“I’d like to find out why there isn’t a park district,” she added.

With all due respect to Ms. Good, but Evergreen Park does have a "park district". It's called the Recreation Department headed by Dennis Duffy, a very nice and competent person. I'll leave it to the voters to decide if Ms. Good is the same. Wow.....SMH!

What puzzled me the most about the article was the picture. After the picture compelled me to read the article, I am assuming those are secure fasteners of some kind, but they sure look like surgical instruments or bullet casings. Where do you find these pictures?!!

Let Mrs. Good run. What is Mayor Sexton afraid of? Let the better Candidate win! Get over the silly paper clip issue....There are MORE IMPORTANT Issues in Evergreen Park.

Just how involved with the community is Ms. Good if she's unaware of the outstanding Park District that Evergreen Park already has? I don't think anyone is against healthy competition in a mayoral race but it should be with someone that is knowledgable, involved and knows the area they want to represent.

It's about time there's competition. Has anyone ever run against an incumbent EP Mayor? The paper clip issue is ridiculous, let her run!

I stand with Tracie's comment. I understand avoiding fraud, but a paper clip issue seems like a great way to shoot down opposition. Sometimes change is good! I stand behind change for Evergreen Park! I think we can do much better! Along with a overhaul of the D124 board that created that mess for our students and didn't support our teachers!

"...including initiating a “mayoral challenge” to local youth encouraging them to get fit, community-based farming and applying for grants to re-do the Recreation Center."

To a few of you who have commented above: What type of change do you want for Evergreen Park and what are the more important issues going on in our town please explain.
I see it like this, in life rules need to be followed. Whether the rule is stupid in your opinion or mine it doesn't matter. It is a rule! Mayor Sexton did not make up the rule, as the patch previously said (I believe on facebook) "this actually happens alot in local races" not just here in EP.
I for one do not want to change a good thing. I sure hope people realize how well our town is run in comparison to other towns. We are not broke or going broke (as long as we hold onto our fiscal principles that have kept this town strong). New is not always better.
Last time I checked we have fitness programs for the youth in EP thru the Recreation Center, I am almost positive that the village has a few empty lots they use to grow fruits and vegetables for the food pantry and our Recreation Center is fine the way it is.
I cannot wait for the Patch to post where the candidates stand and what they want to accomplish.

We all need more information on both Candidates, before we run our mouths off, etc. Once Mrs. Good is on the ballet, then the two need to sit down and get word out to the residents of Evergreen park, about their platforms, etc. The more we know, the better we'll be off. Sometimes changes is good, sometimes not. This is to new, to start name calling, bad mouthing, etc.

TM, I had to delete your comment because we do not allow comments about candidates' families. Government reporter Joan Hadac sat down with Mayor Sexton and we have a lengthy story that will run tomorrow on his current work and efforts in the village.

I understand that Dan, but I do think it is a valid point. And I was also asking about what Ms Good has done for the community in her time living here. And what her credentials are. I go to a lot of community events and have never seen her there. And since my last comment was deleted I will say again that I truly think she is taking advantage of Mayor Sexton's health issue.

evergreenlove13
You are correct and that's why I also wrote: ".looking forward to both sides COMPLETE stories." Thanks evergreenlove13.
I can't wait to read about both of them, what about you?

All of the time, attention, and resources dedicated to a paper clip is ridiculous. When we wonder where our republic went, we can trace its demise back to the humble paper clip. Stupid rules like this were initially put in place to favor the ruling elite by severely restricting challengers. That's something to support?

Because only the "ruling elite" have access to binders... The point is there are rules and regulations and legalities. Holding public office entails understanding these policies and often time crafting them. Anyone who plans to seek a public office should heavily familiarize themselves with public process. You don't just show up and decide you can run a whole city one day. I am 100% a supporter of having choices on Election Day and I think having healthy competition is good. I look forward to hearing more about Mrs. Good's background and her specific plans to improve the community. I can say from experience that it is easy to make promises during an election but another thing entirely to bring those promises to fruition in a fiscally responsible manner once you're in office.

