Thursday, April 7, 2011
Newcomers took two aldermanic seats, while voters re-elected one incumbent.
With a contentious election season coming to a close Tuesday, the newest members of City Council, as well as one returning incumbent, awoke Wednesday ready to create unity within the changed governance. Darien residents voted two new faces to the council—Tina Beilke as Ward 2 alderman and Joerg Seifert in Ward 4—while re-electing Sylvia McIvor, who ran unopposed for the Ward 6 seat. Beilke and Seifert’s tenure will begin May 1. But Beilke said she’s going to use the time between now and then to build a relationship with the existing council members, as well as Mayor Kathleen Weaver, who will retain her seat as the city’s head. “I’m going to be sure to meet with each of the City Council members and get to know their styles so we can head …
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
All election night, Patch will provide up-to-the-minute results from the Consolidated Election.
- ELECTIONS
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Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Throughout the night, Patch will provide live updates on the results of the Darien city government races. All results come from the DuPage County Election Commission and are unofficial until certified by election officials. Make sure to check our election blog for extended, up-to-the-minute coverage.
On eve of consolidated election, officials refute recent claims against their practices.
Darien City Council members spoke out during Monday’s meeting to refute claims made against city practices in campaign literature and elsewhere during the weekend. Comments recently published on fliers and in other forums lambasted the city’s public safety management, economic development efforts and financial practices. Mayor Kathleen Weaver, as well Ward Six Alderman Sylvia McIvor, Ward Two Alderman John Galan and Treasurer Michael Coren, strongly contested several of the claims. “It is important to separate fiction from fact,” said McIvor, who chairs the Darien Police Committee and responded to allegations regarding the police department. According to a letter—mailed to Darien homes—from mayoral candidate Kevin Monaghan, Weaver …
Saturday, March 26, 2011
State Board of Elections records show the slate of four candidates filed amended organization papers March 16.
City Clerk Joanne Coleman withdrew her complaint Friday with the State Board of Elections against the slate of four candidates running for city seats under the name Team Darien. The complaint, which the retiring city clerk filed as a private citizen, claimed Team Darien violated campaign disclosure laws by filing under a different committee name than the one they used to collect donations. Team Darien comprises mayoral candidate Kevin Monaghan, city clerk candidate JoAnne Ragona, Ward Two aldermanic candidate Tina Beilke, and Ward Four aldermanic candidate Joerg Seifert. Coleman said she withdrew her complaint because Team Darien has amended its statement of organization to change its name from Committee to Elect Monaghan, Ragona, Beilke …
Monday, March 21, 2011
Get latest news, updates through Darien Patch Election 2011 Blog.
Applause erupted at the Home Run Inn just before 10 p.m. as Mayor Kathleen Weaver's supporters cheered her victory in the Darien mayoral race. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Weaver secured 53.78 percent of the vote. Challenger Kevin Monaghan received 46.22 percent. In spite of Weaver's win, change will be coming to Darien's City Council. Tina Beilke won the Ward 2 aldermanic race against incumbent John Galan, while Joerg Seifert prevailed in the Ward 4 race against incumbent Carolyn Gattuso. In the open race for city clerk, JoAnne Ragona defeated Arleta Peknik. "We lost some really great teammates," Weaver said. "I just pray we stay focused on the issues." Responding to allegations that she and the City Council misused meeting …
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Got something to say? E-mail a letter to the editor of 300 words or fewer to lauren.williamson@patch.com.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Dear Editor: I believe Darien residents have come to expect positive values, high moral standards, and good old basic honesty from not only their elected officials but also those candidates who seek municipal office as well. I know I do. Because of my beliefs, I, as a private citizen, have filed individual complaints with the Illinois State Board of Elections against Kevin P. Monaghan, candidate for mayor, JoAnne E Ragona, candidate for city clerk, Tina Beilke, candidate for Ward Two alderman, and Joerg Seifert, candidate for Ward Four alderman for violating the State of Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act. These candidates knowingly solicited and accepted campaign donations as “Team Darien – KPM” a/k/a “Team Darien” through fundraisers, …
Monday, March 14, 2011
The complaint centers around a discrepancy between the name under which the candidates are collecting donations and the name under which they filed with the State Board of Elections.
Retiring City Clerk Joanne Coleman has filed individual complaints as a private citizen with the Illinois State Board of Elections, alleging four candidates for positions in Darien’s city government violated campaign disclosure laws. In a letter explaining her complaint, Coleman said the group—which comprises mayoral candidate Kevin Monaghan, city clerk candidate JoAnne Ragona, Ward Two aldermanic candidate Tina Beilke, and Ward Four aldermanic candidate Joerg Seifert—has “knowingly solicited and accepted campaign donations as ‘Team Darien – KPM.’” But according to State Board of Elections documents, the group of candidates filed their campaign disclosure documents under the name “Committee to Elect Monaghan, Ragona, Beilke and Seifert.” …
Adam West
2:31 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I have been to plenty of city counsel meetings Rob. We have seen from this administration that department heads such as the chief of police and the entire police department have voiced their opinion against reducing manpower, but those expressions fell on deaf ears. What makes you think they would listen to the residents if they don't even listen to those most qualified to offer opinions? Also I … more ›