Reelect Bruzan Taylor to let her keep doing ‘outstanding job’
My dedication to the Naperville community runs deep and that is why I am reaching out to ensure that Naperville Sun readers have important facts when voting in our upcoming city council election.
In my 38 years as an educator, my tenure as president of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sunrise Rotary of Naperville, and the leadership roles I’ve held in many local organizations, I saw firsthand the importance of partnerships, relationships and leadership in a city like ours. Our city councils have been outstanding in representing and supporting our residents.
Today I ask you to consider reelecting Jennifer Bruzan Taylor to the Naperville City Council on April 1. She grew up in Naperville and has made a career in public service. She is a lawyer and former prosecutor.
Jennifer has proven herself to be a leader with an extensive knowledge base as to the past and upcoming issues our city faces. She has a fighting spirit, undeniable dedication and total commitment to our city. I appreciate her passion and integrity, and have observed her strength in handling challenging situations. She is smart, truthful and logical, and has built a reputation for engaging feedback from our community.
She has advocated for affordable housing for seniors and our intellectually developmentally delayed community. She has supported making our roads safer for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists with the current updating of the city safety plans.
Jennifer is the council liaison to a variety of city boards, among them the Downtown Naperville Alliance, the Transportation Advisory Board and the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force.
You can check her website, www.taylorfornaperville.com, to view more of her accomplishments.
Jennifer’s goal as a councilwoman has been to represent everyone in Naperville, and if reelected she will continue to do an outstanding job.
Mary Ann Bobosky, Naperville
McGrath column criticizing Trump ‘spot on and truthful’
Of course newspapers should publish various opinions. In response to J. McDonald’s letter regarding David McGrath’s column about Donald Trump, everything McGrath said was spot on and truthful. It’s not propaganda if it is true. It wasn’t inflammatory — it’s the Trump administration’s actions that are inflammatory. Don’t you remember Jan. 6?
Fran Orchard, Naperville
Naperville D203 teachers union backs 3 school board candidates
As a committee member of the Naperville Unit PAC for Education, on behalf of the members of Naperville Unit Educators Association, I am sharing our endorsements for the Naperville District 203 School Board election based on the mission and the values by which NUEA operates to ensure Naperville teachers and therefore our students enjoy an optimal learning experience.
Mission: NUEA empowers and advocates for our fellow members to cultivate positive, healthy environments that value and strengthen public education.
We value:
- Communication: We communicate relevant information, policies and procedures with integrity.
- Empowerment: We are empowered by knowing and upholding our rights and responsibilities.
- Advocacy: We advocate for a healthy environment for our members and students.
- Growth: We are committed to growth through the cultivation of leadership skills.
- Education: We value education as a vehicle to personal and professional success.
In that spirit, we expect to work with board members who:
- Work collaboratively with NUEA and value our input.
- Monitor comparable districts’ comprehensive benefits for employees to understand and work toward parity for District 203 educators and staff.
- Invest available resources in educators first, as our working conditions are students’ learning conditions.
- Are individual thinkers who work for the collective good, not reliant on district administration or legal counsel for all matters.
NUEA also believes it owes it to both members and to students and families to use our professional expertise to ensure that any proposed innovative school day changes are both practical and pedagogically sound. In order to arrive at a successful plan, we believe we must continue discussions together with the board and administration until a reasonable plan is reached for every grade level.
We are grateful for the community’s support in insisting on a sound plan for implementation once all issues affecting students, families and teachers are thoroughly considered. This assurance will offer our members and students a healthier environment for success.
Having conducted personal interviews with all school board candidates and reviewing their answers to a broad-reaching survey of issues concerning productive and respectful relations that can lead to success for students and teachers alike, we have chosen to endorse Holly Joy Blastic, Jillian Langer and Marc Willensky.
We believe these candidates will seek and value our input, and work to invest available resources in educators to provide positive and productive conditions for faculty and students alike.
Ross Berkley, Naperville
Safe Suburbs USA’s criticism of White, Holzhauer ‘shameful’
Recently Safe Suburbs USA PAC’s social media published a column attempting to call out a benefit offered to Illinois veterans with degrees of disability as determined by the Veterans Administration. Although the author only mentions Ian Holzhauer by name, two of our current Naperville City Council members are veterans.
Benjamin (Benny) White is a graduate of West Point who served 22 years active duty in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel, and now teaches JROTC to high school students. He served on the city’s Police and Fire Commission, helping to choose Naperville’s fine public safety officers, and was member of the Indian Prairie District 204 School Board before being elected to the council in 2017.
Now a partner in his own law firm, Ian Holzhauer graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law School and worked for seven years as a JAG officer for the U.S. Army before returning to the city in which he was born. Both are highly respected council members seeking reelection.
These distinguished men are the only veterans to have served on the council since the late Mayor George Pradel left office. These are real veterans, not the local wannabes who give lip service to those who have been in the military but are somehow unable to credit the sacrifices of those who don’t share their political party.
