Letters to the Editor: McGrath column nothing but propaganda for the Dems; Naperville voters should reject Lisle Township Dems slate

Chicago Tribune

18-03-2025

Editor's note: Due to a publishing error, these letters to the editor did not run in Sunday's Naperville Sun. Because several are related to the upcoming election and therefore time is a factor, we have made the decision to run them in the Wednesday paper.
McGrath column nothing but propaganda for the Dems
In David McGrath's column, 'If there's a revolution against Trump, count me in' (March 5, Naperville Sun), he describes himself as anything but a patriot. A draft dodger wannabe? Worked for Abbie Hoffman?
Most of his opinions about the actions taken by the current president are of questionable accuracy. How was Joe Biden saying he didn't like a Supreme Court ruling but they are working on a work-around normal and acceptable? He talks about the potential breakdown of the government system if judicial rulings are ignored but he never mentions how the judges are supposed to be working within the guidelines of the Constitution.
He refers to the U.S. Revolutionary War with King George and completely misses the southern states' succession that caused the Civil War. They didn't like it when the political pendulum was swinging against them. In his imagination, he develops how his revolution will play out.
We have a president now with two assassination attempts against his life, three to four years of lawsuits and criminal cases trying to put him into prison for 700 years, and numerous other government attacks on him personally, and Mr. McGrath is talking of a revolution.
This brings me to the reason I am writing this. Why is such an inflammatory article allowed to go to press? I assumed he was guided by lawyers to be sure he didn't step over any legal lines but this article leaves me with the question, why isn't this column a threat to commit violence against the current president and insurrection against the currently elected government?
It leaves me very disappointed with the Naperville Sun to have allowed such an obvious Democratic party propaganda piece to go to press.
J. McDonald, Naperville
Naperville voters should reject Lisle Township Dems slate
As a lifelong resident of Lisle Township, I was shocked when friends mentioned a vote of no confidence resolution — passed by a bipartisan board of trustees in August 2023 — calling for the current township supervisor to resign.
As I dug deeper, it became clear that the current supervisor's issues extend beyond any personal ones and impact board decision making and expenditures. One and one-half years after the resolution, the Democrat-run board continues to struggle with the current supervisor, leading to a chaotic environment at many board meetings. Dysfunction seems to rule the day in Lisle Township.
The township's annual budget is small relative to other taxing bodies like school districts and municipalities, and some Naperville residents may not even realize they are part of Lisle Township. However, the township provides important services to residents, maintains a highway department and houses the assessor's office.
Several years ago, voters approved the creation of a 708 Mental Health Board, which now awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants. Strong and competent leadership is needed to ensure taxpayers' funds are deployed wisely and where they will have the most impact, and that township initiatives and relationships with township employees and outside vendors are managed responsibly.
In the upcoming election, voters have a choice. The current supervisor is supporting a slate of candidates — Vote Lisle Township Dems — who, after a costly Democratic primary, will appear on the ballot.
From the looks of things, these candidates are taking their lead from the current supervisor and will continue to do so if elected. This slate has very little experience, with only one candidate, M. Joann Wright (candidate for supervisor), having held public office. These candidates' local community involvement is primarily limited to volunteering for partisan political organizations. Wright currently serves on a school board in Woodridge, but her record is less than impressive — in 2024, she missed seven out of 14 meetings.
Thankfully, voters who wish to see the township get back on track have an alternative. Team Common Sense is comprised of business owners, professionals, the long-serving incumbent assessor and incumbent highway commissioner, and the current township clerk, Debbie Pawlowicz, who is running for township supervisor.
The candidates, of which I am one, are all longtime residents of the area with deep ties to the community and significant experience volunteering locally, serving on boards or giving back by holding elected office. We as a group are committed to bringing common sense back to township board meetings, making smart financial decisions, and working hard to give residents the services that they need and want in an efficient manner (while exploring opportunities to partner with other agencies).
Voters in Lisle Township deserve better than the current chaos and the current supervisor's hand-picked candidates. Please vote wisely on or before April 1!
Councilman Benny White 'shows up and follows through'
I like people with integrity: they are who they say they are. I like people with a commitment to service, who show up and follow through. I like people who demonstrate that they care about our community and walk their talk. I like people who chase what's best for all of us and do their best to see these initiatives successfully implemented. This is why I like Benny White for Naperville City Council.
Let's begin with his 22-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel, and his 17 years as the senior advisor for the Junior ROTC program at Joliet Township High School, a job he still holds. His continued commitment to this nation's safety is further supported by his commitment to our own personal public safety here in Naperville. As a councilman, he supports our public safety officers with the resources and programs they need to continue to keep Naperville one of the safest cities in the nation in which to live.
Let's also mention his instrumental role in modifying our city's mission statement to include the words, 'commits to being an inclusive community that values diversity,' which was approved unanimously. These words have been instrumental in moving our city forward and building community where everyone feels valued, safe and heard.
His recent presentations at forums and at gatherings in voters' homes have demonstrated his understanding of the future of energy consumption in Naperville and the search for a sustainable solution and possible alternative to the IMEA coal-driven investments made so long ago.
Let's keep Benny White on the Naperville City Council as one of our most trusted leaders. Please vote for him as well as Mary Gibson, Ian Holzhauer and Ashfaq Syed.
Gibson has qualities that will make her a good councilwoman
I am writing to express my support for Mary Gibson for Naperville City Council. I have known her and her family for many years, and I have not witnessed anyone with such strength of character and dedication to community service as her.
Mary Gibson is a proven leader in our community. She was elected to the Naperville Park Board in 2020, served as vice president for one year and was unanimously elected president the following three years by her fellow park board commissioners. She has demonstrated time and again the ability to work across the political spectrum to achieve the best outcomes for all Naperville residents.
Mary is a consensus builder, and prior to serving on the board, she facilitated the Open Discussion Project at Anderson Books with the goal of discussing important issues without polarizing agendas. She is dedicated to government transparency and accountability and will work hard to ensure all residents of Naperville will be served and heard.
As an active volunteer in our community, she is a Naperville Riverwalk Commission member, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and a graduate of the Naperville police and fire citizen academies.
Our local elections are important. The Naperville City Council election is April 1 (not fooling). If you're out of town for spring break, please plan to vote early or vote by mail. And please vote for Mary Gibson for Naperville City Council.