Potus... Did you read the above article that sites other instances of documents being fastened in a loose fashion going to court? Or that regulations are purposely kept vague? Or how about needing an election attorney just to throw your hat into the ring. It's all absurd. By the way, good job Patch on disclosing the campaign contributions by Odelson to the Sexton campaign.

I understand the complexities involved with running for office and have experienced them first hand, and I agree that the rules are complex, however they are not mysteriously hidden away. The candidates guide is readily accessible on the county elections website and contains all of this information. You don't need a lawyer to run for office, simply not true I have done so successfully without one multiple times. Also, I agree that it is nice to see campaign contribution details coming to light though again this information is a matter of public record for those concerned enough to look at any given time.

This is the most expensive paperclip the village has ever paid for. Like usual,. the mayor is back on the bully pulpit. To see what I mean, go to a village board meeting and ask a question. See how rude he is to everyone. Then he tells the crowd to talk to him with respect but he does not know how to do that. I hope she is able to run. He needs some competition and learn how to answer questions. There are way too may Sextons in town with good jobs.

Kells, did he call you a name or something in grammar school? I have met him and had conversations with him and he was never mean or bullying. Rules are rules people, they have the rules so we don't get anyone in office who doesn't deserve to be there. Like I said before the Patch must be anti Sexton with them printing hogwash like this. These articles they write are mostly just their own personal opinions.

I have never seen Mayor Sexton be rude or bully anyone and I have attended many Village board meets. Everyone is so caught up in the paper clip aspect which should have been done correctly but the article also mentions petitions being questioned. Shouldn't that be the larger concern? And if I'm not mistaken don't many of Mrs.Goods family members work or have worked for the village. Not that I'm saying that's an issue but Kells seems to thinks.

Actually don't have a job currently and have attended many hot button meetings. Just because someone is in control of a meeting doesn't make them a bully or rude. Still didn't hear you respond to the fact that Mrs.Goods family also works for the village. Does that make them bad people?

pssst I am NOT employed by the Village of Evergreen Park. A politician (whether big or small town) is still a politician. If he is fighting for what you call hot topics it is because it is what he believes in. Now how about Ms Good's relatives working for the village? Or what about how this isn't all about a paper clip. It is about the petition also. What about the petition, the Patch doesn't tell us. Did she forge signatures? Did she not get enough? What?

Kells, have you forgotten that Mrs. Good's mother was both mayor Vacco and mayor Sexton's secretary and retired from that position? Not to mention other members of her family that work for the village. I think if you count, her family members out number his....

I am a resident of EP. I`ve lived here for 14 years. I think Evergreen Park has really flourished since back then. I think the current mayor has been good for Evergreen Park, and is responsible for it happening. Change is good sometimes, but the issues addressed by the other candidate seem to be a common platform for all political candidates running for any office. There are far more issues that she could have addresses to peek one`s interest. Let`s tackle real issues, not ones out there already addressed, and are not of much importance.

I know for a fact Mayor Sexton is a bully! You haven't seen anything until you've met him in his office behind closed doors.

My parents have owned the "Nail Spa" building since 1969 - (3138-3140 W. 95th street). The Mayor never offered my parents any money for the building -----he just threatened my 78 year old Disabled WWII Veteran dad back in 2004 (my dad passed away 4 months after the meeting with the Mayor) and now Sexton is abusing my 86 year old mom by deliberately keeping the building vacant and without heat since January 13, 2011 to STEAL it!

Nail Spa was a tenant for 8 years and when we evicted him he left us with a cracked furnace and fried the electric panel. Both fall under "building maintenance", but I'm not allowed to repair anything because the Mayor's sidekick, Geoffrey Layhe, hit me with a bogus stop work order. So please do not write about "Rules" in EP because, for me, they change daily - in fact the rules that I am suppose to follow are not written down anywhere.

It is a travesty what Mayor Sexton has done to my senior citizen mom. Chase Bank was built from the ground up and landscaped, Famous Dave's built a complete kitchen in the building, the nun's retirement on 99th street is practically finished, BUT I am still fighting to repair the damage from Nail Spa and get 2 new businesses opened!

