Please consider supporting John Brudnak and Jayne Schirmacher for the Orland Fire District Trustee positions. The last two incumbents are part of the old boards vision of $200,000 firefighters and increadable waste. We as taxpayes must stop this wreckless behavior.

Your fake name is ironic. If Fiscal Voices are the ones that could not make a decision which required a ridiculous amount of overtime. No one made $200,000, nice try.

Mr. Moran, Please look into that one. You sir are misinformed. So your running for Trustee and you do not know that???? Maybe you should FOIA it. The incumbents did a very poor job at running the organization. So are you going to fix everything????

Please voters: pay close attention to the District 135 School Boarad Election. Please vote out incumbents Gentile and Cunningham who have wasted taxpayer money and voted to increase the tax levy even though we have $52 MILLION in reserves. They have given the business manager carte blanche to run the district as a shadow superintendent and let him get involved in things a number cruncher shouldn't. They have fired good people and paid double salaries. They have opened us up to lawsuits which will cost the taxpayers more money. They have secured jobs for their friends. The list goes on and on. They are not moral! We need new people who have the children and taxpayers interest at heart. Vote for Kulak, Berry, Maratea and Carroll on April 9th. Please read the candidates answers to the Patch's questions. They are very telling!

Request to all using this post as one last attempt to get people to vote for your candidates.

PLEASE TELL US WHY WE SHOULD VOTE FOR YOUR CANDIDATE/S SPECIFICIALLY. NOT WHY WE SHOULDN'T VOTE FOR THE OPPOSING CANDIDATE.

Negative campaigning against opposing candidates doesn't tell us anything about why your candidate should be elected. Plus its a turn off for voters and your candidate is less likely to be elected.

SO PLEASE.....just sitck to telling the FACTS about what YOUR CANDIDATE plans on doing for residents if elected, so voters can decide for themselves who is best suited to meet their needs.

Its also important to keep in mind we all have different views, so you can't expect everyone to share the same belief and goals for your town as you. It's important to post like mature adults on here and not trash each other with negative back and forth or personal attack postings. Its easy to feel defensive when someone attacks your candidate. But you can still correct misleading information without personally attacking others.

Thank you and best of luck to everyone running. May the candidates who best support the needs of the majority voters win this next election.

Please Please do not support Brudnak and Schirmacher. And more importantly do NOT believe anything "tell the truth" posts. They are very misinformed. Ask questions, attend meetings etc.... Do not vote based on someone with an angry agenda like "tell the truth"

I strongly support Andrea Ramirez-Justin who is an incumbent for the 2 year term. Her philanthropic involvement in the Moraine Valley community is stellar. She is the Vice President of the Economic Development Council of the Southwest Suburbs, President of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, a religious education 8th grade catechist at her parish – St. Stephens in Tinley Park, she is an ambassador for The Cancer Support Center, she volunteers for Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital, assists with PADS and her full time position, she is Vice President of Old Plank Trail Community Bank with offices in Orland Park, Mokena, New Lenox and Frankfort which she manages their Governmental Outreach portfolio and Community Reinvestment. With her background in finance, her everyday workings with Governmental entity finance – Andrea is able to digest, understand and add strong value to many facets at Moraine Valley Community College. With her strong business background, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge for negotiations, contracts and more.

Andrea works for all and will continue to work for all! Andrea Ramirez-Justin is your candidate of choice for the 2 year term as Trustee at Moraine Valley Community College – Punch 201

Moraine Valley Community College Supporter

I can not believe that Brad O'Halloran whole heartedly endorses John Schiera for Moraine Valley Trustee. Mr. Schiera has an extensive arrest history that includes: domestic battery, battery to a police officer, and theft from the Archdiocese. Do not vote for O'Halloran or Schiera.

Andrea Ramirez-Justin is on the MVCC campus 3 to 4 times a week and strongly believes in foundational education for all and with the various programs over the Associates programs like workforce development and training, customized outreach programs, mentorship and internship and more at MVCC – Andrea offers her guidance, assistance and drive to each of these program and works tirelessly for all of the constituents of Moraine Valley Community College.

