The Republican Women of Park Ridge and Maine Township Republican Women's clubs jointly held a candidate forum on Feb. 16 with more than 100 voters coming out to meet the candidates and discuss the issues that face Illinois residents.
Susan Sweeney, Republican Women of Park Ridge president and Maine Township trustee candidate, moderated the forum. The event brought together the Republican and nonpartisan candidates that are on Park Ridge's April 4 ballot, including the Maine Township Republican Unity Slate, which did not participate in a previous candidate forum.
Candidates running for Maine Township supervisor, highway commissioner, assessor, clerk and trustee; Maine Township High School District 207 Board; Oakton College Board; Park Ridge-Niles School District 64; Park Ridge mayor, alderman and city clerk positions; and Park Ridge Park Board appeared at the forum.
The Maine Township Republican Unity Slate is running together on a platform of fiscal responsibility and creative ways to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality of services.
The Unity Slate features clerk candidate Peter Gialamas and trustee candidates David Carrabotta, Kimberly Jones, Kelly Schafer and Susan Sweeney. Group members Laura Morask, Walter Kazmierczak and Susan Moylan Krey are running unopposed for supervisor, highway commissioner and assessor, respectively.
“The Republicans of Maine Township are thrilled to support a strong and united GOP slate of township nominees," Republican Committeeman Char Foss-Eggemann said about the group. "The slate represents both experienced incumbents and dedicated newcomers who are known throughout the township for their commitment to public service and good government. With this GOP team in office, taxpayers can rest assured that their Township will continue to protect valuable services and programs, but also find new ways to become more efficient and save tax dollars.”
The Maine Township High School District 207 Board candidates who appeared at the forum included Aurora Austriaco, Linda Coyle, Dan Gott, Jin Lee and Carla Owen. The board consists of seven citizens who serve four-year terms, and the elections are held in odd-numbered years. There is no compensation for board members.
The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 race featured all new faces as none of the incumbents chose to run for re-election. Rick Biagi, Gregory Bublitz, Norman Dziedzic Jr., Larry Ryles, Fred Sanchez, Michael Schaab and Eastman Tiu are vying for four seats.
The Park Ridge race is hotly contested, with several candidates vying for most positions. Incumbent acting Mayor Marty Maloney will face off against local attorney Lucas Fuksa. Alderman candidates participating in the forum included Nicholas Milissis, who is running unopposed for 2nd Ward; Pasquale Laudando, Vicki Lee, incumbent Rick Van Roeyen and Gail Wilkening for 3rd Ward; Jack Barnette and incumbent Roger Shubert for 4th Ward and Patrick DeStefano and incumbent Marc Mazzuca for 6th Ward. City Clerk Betty Henneman is running unopposed. Not all candidates had confirmed their attendance before the forum.
The Park Ridge Park Board is also a crowded race, with nine candidates vying for four four-year terms. Incumbents Joan Bende and Jim Phillips will face off with Jennifer Barcal, Carol Becker, Jim O'Donnell, Harmony Harrington, Jim Janak, H. Robert Leach and Laurie (Pegler) Mallin.
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