Found out last month I now need to hire a mechanical engineer to replace the furnace because the building code requirements for ventilation are changed ----Shame on you Mayor!

Hang in there Shawn Good

Not to get off subject, but I will attest the building department is a joke. I asked 5 people the same question and got 5 different answers. Geoff is the biggest joke as well as Ed. They have no idea what the rules are. I'm just writing this in sympathy of your parents and can attest the building department is full of Bozo's.

Kells wasn't sure was your previous post stating that Mrs.Goods mother was not Mayor Vacco and Mayor Sextons secretary because indeed she was and as far as her family they absolutely work for the Village. Check your facts.

Is there a list of village employees? I am curious to see it since Kells won't back up their "facts"

The Patch was writing about the Plaza and all the complaints were about changing the way the buildings get built around here - (most parking is in front of the building versus behind the building). Look up Chis Clairs old articles on the Plaza.

Oh TM you make me laugh! Leave the zip code once in awhile to see how other people live and how other towns get developed.........it called PLANNING!

I actually just moved here six years ago sooooo yeah think about that Nance

Hey Ted, Kay and the rest of you who think I have nothing better to do than invent stories - this is what Mayor Sexton has done to my parents / mom - (The Reporter newspaper May 2011 - did a story for us front page)!

analogy: The Mayor wants your house, but it's not for sale. TOO BAD! The Mayor forces you to keep your house vacant for two years and without heat! BUT......you are allowed to visit your property anytime you want (lucky you) - you can even unlock the door walk around inside BUT you better not try fixing anything because you were given a bogus stop work order from the Mayor's sidekick Geoffrey Layhe. Oh by the way, keep paying those property taxes which are close to $30,000 dollars or the Mayor will steal your property!
I filed in June 2010 to open 2 new businesses in the building - the Mayor lost both my applications. (I have the Village meeting minutes as proof). Finally, November 5, 2012 - the Mayor approves my Business Licenses. I had to hire an Architect to draw 4 ceiling fans and some florescent lights to submit to get a Permit, .......BUT, mysteriously there are all kinds of problems I am required to fix because the building was never inspected properly when Nail Spa and US Cellular were tenants!!!

I have spent the past week cutting up the floor because the pipes when US Cellular moved in were NEVER capped off - instead I have Jewel plastic bags shoved into the sewage pipes which caused a leak and rotted the wood under my new floor tile!

I would like to see any of you fight for something that's RIGHT! No one should be allowed to abuse Senior Citizens or people in General just because they own something that the Mayor wants! It's UN-American!

Oh I forgot - we also pay roughly $60 dollars a month for water that we cannot use! Nail Spa left the building infested with mice and huge black cockroaches, but he got a new Business License (no problem) to move down the street in front of Little Company of Mary Hospital! It's pathetic.............the mess I have had to clean up because Village Inspectors got paid for a job they were obviously NOT doing!

Let Shawn Good run for Mayor!

See Nance, now people are just tired of you and obviously other people had things to do over the holiday weekend.

TM - one last point, it seems difficult for people to grasp, the fact, that Mayor Sexton covers-up his intentional cruelty to my Senior Citizen mom / parents - considering their only crime was refusing to sell their building to the Mayor / Developer so they could knock it down for additional parking to the Oberweis Dairy strip mall!

I can only imagine Mayor Sexton’s reaction if someone was “Bullying” his parents like this-- - if he would just sit back and allow the abuse??? Hmmm.....makes you think.

Good Luck Shawn!

Thank you EP95, everything you wrote is true.

Everyone else is watching their money in this economy, but I guess Mayor Sexton is punishing me and my 86 year old mom for over 2 years by not allowing her to collect rent and I have been fighting the Mayor since 2010 to open a business! Geoffrey Layhe never takes a day off------------Layhe has called every one of my contractors so they won't work for me!

My dad was a Disabled WWII Veteran, he limped for 60 years and he earned the Right to say "No" to Mayor Sexton when he didn't want his building knocked down for a STINKIN STRIP MALL!!!

Mayor Sexton--------------PLEASE call off your dogs!!! It is Un-American to treat people this way especially a defenseless Senior Citizen!