St. Charles Residents’ Group Slates Feb. 28 Mayoral Forum

St. Charles residents will have a chance to interview and learn more about the four men running in the April 9 election for St. Charles mayor during a candidates forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the auditorium of the Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2^nd St.

Alderman Ray Rogina, John Rabchuk, Jotham Stein, and Jake Wyatt are the candidates, and all have agreed to participate in a casual town hall-style format, where they will sit and discuss the issues and answer questions from St. Charles residents.

This forum, which was planned by the West-Side neighborhood group 2R2R (for  River to Randall, Railway to Route 64), marks the first time in recent memory that residents, rather than a political or municipal group like the League of Women Voters or the Chamber of Commerce, have ever held such an event in St. Charles.

“We felt with so many candidates running in this election, it was time that residents had their own opportunity to come together and vet the candidates themselves,” said 2R2R member Craig Bobowiec. “Having so many candidates is something that has not occurred in decades, if ever, which makes it essential residents have the opportunity to learn about each candidate.”

According to 2R2R’s release, each candidate will be allotted time to introduce himself and to discuss his experience, goals and how, if elected, he plans to reach them. Then residents will have a chance to ask specific questions about their own issues and concerns. 2R2R plans to ensure the candidates have sufficient time to answer these questions.

2R2R invites every registered St. Charles voter to attend.

“We hope residents are concerned enough about this election and the issues facing St. Charles, like First Street, Charlestowne Mall, business revitalization, traffic and so on, to take one evening out of their busy schedules to attend and participate in this event,” 2R2R Chairman Joseph Masiokas said.