Latest news with #McBroom
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan lawmakers talk education reform, funding & local control at Mackinac Policy Conference
State Sens. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) discuss Michigan's education system during the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference. May 28, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson Gathering in Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel on Wednesday, State Sens. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) joined Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power to discuss areas for improvement in Michigan's education system. The discussion was one of the forums scheduled during the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference. McBroom and Camilleri, both former educators, opened the panel by recounting the pathway that brought them to begin teaching, before answering some pre-recorded questions from Michigan students about education policy and how they engage with education on the ground. Jia Patel, a senior at Grand Blanc High School, asked the lawmakers how they interact with and listen to youth voices in their policymaking process. Camilleri said one of his guiding philosophies as a lawmaker is to stay connected to the kids. 'I go to my classrooms all the time, all across my district. I listen to students, listen to educators, and I've never really left…I may not be teaching in front of the kids anymore, but I miss them all the time and I talk to them,' he said. Additionally, Camilleri said he works to bring youth into the campaign and political world through internships, telling attendees it's something that would have benefitted him as a young adult. Alongside raising five teenagers, McBroom said he also visits schools within his district but noted those invitations have come slower since the pandemic. He also helps conduct mock interviews with student teachers for Northern Michigan University's teachers education program. McBroom touched on Patel's effort to bring forth legislation allowing youth to serve on school boards, calling it an excellent opportunity and noting his school had put students on the board while he was in eighth grade. Alongside youth engagement, McBroom and Camilleri touched on funding for schools, with McBroom arguing the state's shift to merit core curriculum in the mid 2000s, which requires students to earn a specific number of credits in subject areas including English, math, science and social studies, had strangled the state's career technical education, as funding for many classrooms hinged on their enrollment from the year prior. However, in his 13 years in the Legislature, McBroom said there have been a lot of efforts to provide more resources to career technical centers and work with labor unions to teach skilled trades. The state has also worked to close the funding gap between students, noting that the gap had almost been closed since efforts began in 1994. Camilleri pointed to the Opportunity Index Formula used in recent years which shifts school funding to the schools with greater need and higher levels of poverty. 'I wanna be clear, it's not just urban schools, right? These are rural school districts across the state that have transportation funding issues and special education funding issues and all kinds of other challenges too, and this puts them through that lens as well,' Camilleri said, noting that lawmakers had paired this lens of historic levels of school funding with the Senate's latest education budget allocating another $250 million into the formula, for a total of $1.3 billion in funding. Shifting to another question from University of Michigan student Brandon Hofmeister, Camilleri and McBroom discussed ways to ensure Michigan students have the tools they need to pursue a post-high school education. McBroom again looked to Michigan's merit curriculum, noting that prior to those changes, the only requirements were a year of physical education and a semester of government, with the remaining curriculum left up to a local school district. 'Unfortunately, the Legislature, in my opinion, overstepped by a long way, by creating this huge 'here's the classwork everybody should accomplish' and directed so many students away from the skilled trades,' McBroom said, calling merit curriculum the turning point in going down a 'bad one-size-fits-all path.' Instead, lawmakers should be setting overarching goals for graduation, literacy skills and job attainment rather than telling students they have to take specific courses, McBroom said. Whether a school focused on the arts or the sciences should be decided by the local school board and the community in collaboration with parents and students, McBroom said. As Michigan's literacy rates have decreased across the past two decades, leaving the state at 41st in the nation for education, Power asked both lawmakers what needs to change in Michigan to improve the state's educational outcomes. While Lansing could do more on credentialing of superintendents and principals to ensure quality staff are administering schools, McBroom called for lawmakers to empower locals more, giving them more opportunity and more freedom with clear directives of what to accomplish. 'We also need to stop changing the rules so often…. we need less turmoil from Lansing, more good guidance,' McBroom said, emphasizing that local communities know their needs best. He also argued that changes to the state Board of Education are necessary, pointing to the current process of allowing political parties to nominate candidates for the board without holding a primary. Camilleri offered a different approach, arguing there are too many school districts in Michigan. While lawmakers can get local by allowing them to set goal posts, total local control is not in the state's best interest, he said. 'We gotta get, again, these guiding posts of where we all want to be and in order to meet better standardized testing and be prepared for college and career, all of these things have to be with a vision in mind. And we as stakeholders in Lansing and policy makers in Lansing, we need to be empowered and feel comfortable with setting that direction and do so in a collaborative way,' Camilleri said. 'I'm not saying 'no local control', but when you have 1,600 people, plus boards, plus superintendents, all these different people in the room, it makes it challenging,' Camilleri said, with McBroom agreeing. Camilleri and McBroom also offered their perspectives on moving forward amid federal disruptions and efforts to eliminate the federal department of education. While it's possible to move forward, it will require willing leaders on both sides of the aisle, Camilleri said, noting that the state Senate had already advanced its own education budget. However, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) has avoided committing to passing a budget before the July 1 legislative deadline, which carries no mandate, arguing the Legislature's responsibility is to pass a budget before the fiscal year ends on Oct. 1. 'I hope that we can still meet that deadline. Well, we are in uncharted territory. I mean, I don't have a good answer on that front, because we still do have the chaos out of [Washington] D.C. where we don't have a final budget from them. What are they attempting to cut? And then, how does that have the impact on our budgets here at the local level,' Camilleri said, arguing the state does not have to cut funding to schools due to a surplus in the school aid fund. McBroom offered a more optimistic assessment, arguing the situation was something lawmakers navigated before, with lawmakers previously working under a split-legislature in 2010. 'We've had chaos from the feds before. We've had cuts before in times of bad finances and bad decisions. So I don't really see this as uncharted, whereas it's just different than it was for the past 15 years in Michigan,' he said. 'Whether the feds are doing a good job or not, we should always be trying to labor for something better, to do a better job. If the feds are going to give us these dollars that used to come through the Department of Ed and block grants, let's make sure that we work together to make sure they get to where we need them to be,' McBroom said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ace Family's Catherine Paiz details Austin McBroom cheating scandal on podcast
Catherine Paiz is breaking her silence on what really ended her marriage to Austin McBroom. In a new Call Her Daddy podcast interview, the former ACE Family star revealed the truth behind their 2024 divorce — and confirmed years of cheating rumors. The couple, once beloved for their family vlogs on YouTube, built a fanbase of over 18 million subscribers by sharing daily life with their three kids: Elle, Alaïa, and Steel. But in January 2024, they quietly announced their split. Now, Paiz has revealed McBroom cheated with at least three women she knows about — and possibly up to 20. McBroom addressed his infidelity on Snapchat earlier this year, claiming Paiz was okay with it as long as he didn't embarrass her — a claim she strongly denied. 'I would never say that,' Paiz told host Alex Cooper. 'You never cheat on the person you love.' Their once-idyllic family life began to unravel in 2021 following financial and legal controversies, including the foreclosure of their $10 million home. The couple stopped posting to their ACE Family YouTube channel in 2023. Despite the split, the two remain committed co-parents and live minutes apart for the sake of their children. Paiz has since gone public with her new boyfriend, Igor Ten, while McBroom says he'll keep his relationships off social media. Paiz's memoir Dolores: My Journey Home, released in May 2025, explores her healing journey after years of betrayal. Though the ACE Family era is over, both stars are now focused on personal growth and raising their children peacefully.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
YouTube star Catherine Paiz says ex Austin McBroom cheated with 20 women
YouTube star Catherine Paiz says ex Austin McBroom cheated with 20 women Show Caption Hide Caption It's been 20 years since Jawed Karim uploaded the first Youtube video On April 23, 2005, Jawed Karim uploaded the first-ever Youtube video. Trillions more followed. In January 2024, social media was abuzz with news of a huge breakup in the vlogger world. Catherine Paiz and Austin McBroom, a married couple who were among YouTube's first family vloggers (to the tune of more than 18 million followers), announced their split at the start of the new year. At the time, they didn't specify why they chose to go their separate ways, but now, fans are finally hearing the reason behind their dramatic and very public divorce. During an appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast on May 28, Paiz revealed McBroom's cheating contributed to their split. Paiz told host Alex Cooper that she found out about his infidelity after discovering a text from another woman on his phone while she was pregnant with their third child. "I grabbed the phone, this long text comes through, 'If you really love your wife,'" she said. "I was yelling, screaming, 'Tell me, please, please, just tell me who that was. I feel so stupid. Just tell me, I'm having a baby.'" She continued: "I never heard him say the words, 'I cheated' until about a week ago," which may be in reference to McBroom publicly admitting to cheating on May 12. Paiz found out about "20 or something" women McBroom had cheated with, saying her ex claimed she had given him a pass and told him "as long as ... you don't embarrass me." "I never, ever, ever said that," she said. "I would never say that. I would never want my kids to think that that is OK to cheat on your husband or your wife, and I will make sure that I raise them and that they know that they never, ever do that because that is so wrong. And you never cheat on the person you love. Paiz appeared on the podcast ahead of the July release of her book, "DOLORES: My Journey Home: (Finding Myself Beyond The ACE Family)." Here's what to know about the former YouTubers. Who is Catherine Paiz? Who is Austin McBroom? Catherine Paiz, 34, born Dolores Catherine Johnston Paiz , was born in Montreal, Canada, and moved to Los Angeles at 16. Her ex-husband, Austin McBroom, 33, is a content creator and former basketball player from Palmdale, California. The pair met at a dinner party in 2015, and after McBroom kept pursuing her, they eventually began dating. Paiz and McBroom got married privately in 2017 and didn't reveal their nuptials until January 2020, shortly after the couple announced their third pregnancy. The couple share three children: daughters Elle and Alaïa and a son named Steel. Looking back at the divorce: The ACE Family's Catherine and Austin announce divorce after 7 years. When did the Ace Family start on YouTube? The ACE Family started their YouTube channel a couple of months after their first daughter, Elle, was born in 2016. The couple's first video was posted on July 27, 2016. The name is derived from the first initial of each of their names – Austin, Catherine and Elle. The channel gave millions of viewers an inside look into their lives, from the births of all three of their children to the rise of their social media empire. The ACE Family's YouTube account still has over 18 million subscribers, despite not posting since June 2023. When did the ACE Family break up? Why did the ACE Family quit YouTube? Paiz and McBroom announced their divorce in January 2024, posting separate statements to their Instagram accounts. As of May 13, 2025, both posts have been removed. "Our paths as a couple have shifted and has created differences that are irreconcilable. This decision comes with a very heavy heart," Paiz wrote in her post on Jan. 11, 2024. "As heartbreaking as it is, I feel liberated. "I have spent the past few years prioritizing my children and honoring my commitment to my family; all the while I seemed to be losing myself and my own personal happiness." As for McBroom, he said, "We created one of the greatest stories, almost a decade together, so many memories, so many accomplishments but every book comes to an end. And now we will be writing a new book as separate authors." McBroom ended his post: "With that being said, 2024 will be life-changing for me. I will be dedicated to myself, my kids, my health, my body, my mind, my spirit, and God." The couple had never shared a reason behind the separation before now, simply stating they had "mutually agreed" to a divorce. Has Austin McBroom addressed the cheating allegations? Leaked pages from Paiz's book made waves on social media in early May, leading McBroom to post a nearly 30-minute story to his Snapchat on the night of May 12. He said he felt "blindsided" by the book's content and never wanted to discuss this in public. While he admitted to cheating, he told his followers that he was not portrayed fairly. He claimed Paiz was aware of his actions and that they had continued their relationship for several years afterward. Once the news of their divorce became public, he claimed he wanted to make a video admitting to the cheating, but Paiz told him not to do it. He added that he feels she's now monetizing their past for attention. When does Catherine Paiz's book come out? "DOLORES: My Journey Home: (Finding Myself Beyond The ACE Family)" is set to release on July 1. The book is co-written and published by USA TODAY bestselling author Riley J. Ford. "When her path led her to Los Angeles, she built a life that seemed like a fairytale: love, children, and a pioneering YouTube career that influenced millions. As part of The ACE Family, she became a familiar face around the globe. But behind the scenes, Catherine was carrying heartbreak, facing betrayal, navigating intense public scrutiny, and slowly losing herself," the book's description reads. It continued: "When everything she built began to unravel, she set out on the most important journey of all—alchemizing her pain into strength, transforming her life, and finding her way back to the woman she was always destined to be. This is the true story of a life that looked perfect, and the brave heart who stepped beyond the picture to find something real."
Chicago Tribune
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville councilman McBroom, DuPage GOP, Awake Illinois battle District 203 over transgender female athletes
Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom and DuPage County Republicans are among those attacking Naperville School District 203 over a junior high track meet at which it's claimed one of the winning athletes was a transgender girl. In a case that has evoked hundreds of online comments and national media attention, Naperville-based Awake Illinois Monday filed a federal Title IX complaint against the district with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. 'Some of the girls were left in tears (at the May 14 track meet),' McBroom wrote in a May 16 post on his Naperville City Council Facebook page. 'And parents are speaking out — not from a political place, but as concerned moms and dads who care deeply about fairness for our daughters.' He also made it a city issue by questioning why the Naperville office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a department he has advocated for dissolving, did not speak out about the situation because 'residents deserve to see action when it matters most.' But it's also a subject that elicited support from area residents and the LGBTQ+ population and advocates, many of whom attended Monday's night's Naperville District 203 School Board meeting to laud the district for not yielding to the criticism. The situation is the latest in a series of complaints in Chicago and the suburbs centered on transgender students. Last month, Awake Illinois lodged similar allegations against Valley View District 365-U, which inspired passionate pleas in support of LGBTQ+ youth at a school board meeting for the Bolingbrook-Romeoville district. Chicago Public Schools and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 have also been subject to federal complaints over the past few months. Allegations against District 203 are tied to a junior high track meet held at Naperville North High School last week. Videos started circulating on social media of a Naperville student athlete winning events at the event alongside claims that she should not have competed in the girls' division. Posts have garnered thousands of views and hundreds of comments. In response, DuPage County Republicans on May 15 posted a statement on its Facebook page maintaining that female athletes 'should be allowed to compete fairly and safely in their desired sports.' As part of the statement, the local GOP linked to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February under which transgender athletes are banned from participating in girls' and women's sports. On the same day, Awake Illinois weighed in, noting on social media that it was prepared to file a federal civil rights complaint against District 203, which the group made good on four days later. At the core of Awake's complaint is that District 203 is in violation of 'current Title IX protections.' Title IX is a 1972 law forbidding discrimination based on sex in education. Last year, the Biden administration finalized new rules expanding the law to also prevent discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Those added provisions, however, were struck down nationwide in January after a federal judge in Kentucky found they overstepped the president's authority. McBroom spoke out on the situation on May 16 via Facebook. 'So here's my question: Where is the (city of Naperville's) DEI department now? Is its role just to host workshops and 'conversations'? Will it speak out on this issue?' McBroom wrote in his post. 'Will it engage the community? Or will it stay silent?' McBroom has not been shy about his skepticism of the city's DEI department. He has questioned the city's spending on DEI amid discussions over how Naperville will account for the $6.5 million in annual revenue it stands to lose when the state's grocery tax sunsets next year. In a guest column in the Naperville Sun last fall, McBroom wrote, 'Sharpening the pencil on the city budget is certainly in order and DEI should be on the short list of where to tighten.' Reached by phone, McBroom deferred to his Facebook post and declined further comment. Requests for comment from the city were not returned. In his post, McBroom also called on school boards and district leadership to 'lead.' 'Protect the girls in our schools. Step up. Take a stand. … We are watching. And we're waiting,' he wrote. The situation was also discussed in a segment of Fox News' America Reports Monday. People flooded the District 203 School Board meeting Monday night to speak for and against transgender student athletes and to denounce those who were sharing the student's identity and photo on social media. 'The use of a student's image, likeness or name to further a political agenda is abhorrent and unacceptable,' said Amanda Zigterman, parent of two District 203 students. 'Essentially, it is bullying on a local and national stage by adults who should know better.' But other parents and community activists were vocally opposed to biological males competing in sporting events against girls, saying it creates an unfair playing field and should not be allowed. 'What is the acceptable amount of genetic boys allowed to participate in girls sports divisions?' parent Jason Copeland said. 'If the answer is anything other than zero, that person isn't qualified to be on a board overseeing the protection and education of children at any level in this district.' More than 30 residents and community activists voiced their opinions for about 90 minutes. On one side of the room, audience members held up neon yellow signs with messages that included 'Protect Girls Sports,' 'Support Common Sense' and 'Defend Title IX.' The other side was filled with people waving flags supporting transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, wearing Naper Pride shirts and 'ally' buttons, and holding signs advocating for inclusion. Roughly two-thirds of the speakers voiced their support for the right of transgender students to compete in sports and criticizing those who would turn a child into a political pawn by spreading their image on social media. 'It's not just wrong. It is harmful,' Jon O'Toole said. 'As a person of faith, we are called to love our neighbors, to speak for the vulnerable and to make space at the table for everybody. That includes trans kids. Kids should be able to show up as their bold true selves, on the field, in the classroom, in their communities.' Playing sports is about teamwork, confidence and belonging, he added, and everyone deserves that chance. 'This is not about politics,' O'Toole said. 'This is about people. This is about a child who just wants to play with their friends and be accepted for who they are. We should be working to lift that child up and protect all students, not single them out for harm. Trans kids aren't up for debate. They are not a threat. They are not a problem that needs to be solved.' Parent Tim Thompson, father of two children, said he appreciated that the school board was upholding state law and allowing transgender students to compete. District 203 should be lauded for its support of inclusivity and not cowed into bending its beliefs by civil rights complaints. 'This is just another in a long list of ways that they are attacking and devaluing public education,' he said. '… Don't be fooled. It was never about a race. It was never about an athlete. This is an attempt to further marginalize a group and tell them they don't belong, that they aren't good enough.' Other speakers, however, said it's not fair to expect girls to compete against biological boys in sporting events. A student who was born male should not be able to take away girls' achievements, hard work and effort, they said. Parent Doug MacGregor noted that some parents spend thousands of dollars on sports coaches, training and camps for their daughters only to face unfair competiton due to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 'When their daughter steps up for her chance to win a state championship or medal, she'll lose to a biological male,' he said. 'That once in a lifetime moment gone because of DEI's political agenda.' Parent Jenny George said there are clear disparities between male and female athletes. Her son, a high school track athlete, would rank first in girls' categories but is in the 300s when competing against boys, she said. 'Your job is to represent every student in this district, but you have turned your back on half of them,' George said. 'Women's sports exist to offer a competitive space for female athletes. When males enter those spaces in competition, it is women and girls who are pushed out — out of races, out of records and out of recognition. This is not progress. This is a huge step backwards.' Naperville resident Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois, said her organization is fighting for fairness and to uphold protections provided through Title IX. 'Now in 2025, you've got boys stealing girls' victories, leaving young girls sobbing on the track,' she said 'This isn't inclusion, it's oppression.' Adcock said she would like to see the $8.9 million the district receives in federal funding frozen until it abides by Title IX. The school board did not address the public comments, and no item was on the agenda related to its policies regarding transgender athletes. District officials declined comment after the meeting. A District 203 spokesperson also declined to comment, saying in an email, 'Please know that the district is committed to protecting the privacy of all students. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and district policy, we cannot and will not share personal or identifiable information about any student without appropriate consent.' The district adheres to the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois State Board of Education guidance, they said, 'which prohibit discrimination in schools and ensure full and equal access to programs and services regardless of gender identity or other protected characteristics.'
Chicago Tribune
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: McBroom's ‘misogynistic' comments shouldn't be tolerated; questions raised over some council candidates' actions
McBroom's 'misogynistic' comments shouldn't be tolerated The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines misogyny as 'hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against women,' and Psych Central in an article published Aug. 9, 2022, notes that 'chauvinism stems from a sense that males are superior to females and belief women are naturally weaker, less intelligent, or otherwise less able in some capacity compared to men.' Someone with chauvinistic beliefs may still enjoy being around women and may act protectively toward them out of the belief that they need someone to provide for them. Comments akin to those in a recent op-ed column by Naperville City Council Josh McBroom might be construed as perpetuating these deep held beliefs. Some men, such as our current president, feel too comfortable using abusive language and behavior whenever they feel their power being usurped by a woman. Commentary surrounding body shaming of women on the Naperville Park Board with which McBroom publicly agreed led to a discussion of ethics and respect as well as a code of conduct to which our public officials should be adhering. This behavior was appropriately called out by some women on the district board. Now, McBroom is publicly using his council position to complain about several well-qualified female candidates running for the city council and park board, including those who called him out for his park board comments. I completely believe in private citizen exercising their First Amendment right but why should we accept the blatant public use of someone's position as a member of our citizen-funded government to continue perpetuating a 'good ole boy'-type mentality against female candidates from another party? The answer is we should not! When misogynists claim comments were not intended to be against women or that they didn't mean to hurt anyone, it is not up for them to decide. Women are the only ones who can determine the effects of such language. We must never dismiss this as locker room talk, as boys will be boys, as woke or any other excuse. The irony is this all started with a lawsuit regarding mask mandates filed by the Naperville Park Board against Gov. Pritzker during COVID. The complaints were about government overreach to control our bodies, notably by nonscientists. Perhaps some should look at the ongoing assault on women's bodies and rights without equivalent laws against men before they start these types of conversations. Laura Welch, Naperville President, Illinois NOW; Member, NOW National Board of Directors Questions raised over some council candidates' actions We are just days away from electing our municipal leaders to office. As you make your choices, we thought you might wish to consider the following about four individuals running for our Naperville City Council. During a recent League of Women Voters of Naperville online forum, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor characterized herself as the one her fellow council members go to for 'fact-checking.' We found that statement to be rather shocking based upon the things she said in 2019 to discredit the opt-in movement for cannabis dispensaries in Naperville. She stated before the Naperville City Council that she believe opt-in supporters had keyed her car, stolen her signs and spray-painted the houses of supporters, all of which proved to be untrue after a simple call the next day to the Naperville Police Department. So, a 'fact-checker'? Hardly. And then there is Derek McDaniel, whose incorrect assembling of his nomination packet for 2023 city council race resulted in a circuit court judge bouncing him from the ballot, and whose campaign yard sign size and placement have been questioned in this race. Should he be approving policies and ordinances for the rest of us? Don't think so. And, briefly, Meghna Bansal's family ties to the MAGA Trump movement are very well known in our community, a community that overwhelmingly rejected Trump's candidacy in 2020 and again in 2024. On Nov. 6, 2024, Krishna Bansal, her husband, posted the following on Facebook: 'Our President Donald J. Trump! We are so blessed!' And rounding out the foursome is Nag Jaiswal who, at the recent LWV forum, pronounced affordable housing 'a burden on the taxpayers' and whose councili nomination packet this year barely survived the numerous objections raised. With the exception of Nag Jaiswal, all of these candidates are endorsed by Safe Suburbs, the Richard Uihlein-financed, far-right PAC. Elections matter, now more than ever! Dianne McGuire and Paulette Goodman, Naperville No reason students need to have phones with them in class I don't see the problem with the proposed legislation that would ban students from having cell phones in the classroom. It used to be customary to prohibit phones and radios in classrooms unless for instructional purposes. You had to keep them in your locker. You could only use them between classes, at lunch or in study hall. No biggie. If your parents had to contact you in an emergency, they would call the school. Why did that change? There was no reason to. Bill Voda, Warrenville Gibson's park board tenure makes her ideal for council Committed, tireless, qualified. These are qualities I want in a Naperville City Council member, and Mary Gibson has them all. Mary is a dedicated public servant and Naperville's current park board president, a position her fellow commissioners unanimously elected her to for three consecutive years. She is a Naperville Riverwalk Commiss member, serving as park district liaison. Mary's community involvement includes being a Naperville's Community Emergency Response Team member and Naperville Citizen Police and Citizen Fire academies graduate, which give her insight into front line responders' needs. Mary is conscientious and tenacious. As park board resident, she helps deliver high-quality services and facilities to residents while keeping cost increases under the rate of inflation in the annual $50-plus million budget and still earning top resident satisfaction scores. Under her leadership, the park district has flourished, creating new programs, enhancing green spaces, investing in lower cost EV assets and pursuing shoreline restoration to name a few. Mary is a reliable steward of district resources, never neglects her duties and includes all perspectives to arrive at the best decisions. Mary is qualified. With a background in data analytics focused on mitigating risk and a solid educational foundation, Mary brings significant knowledge to council. On top of her master's degree, she also has certificates in public policy and civic leadership from the London School of Economics and Northern Illinois University. Mary and her husband chose Naperville to raise their three children because she believes it is the best city in America. She is running for Naperville City Council to tackle issues ranging from the IMEA energy contract to everyday services to keep Naperville topping 'best of' lists. She will use data to make tough decisions and will work tirelessly for the whole community, not just those who vote for her. Mary deserves your vote on or before April 1! These are the reasons Ashfaq Syed deserves your vote When Naperville residents go to the polls, we have an opportunity to elect a proven leader, Ashfaq Syed, to the Naperville City Council. In 2019, after I was appointed by Mayor Steve Chirico as chairman of the 2020 U.S. Census Naperville Complete Count Committee, I asked Ashfaq to chair the communications and social media efforts. With millions of federal dollars at stake, Ashfaq developed a 'best in country' campaign that resulted in Naperville being recognized as the No. 1 City in America for Self Responses. Without Ashfaq's leadership and persistence, these results would not have been realized. It was a remarkable achievement while the country suffered through the COVID-19 epidemic. Ashfaq was recognized by the Naperville City Council with a Proclamation of Appreciation for his efforts. Ashfaq has continued to drive positive results as the president of Naperville Public Library Board, as a board member for Loaves & Fishes, as a committee member for 360 Youth Services, where he helps our youth meet today's challenges. He has served on the Indian Prairie School District 204 Citizens Task Force, the Naperville Neighbors United Board, promoting unity and collaboration among residents, and the 2020 U.S. Census Committee, of which he was as co-chair. As a graduate of the Naperville Citizens police academy and fire academy, Ashfaq knows the challenges that Naperville's first responders encounter daily to keep our residents safe. With over 28 years in finance and banking, Ashfaq understands financial management and is committed to fiscal responsibility and economic sustainability for Naperville. Ashfaq is a proven leader and a person who is guided by the belief that when residents come together, great results will be achieved. I support Ashfaq Syed for Naperville City Council. Bruzan-Taylor's brings important attributes to council I would like the voters in Naperville to consider the following attributes that Jennifer Bruzan-Taylor has exhibited for the benefit of everyone during her term on the Naperville City Council: She makes decisions based on what is best for our community as a whole; She is a former prosecutor who understands public safety; She has worked to build and strengthen our community; She has an extensive knowledge base about our city and the issues it is facing; She is non-partisan. In the past four years, she has built a reputation for being responsive to residents and business owners. Naperville is facing numerous challenges in our near and long-term future. Let's re-elect a solid, qualified candidate who exhibits honesty and integrity. John Tralewski, Naperville Everyone gets an opinion when it's legitimate journalism In response to J. McDonald's March 19 letter regarding his disappointment with the Naperville Sun for publishing David McGrath's March 5 column 'If there's a revolution against Trump, count me in', I find it ridiculous that he questions why such an 'inflammatory article of questionable accuracy' was allowed to go to press. He should be grateful that his inflammatory letter of questionable accuracy was also allowed to go to press. That's the way it's supposed to work within legitimate journalism. Don Orchard, Naperville