We see the same disdain reflected in current national politics where veterans are sadly being ignored in Trump’s America. That’s the twisted logic of Safe Suburbs USA, disparaging men who helped keep us safe. That’s a real example of bringing a shameful national issue into a local election.
Judith Brodhead, Naperville
Naperville City Council member, 2009-21
Vote for candidates who live here for same reasons you do
As we approach the upcoming election, I urge each of you to consider the values that are essential to our community and to vote for candidates who genuinely support our communities.
When I decided to move to Naperville Township with my family, the question was not whether the school boards, city councils or park boards were majority Republican or Democrat. The decision rested on whether the area was safe, had strong economic growth, quality school districts and an involved community.
I would urge voters to ask themselves what brought them to this community or what has kept them in the community in which they grew up. I guarantee the answer would be the same across the board for the majority of our residents.
Once you arrive at that answer, you must then take the next step and evaluate the policies that are being proposed by the candidates we now see on our ballots. Which candidates are urging stability and common sense? Which are for maintaining the economic growth of the community while being good stewards of our tax dollars? Which are supportive of law enforcement and ensuring our families feel safe and secure in their own communities?
If you live in Naperville, the answer is clear: Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor and candidates Derek McDaniel and Meghna Bansal.
Naperville Township government is critical to our community’s success in having reliable property assessments and ensuring our tax dollars are being used efficiently by providing public services and maintaining our roadways. It is for this reason that incumbents Trustee Nina Trivedi and Assessor Matthew Rasche deserve our votes.
These elections are critical. A large part of our tax bill is determined by the people selected in these elections. It’s important we have trusted leaders that are elected to serve us and our communities faithfully and responsibly. Please vote April 1!
Andrew R. Manno, Aurora
Naperville’s lucky to have these 4 committed council candidates
With all the division and chaos we see nationally, it’s easy to feel frustrated with politics. That’s why local elections, and the people who step up to lead, matter more than ever.
In the upcoming Naperville City Council race, we’re lucky to have candidates who care deeply about Naperville and are committed to serving with honesty and dedication. They are not here for drama or division. They are here to do the work. I deeply respect their willingness to lead with purpose and focus on what is best for our city and its people.
Ashfaq Syed’s story is the American Dream. As an immigrant embraced by Naperville, he has spent years giving back, serving on boards, advocating for public services and helping ensure every family has a voice. His leadership on the 2020 Census helped bring millions of dollars into our community. His passion is real and his work ethic unmatched.
Mary Gibson has demonstrated exceptional leadership as president of the Naperville Park Board, where she has responsibly managed a $53 million budget. With a strong background as a former director at a data analytics firm and extensive education in public policy, she is well-equipped to make informed decisions that benefit the community. Mary is smart, driven and grounded in service, exactly the kind of leader we need.
Ian Holzhauer, a former Air Force JAG officer and current councilman, brings deep roots and a practical mindset to local government. He has championed initiatives to bolster public safety, including voting to fund body-worn cameras, increased training and mental health programs. He has helped expand the Riverwalk. Ian is thoughtful, accessible and solutions-focused, always working for the collective good of Naperville.
And then there is my high school sweetheart and husband of nearly 38 years, Benny White. Benny has spent his life serving, first in the military and now in our community. He is a lifelong learner, from West Point to earning a doctorate in values-driven leadership. Whether inspiring young people to find their voice and make a difference, serving on local boards or representing residents on the council, he leads with humility and purpose.
But beyond his titles, what defines him most is who he is every day: a devoted husband, a loving son and a great dad. The amazing relationship he has with our two children, the way he supports, encourages and inspires them — that, for me, speaks volumes.
Kimberly White, Naperville
Holzhauer wrong to cite vet suicide epidemic in tax defense
Speaking as one disabled veteran about another, Naperville City Councilman Ian Holzhauer’s recent Facebook post equating the mild criticism of his personal property tax exemption to the causes of the veteran suicide epidemic is shameful, and he should take it down and apologize immediately.
As a retired officer with over 20 years of military service, I refrain from publicly criticizing other vets for their service. While some people may be unimpressed by Holzhauer’s work as a JAG lawyer, I served with many highly professional JAGs and I appreciated their legal advice and counsel. I wouldn’t even criticize him for not having left U.S. territory in his service. Interservice rivalries and comparing service experiences are best done over a drink at the VFW.
If Holzhauer’s proud of his service and believe he’s earned the property tax exemption, then own it. I do. Like him, there have been some years I’ve paid property tax and some that I haven’t, due to my own disability rating fluctuating.
But he crossed the line when he attempted to shield himself with the bodies of American veterans who ended their own lives. One of my best friends took his life when he couldn’t escape his demons after his time in the service, and Holzhauer has no business using his or any other veteran’s tragedy for his own political gain.
I’m shocked that after his years of service this seemed in any way appropriate. No one’s above criticism simply because they served in our military, and using the topic of veteran suicide in an attempt to protect yourself is disgraceful.
Brian Scopa, Naperville
Commander, U.S. Navy (retired)
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