New Board Gets Down to Business

Director Susan Westgate talks with Jim Bailey and Nadia Sheikh

The five new trustees on the Carol Stream Library Board were sworn in by DuPage County Associate Judge Rob Douglas at the May 15 board meeting in a board room filled to capacity by residents who came to congratulate them and show their support. This was a ceremonial re-creation of the actual swearing-in procedures that were conducted by Rob Douglas on May 1 in the Business Center of the library witnessed by Library Director Susan Westgate. The five new trustees took this proactive course of action when it became clear that former trustee Michael Wade was intent on rushing through a sale of the Kuhn Road property in what he thought were his last days in office.

The new board got down to business immediately after the oaths of office were administered, and the main item on the agenda was the status of the Kuhn Road property. They first listened to an update from the realtors who have listed the property, and they heard more about the plans of a potential buyer, ManorCare, who is interested in building a 120-bed rehabilitation and convalescent center on the site. The board then stated its intent to study the issues in more detail and hire an experienced real estate attorney to advise them on the best course of action.

New Board President Jim Bailey along with the four new trustees—Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh—are clearly demonstrating a more intelligent and responsible approach than the previous board had shown, and it is quite evident that they intend to keep the public informed during every step of the deliberations, something that former president Michael Wade had not done. Mr. Bailey was forced to file a Freedom of Information Act request to try to get information about the negotiations that Mr. Wade has conducted privately with the realtors and attorneys, but when Mr. Wade supplied the requested e-mail documents, many sections were redacted. It is easy to see why Mr. Bailey and the new trustees feel the need to make a “fresh start” on all matters relating to the Kuhn Road property.

Bonita Gilliam was one of five trustees who took the oath of office on May 15.

Thank You Mary Hudspeath!

At the Carol Stream Library Board meeting on April 17, Mary Hudspeath received a framed document containing the words of a special resolution that was passed to honor her 10 years of service to the library and the community. Mary has been a tireless and devoted advocate for the library during her term of service as a library trustee and also in her efforts as a leader of the Friends of the Carol Stream Library. Before the resolution was read, Mary also heard words of thanks from many people in the audience who spoke of her dedication to the library.

The April 17 meeting marked the end of Mary Hudspeath's official term as a library trustee, but it also marked the end of the terms of Michael Wade, Jerry Clark, and Susan Galle--three incumbent candidates who were defeated by the efforts of the Support the Library Carol Stream committee and all of the voters in Carol Stream who soundly rejected them at the polls in favor of new trustees who will work to restore integrity and fiscal responsibility to the Board.

At the next scheduled meeting at 7:30 pm on May 15, Jim Bailey will be sworn in for a new term on the Board along with newly elected trustees Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh. We invite all residents to join us at the meeting to welcome our new trustees and to celebrate the start of a new and more positive era for our library and our community.

Victory!!

The voters of Carol Stream made their voices heard loud and clear on Election Day as they swept out Michael Wade and his running mates and elected all five of the STL candidates to fill the open seats on the Library Board. The margin of victory was large and decisive, and it is clear that Carol Stream residents were ready for a change and a new beginning.

The Support the Library Carol Stream organization would like to thank the many fine citizens of Carol Stream for supporting our cause, endorsing our candidates, and mobilizing the vote on Election Day. Our victory is a shared success, and we could not have done it without the help and passionate support of the many Carol Stream residents who rose up to “take our library back”!

Former Director Ann Kennedy summed up the feelings of many people on our committee in her statement in the Daily Herald: "The American system of government is not broken when a group of concerned citizens can rally against bad government and give it back to the people.”

The healing process on the Library Board has now begun, and we are confident that the newly elected trustees will help turn the page on one of the darkest episodes in the history of our library and begin to restore integrity and decency to our library and our community. Congratulations to our new trustees Jim Bailey, Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh!

A Special Endorsement From Lynn O'Dell

The five STL candidates recently received a special and very meaningful endorsement from Lynn O’Dell, the original Library Director and a highly respected citizen who guided our library for 41 years from 1964-2005. There is not a single person in our community who has invested more time or effort into our library than Lynn O’Dell, and so her endorsement is especially significant to voters in this important election. Here is the text of her endorsement:

“I hope you will join me, Lynn O’Dell, in supporting Jim Bailey, Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh for the open trustee positions on the Carol Stream Library Board. I know them personally and you can believe me when I say they will continue Carol Stream Library’s tradition of excellent service to the public. As Director of the library for 41 years from 1964-2005, I can proudly say that there was always a supportive and ethical Board of Trustees during that time. I’ve remained close to the library since my retirement and can assure you that during my tenure and the years that followed, the leadership has always acted ethically. Prior Boards have never committed illegal actions, misappropriated funds, or neglected their duties. These accusations made by the current Board leadership (Wade, Clark, Galle, DeRango, and Jeffrey) are completely false. Former Board members have been accused by these people of not listening to Carol Stream residents and this is far from the truth. The 2010 renovation project is proof that the elected officials were listening and provided much needed space for patrons to view the collection, access computers, and enjoy the relaxing and inviting atmosphere.”  –Lynn O’Dell

Lynn O’Dell’s endorsement comes on the heels of the major endorsement by the editors of the Examiner of Carol Stream who were extremely critical of the current board and wrote “A major housecleaning is in order and a group of very active and concerned library patrons has stepped up with mops in hand."

