Supports Gouker
Dear Editor,
I'm writing to support Kim Gouker for re-election to the Ogle County Board.
When I was on the Ogle County Board, Kim Gouker was a member of the Finance Committee.
One episode I recall occurred just as the Great Recession was starting.
At one Finance Committee meeting in September of 2008, Kim advocated that this "slow down in the economy" seems like it's going to be "uglier than we can imagine, and next year, we should just freeze everything at this year's budget amount. It's not radical, but it would allow us to see how ugly it really gets, and next year, we can adjust down more easily if we need to, or it this blows over, pick up from there with our normal budgeting process."
Even though, in hindsight, we see he was right in his assessment, Kim's proposal was shot down by the rest of the Finance Committee.
This illustrates the importance of Kim's common sense approach to budget issues, and most of all, his willingness to take an important stand, even if he was the only one with that view.
It showed Kim always kept the taxpayers best interests in mind, while at the same time, adequately funding the necessary county porgrams to serve the citizens of Ogle County.
This kind os service and leadership is what is needed for the taxpayers of Byron and Ogle County.
Join me in supporting Kim Gouker for his reelection on March 15, 2016.
Larry Boes
Byron
O'Brien can be trusted
Dear Editor,
I am a retired 27-year veteran of the Ogle County Clerk and Recorder's Office; for the past 17 of those years, I worked with Becky Huntley.
I believe she has been good for the county — and a friendly, professional person.
I have also worked with Jean Wolfe, the previous county clerk and recorder, and we have remained friends to this day.
Based on my experience as chief deputy clerk, I am convinced that Tiffany O'Brien is the best person to take up the mantle of Ogle County Clerk and Recorder when Becky ends her term.
Tiffany is already active in the community, she's an upstanding employee, but what sets her apart is that she is truly a good person.
She's friendly, but she's also tough and stands up for what is right.
She's a person you can trust.
She puts her mind to something, and she gets it done.
What does she want to get done?
She wants to serve the people of Ogle County, and she wants to save the county some money.
She's not a rookie in the clerk's office either; she's been doing this job for many years and knows exactly what needs to be done.
She's kind, tough, determined, and professional. She never goes back on her word.
That's why she has my vote in the March Republican primary, and I think she should have your vote as well.
Julie Johnston
Chana
Find Cook on the ballot
Dear Editor,
Be sure and look for Laura Cook's name on the ballot and vote for this outstanding citizen on March 15.
Laura Cook's abundant knowledge and experience makes her the best candidate for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
I am supporting Laura Cook in the upcoming General Primary Election.
Laura Cook definitely has my vote!
Joyce Long
Oregon
Supports Welty in Dist. 2
Dear Editor,
Everyone knows the State of Illinois has significant financial troubles.
With the current budget crisis in Springfield, those troubles could impact us at the county level in the near future.
Bill Welty is a CPA, he was a high level financial officer in a Fortune 500 company, and he started his own highly successful business.
He has been able to use his significant knowledge in the area of finance and experience inbusiness to help our county deal with the issues it has faced in the last several years.
Other candidates may have the best of intentions but we also need Bill Welty’s knowledge of and background in high level finance for the challenges ahead.
We need to re-elect Bill Welty to the county board for our best chance to deal with the problems that the state may pass down to us.
A little over 10 years ago Bill and his wife Judy decided to return to their home town and do what they could to help it be the kind of place we all want it to be.
As acurrent county board member and committee chairman he has worked hardto make that happen.
Let’s re-elect Bill Welty while we can and keep our county the kind of place we all want to live in.
Vote for Bill Welty for the Ogle County Board in District 2.
Dick Gambrel
Chana
Cast your vote for Cook
Dear Editor,
I am writing to share my endorsementof Laura J. Cook for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
I have known Laura Cook professionally and personally for a number of years.
In her position as chief deputy county clerk, I have found her to be professional, knowledgeable, polite, friendly, and always willing to take an extra step to be of assistance in her position.
