We have an urgent and singular opportunity to replace the rot at the core of our current Village government. We became aware of it when the block voting – rubber stamping trustees figuratively and literally turned their back on community opposition to an ugly and dangerous Carvana car vending machine. Experts said it would threaten a vulnerable Illinois Nature Preserve and menace thousands of migrating birds. They voted to approve it.
We see it in the slowly deteriorating building on Oakton, now in foreclosure. The party responsible for filing the foreclosure asks the court to order it sold at auction. One of the many budgets we’ve seen puts the total cost of the completed project in the $70 million range. The skeleton, untouched by construction workers for over two years now, is a monument to sloppy due diligence and inexplicable decision making. It will ultimately cost us a fortune.
It was further revealed (rot) in the machinations of a tainted Ethics Commission, used as a club to punish Trustee Johnson for speaking truth to power. James has been ostracized and harassed by the old guard from the jump, witnessed by all who attended Board meetings. The insiders actually hired a lawyer at Village expense to retaliate against ethics complaints filed by James, ignoring the Village ordinance prohibiting such a stunt.
Find out what's happening in Skokiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
We note its presence (old political alliance rot) in the staggering fundraising of the Skokie Forward slate. Over $400,000 in their collective coffers and still counting! Some, sadly, from outsider machine Democrats. Recent analysis illuminates that absent personal loans, 75% of the contributions to the Azi for Skokie campaign came from zip codes outside of Skokie.
Contrast that will the Tennes campaign numbers. Again, absent personal loans, only 24% of the contributions to the Ann Tennes for Mayor campaign came from zip codes outside of Skokie.
Find out what's happening in Skokiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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Illinois Sunshine is a political reform website. It lists the Azi for Mayor campaign as 4th highest in the state for donations, transfer, loans, etc! (for the last month)
Ahead of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle!
Wow! In consideration of all of the above, I reject the Skokie Forward candidate slate, root and branch. It’s time to refresh government in the spirit of our beautiful and awakened community. Toward inclusion, vision, transparency & accountability.
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My Core Endorsements (all independent candidates – beholden to none)
Mayor:
Ann Tennes has twenty five-years of experience in Skokie Government while supporting local community non-profit organizations like the Skokie Community Foundation and Rotary International. It’s a record that fully prepares her to be a superlative Mayor. Keen intelligence and a lifelong learner coupled with a huge heart. Her opponent has zero governmental experience.
Village Clerk:
James Johnson. Their transformative work leading the electoral reform effort resulted in how we vote today. James was the only trustee to oppose both Carvana and the Homewood Suites projects. Their tremendous work ethic and visionary perspective will take the Village Clerk’s office to the new heights of public service
At-large Trustee:
Gail Schechter is a brilliant pathfinder who led efforts to provide workforce (affordable) housing in Skokie. She has a long and distinguished record of leadership toward building the “beloved” community across intergenerational boundaries. Her vision inspires us.
District 1 Trustee:
I don’t have enough knowledge or information to comfortably endorse here
District 2 Trustee:
Nathan Norman. He has 13 years of experience in local and state government. Proud Northwestern grad with a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. Nathan has a distinguished record of advocacy for public engagement, transparency and accountability
District 3 Trustee:
Lissa Levy. Paraphrasing my favorite quote from her, "Drive east from Skokie Boulevard on Oakton, Main or Dempster and you’ll see where the Village stops caring." Lissa will champion equitable visioning and resource allocation across the community.
District 4 Trustee:
Jim Iverson. Brilliant numbers guy and negotiator. His ability to pull digits apart and breathe life into them is just remarkable. His skillset will be an invaluable addition to the Board. Additional expertise in contract construction.
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We’re a small town and EVERY SINGLE VOTE COUNTS. Please VOTE TODAY!