Punch 201 to elect Andrea Ramirez-Justin. She is the best qualified candidate for the 2 year term as Trustee at Moraine Valley Community College.

Andrea Ramirez-Justin Advocate

Andrea Ramiraz-Justin has received the support and endorsement of all unions associated with the College – Adjunct Faculty, Support Staff and Faculty Association along with the endorsement of the Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600.
Andrea has also received the endorsements from Honorable Mayor J Bennett / Palos Hills; Honorable Mayor Dan McLaughlin / Orland Park; Honorable Mayor Kyle Hastings / Orland Hills; Honorable Mayor Kris Wasowicz / Village of Justice; Honorable Patrick Kitching / Village of Alsip and State Senator Bill Cunningham.

Andrea Ramirez-Justin is the candidate of choice and will work for all. On April 9th. punch 201 and vote for Andrea Ramirez-Justin.

Friend of MVCC

Steve T and Larry Moran I encourage you to go to the next board meeting and ask. By no means am i starting anything. I am only disappointed in the management of the incumbents. The Fire District is one of the best in the state...we all need to work together to keep it that way.

Megan I am happy to state that Andrea Ramirez-Justin has her B.A. in Business and her MBA in Banking / Finance. She is Vice President of Old Plank Trail Community Bank with offices in Orland Park, Mokena, New Lenox and Frankfort which she manages their Governmental Outreach portfolio in excess of $300 million and the Bank’s Community Reinvestment outreach which encompasses education, sponsorships, donations and community support. With her background in finance, her everyday workings with Governmental entity finance – Andrea is able to digest, understand and add strong value to many facets at Moraine Valley Community College. With her strong business background, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge for negotiations, contracts and more. She is the Vice President of the Economic Development Council of the Southwest Suburbs, President of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, a religious education 8th grade catechist at her parish – St. Stephens in Tinley Park, she is an ambassador for The Cancer Support Center, she volunteers for Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital, and assists with PADS

Jesse-you heard correctly. They are loading the audience with schills who will sing their praises. I hope the media is smart enough to ignore their grandstanding!

I've lived in District 135 for a long time and I'm very disappointed with how the incumbents have raised taxes with money in the bank, pay two people in the same position and get the district into lawsuits.

I too know Mike Carroll from his years of volunteering in the community and I endorse him wholeheartedly. He is very level headed and knowledgeable and would be a great addition to the board that needs far better leadership than what it has now.

We pay more to our schools on our tax bills than any other government entity. I hope that people realize this and make the effort to vote for the best representation on April 9. Do your research. Read the candidates profiles and choose those who will do the best job with our hard earned tax dollars.

Even if you don't have kids in the district schools anymore, the local schools affect your property value and when you try to sell your house, you want to be able to tell a potential buyer that our schools are the best.

Former Chief Larry Moran: Your facts are all wrong as " To tell the truth states". My question for you is what would you do different than the new board members who have cut 4 million off the budget and maybe explain why you were just fired in Willow Springs?

http://m.topix.com/forum/city/willow-springs-il/TG8TBJ6IGK18DVPJG

Went to vote early today and had the misfortune of seeing Ann Gentile outside the entrance of the polling place. Once again, Ann was breaking the rules with wild disregard as she was moving her signs close to the entrance. As I understand it signs AND candidates must be no less than 100 feet from the entrance. Ann was not only moving her signs but also Tom (I can't decide what public office I want) Cunningham's and Nathan (the nurse) Jaisingh's signs too! I guess Ann thinks she is special and the rules do not apply to her. Let's see how special she is when a formal complaint is filed by the other candidates with the election board. Also, what's up with the Gentile signs at the expressway off ramps? That's not legal either...oh IDOT! I guess desperate times call for despite measures! Look out, Ann your desperation is showing!

I met Ann today at the polling place. I was actually very impressed and voted for her. I also sent out an email to my friends and family to support her as well. I really think district 135 has done a great job and as a parent I'm very pleased with the schools.