As chief deputy county clerk for the last 17 years, Laura has had the unique opportunity to serve with two county clerks; former county clerk Jean Wolfe and current and retiring county clerk Rebecca Huntley.
The county clerk & recorder's office has five major functions: 1) clerk of the county board & keeper of county records, 2) chief election officer for Ogle County, 3) keeper of vital records (births, civil union certificates, marriages, and deaths, 4) computation of property taxes & redemption of delinquent taxes, 5) record and maintain all land transactions for Ogle County.
Not only has Laura fulfilled those five obligations of office, in Laura’s 17 years as Ogle County Chief Deputy Clerk and Information Technology Coordinator, she has been a leader in technological advances in the Ogle County Clerk’s office.
In addition, she was the implementation coordinator for Illinois E-Pay thus streamlining payments emanating from this office and also coordinated the Ogle County Clerk’s Office Digital Data Conversion.
With her longtime residency in Ogle County, her community volunteerism and her vast knowledge of the clerk’s Office and Ogle County, she is a worthy candidate for this office.
Please join me in casting your vote for Laura J. Cook, Ogle County Clerk and Recorder on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
Respectfully,
Judith E. Lowry
Davis Junction
Vote for Gouker in Dist. 6
Dear Editor,
The March 15 Primary Election for Ogle County Board District 6 is important for the Byron community, but particularly for the Byron School District and other Byron taxing bodies.
The county board seat is currently held by Republican Kim Gouker:
In addition to being a county board member, Kim is county board chairman; having the county board chair be from Byron when the county and our schools are negotiating over taxes with Exelon - as we are now - is crucial.
Kim Gouker has been the county’s representative to the Exelon negotiating process for many years.
The Exelon facility has been devalued by $27 million, which costs the Byron School District $810,000 in annual revenues.
As a result, the board of education will be forced to eliminate six teaching positions.
The Byron Forest Preserve, Byron Museum District, Byron Fire Protection District and Byron Public Library District all will lose revenue, as well.
The school district is challenging the lowered value through the state appeals process while simultaneously negotiating a long-term agreement with Exelon, which will stabilize the budgets of local taxing bodies.
Kim Gouker leads both of those efforts; our best chance to bring those funds back to the Byron School District is with Kim Gouker at the helm.
Kim is a lifelong Byron resident and lifelong Republican; he is a business owner, community volunteer and a passionate advocate for Byron schools and the other local taxing bodies that add tremendously to our quality of life.
He is uniquely qualified to continue as Byron’s county board representative.
Along with others who care passionately about the education of Byron’s young people, I will be voting for Kim Gouker, County Board District 6 in the March 15 primary election. I hope you will join me.
Sincerely,
Carol Nauman
Byron School Board Member
Cook is an asset to county
Dear Editor,
Laura Cook is a great asset to the Ogle County Clerk's Office.
She has shown her dedication, with over 17 years experience.
Laura has the qualities that we are looking for.
She will work hard for the residents of Ogle County.
She is very knowledgable of the position and has been able to quickly answer any questions we have had.
With her experience as chief deputy clerk, it makes her the easy choice for county clerk and recorder.
Join us in electing Laura Cook for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
Brad & Lisa Brubaker
Oregon
Impressed with O'Brien
Dear Editor,
I've been paying attention to the Ogle County Clerk and Recorder's race.
I'm impressed with Tiffany O'Brien's plan on saving the county money and her overall experience in office.
I'm also impressed with her dedication to her campaign, and I believe she will bring this dedication to the job for many years to come.
She has a good reputation and is highly spoken of.
She has my vote on March 15.
Jon Barnhart
Oregon
O'Brien is dedicated
Dear Editor,
Tricia and I have had the pleasure of watching Tiffany O'Brien grow into an excellent deputy clerk for
Ogle County because of her dedication and hard work.
She has all of the attributes to be a successful leader. We believe she will make an even better county clerk and recorder for the citizens of Ogle County for many years to come.
We need your support to elect Tiffany O'Brien as our next county clerk and recorder.
