, lack of transparency, and troubling treatment of women under the administration of incumbent Mayor Keith Ogle. Her remarks come as the mayoral race intensifies, with Petrow detailing a pattern of mismanagement, unethical campaign tactics, and dismissive treatment of women in politics that she says are harming Frankfort’s future.

As one of only two women currently elected to the Frankfort Board of Trustees—and one of just eight women ever to hold that position—Petrow’s voice carries weight. Her insider perspective paints a damning picture of Ogle’s leadership, which she claims has led to diminished transparency, stifled community input, and a regression in governance.

A Woman’s Perspective: Exclusion and Marginalization in Frankfort’s Leadership

Petrow, who is not only a Trustee but also a wife, mother, working mom, neighbor, and a descendant of generations of Frankfort residents, revealed the deeply personal disappointment she felt in Ogle’s exclusionary practices—particularly regarding women in local government.
“I am only one out of eight elected here in Frankfort,” Petrow said, highlighting the gender disparity in village leadership. She recalled multiple instances where she was shut out of student government involvement, despite her persistent requests.
“I pleaded with Keith to stay involved in Student Government! He said ‘No’. He was better positioned to educate our youth. I shared how important I felt it was that they see both men and women in our local government. Crickets. My own daughter was in it one year and I again pleaded to be involved. A hard no. It still makes me sad to be excluded!”

Petrow also accused Ogle of marginalizing trustees, claiming that their talents and insights are deliberately ignored.
“Trustee roles are basically minimized, our talents are not leveraged, and more importantly, resident feedback is not included!”
She described how, under former Mayor Jim Holland, she was actively involved in community and economic development initiatives, but Ogle stripped her of all leadership roles.
“Under Holland, I served as a Community Events Chair and Economic Development Chair. I was also the co-lead for Student Government day,” she explained. “Under Ogle, I was removed from all positions!”

Cronyism and Backroom Deals: Appointments Without Transparency

Petrow’s sharpest criticism focused on Ogle’s lack of transparency and his penchant for favoritism and cronyism. She revealed how the Mayor handpicks appointees behind closed doors, leaving both trustees and the public in the dark.
“What I asked for as an elected official was for more transparency in the election process,” Petrow said. “We recently had an opening for the planning commission, and accepted applications. The Mayor receives them, does not communicate his process, and does not involve the Board and makes an appointment!”
She added that Ogle appointed a longtime friend and supporter, bypassing standard procedures and shutting out the Board’s oversight.
“As a former planning commissioner, I know a thing or two about what’s involved in that Board!” Petrow remarked, calling out the blatant favoritism.

Scripted Meetings and Censored Discussions: Lack of Transparency

Petrow also exposed Ogle’s control over Board Meetings, which she says are scripted and sanitized for public consumption, while the real discussions—the ones that matter—are hidden from public view.
“The Board Meetings that are televised or recorded are all scripted!” she revealed. “The discussions—the meat of the conversations—really happens at Committee meetings which are not recorded or televised.”
She pointed out that the Board voted on recording Committee meetings, but Ogle himself cast the tie-breaking vote against it, ensuring that the public remains in the dark.
“If you are working a traditional 9 to 5 schedule, you really don’t have the opportunity to hear what’s going on!”
In stark contrast, former Mayor Jim Holland made accommodations to increase public access.
“Holland was receptive to this feedback and adjusted meetings to accommodate,” Petrow said, contrasting Ogle’s resistance to transparency with his predecessor’s accessibility.

Political Shenanigans: Sign Scandals and Slanderous Tactics

Petrow also slammed Ogle’s unethical campaign tactics, including the removal of rival candidate signs. She specifically referenced allegations from Justin Ozinga, whose campaign signs were allegedly discovered in a pile behind Village Hall.
“Political signs… just saying the words hurts my stomach!” Petrow lamented. “I too had a pile of signs at the Village Hall. It’s just a bad look when it’s only the incumbent’s signs!”
She further revealed that she was forced to send Ogle a cease-and-desist letter during her second Trustee campaign due to slanderous statements he made about her.
“I had to send our current mayor a cease-and-desist letter due to fabrications and slander,” she disclosed. “Frankfort politics have gotten uglier” under Ogle’s leadership.

Campaign Violations: Illegal Use of the Village Logo

Petrow also called out Ogle’s blatant campaign violations, including his illegal use of the Village of Frankfort logo on campaign materials—a move she says was designed to mislead voters.
“I am shocked to see our sitting Mayor, who clearly knows the sign rules, blatantly break them in his own front yard. I am even more shocked that he used the Village Logo on campaign materials!”
She emphasized that Ogle, as a seasoned politician, knew better.
“He has run several campaigns,” Petrow pointed out. “He knows you cannot use the village logo but he did so anyway! It’s illegal because it misleads the public to think the village is sponsoring or supporting a specific campaign.”

She also highlighted Ogle’s hypocrisy in quietly removing the logo from his materials while claiming innocence.
“The most shocking statement I saw was when Keith claims he did nothing wrong while quietly removing the logo from his pages,” Petrow noted. “Keith claims the logo he used is not the official logo. It just happens to be on every letterhead, every press release, our Village of Frankfort social media, every sign, and even stamped onto the entrance of Village Hall.”

A Community Held Back: Stagnation Under Ogle’s Leadership

Petrow concluded by painting a bleak picture of Frankfort’s stagnation under Ogle’s administration, citing delayed projects and lost opportunities.
“Don’t forget about the Children’s Museum… the years of delay for Senso Sushi, the Bowling Alley, etc!” she said. “The impacts are seen for future generations, for missed opportunities from people being silenced! Don’t be silent! Use your vote this election season!”

A Final Plea for Better Leadership

In her closing remarks, Petrow delivered a powerful plea for change, urging Frankfort residents to demand ethical, transparent, and accountable leadership.
“I want better for our community. We need someone in that center seat that listens to you! We need someone in that seat who treats ALL people with respect, not just the ones who support or vote for him!”
She warned of the dangers of concentrated power in Ogle’s hands, adding:
“We should all be afraid when one person has too much power, too much control.”

As the mayoral race heats up, Petrow’s revelations serve as a stark warning: the future of Frankfort hangs in the balance, and voters have the power to demand change.

Her full statement can be found here.