Oak Park Newspaper

Vote Democratic, Nov. 7th
Don Harmon

Paid Political Ad

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Vote Democratic, Nov. 7th
Don Harmon

Paid Political Ad

November 1, 2006

Cook Count Board Commissioner Tony Peraica and U.S. Congressman Danny Davis
Greet each other and get ready for the event.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Oak Park Journal Endorsements: Nov. 2006

Our local candidates are all fine men and women and have
not even come close to the terrible ads placed on the air and cable news outlets this year. Some of the more egregious and
false ads filled with lies and distortions should have never been
aired by any reputable news source. We receive each day tons
of allegations and slanted articles that we filter and remove
if they are hateful or false. Candidates should give their
voice to the benefit of the voters, state their beliefs and note
their goals for the future-then let the people vote.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest
did a wonderful job of getting the candidates out and all were allowed to speak if they had their opponent present. It might
be nice in the future to have all those present allowed to speak instead of holding their tongues. If a candidate does not come
or send a representative that should be noted. In a recent
WTTW debate the current Governor of Illinois did not bother
to come for the debate, what kind of a message is that?

More people choose to stay at home than go to the polls to
vote and those numbers may not change soon if the news is
filled with rotten ads. AARP has a web site called dontvote.com but it is not that clear on the issues, that their
ad says you will find there. It would have been nice if AARP did a better job of trying to inform the voters.

Deborah Graham and Don Harmon are our clear choices to
represent Oak Park and one day perhaps Senator Harmon will
even run for Governor. Both of these pleasant, hard working,
professional people have worked hard for the residents interests
at the state level and the local level.

For Governor we are supporting Ms. Judy Barr Topinka.
Judy Barr Topinka is a moderate Republican who supports the
rights of women, has a son in the service, loves animals, and
is straight talking no non sense kind of Gal. She has good ideas
concerning gambling revenues being lost to Indiana and would
make a fine Governor.

Tony Peraica, a Republican for Cook County Board President.
Mr. Peraica is a bit of a pit bull with constant daily attacks on
Stroger. Peraica should clean up the Board and perhaps deal
with some of the tax issues we have seen in Oak Park. Cook
County bills taxes in a very confusing manner, unlike any other
of the surrounding counties. I have spoken to some business
owners in Oak Park who saw an increase of $100,000.00 on
their commercial property only to have it reduced to $25,000
when challenged in court. This would seem to imply either
abuse of the taxing system or just ineptitude-hopefully it
might end. Mr. Peraica and I discussed the fate of the Trailside Museum. He told me that he would be in favor of funding the Museum with its original goal of helping injured animals and serving as a true local Museum and not a gutted shell as it has been left recently. There are plenty of people in the area who
volunteer from the private sector to young students who need
community service hours for their educational requirements.
We endorsed Claypool in the primary but have now given that
clean up effort to Mr. Peraica.

Danny Davis, a Democratic Candidate for the 7th Congressional District is a practical and realistic leader who is well aware of
the many challenges faced in his district. We are in his district and it needs help for all who care.

LaShawn Ford, a Democratic Candidate for the 8th Representative Dist, in Illinois. Mr. Ford is young man with
a lot of potential and dreams to make his district an improved
area for education and commerce-and it needs both greatly.

Thomas Dart, a Democratic for Cook County Sheriff. Mr.
Dart is a well spoken candidate with a vision and mission towards improvements in the jail system. He is well aware
of the negative news concerning the escapes and other short comings and has concrete plans to right the wrongs and serve
the tax payers of Cook County.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest hosted
their candidates forum at the High School this past Saturday. The event was well attended by both candidates and voters. For those unable to
be at the event we have streaming videos of all the candidates below in
their 4 minute time slot, chosen by random and listed in the order of their
presentations. Our discussions with the candidates and endorsements
will follow shortly. Below are the links to speakers.

Charles Hutchinson,
Republican Candidate 7th Congressional Dist.

Danny Davis,
Democratic Candidate 7th Congressional Dist

LaShawn Ford,
Democratic Candidate 8th Representative Dist, Ill.

Nathan Paul Helsabeck,
Green Party Candidate 8th Representative Dist, Ill.

Peter Silvestri,
Republican Candidate Cook County Commissioner 9th Dist.

Jodi Biancalana,
Democratic Candidate Cook County Commissioner 9th Dist.

Thomas Dart,
Democratic Candidate Cook County Sheriff

Peter Garza,
Republican Candidate Cook County Sheriff

Todd Stroger,
Democratic Candidate Cook County Board President

Tony Peraica,
Republican Candidate Cook County Board President

State Representative Deborah Graham and Senator Don Harmon both Candidates for
Re-election Meet and Greet Voters after a Pause for a Photo.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Oak Park Village Clerk Sandra Sokol, U.S. Congressman Danny Davis, and Past Oak Park District 97 Board Member Ann Courter.
© Oak Park Journal photo