After all the posting, the talking to parents and voters, one has to be optimistic that some common sense has to prevail. PLEASE Orland, Tinley and Palos communities~ get out and vote... even if you haven't in the past. Do not think that your vote doesn't make a difference. Pull out your tax bills and ask yourselves if it isn't important to vote. If you don't care- then don't vote! But also, don't complain!
your vote has the power to get rid of micromanagers, opportunists, expensive retaliatory school board members or those with their own agendas. When you vote early or ON APRIL 9 make choices that will "fit your bill."
Bring integrity and order back to d135 board, so the focus and revert back to academic success and the students. DO NOT VOTE FOR - Ann Gentile and Tom Cunningham (for district 135)
DO NOT VOTE FOR Carol Keene-Baker & (her employee) Ben Twietmeyer (for 230)

Only one week until we can get rid of Gentile and Cunningham! Please voters, make sure to vote on April 9th for Kulak, Berry, Maratea and Carroll. Vote 1,2,3, and 6!

I just received a brutal attack against John Fotopoulos. I was disgusted by the level that the incumbents have lowered themselves. Please send them a message and get out and vote for John Fotopoulos.

Jessica, I agree with you. O'Hallaran endorses a candidate for the school board with an arrest record and now the incumbents are taking it out on Mr. Fotopoulos.

Any time Mr. Moran would like to debate anything about the Orland Fire District in public, please invite me to this public disection of taxpayer extortion. I will take this topic to a level you can't imagine, and leave you with nothing but the solution at hand. That's a promise. Put up or shut up. A union running a fireman as a candidate for trustee. How imaginative.

So know we want the Union to control the District 135 School Board ??????

Hi District 135 Friends,

I have some important information that will impact our entire community, particularly our children’s educational outcomes.

Candidate Laura Berry, retired administrator said: “We are not the bank of Orland Park.” The Regional

Candidate Mike Maratea, former union president said: “Open the piggybank and spend the money” The Regional

Candidate Mike Carroll, attorney, said: “We’re not buying this, we’re not buying that” The Regional

Candidate Sandra Kulak, former union president was asked by the Orland Park Patch: “Are there any candidates in other races you would like to endorse?” She replied, “Laura Berry, Michael Maratea and Mike Carroll.”

THEY WANT TO SPEND YOUR MONEY!

In 2002 and 2003, D135 former Board agreed to obtain over 23,000,000 million in debt (with an additional $9,000.000 in interest alone) due to deficit spending. This action resulted in a 2005 referendum that raised property taxes significantly. In the last four years, the current Board, was able to reduce this debt while achieving the highest student test scores and without affecting student programming or extracurricular activities. This fiscal responsibility will diminish the inherited debt by 2014, which will result in a DRAMATIC DECREASE OF OUR PROPERTY TAXES.

This is a e-mail from TOM CUNNINGHAM

Berry-Kulak-Maratea retired Teachers and Ex Union Presidents trying to take over the local school board. This is crazy

Mr. Mayor stay out of the local school board.

Yes, I already knew that "Bill" was you Tom Cunningham. Why? Because I volunteered to help on a committee for the senior party at Sandburg. I received your unsolicited email this morning which spewed the exact same crazy as your post above. I did not supply my email to that committee so it could be used by you for political gain. Let me be clear, I am not your "friend", I would never vote for you. Myself and others will be filing complaints with the appropriate groups. You call yourself a businessman, you have serious issues with the difference between right and wrong. Shame on you!

hello "Bill"! or should we say Tom? Funny I just received this exact email from Tom Cunningham to all on the Sandburg Senior Party committee. I would like to start by saying I didn't like the fact that I received your propaganda on my personal email. I will not vote for you. I would never vote for you. I couldn't imagine voting for anyone that would not think of their child first and you can not tell me that you did this. If you thought of you child first then you would have never sent that email. Not everything is about you. Funny how I haven't seen your name on emails past so for whoever sent it....shame on you both. You for sending out such garbage and for the person who sent you the email, keep your political views away from my child's party. If you have the gall to show up to the meeting tonight I will be the one with the very upset look on my face.

There is no way I'm voting for the McLaughlin group of candidates for the 135 school board. You have former union officers trying on get on the board. Mr. Carroll is claiming that the district has too much in reserves and doesn't spend enough. Are you serious? Kulak was heard stating that Orland Park property taxes aren't bad. Really? You need an anti-union board otherwise there's no need for a union. I received the robo call last night giving the truth about Carroll and crew. Gentile and Cunningham have my vote!!

