Make sure you scroll down the entire page, as there is additional information and links. Click here for our main Local Election Page and our ranking methodology.
We strongly suggest you watch the candidate forum (link located at the bottom of this page)
As TEA Patriots, we are very concerned about the connection between board members who are supported by the unions, then negotiate a union contract. We see that as an "unholy" alliance and corruption at the expense of the taxpayer. That is why we have noted known endorsements and donors.
You can vote for up to FOUR candidates:
Charlie Schneider: 91
Grant Wherli: 82
Dick Furstenau: 79
Steve Chirico: 77
Patty Gustin: 69
Bob Fieseler: 33
John Krummen: 32
Joe McElroy - not rated (lack of information, but see below on what we did find out about him)
Wayne Floegel - not rated (lack of information)
Tiffany Stephens - not rated (lack of information)
SECA funding is an issue for TEA Patriots, as we feel that individual groups receiving the funding should be funded by the private sector, not government. For more information about SECA and the organizations it funds, click here.
See full voting records of incumbants: click here
Charlie Schneider:
- Is opposed to SECA funding as private organizations should be funding by the private sector
- Is a strong fiscal conservative (would have voted NO on Smart Grid PR agency)
- Shows integrity by full disclosure that his business is involved with red light cameras, but that he opposes them
- Supports "reverse online bidding" for city contracts
Grant Wherli:
- Shows some fiscal conservatism: NO on police contract; NO on IBEW contract, NO on refuse increase, but YES on Smart Grid PR agency
- Sits on Smart Grid initiative committee, but has not arrange for a full town hall forcing residents to a 3 minute time period at city hall meetings.
- Will not restore city payroll to pre-recession levels (doing more with less)
- RE: unions (This is Councilman's response on record with the Firefighter Union)
- The current collective bargaining laws in the state of Illinois place taxpayers and local policymakers at a distinct disadvantage and must be changed to better equalize the process. Binding arbitration and the reliance on comparable community data place unsustainable upward pressure on wages by all public safety bargaining units. Without collaborative effort to reform these laws to better reflect a win-win policy, tensions between taxpayers and unions will only continue to increase.
- (Unions) have now come to stand for practices that are counterproductive to the good of the community such as shielding low or non performing employees from productivity standards, providing relentless upward pressure on wages with little or no concern for the taxpayers thatmust carry the burden and the dated practice of tenure or the last in, first out reduction-in-force policies.
NEW INFO: His quote in the Daily Herald re: our rankings:
"
City council incumbent Grant Wehrli scored an 82, second in council candidates behind only Charlie Schneider who scored a 91. But Wehrli was surprised to learn of the ranking when contacted Thursday.
“I certainly wasn’t striving to earn their support and if they sent me a questionnaire, I certainly didn’t respond,” Wehrli said. “I don’t know who these people are. I put my name and face on everything I say so I’m a little concerned about being ranked by an organization without them even talking to me.”
(webmaster's note: hmmmm .. he is a public official, isn't he? We have been viewing him throughout the year, at forums, and reading other public questionnaires. There have been several of us who have spoken before the City Council and written to them on a number of subjects, including our president who identified himself as such ...)
Dick Furstenau:
- Shows fiscal conservatism however burdened the taxpayers with his lawsuit.
- Voted NO to Smart grid PR, NO to police contract, NO to IBEW contract
- Voted against high density buiding in residential neighborhoods: NO on Club Homes of White Eagle, NO to Plank Rd/Seager Park, Park's Edge
- Has been know to by-pass the City Manager and ask city staff directly for work projects.
Steve Chirico:
- Indicates a solid fiscal conservative voice. Guided his business through several economic downturns and 70% reduction in revenues.
- Against additional expenditures for senior busing showing wisdom in spending
- Understands a small business point of view
- Supports reducing overtime pay
- Does not agree with redirecting SECA funds into the general fund. "If the money is not being used for what it was taxed for, it should be given back to the tax payers."
- Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police
Patty Gustin:
Overall, the Committee felt her answers to our questionnaire were vague in regards to issues and decisions of the present council that she either agreed with or disagreed with, so it was very difficult to evaluate her stand on issues of importance to her. We did find some information from other resources, but still felt there is a weakness in her specifics and details. We felt an emphasis on dependency on federal funding.
Here is an example:
Re; Transporation
City might consider cab-fare subsidies with our local cab companies or partnering with faith-based organizations.
"Two years ago I suggested an electric or natural gas Naperville Trolley Train option. That vision was embraced by the Metropolitan Planning Council that supports the Livable Community Act of 2009 (best place to live criteria) and almost all of the business owners I have spoken to. It's a way of linking all of vast community, in a green way, east and west, north and south. Of course there will be those nay-sayers that there is no budget, no use.
I share the concerns, but disagree. Residents and businesses will embrace a trolley/pod as long as it embraces the character of our community."
In the past she has been endorsed by Firefighters Union.
Bob Fieseler:
- In July, 2010, accepted a campaign donation from the IBEW (click here for Board of Elections) . In Nov, 2010, voted in favor of the IBEW contract (click here for full voting record)
- Additional Union support:
- Naperville Firefighters: $1,000 in March, 2011 (click here for Board of Elections)
- Fraternal Order of Police: $1,000 in March 2011 (voted NO to police contract in Dec., 2010 but has said that it was because of the timing of it, not the content)
- NOTE: According to his TEA questionnaire response, Councilman Fieseler felt it was wrong to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the terms the city offered the officers then dismiss six officers.
TEA NOTE: As we understand the process, the city made it clear to the union that the layoffs would be the consequence of this agreement because the money just wasn't in the budget. The union demanded an arbitrator, who does not compromise, but chooses one of the two options presented, either the city or the unions. The city was forced to provide the arbitrator an option that would be attractive enough, but not as generous as the union's option. Consequently, as the city had told the union, the consequence was the layoffs.
FYI. At a city council meeting in the aftermath, packed with police officers from Naperville and surrounding communities, Councilman Furstenau said the council would hire back in 30 seconds the officers who were laid off if the union would agree to a 0% increase for one year (as non-union city workers have agreed to for the past TWO years). The entire room shouted "NO!".
- In patch.com questionnaire, says his number one priority is "Keeping our citizens safe, secure and healthy in any circumstance the City may encounter," but as a council member and on the Smart Grid Initiative Committee has not demanded an open town hall for all voices to be heard re: concerns about wireless vs. wired meters
- Consistent supporter of Red Light cameras, high density building in residential areas (Plank Rd/Park's Edge), Club Homes in White Eagle)
John Krummen:
- Has expressed support of Keynesian economics in terms of government spending to stimulate the economy
- Short on details to questions, however one example we found was his endorsement of a senior shuttle to downtown
- Endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police
Joe McElroy
We did not rank McElroy as we felt a lack of information available. However, we did find it interesting in all his campaign materials and on his website, it was extremely difficult to identify his business.
We did eventually find out his company specializes in public policy, community planning and marketing communications company here in Naperville.
The company is McElroy Associates founded in 1991 and located at 55 S. Main Street. His clients are primarily builders, developers.
His clients include:
- Naperville Park District
- Choose DuPage (Choose DuPage is the external marketing name/brand for the DuPage Regional Development Alliance (DRDA). DRDA is a private/public economic development partnership corporation founded in late 2005. … this kinda indicates government funded program to us)
- Bigelow Homes (Reserves at Hometown Aurora)
- Lakewest Builders ( Ashwood)
- Smykal Associates (Builder)
We wonder if there may be difficult votes for him as there might be a conflict of interest between homeowners and builders.
Endorsed by Frateranl Order of Police.
LINKS:
NAHC CANDIDATE FORUM
click here
Naperville SUN Profiles and Questionnaire
click here
Daily Herald Profiles and Questionnaire
click here
Naperville patch.com
click here
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