VOTE - APRIL 3, 2001
ROBERT "BOB" BRANDT
WOODRIDGE PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONER
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April 3, 2001 - the results are in and I was not elected Parks Commissioner. I received 675 votes, while my opponents received 912 and 855 votes (out of 1,387 votes cast - vote for two). Click here for the official results. Thank you to all my supporters and everyone who voted for me. I'm sorry that I will not be able to represent you on the Park Board.
FYI: My opponents spent $2,800 in this campaign; I spent $440 (all donations). They received $500 from the Mayor Murphy's "Continue the Progress" committee.
April 3, 2001 - Over the past four days, I received over 50 pages of the same fax urging me to vote for my opponents. Click here to see a copy of the fax. Click here to see a copy of my fax log. The police considered that harassment. Click here to see a copy of the ordinance. After an investigation, the police determined that the faxes came from my opponent Brian Coleman's fax machine. Click here to see a copy of the police report.
April 2, 2001- The Mayor of Woodridge William F. Murphy sent a letter to all of my neighbors telling them to vote for my opponents and "Don't allow the Park District to be governed by an individual who is inexperienced with park and recreation issues." - referring to me Click here to see a copy of the letter.
April 1, 2001 - In response to my opponent's campaign signs in the neighborhood, I passed out a flyer saying "Instead of putting campaign signs in our neighborhood, my opponents should have been putting in a park." Click here to see a copy of my flyer. A few days later, my opponents passed out a flyer saying that they were working on putting in a park in my neighborhood and that my neighbors should vote for them to ensure continuation of the process. Click here to see a copy of the flyer - side 1, side 2.
March 20, 2001 - I pledge to earn the faith and confidence of the residents of the Park District with my conduct and actions as a Parks Commissioner. I pledge to be more open and responsive to the residents of the Park District. If you have a question or concern, I encourage you to contact me personally via letter, phone, fax, website, or e-mail. Do you know any other elected official who is as accessible?
This election is not about whether either my opponents or I win - it's bigger than that. It's about the future of the Park District. I believe that I better represent the future of the Park District and that is why I am running for office of Parks Commissioner.
March 5, 2001 - I answered three questions asked by the Woodridge Progress. Click here for my answers which should be published in an upcoming issue of the Woodridge Progress.
March 5, 2001 - I issued a press release giving more details on my six main campaign themes. Click here for the press release.
March 4, 2001 - The League of Women Voters contacted my opponents and requested that they appear at a public forum with me to discuss the issues (I volunteered myself and my opponents - click here to see my request to the LWV). But both of my opponents declined the LWV's invitation to participate in a public forum! Click here to see a copy of the LWV's letter to me.
I have sent my opponents a letter asking that they reconsider. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
Why won't they participate in a public forum? I encourage you to call the Woodridge Park District at 630-985-0300 and ask why your elected officials - incumbents Fred Hohnke and Brian Coleman - refuse to participate in a public forum for the benefit of the voters.
February 22, 2001 - I have volunteered myself and my two opponents to participate in any public discussion, meeting, debate, survey, etc. of the following organizations:
Beta Sigma Pi
Citizens a Safe and Healthy Environment
Edgewood School PTO
Garden Club of Woodridge
Girl Scouts of DuPage County
Golden School GSO
Golden Years Program
Jefferson Junior High PTO
Kiwanis
Knights of Columbus
League of Woman Voters
Lions Club
Meadowview School PTO
Rotary Club
Salt Creek Council of Campfire
Seaspar
Sipley School PTO
St. Scholastica Women's Club
VFW #1579
VillageV Organization
Willowcreek School PTO
Woodridge Area Historic Society
Woodridge Athletic Association
Woodridge Jaycees
Woodridge Junior Woman's Club
Woodridge Newcomers
Woodridge School PTO
Woodridge Seniors Club
January 29, 2001 - Since all three candidates filed petition papers simultaneously on January 15, 2001, there was a random drawing to determine placement on the ballot. I will be listed third on the ballot, out of three names. Click here to see a copy of the ballot.
January 15, 2001 - I am officially a candidate for Woodridge Park District Commissioner. The election is Tuesday, April 3, 2001.
The Woodridge Park District Board of Commissioners consists of five unpaid resident Commissioners who are elected at-large from the Village of Woodridge for overlapping terms of six years. The Board is responsible for approving all Park District decisions. The day-to-day activities of the Park District are handled by Keith Frankland, the long-time Director of Parks and Recreation, and his staff. The Board meets on the second Tuesday of every month.
The Park District has 25 parks consisting of 244 acres of land. The budget for fiscal year 1999-2000 was $6,200,000. 51% of the Park District's revenue comes from property taxes which equates to approximately $275 per year for a typical Woodridge homeowner.
I will work as Commissioner to increase the number of neighborhood parks in Woodridge and to make sure all parks are well equipped and well-maintained. Here is a summary of some of the issues that are important to me:
1. All children should have a well-equipped, well-maintained neighborhood park to which they can safely ride their bikes.
2. New housing developments should be required to include additional parks and open areas.
3. Park District programs should be less expensive for residents.
4. Our parks and wooded areas should not be replaced by gas stations, strip malls, and apartment buildings.
5. Long-range plans should include a Family Recreation Center for all ages - pre-school, youth, teen, adult, senior.
6. The Park District should have a functional website.
Thank you.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for Woodridge Park District Commissioner