Folks

Teachers Union wants control of the 135 school Board, Orland park voters WAKE UP

Laura Berry, Mike Maratea and Sandra Kulak go retire in Florida and be happy with your $100,000 pension paid by us tax payers

Mike Carroll Union Attorney

Here come the desperate lies at the 11th hour. Give it up "Bill". You see, you can easily research things like Michael Carroll being a Union Attorney. I did. Guess what? It's impossible to verify. Why? Because you made it up Tom, I mean Bill. You can attempt to paint all teachers and educational administrators as bad people just because they chose to dedicate their careers to educating children but it doesn't make it true. I think most people are capable of seeking out valid information and making an informed choice on election day.

Patrick Murray (obviously another alias for Cunningham), I've really had it with the desperate measures Cunningham and Gentile are stooping to. Cunningham hijacks an email list from a Sandburg Senior party planning committee. They're stealing all of the challengers signs. Now they are posting outright lies under all of their various aliases on the Patch, and at the Metra station lot. This morning, Gentile & Cunningham both approached my wife as she was approaching the train -- spouting complete lies about the challengers. Julius caught one above, but Patrick Murray threw a few more out there. I have listened to all four of the real challengers (Berry, Carroll, Kulak & Maratea) speak at a couple of events now. And I've met Mike Carroll a few times when he was volunteering for the Lions, OYA and the Scouts. Mike is not a union attorney. He is self-employed and does litigation and real estate. And he never has said (the times I've heard him speak) that he feels the District doesn't spend enough. He said that the District shouldn't be raising our taxes to the max when the District is sitting on 53 million dollars in reserves! And who "heard" Sandra Kulak say Orland taxes aren't that bad? I didn't -- and I've listened to her speak a couple of times. Have you Tom -- I mean Patrick? Her PR piece says that she knows that school taxes represent 65% of our property tax bill and she doesn't know why they keep going up with those huge reserves! Lies, Patrick. Lies!

And also, Patrick. Why do we need an "anti-union board"? All of the articles I read about education say that a school district works best when all of its parts work together -- teachers, parents, administrators and elected officials. Being the bully you are, I'm sure you love the "divide and conquer" strategy, but it's not what's best for our schools. I've got no problem with the unions, as long as they're reasonable and work with the District in tight financial times like now. Finally, Patrick -- another lie. I've talked to 15 or 20 of my friends that live in Orland Park. None of them have received a robo call about 135. Neither have I. I don't get why you'd make that one up.
Here are the facts: 52+ million in cash reserves. You -- I mean Tom Cunningham, Ann Gentile and Mary Bragg all voted to max out our taxes in December -- to raise them as high as the law would allow you to. Meanwhile, we don't have enough computers in our classrooms. Tinley, Plainfield -- almost all of the surrounding districts are leagues better than us on technology. You, Tom, cancelled the intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Orland Park. We saw how well that worked out, according to OYA -- the ball fields are in horrible shape. And all 3 of you voted to fire those 3 teachers recently. I just heard that the union has already filed the Unfair Labor Practice charge, with more lawsuits to follow. What a mess you've created! Berry, Carroll, Kulak & Maratea! 1+2+3=6

Don't read too much into the union's endorsement. First, they can't endorse Cunningham or Gentile or their guy, Jaisingh for obvious reasons. You don't want a board that is beholden to the union, but also don't want one that's hostile either.

One factor many unions use to determine who gets their support is a candidates' chance to win. In 2003, I, a lifelong card carrying Republican received the teachers' union endorsement. Now I was accused of a lot of ridiculous stuff when I was on the board, but no one ever accused me of being a shill for the union, I tried to be fair to labor as well as the taxpayers and students. In 2003, the union endorsed the three candidates that had the best chance of winning and they were right, we all won.

I think that the union's main priority is getting rid of Cunningham and Gentile and feel that the candidates they endorsed have the best chance of doing that.

I just received another brutal mailer against John Fotopoulous. What a bunch of crap that the incumbents have sent out. Fotopoulous you have my vote!!! Its time for a change.