Darrel Malcom, Republican Committeeman from Bloomingdale Precinct 18, also endorsed all five STL candidates and wrote that “the outcome of local election for local offices probably impacts us more regarding services and taxes we pay.” The library race is not a partisan election, but high praise from a respected conservative leader underscores the fiscal responsibility that Jim Bailey, Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh will bring to the Library Board.

Election Day is Tuesday, April 9. Please take time to vote for these outstanding candidates to restore integrity to our library board.

Major Endorsement by the Carol Stream Examiner

The Examiner of Carol Stream printed a major endorsement of the STL candidates on the front page of the March 27 issue of the newspaper. Here is the text of their endorsement:

"The drama surrounding this library board has been widely reported and keenly felt by library patrons. A major housecleaning is in order, and a group of very active and concerned library patrons has stepped forward with mops in hand.

The five candidates put forward by the Support the Library organization are: Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, Nadia Sheikh, and incumbent Jim Bailey. Their distinguished records of professional achievement and public service can be viewed at stlcarolstream.blogspot.com under the "Meet the Candidates" tab. The blog also provides an extensive history of the library and the central players involved in recent years.

The new candidates Gilliam, Johnson, Jourdan, and Sheikh are endorsed."

We are grateful for the above endorsement by the Examiner, and it speaks volumes for the qualifications of the five outstanding STL candidates. The editors also rightly assess the current problems on the Library Board when they state that "a major housecleaning is in order." The editors further cite the candidate's "distinguished records of professional achievement and public service," qualifications that were also recognized by the long list of respected Carol Stream residents listed below who have also thrown their support behind Jim Bailey, Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh:

Lynn O'Dell-Library Director 1964-2005. 53 year resident of Carol Stream
Mary Hudspeath- Library Trustee, Citizen of the Year nominee, 2012
Barb Siegman- Former Library Trustee, President, Friends of the Library
Dr. Jeffrey Handel,DDS- Former Library Trustee, Carol Stream business owner
Robert Ranck- Former Library Trustee
Laura Pollastrini- Former Library Trustee, 35 Year Carol Stream resident
Laurie Nowak - DuPage County Board Member District 6.
Rick Gieser- Former Carol Stream Village Board Trustee; Citizen of the Year, 2011
Matt McCarthy- Current Carol Stream Village Trustee
Pamela Fenner- Current Carol Stream Village Trustee
Greg Schwarze- Carol Stream Fire Department, Current Village Trustee
Rick Fisher- Carol Stream Fire Protection District
Brian Jordan- Carol Stream Fire Protection District Commissioner
Arnie Biondo- Executive Director, Carol Stream Park District
Nancy Biondo- OT Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Robert A. McNees- Attorney, Citizen of the Year, 1987 

Jan Smith-Former Library Trustee, Special Citizen of the Year, 1972
Larry and Sue Evans- Owners, Graphic Vision, Inc. Carol Stream , 34 year residents 

Cindy Allston- Carol Stream resident and 2002 Citizen of the Year
Lila Birchfield- Glenbard North teacher, (retired)
Dr. David Akbar Gilliam- DePaul University Professor
Solomon D. Gilliam- Attorney at Law
Jane Glenn- Carol Stream Realtor
Mary Douglas- 28 year Carol Stream resident.
Nancy Bagdonas- Carol Stream Resident and 2012 Citizen of the Year nominee

Jane Hodgkinson-Retired Executive Director of WDSRA 

Suzanne J. Carlstadt-33 year Carol Stream resident, member Cool City Carol Stream

Luanne Triolo Newman- Citizen of the Year, 1992; Special Citizen of the Year, 2006
Joan G. Lapish- 16 year Carol Stream resident
Liz Bryers-15 year resident, Special Citizen of the Year, 2008
Bob Barrell - Former Library Trustee, 43 year resident
Ginny Goldbach- Special Citizen of the Year, 1995
Don Depa- Long-time Resident, Glenbard North Teacher
Maria Depa- Long-time resident, Special Citizen of the Year, 2007
Dick Wilson- Citizen of the Year, 1991, Special Citizen of the Year, 1994
Del Miller- President, Carol Stream Fire Protection District
Judy Zika- Citizen of the Year, 1999, Special Citizen of the Year, 2004
Darrel Malcom- Executive Director, Kids Against Hunger; Pastor, Poplar Creek Church
Suzanne Hlotke- 33 year Carol Stream resident
Dan Bird- Carol Stream Park District Commissioner

Election Day is April 9 and Early Voting is already underway. Please help us to "take our library back" by voting for these outstanding candidates for the Library Board.