Michael Mallon
Retired Judge & Lawyer
Tricia Mallon
Rochelle
Vote for O'Brien
Dear Editor,
In the March 15 election we are voting for Tiffany O'Brien for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
We have known the O'Brien family for many years.
Their family values and work ethic started back with their grandparents and have continued on through the generations.
Tiffany will make a sincere, trustworthy, and strong leader.
Vote for O'Brien on March 15.
Ron and Carol Davidson
Creston
O'Brien is strong, honest, knowledgeable
Dear Editor,
We are writing to show our support for Tiffany O'Brien as Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
We know Tiffany has strong and honest work ethics, valuable knowledge of the job, and willingness to improve in any aspect.
We have known Tiffany for over 30 years and we have witnessed her dedication to anything she does, from school, sports, and jobs, to friends and family.
We encourage everyone to support our great friend as the next county clerk and recorder.
We will be voting for Republican Tiffany O'Brien on March 15.
Heidi Bonilla
Heather McPhearson
Rochelle
O'Brien is well-prepared
Dear Editor,
I am writing in support of Tiffany O'Brien for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
As a retired Ogle County Board member, I know she is qualified for the office.
With 11 years experience working in the County Clerk's office there is no learning curve required here.
Tiffany is well-prepared to execute the duties of county clerk and recorder.
Tiffany has proven to be efficient, a hard worker, knowledgeable of the office, honest, and most important, a guardian of the taxpayers dollars.
Tiffany has demonstrated a plan to save the taxpayers $150,000 her first four years in office.
Therefore I believe Tiffany O'Brien is the best choice to be our next county clerk and recorder.
So please join me in electing Tiffany O'Brien, a lifetime Ogle County resident.
Larry Boes
Byron
Vote for O'Brien
Dear Editor,
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us.
Today we want to express our support for Tiffany O’Brien who is a candidate for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder.
We have spent quite a bit of visiting with Tiffany and really like her platform and plans when elected county clerk.
She has been working toward the goal to be county clerk and has worked every job in that office to prepare herself over the 11 years she has been employed there.
Tiffany plans to continue doing her present job along with the county clerk duties and will not need to hire anyone to replace her[self]. This is good!
We would like for you to vote for Tiffany O’Brien on Tuesday March 5, 2016.
We feel she will do an excellent job for the residents of Ogle County.
See you at the polls!
Clint and Fran Strouse
Oregon
Reising is caring and dedicated
Dear Editor,
Wayne Reising is a caring and dedicated business professional and volunteer committed to serving in the best interest of his clients and the citizens of Ogle County.
His experience includes serving as vice chair of the Ogle County Regional Planning Commission and as the Ogle County Business Representative to the B.E.S.T. (Business Employment Skills Team), the agency responsible for providing employment skills training and administration of the federally-funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for Ogle and six surrounding counties.
In addition, he has demonstrated his commitment and dedication to help make our community a better place to live, work, and do business through participation in numerous leadership roles with the Oregon Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Kiwanis Club, and Project Oregon.
I have had the pleasure of working with Wayne both as a business professional and serving on numerous community projects for many years.
Wayne listens to concerns, seeks out options to resolve problems, and makes decisions based on what he feels is in the best interest of those he represents.
He would serve the residents of District 2 well as a member of the Ogle County Board.
Donna Mann
Oregon
Supports Greg Beitel
Dear Editor,
The opportunity to improve our county and our community is fast approaching. It is time to elect our leaders.
The individuals that we chose to make decisions for us “the people.”
Mr. Gregory Beitel is that individual to choose for Ogle County Board Member, a four-year term in District 6-Byron.
Greg and his family are invested members of our community, striving to do it better than those that came before him.
His experience in management of large scale community projects and success at building and maintaining high dollar budgets speaks to his trusted accountability.
Greg has grown good working relationships with the various departments of our county, its city and state.
His positive, level headed thinking ensures us “the people” that we will be represented not as partisan but rather as a whole.
Greg believes in his American country. He respects the morals and values that we all live by.
It is the common sense of right and wrong that guide him in his decisions. Not the right or left.
He knows that his election to serve us “the people” is the mission to follow.
