Today, April 9, 2013, is Election Day, and campaigning is almost over. Village President Candidates Tom Hayes and Mark Hellner produced strong political endorsements, while Ron Drake has zero local political endorsements (endorsements from local politicians).
Village President Ron Drake made big news getting a nod from national politician Sen. John McCain, but critics howled at the endorsement as irrelevant. Some believe the move hurt Drake because it may have soured some voters who aren’t happy with John McCain’s political performance. For many Republicans, John McCain is not “Republican enough”; and for Democrats he’s a just plain “Republican.” For Libertarians, McCain is strongly opposed because of his recent verbal attacks on Rand Paul, who describes himself as “constitutional conservative and libertarian. McCain has since apologized for his comments. As for Drake’s base of supporters? They promoted the “star” factor of having a U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate endorse Ron Drake. Opponents of Drake called it irrelevant and ridiculous, and typical of Drake’s pattern of behavior to be off target, sensational on messages with no real world solutions.
TOM HAYES ENDORSEMENTS
Mayor Arlene Mulder Endorses Tom Hayes …
Dear Neighbor,
As you know, I am stepping down as your Mayor after having the honor and privilege of serving you for 20 years.
Many residents have asked which candidate for Mayor I think would best continue the great progress we have made in Arlington Heights. That candidate clearly is Tom Hayes, and he has my wholehearted endorsement.
With Tom’s help and support, we have been able to accomplish a great deal. We have been fiscally responsible, cutting expenditures in order to balance our budgets during the recent years of declining revenue and have been able to hold down tax rate increases to an absolute minimum … particularly when compared with surrounding NW communities.
We have fostered business growth even during this rough economy, attracting over 100 new businesses to Arlington Heights just last year. Some of these businesses include the new theater soon to open in downtown, major new car dealers on Rand and Dundee Roads, and the new home and tile store “Floor & Décor,” scheduled to open soon on Palatine Road. This growth has created jobs, leading to an unemployment rate in Arlington Heights of 6.3% which is significantly below the state level. Plus, our downtown is the envy of other communities in the Northwest suburbs, with community after community modeling their downtown redevelopments after ours. We have accomplished all this through the thoughtful planning and hard work of your Village Board and our Village Staff. The Board has always maintained a collaborative atmosphere of mutual respect, and Tom Hayes has been particularly helpful–serving as President Pro Tem since 1999.
I absolutely agree with the Daily Herald in its endorsement of Tom Hayes’ candidacy for Village President, as “… one of the finest people you’ll ever encounter in local politics. Honest, straightforward, caring, a collaborator who gains the respect of those who work with him.”
That endorsement also noted that “Arlington Heights has become a model for other suburbs during the tenures of Mulder and Hayes … We need a Village President who is from our community, who has a history here and understands the unique needs and advantages of Arlington Heights.”
We have done well, but we can always do better. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to face the challenges of the future. It is clear that Tom Hayes is the most qualified for the job, ready and able to lead Arlington Heights in 2013 and beyond. This is why I strongly support Tom Hayes to be your next Mayor.
Please join me in voting for Tom Hayes on April 9th.
Best Regards,
Arlene J. Mulder
++++++
Wheeling Township supervisor Michael B. Schroeder: Hayes’ dedication still burns, as always
Earlier this week I asked Tom Hayes if I could see his copy of the 2013-14 budget for the Village of Arlington Heights. This is a 500-plus page document that details our village’s proposed $145 million operating budget.
As I expected, Tom’s version was heavily highlighted, had numerous Post-its, and many questions and comments were written in the margins. After 22 years of service to our village, he still takes his job very seriously.
Doesn’t every candidate have an obligation to educate themselves about the workings of the office they seek? Attending board, committee of the whole and budget meetings is, at minimum, what a candidate for village president should do to familiarize himself with the processes, culture, personalities and dynamics of the board and staff. These candidates are asking voters to put them in a position to lead a vibrant community with 75,000 residents and a $145 million budget. If nothing else, attending these meetings gives the candidate some credibility if they propose an alternative to the way things are done. Ron Drake did not step foot in Village Hall for one budget meeting. Mark Hellner also, not present for any budget meeting. Yet both candidates pledge fiscal responsibility and commitment to our community.
One more piece of information that will tell you a lot about the discipline and character of Tom Hayes. On Monday, April 15 Tom will run his ninth Boston Marathon, and his 23rd marathon overall. The Boston Marathon will kick off early in the morning. On that same day, at 8 p.m. in the evening, Arlene Mulder will preside over her final Arlington Heights board meeting. Tom Hayes will be in attendance … just as he always is.
Tom Hayes for village president — the right man, for the right job, for the right reasons!
Dr. Michael B. Schroeder
Arlington Heights
Wheeling Township Supervisor
++++++
Firefighters Association of Arlington Heights, Local 3105
Arlene Mulder, Village President
Joe Farwell, Village Trustee
Bert Rosenberg, Village Trustee
Norm Breyer, Village Trustee
John Scaletta, Village Trustee
Carol Blackwood, Village Trustee
Mike Sidor, Village Trustee
Tom Stengren, Former Village Trustee
Kathie Hahn, Former Village Trustee
Dwight Walton, Former Village Trustee
Edie Jolly, Former Village Trustee
Mark Toljanic, Former Village Trustee
Steve Daday, Former Village Trustee
Helen Jensen, Former Village Trustee
Lee Hettinger, Former Village Trustee
Stanley Eisenhammer, Former Village Trustee
Matt Murphy, State Senator
David Harris, State Representative
Sidney Mathias, Former State Representative
Debbie Smart, Library Trustee
David Unumb, Library Trustee
Maryfran Leno, Park District President
Rob Smith, Park District Commissioner
William Dussling, School District 214 Board Member
Dan Petro, School District 214 Board Member
Arlen Gould, School District 21 Board Member
Phil Pritzker, School District 21 Board Member
Kenneth Nielsen, School District 25 Board Member
Michael Schroeder, Wheeling Township Supervisor
Paula Ulreich, Wheeling Township Clerk
Jerry Sadler, Wheeling Township Assessor
Scott Saewert, Wheeling Township Highway Commissioner
Ken Jochum, Former Wheeling Township Collector
Ruth O’Connell, Wheeling Township Trustee
Kathy Penner, Wheeling Township Trustee
JoAnne Schultz, Wheeling Township Trustee
Mike Domrzalski, Wheeling Township Trustee
Dan Patlak, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner
MARK HELLNER ENDORSEMENTS
Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 9th congressional district
Michelle Mussman, Illinois State Representative for the 56th district
Ed Duffy, former President of the Arlington Park Racetrack, former Village of Arlington Heights Trustee, former Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Thompson
RON DRAKE ENDORSEMENTS
Arlington Heights Patrol Officers Association (A.H.P.O.A.) also referred to as Metropolitan Alliance of Police (M.A.P.) Arlington Heights Chapter #510.
Senator John McCain (AZ)
Former Senator Republican Whip, Jon Kyl (AZ)
Drake brochure published “Endorsed by A.H. Police” a misleading statement emphasized in the brochure. Below the Drake’s photo is the proper text of the endorsement “Endorsed by Arlington Heights Metropolitan Alliance of Police.” As employees, Arlington Heights police officers are not permitted to endorse a political candidate as representatives of the Arlington Heights Police Department or while working for the Arlington Heights Police Department. The police department union — Metropolitan Alliance of Police endorsement is permitted.
Ron Drake political print piece with improper statement
implying Arlington Heights Police Department
endorsement rather than police union endorsement.
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