Races for St. Charles offices already beginning
St. Charles residents shouldn't take their voting caps off just yet as local elections are already in full swing with candidates already passing around nominating petitions for the April 7, 2009 election.
St. Charles, in particular, will be a city especially tuned to the ballot for local elections not just because of the large number offices up for a vote, but the possible presence of one of the larger tax increase questions the city's residents have ever been asked to approve.
There will be six city council offices up for re-election, including the role of mayor. Current Mayor Don DeWitte announced his re-election campaign months ago. Joining him on the ballot will be city council seats currently filled by Aldermen Ron Silkaitis of Ward 1, Cliff Carrignan of Ward 2, William Turner of Ward 3, Jo Krieger of Ward 4 and David W. Richards of Ward 5. Their counterparts in each ward were up for election just last year.
The St. Charles Park District has four seats up for re-election, including the seat filled by the current vice president of the board, Karrsten Goettel. The seats filled by John Kerr, John Forni and Gloria Klimek will also be on the ballot.
The St. Charles Public Library Board election will feature three seats with six-year terms. The ensures whomever is elected to the spots will be on the board at the time is comes to the voting public for a tax increase to expand the library. The library recently completed buying up the adjacent property necessary for the expansion to occur. Now it needs money for the actual construction. That tax increase referendum will not likely appear on 2009 ballots per the plans of the current library trustees. Library Board President Norm Huntley's seat is up for re-election, as are the seats currently filled by Mike Hill and Debbie McManus. Huntley said Thursday he hasn't decided yet if he'll run for another term.
Finally, there are four spots on the St. Charles Unit District 303 school board up for re-election. Those spots are currently filled by James Gaffney, Jr., James Chimienti, Lori Linkimer and Karla Ray. Those seats may be particularly in the spotlight depending on how voters react to a school district tax increase request, if it makes the April ballot.
School district voters get a chance to weigh-in on a potential school remodeling and rebuilding project with a price tag of about $292 million at a public forum at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Charlestowne Mall. If the district goes with an all-inclusive plan that touches all 17 buildings, reduces class sizes and creates an all-day kindergarten program, the expected tax increase to the owner of a $300,000 home is $644.