Early Voting Begins on Monday, March 25

The official date for the consolidated election is April 9, 2013, but you do not have to wait until then if another date near the election is more convenient for you. Early voting and voting by absentee ballot are two popular alternative ways of casting your vote for this critical election.

Early Voting

Many residents have come to enjoy early voting privileges in recent years since they can choose the dates and times that are most convenient for them. There will again be several early voting locations open in the weeks before the election date, including a facility at Stratford Square Mall. The dates for early voting are Monday, March 25 through Saturday, April 6.  Here are two of the closest early voting locations:

Stratford Square Mall 
Upper Level - Entrance 4 - Next to Macy's
M-F: 10:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am-3:00 pm

DuPage County/Election Commission 
421 N. County Farm Road - Room 1-500B
M-F: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Saturday (3/30): 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Sunday (3/31): 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Saturday (4/6): 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Absentee Voting
If you know you will be out of town on the April 9 election day, you can apply for an absentee ballot to insure that your vote will count in this important election. You can do absentee voting in person or by mail. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked five days before the election. Here is a link to a page that contains all of the information you will need to know about the absentee voting process:

https://www.dupageco.org/Election/Voters/37064

Be Sure to Register
The deadline for standard voter registration has passed, but Illinois law provides a “grace period” to register and vote for the upcoming April 9, 2013, Consolidated General Election, for individuals who were unable to register to vote or change their address prior to the traditional deadline that was March 12, 2013. This “grace period” is from March 13, 2013, through April 6, 2013.  Registering to vote or transferring a registration and voting during the “grace period” may only be done in the Election Commission office, 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois.

For more information on grace period registration and voting, call the Election Commission at 630- 407-5600 or visit their website at www.dupageco.org/election. An individual may check the status of his/her voter registration by visiting the website and using the “Voter Information Search”.

The DuPage County Election Commission office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. until Election Day.

Your Vote is Critical This Year
It is very evident that dismally low voter turnout at the last two elections is the main reason that Michael Wade and his extreme political allies were able to seize control of our Library Board. Please take time to vote for qualified and responsible candidates this year so that we can restore dignity and responsible conduct to our Board and a brighter future for our library!

The STL Candidates Are Active in Community Projects

All of the STL candidates continue to be active in the community and stay involved in many productive ventures related to our library. In doing so, they make it so clear why they are the library trustees candidates who will best serve the residents of Carol Stream. On Sunday, March 10, the STL candidates volunteered to assist with the reception for Susan Westgate, the new Library Director. Jim Bailey, Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, and Nadia Sheikh all helped serve refreshments during the event and greeted residents who came for the reception. This reception was one of the many special events that the Friends of the Carol Stream Library have planned and hosted over the years, and all five of the STL candidates are proud members of the Friends organization.

On March 17, several of the STL candidates attended the annual St. Joseph’s Table event at St. Isidore Church. This is a charity event that helps to raise needed funds for community projects including the DuPage Walk-in Food Pantry and DuPagePads, the organization that does so much for homeless residents in our community. The STL candidates know that service to our community comes in many forms, and as trustees on the Carol Stream Library Board, they will continue to work with all local organizations in their outreach efforts to make our library an even stronger element in our community. They provide a positive and productive vision for our library and they are all avid library users who recognize the importance of a library in a community.

As reported in an earlier article on this web site, Patricia Johnson and Nadia Sheikh participated in the Grocery Cart Race, held at the Jewel in Carol Stream on February 7. This is DuPage County Farm Bureau's annual program where contestants have just 10 minutes to fly through the store, looking for items containing corn, wheat, or soy, Illinois' top three crops. Two food pantries in the community benefit from the Farm Bureau's generosity - the Humanitarian Service Project and Neighborhood Food Pantries.

On January 15, Bonita Gilliam and Nadia Sheikh continued their efforts to reach out to residents of all faiths by meeting with people at the Islamic Center Western Suburbs. They had an opportunity to talk about their positive vision for our library and ways that the library can best serve the needs of all residents. Bonita also does volunteer work at the College of DuPage, and Nadia will be volunteering her time at the annual Earth Day events on April 20 in cooperation with the Carol Stream Women's Club and the Carol Stream Park District. Here is a link with more information about the Earth Day activities:

http://www.csparks.org/green/index.php/earth-day-2012

Election Day is Tuesday, April 9, but voters can take advantage of Early Voting which begins on Monday, March 25. It is a great way to vote on a day and time that is most convenient for you. Either way, it is critical that all voters who value the Carol Stream Public Library get out to vote so that Jim Bailey, Bonita Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, Edward Jourdan, and Nadia Sheikh can help turn the page on the bitter events of the past few months and restore integrity to our library board.