Please Vote on Tuesday

I know that turn out is low on local elections, but this upcoming Mayoral Race in Oak Lawn could have lasting repercussions for years to come. Local elections are the most immediate when it comes to home owners in the form of public services , property taxes, business development. the old saying is all politics are local. Decisions made on Tuesday could severely affect our safety, property tax bills, local tax increases and our quality of life here in the greatest city in the world Oak Lawn.

I have lived here for over 45 years, I went to Columbus Manor and Simmons middle school, I was active in west side baseball, park dist. basketball coaching. I care about our community. I worry about the way Oak Lawn is going. our operating budget goes up every year. Yet our sales tax revenue is lower because of the recession.

I worry about the political shenanigans and back room deals that have been happening lately. When career politicians think they know better than you and think they are entitled to help family members with no-bid contracts worry me.

When life long political enemies begin working together so each can get something out of the other, this disturbs me. there is a severe lack on leadership in the Mayors office right now. I have seen the downhill slide the last 4 years. The two FBI investigations has made our town look like Cicero. this cannot continue.

We cannot allow a Mayor to go against the best interests of all the village and it's taxpayers by allowing an entity in Advocate Hospital to not pay their fair share to the village for the vast amount of village resources the hospital uses whether it's our great police and fire departments or the tireless workers in our public workers department. Advocate over the years has removed over 35 properties of the tax rolls of this village. Taxes that pay for our fire ,police and public works, The hospital pays no sales tax or property tax This has cost the village millions of dollars in lost revenue over the years. The Mayor due to his friendly relationship  with the President Of Advocate has put the residents at a disadvantage. By continually blocking attempts to get impact fees from the hospital. He wants to take over a million dollars in public works funds designed to repair our alleys and streets and wants to use the money on a water feature for the Village green!!  If we were in better financial times and had a budget surplus, this might be a good idea, but these days the village is broke and residents need to have the infrastructure repairs they deserve and need badly. Not on pipe dreams

I could go on but all I can say is please vote for positive change on Tuesday and elect a truly caring and wonderful person who will be the best advocate for this great village and its residents. Dr. Sandra Bury  Thanks and please don't forget to vote on Tuesday thanks

Andy Skoundrianos  9724 s . Massasoit  45 year resident of Oak Lawn and proud supporter of Dr. Sandy Bury