Meet The Write-In Candidates For Lemont Library Board

LEMONT, IL — The upcoming election is less than a month away, and early voting has already begun. In Lemont, one of the most contentious races is the race for four open positions on the Lemont Public Library Board. After current library board president Vytenis Kirvelaitis successfully objected to the nomination papers of all newcomer candidates, the candidates decided to run as write-ins.

The four write-ins, Melissa Fischer, Renee Miller Pravdik, Michael Dunkin and Patricia Doornbos, have banded together to help publicize their campaigns and share their campaign goals.

Melissa Fischer

Fischer has several years of experience working in libraries. She previously worked for Downers Grove Public Library, and now works at the DuPage Foundation.

"When I started a new job this year, I missed the library world. I thought running for library board would be the perfect way to combine my passion for reading with my knowledge of public libraries with my desire to volunteer in the community — a trifecta!"

Fischer was born and raised in Lemont, and her mother, Patricia Doornbos is also running as a write-in candidate for the library board. Fischer is a graduate of Old Quarry Middle School, Lemont High School and Saint Xavier University.

When asked what she will campaign for, she said, "I'll campaign for board members who are transparent about library business and as someone who actively listens to community members' thoughts on how the library is performing."

Michael Dunkin

Dunkin has lived in Lemont with his wife, Carol, and their four children, for 20 years. He first decided to run for the library board after the firing of beloved children's library Mary Inman last August.

"I needed to do something, especially since I’ve witnessed first-hand how disrespectfully she was treated at our library," he said.

Dunkin has degrees in economics and religion from the University of Chicago. He has spent 20 years working in technology and currently manages a data center operations. He also serves as an elder at Immanuel Lutheran Church, a Cub Scout Supernova STEM education mentor, and an Assistant Cub Scout Den Leader.

When asked what he will campaign for, he said, "My mission is to restore trust in our library as a fiscally-responsible, welcoming space that partners with other community organizations to foster lifelong learning regardless of age and ability."

Some of Dunkin's priorities include fiscal responsibility, a welcoming space, partnering with other community organizations, lifelong learning, and valuing all ages and abilities.

"The current library board saddled taxpayers with costly employment litigation because of their reckless employment practices. They budgeted $140,000 for legal and audit expenses for this fiscal year," Dunkin said. "To put that in perspective, that’s more than they budgeted for the salaries, books, and programming for the entire youth services department, and it’s five times what the park district budgeted for legal. I will ensure that the library’s budget reflects the values of our community and the mission of our library."

He adds that he will ensure the library welcomes every member of the community and will focus on developing partnerships with the schools, senior center and Scout groups.

"I’ll work especially hard to repair the damage the current board has done in its relationship with Friends of Lemont Library, an organization dedicated to helping our library in its mission to serve the community," Dunkin said.

Renee Miller Pravdik

Miller Pravdik was born and raised in Lemont and is a graduate of St. Cyril and Methodius School and Lemont High School. She now raises her own family in the town.

"I decided to run for the library board simply because I love the library. My children especially love storytime and the programs offered for them," she said.

Miller Pravdik graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in hospitality management and held various management positions before she stopped working after the birth of her twin daughters.

When asked what she will campaign for, she said, "I will campaign for fair and ethical treatment of the library employees and to keep our children's programs running. I really think the library needs some fresh faces on the board to bring a new prospective."

Patricia Doornbos

Doornbos said she decided to run for the library board after learning of the difficulties that her daughter, Melissa Fischer, and the other write-in candidates experienced.

"I understand that there are certain rules that need to be followed to get your name on a ballot, but it never occurred to me that there would be such intense opposition from an incumbent to prevent the names of new people from even appearing on a ballot," Doornbos said. When her daughter asked if she was interested in joining her as a write-in candidate, Doornbos said she knew she had skills that could be useful on the board.

Doornbos has lived in Lemont for most of her life and was a teacher at Lemont High School for 37 years before retiring in 2017. Doornbos has previously served on the Lemont Township Youth Commission.

"...I understand the commitment that would be required of Library Board members," she said. "As a recent retiree, I have plenty of time to devote to the work of the library board, and have always appreciated the importance of the library to the community."

When asked what she is campaigning for, Doornbos said, "What strikes me as most important in this election is that we need to address the fact that there is apparently a significant amount of discontent with the current library board. I believe that the people of Lemont deserve a library board that seeks input from the community, is transparent in its actions and is fiscally responsible. The best way to accomplish this is by electing some newcomers to the board."

For more information on the write-in candidates, you can visit their Facebook page.

There are four open positions on the library board for the April election. According to the library website, Kirvelaitis and current trustees Catherine Sanders, Tom Culcasi and Thomas Burton Jr. are up for re-election in April and all have filed to run as candidates.

If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 2 election, you can email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire.