HANOVER PARK, IL--Five Hanover Park residents officially filed the paperwork for Village office today on the Hanover Park Progress ticket. Over 1000 residents signed their nominating petitions. "The support we are getting from residents is unbelievable," commented Hanover Park Progress Party Chair and Trustee Candidate, Rick Roberts. "People are really stepping forward to bring needed change to Hanover Park."
The individuals on the Hanover Park Progress ticket include the current Village President Rodney Craig, who will again be running for the Village's top spot. Eira Corral, Media Relations and Field Coordinator for a major non-profit organization, has filed to run for Village Clerk. Running for the Village Board will be property manager William Cannon, past Hanover Park Hurricanes Football Association president Rick Roberts, and business leader Ed Zimel.
"I have reached out to these individuals who have already demonstrated their commitment as leaders in our community. I've asked them to join me in bringing the people of Hanover Park together to face the challenges before us," commented Village President Craig.
Over eighty residents came together in the fall to help organize Hanover Park Progress as a local party. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents from many backgrounds came together to push for change in Hanover Park. In October, the party officially put forward a slate of candidates who were approved by party members. These candidates filed their nominating petitions with the Village today.
"It's our goal to end the culture of no that exists within the Village government," noted Eira Corral, candidate for Village Clerk. "We stand for leadership, inclusion, and open government."
The members of Hanover Park Progress have set public safety, energy sustainability and, government accountability as the core of their party's platform. In the last year, the Village Board has degenerated into a state of dysfunction as personal agendas and petty politics has taken precedents over the needs of residents.
"Following the recent violence in our town, Mayor Craig took action, but the majority that controls the Village Board would prefer to play politics," noted Ed Zimel, candidate for Village Trustee. "They continue to spend and spend, but some how, they can't find budget money for more police officers. If they aren't willing to find the money in the budget, Hanover Park Progress can and will."
The majority that controls the Village Board has opposed almost all of the initiatives put forward by Mayor Craig. As a matter of policy, they have refused to increase police staffing, leaving that decision to the Village Manager. They have blocked progress for sustainable energy, refused to provide support for the Cultural Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and have taken no leadership in commercial code enforcement.
"After public safety, maintaining property values and pride in our community should be next on our list," said Rick Roberts, Candidate for Village Trustee. "Our homeowners need support. They are not getting enough support."
Bill Cannon, Candidate for Village Trustee, agrees, "We are in the midst of a major economic crisis, and our Village government needs to make smart decisions. When people are hurting, our Village needs to listen and act. We need a government that brings people together for the betterment of our community."
The Hanover Park Progress candidates invite all residents of Hanover Park to join them in making progress a reality. For more information about Hanover Park Progress, visit their Web site at www.hanoverparkprogress.com.
For Immediate Release, August 13, 2008
Hanover Park Progress Members Announce Intentions to Run for Village Office
HANOVER PARK, IL-Several members of Hanover Park's newest political party, Hanover Park Progress, have announced their intentions to be candidates for the April 2009 municipal election. This new party was formed in July of 2008 by Hanover Park residents seeking to address the needs of the village's residents and businesses. The party members expressing interest include current Village President Rodney Craig, who will again be running for the Village's top spot. Others expressing interest in running for the Village Board will be property manager William Cannon, past Hanover Park Hurricanes Football Association president Rick Roberts, and business leader Ed Zimel. The final member with an eye toward the April election is Eira Corral who plans to run for Village Clerk replacing the retiring Village Clerk.
"Our organization includes many talented individuals," commented Laura Roehrig, Hanover Park Progress Secretary. "These individuals definitely represent the values and integrity that we want for our community. These are people who have already given hours and hours of time as volunteers and community activists. If these individuals are slated for our party, I think we would have pretty good odds for success in April."
Leading the way to candidacy will be Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig, who has held the post since 2007 and was a Village Trustee since 2001. Mr. Craig has worked diligently during his tenure as Village President to connect community, business, and religious leaders in Hanover Park. Mayor Craig was instrumental in bringing together the DuCAP Community Board, which has set up a community center in the Tanglewood area. He has been working with regional and state leaders to make new legislation possible for downstate partnerships to establish wind farms to create sustainable energy options for the area and to save tax dollars.
"I see my role as Village President to be bringing people together to solve problems," comment Mr. Craig. "I am proud to be part of Hanover Park Progress. This is a great group of individuals who are here to address real issues that impact the residents of Hanover Park."
"I would say that the individuals interested in being slated for Trustee candidates represents a diverse range of community involvement," noted Rick Roberts, who was recognized with the Hanover Park Youth Leadership award this past year. "We have high expectations for Hanover Park, and we feel that it's time for our government to live up to those expectations."
Representing the business community within Hanover Park Progress is Ed Zimel. "I own two businesses in Hanover Park, and I have raised my family here, so I have a lot invested in Hanover Park." said Mr. Zimel, "The Village Board needs to listen to the business community and support our businesses."
The final individual expressing interest in running for Trustee, William Cannon, brings knowledge about homeowners associations and housing matters. "With the foreclosure crisis in the country, we need to have a government that makes smart housing choices," commented Mr. Cannon, who is a member of the Hanover Park Development Commission. "We need to support homeowners and work to keep property values increasing."
Expressing interest in running for Village Clerk, Eira Corral is a 17 year Hanover Park resident and community organizer. She has been active in engaging the community of Hanover Park through her involvement in the local parishes and community organizations.
"The Village Clerk is one of the first local government officials that residents and business owners build a relationship with," said Ms. Corral. "Hanover Park is a young, diverse, and vibrant community and it should be represented by someone who reflects the interests of the village, engages community members, and is invested in their leadership development."
Hanover Park Progress has defined public safety, smart energy choices, fiscal responsibility, and intelligent planning for our village as the cornerstones of the party platform. For more information about Hanover Park Progress visit http://www.hanoverparkprogress.com.
This Web site, online videos, campaign literature, and all of our outreach efforts are made possible by the generous volunteer work and contributions of our members and supporters.
This Web site was paid for by Hanover Park Progress. Our financial report is filed (or will be) available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, IL, the Cook County Clerk's Office 69 W. Washington St. 5th Floor, Chicago, Il 60602, or the DuPage County Clerk's Office 421 N. County Farm Rd. Wheaton, Il 60187.
