Elections ’11, the bare truth: once ‘friends,’ now foes
First in series: Village growth, lack thereof frame Justice debate
By James Pluta
It was at this time just two years ago when politicians, parties and in
some cases simply residents of area towns, school, park and library
districts were down to the wire, in battles big and small, vying for their
local version of the Oscars: elected office.
And while the pomp and circumstance of becoming a village president or
city mayor, a park commissioner or library trustee are far flung from
Hollywood or national convention-type gala, the antics, fun and game of
getting there are sometimes alike.
The process starts with the vetting and tryouts of actors (or candidates
just fit for the various roles such as a lead (mayor), supporting cast
(clerks, trustees) and their allegiance with directors and producers
(chiefs, department heads, lawyers) and of course the intended audience
(voters and donors?)
Then comes the first runs and reels, followed by the cutting room floor
(the arduous petition circulation and objection process), the trailers
(all that costly and colorful campaign lit) and of course the final
premiere (in this case, Election Day) and reviews (we all know how that
goes, box office smash or flop).
This year the Main Event falls not on a Sunday night, but a just as
oh-so-convenient (and often bleary eyed late) Tuesday, April 5 — from 6
a.m. to 7 p.m., with requisite post curtain call (results) parties, happy
or sad.
So for folks like us (not the critics. mind y’all but those who chronicle
local history week-to-week, every Thursday), we will spend the next five
weeks telling you who is running against whom, what they think about each
other, stand for and against and what (they/we hope, at least) the future
may bring us.
This week, we hope readers learn about the different feelings about
economic development, image and finances in the village of Justice (one of
a dozen contested races we’ll be covering), where two parties are running
slates of four candidates each against each other for three 4-year seats
and one 2-year term.
This race, like just two others (in nearby Lyons and in Lyons-Brookfield
School District 103) is a potential game-changer, altering the board’s
majorities for at least the next two years.
It was at this time just two years ago when politicians, parties and in
some cases simply residents of area towns, school, park and library
districts were down to the wire, in battles big and small, vying for their
local version of the Oscars: elected office.
And while the pomp and circumstance of becoming a village president or
city mayor, a park commissioner or library trustee are far flung from
Hollywood or national convention-type gala, the antics, fun and game of
getting there are sometimes alike.
The process starts with the vetting and tryouts of actors (or candidates
just fit for the various roles such as a lead (mayor), supporting cast
(clerks, trustees) and their allegiance with directors and producers
(chiefs, department heads, lawyers) and of course the intended audience
(voters and donors?)
Then comes the first runs and reels, followed by the cutting room floor
(the arduous petition circulation and objection process), the trailers
(all that costly and colorful campaign lit) and of course the final
premiere (in this case, Election Day) and reviews (we all know how that
goes, box office smash or flop).
This year the Main Event falls not on a Sunday night, but a just as
oh-so-convenient (and often bleary eyed late) Tuesday, April 5 — from 6
a.m. to 7 p.m., with requisite post curtain call (results) parties, happy
or sad.
So for folks like us (not the critics. mind y’all but those who chronicle
local history week-to-week, every Thursday), we will spend the next five
weeks telling you who is running against whom, what they think about each
other, stand for and against and what (they/we hope, at least) the future
may bring us.
This week, we hope readers learn about the different feelings about
economic development, image and finances in the village of Justice (one of
a dozen contested races we’ll be covering), where two parties are running
slates of four candidates each against each other for three 4-year seats
and one 2-year term.
This race, like just two others (in nearby Lyons and in Lyons-Brookfield
School District 103) is a potential game-changer, altering the board’s
majorities for at least the next two years.