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Health & Fitness

Tuesday- Why It Matters

Tuesday, April 9 is Election Day!

By virtue of the fact that you are reading this, it is safe to assume that you have been following this Tuesday's election, you probably know who you are voting for and, of course, you will vote. The mailboxes are getting flooded and our doors are being knocked. Don't forget us bloggers and the folks who take the time to comment on our words of wisdom.

 

 

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  What I can't understand is why so many people are going to stay home on Tuesday. Typically, this election turns out around 20-25% of registered voters. The absence of a mayoral race in Orland Park and Orland Hills, along with any challenges for Orland Township will probably result in even lower turnout.

 

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  I know this seems odd to you. After all, we live for this, don't we?

 

 

Apparently. we're the only ones.

 

 

If someone needs a reason to vote, look at your property tax bill. Look at how much goes for schools, from grade school to high school to community college. Also, look at the fire district. That's alot of money, isn't it? Would you invest that kind of money without knowing anything about the folks controlling that investment?

 

 

  I realize that sometimes its difficult to see the differences between the candidates. Most advertising, if there's any at all, consists of "I'm great" and "my opponent is a goof" and I can understand how that can be tiring. But if you look closely, you'll see how and why it matters.

 

 

  In School District 135, there are two very different directions it can go in. Four challengers,Mike Carroll, Sandy Kulak, Laura Berry and Mike Matterea are offering a very different path than what we've seen so far. Whatever you think of Tom Cunningham, would you like to see a repeat in Moraine Valley?    And why is it that the biggest "issue" in Moraine Valley is that ridiculous robocall about candidate John Schiera? Now, I have no problem with negative campaigning, but if you're going to say things about people, you should at least identify who you are. And was this robocall designed to hurt Schiera or was it designed to hurt Brad O'Halleran? O'Halleran has been a trustee for 20 years, is that the worst thing you can say about him? If so, he must be a pretty good trustee.

 

 

  How would the usually collegial dynamics of the Orland Village board change if Democrat John Fotopoulos, who is running as a Republican, wins a seat? How would that change the dynamics of the local Republican organization? How about the Democrats?It looks like Fotopoulos' main issue is 9750. If that's the only thing folks care about, I guess he'll do well, but I think that most voters will judge the incumbents by the totality of their work, not just 9750. Although, I just received a mailer from Fotopoulos that was critical of the fact that Jim Dodge, Kathy Fenton and Brad O'Halleran have been in office for a long time. My question is whose fault is that? The trustees or the voters who re-elected them?

 

 

  In the election two years ago, power in the Orland Fire Protection District shifted to folks aligned with County Commissioner/ GOP Committeeman Liz Gorman. Its not likely that power will shift, but if John Brudnack and Joyce Shirmacher win, the board will be 5-0 instead of 3-2 which it would be if Marty McGill and Glenn Michalek stay in. What if independent Larry Moran wins? Last time, power changed hands when current President Jim Hickey switched sides. Does anyone switch sides this year?

 

 

  As you can see, there is quite a bit at stake here. Often times, local elections can be pretty close. Turnout is the key. We've seen elections decided by margins that make George Bush's 2000 Florida victory look like a landslide. I'm not one who wants to see everyone go out and vote, especially those who don't really care. But, for those of you who do care, see you Tuesday!

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