Topinka touts candidates running in April election

As the Riverside Township Republican Committeeman, I cite the outstanding candidates being offered by the North Riverside VIP Party. We have long admired the work of outgoing President Richard Scheck, but we look forward to his successor, Kenneth Krochmal, who seems well equipped to follow in Scheck’s footsteps.

Backing up Krochmal is the rest of the VIP ticket of note: Queenella Miller, clerk; and Hubert Hermanek Jr., Tom Corgiat, trustee, and Joan Sargent, trustee.

Although we only have a few precincts of Brookfield in Riverside Township, we have watched President Michael Garvey lead his PEP party members well. They have been good stewards of our Riverside Township precincts and deserve another shot at leadership of Brookfield.

It is not often that we have such a variety of good candidates for election in the village of Riverside. We look approvingly at newcomer Mike Gorman and Kelly Navarro. They may be on opposite parties, but they are smart enough, if elected, to work together for the good of the order.

The Riverside Township Regular Republican Party announces our team, headed up by Richard Tuscher of Brookfield. We have seen them run an excellent township, really showing their colors when called upon to help those who were evacuated from a flooding DesPlaines River earlier in the year.

Our new Township Clerk will be Lianne Blauw of North Riverside. For the first time in more than 30 years service, Assessor Schofield “Scuffy” Gross will not be running for assessor. His former assistant, Ran Sitkiewicz of Riverside, will succeed him. Trustees will continue to be Ann Dynako Kubiczky, Wayne Guiseman and John Ertler, all of Riverside. Joining the slate is Steve Kubiczky of Riverside, collector, standing in for the retiring Adam Yirkiw.
Judy Baar Topinka, Riverside Township Republican Committeeman

New village manager making good impression

I was so impressed by the new village manager Stan Urban that I had to write a letter.
I, along with other residents, were ready for a fight and being appeased with lip service just like the past. It didn't happen. I feel that we finally have it right; this man may do something to turn Westchester around. The current board has sat on their hands for the past four years; this man is a go-getter. At most meetings when residents come with an issue, the trustees tell you that they will discuss the issue at the next meeting, then the next meeting until the issue just goes away. I feel this man is not going to let any issue pass.

There were trustees at the last meeting that never said one word. I don’t know if they were in shock or that they really don’t know what to do. Urban addressed the current flooding issues and the flood plain insurance issues head on. Unlike the current board, who likes to pass the buck, he didn’t. He actually went out into the village and knocked on residents’ doors. He wants to hear from the residents. Not like the past when the manager wouldn’t return your phone call and the trustees treated the residents like enemies.

He addressed extending hours for the village offices, flooding, economic development, and other issues that are the platform for the Westchester Comes First party for months. I feel that with him and with a new village president like Sam Pulia, the Westchester Comes First candidate, this village may have a chance.

Sam is a go-getter like Stan, and Sam may be able to turn the village. It would be so great to have a go-getter village manager and village president at the same time. I hope that the residents make the right choice and elect Mr. Pulia and his entire party.
Pam Kouimelis, Westchester