Ladies and Gentleman

The Orland Prairie had a 1/4 page add for Berry, Carroll, Kulak & Maratea under the print it stated paid by the AFT 943 PAC AKA Southwest Suburban Teachers federation. If you think this is going to work you are all crazy

John Paul

It was your group that put the district in a financial hole when you were on the board so I would not be sounding off about any thing.

Hey everybody-- Tom, who was Bill, is now Don! Love it! Don't know where I'm going to get my comic relief when this election is over. Just remember voters-- Tom Cunningham is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility right after he voted to raise our taxes the MAXIMUM amount under law with a healthy fund balance. He also has voted to pay two superintendents, a business manager as much as a superintendent and two spec ed directors. And paid for a superintendent search that they didn't use-- and was president when the intergovernmental agreement was broken with the village. What exactly is his definition of fiscal responsibility?

Only a few days to go! Vote for change. Vote for people who will put the taxpayers and children of Orland first. Vote out the incumbents who raised our taxes, wasted money on lawsuits, paid double salaries, acted like children, during board meetings, and have personal agendas. Please vote for KULAK, BERRY, MARATEA, and CARROLL for District 135 school board. Remember 1, 2, 3, and 6 or 1+2+3=6.

Only a few days to go! Vote for change. Vote for people who will put the taxpayers and children of Orland first. Vote out the incumbents who raised our taxes, wasted money on lawsuits, paid double salaries, acted like children during board meetings, and have personal agendas. Please vote for KULAK, BERRY, MARATEA, and CARROLL for District 135 school board. Remember 1, 2, 3, and 6 or 1+2+3=6.

It doesn't matter who you vote for, just please go out and vote. There are other places in the world that fight for the right to vote, yet most in America don't vote. That is very sad. If they haven't made up their mind by now, they won't be the ones who will come out and vote. Expect a low voter turnout as the weather is supposed to be rainy that day.

I have been following the village race closely. Yesterday I received mail from Brad O'Halloran touting his voting record against the financing of the 143rd street apartments. He definitely criticized is fellow board members Dodge and Fenton for their support of the project. However, on the same token his piece also knocked his silence of the apartment comes until the end. I don't understand why O'Halloran waited so long to debate the issue. I can't in good conscience support any of the incumbents. My only vote is going to Fotopoulous.

Bob. That was one of the few lucent arguments I've heard address is a serious nature of one's civic duty. Well said. Let me know if you'll run for an office, I will vote your way.

Tuesday's theme song.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=i0vFid2tKbI

Taxpayers: The Fire Protection District and School boards are the entities that represent your interests. The firefighters and teachers have unions to represent their interests. Please go to the OPFD or D135 web sites and look at the published salaries. Please do so, you will be amazed. If you think the teachers and firefighters are well compensated then don't put teachers or firefighters on the boards. The boards are the ones that negotiate with the unions -- you don't let employees decide their own salaries. If you think are 100k+ firefighters and almost 100k+ teachers are NOT compensated fairly, then by all means put them on the boards so they can give themselves higher raises. Wake up!

I voted this morning. Wow, where was everyone? There are some great new candidates running for change on the 135 ticket. I'm also thankful to vote for Mayor Dan McLaughlin and the incumbents, along with John Mehalek. Orland Park is the best & safest place to live! Blessed and thankful we will get 4 more years of Dan's vision and character & love for Orland Park! Yippee!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE VICTORS!!! God bless the incumbent Village Board members and the victorious District 135 slate. Congratulations to everyone who took the time to vote today. You can see how very important it is with other area races being 1-2 votes apart. We all need to join together as a community to support our school district and work to make Orland Park an even better community than it is. The election is over. It's time to get to work.

All those prayers worked. There is a God! No more Cunningham and Gentile!

HOW DID FOTOPOULOUS LOSE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD? And best of luck to MVCC, Cunningham's YOUR problem, now.

So happy for Orland School District 135!

Please do not be fooled readers! This is not over by far. We voted change but they have proven nothing. If new board members on any of these boards are going in to carry out some of the comments I am reading above, it is not over.