VIP Party rebuttal to Landmark Candidate endorsements.

The role of a newspaper in the endorsement of candidates for political office should be one of professional analysis and devoid of personal feelings. The long, wordy article re: Endorsements in the Consolidated Election April 17, 2007 for elected offices in Brookfield, rambles on and appears to contain far too much personal rather than business content.

According to the Landmark’s article, ALL SIX candidates, both VIP and PEP, for Brookfield Trustee are somewhat unworthy. But with reservations you picked the first two and with further reservations a third. Reading this article is like taking a roller coaster ride. All of the candidates have been in politics a while, you call for fresh new faces, but at the same time lauding experience, The fact of the matter is, both the VIP Party and the PEP Party have a difficult time fielding new candidates. The average citizen wants no part of public service. People do not have the time, money, and energy to get involved. Especially when they are faced with public, personal ridicule for their beliefs and devotion to public service. Also, if the local newspaper takes a disliking to a person they have a tougher hill to climb.

It would be beneficial for the newspaper to talk to residents and explore their wants and desires. Go door to door like the VIP Party has. We have spoken to many residents. A vast majority are fed up with big city salaries and perks and the creation of new upper level positions. Everybody wants a more efficient government, but wants a personal level of compassion and concern from their elected and appointed officials. A prime example is the total refusal to even discuss resolution of unfair water bills which have resulted from the water meter change – outs. Hundreds of people are being forced to pay extremely high water bills for water they supposedly used because the Village’s water meter was inaccurate! Some people have only lived in a home a couple years or so but will have to pay for water that the previous owners used at today’s prices! Not fair at all!

The newspaper chastises John Gallagher for his position of following the wants of the people; you say that’s no way to govern. Is it not the electorate that decides their representatives and policy? Are we not seeing that high handed method of government at other levels of government? Officials get elected and they turn their back on their constituents, in effect saying they know what’s best for us. The voters of Brookfield are telling us they want to have a say in what happens in their neighborhoods.

You talk about Bill Russ and two years ago how voters sent a clear message on Russ’ handling of the village, and it was not kind. You were not around Mr. Uphues in 2001 when the people sent Garvey and the PEP Party the same message and that was not kind.
One big difference in 2001 over 70% of the registered voters in Brookfield came out to vote and in 2005 when “voters sent a clear message on Russ” the turn out was about 31% of the voters. The VIP Party was in office for four years trying to reverse 30 years of neglectful handling of the Village. The Building and Recreation departments would have been revamped given more time. Even the Landmark admits in the endorsement story about PEP and the village staff… “There’s much more work to be done; it can get undone in a hurry”.

So what Bill Russ has been running for office since the mid-1980s, it shows that he has devoted his life to politics and being a public servant helping people. Russ got his shot alright in 2001 but the PEP Party from day one fought and argued with him and the VIP Party and tried everything they could to halt all the progress VIP was making in office.
If PEP would have spent all that energy working with Russ and the VIP Party, Brookfield would be a much better place today. Russ and VIP changed Brookfield for the better and
truly did make Brookfield a better place to live, work and raise a family and VIP is proud of that.

Linda Stevanovich was maligned because the Landmark says that she will use the two year unexpired term of Brookfield Village Clerk as a stepping stone after two years to Village Trustee or President ,she adamantly denies having made that statement and feels that the newspaper is making their own assumptions. Paradoxically, The Landmark made no such protestations in 2005 when current village President, Michael Garvey ran for Village President and relinquished two years of his elected trustee position.

With all things considered the VIP Party can not endorse the Landmark as a creditable newspaper publication.

Note: We really hope that you publish this in its entirety and not cut things out that you do not like. Let the people read the whole story and decide you is right or wrong.

Sincerely,
Bill Russ – Party President
Wil Brennan – Party Chairman
The V.I.P. Party Candidates

The V.I.P. Party
P.O. Box # 134
Brookfield, Illinois 60513
(708) 387-1366