"The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen."

DOWNERS GROVE WATCH

Dear Neighbor,

You may wonder who we are, and why we’ve gone to the trouble and expense of mailing this to you and your neighbors. We’re your neighbors. Men and woman, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, attorneys and teachers, builders and technicians, executives and engineers, writers and artists, and yes, Republicans and Democrats; united in a common defense of our much cherished community.

As to why we’re writing you, it’s because we’re concerned about the community we call home – both the manner in which it’s being governed, and, as a direct result, the direction it’s heading. We are asking you to consider voting for the 4 candidates we are recommending below.

At this very pivotal moment in the long history of our special town, we’re asking you to help ensure it’s future. It is your right and duty to participate in this election and afterward in the civic processes that will decide the fate of Downers Grove. As our community’s future hangs in the balance, we deserve to be heard. Instead, decisions with the potential for enormous financial consequence, and significant impact on our quality of life, are being made behind closed doors. We want and deserve a government that is fiscally responsible, communicates openly, and gives residents a true voice.

For example, one of our major concerns goes right to the heart of our community - our downtown. We are firmly committed to the belief that our downtown should retain its traditional proportion and relationship with the surrounding residential community. The prevailing attitude within our village government is that it should swell tremendously in size and dominance and break from that traditional relationship. Both positions are fiscally supportable and possible. But one, the prevailing inclination toward large-scale development, will have a devastating effect on many of the primary reasons we are so attached to our community.

We see this as an issue of choice, not necessity. There is ample material and professional evidence supporting our view that a small traditional downtown can thrive. A downtown that maintains its traditional relationship with our much-loved community; a downtown where traffic density and patterns harmonize with road network limitations and neighborhood safety; a downtown that respects its borders with some of the oldest and most charming neighborhoods in the suburban Chicago area. There is ample evidence, including nearby examples, supporting our view that a traditional, small-scale downtown can thrive.

On April 3 you will be electing 4 members to the Village Council out of the 7 candidates. We are suggesting that you vote for the following 4 candidates, listed in alphabetical order, who we believe will bring positive change to Downers Grove Village government. None is aligned with us in any manner, and their election would in no way constitute final victory. But they are the best choices in our eyes and are genuinely good candidates.

Steve Daniels – Absolutely brilliant, experienced in community service and committed to fair play. A true and honest citizen’s representative.

Marilyn Schnell – A firm anchor in a sea of storm. Stable, knowledgeable and sincere, Marilyn will bring much needed continuity to the new council.

Martin Tully – Young and of the community, he also is absolutely brilliant. Martin and Steven Daniels have raised the bar in our village politics and it reflects well on our community.

Mark Zabloudil – Yes, he’s a member of the EDC but we’re willing to make exceptions in cases where a sincere attempt to bridge the gap is made and Mark has clearly demonstrated a desire to do just that.

Please don’t let go of your best wishes for the present and future of your community. Like Scrooge, you’ve seen only the "shadows" of what’s to come. Join us: your participation and a free flow of information can alter the present shadow hanging over our future. Allow us to keep you informed and energized to effectively participate in a healthy future for Downers Grove.