To govern with care and responsibility. His stewardship in chairing a committee at one local parish is yet another act of selfless involvement in our commonwealth.
Greg’s known character of integrity is a trait first and foremost required to make those decisions for “the people” of this county.
Once addressed as Sheriff Beitel, he has the wisdom from serving and protecting us from harm. Let him now serve us “the people” as a respected member of the Ogle County Board.
Thank-you for reading and please consider electing Gregory A. Beitel for county board member, a four-year term in District 6-Byron.
Craig Dimond
Leaf River
Will vote for Gouker
Dear Editor,
As (former) Ogle County State’s attorney and current President of the Byron Board of Education, I have worked closely with Republican County Board District 6 member Kim Gouker on many initiatives.
Kim’ s most significant contribution, in my view, has been his long-term leadership in the effort to see that Exelon pays its fair share of taxes to the Byron School District and to the other taxing bodies that rely on those revenues to provide important services to the people of Byron.
X years ago, those taxing bodies were negotiating a long-term agreement with Exelon.
Many taxing body representatives were prepared to accept what I considered to be a “low ball” offer.
Kim Gouker, as Byron’s county board member, was among the few who stood tough against that low offer; as a result, a more lucrative agreement was reached — to the benefit of the Byron School District, Byron Fire Protection District, Byron Forest Preserve, Byron Library District, and Byron Museum District, Rock Valley College, and others.
We are at that point again: The Byron School District and other taxing bodies are in the process of negotiating a new long-term agreement with Exelon as we simultaneously challenge several lowered assessments at the state level.
No one in Ogle County government and no other candidate possesses Kim Gouker’s knowledge and expertise on this issue; re-electing Kim Gouker to the county board is, I believe, crucial to our efforts to secure a long-term agreement with Exelon that will allow Byron Schools and other organizations to function at the high level the community has come to expect.
I am voting for Republican County Board District 6 candidate Kim Gouker in the March 15 Primary Election. I hope you will, as well.
Thank you,
Doug Floski
Byron
Supports O'Brien
Dear Editor,
I have known Tiffany O'Brien for many years.
I first worked with Miss O'Brien and a department head in clearing up some employee payroll irregularities that came to light after the 2008 election; I was very impressed with Miss O'Brien's depth of thoroughness in researching the issues.
While I was serving on the Finance Committee, Miss O'Brien volunteered to take and record the minutes for the Ogle County Board Committee meetings.
I found Miss O'Brien's committee reports to be detailed, correct, and on time.
When elected, Miss O'Brien will save the taxpayers of Ogle County more than $150,000.00 in her first term by combining her current duties and the duties of the county clerk and recorder.
In addition, I am confident Miss O'Brien will streamline the departments for future taxpayers' savings.
Miss O'Brien is the only candidate who has the credentials and skills to serve as Ogle County Clerk & Recorder.
I encourage the taxpayers and voters of Ogle County to support Tiffany O'Brien on March 15 for Ogle County Clerk & Recorder.
Paul W. White
Retired Ogle County Board Member
Forreston
Vote for O'Brien
Dear Editor,
Tiffany O'Brien is the one to vote for in the March 15 election.
Her experience within both departments far outweighs any other. She is 100 percent committed to this position and will make the people of Ogle County proud for having elected her.
O'Brien is committed to making an imprint in her careerand making sure her departments are financially efficient while at the same time providing the people with the very best.
Join us in electing Tiffany O'Brien for Ogle County Clerk & Recorder.
Terry & Tammy Glendenning
Davis Junction
O'Brien endorsed
Dear Editor,
I am writing to endorse the election of Tiffany O'Brien for Ogle County Clerk & Recorder.
I have known
Tiffany and her entire family for many years.
I know her personal commitment to family and community and with that as a foundation I know she is truly committed to serving the citizens of Ogle County.
Tiffany O'Brien is a true professional. This is evident in her service to our community and has been demonstrated in her approach to her campaign.
Her experience in the County Clerk's office along with her educational background have prepared her well to take on the full leadership of this office.
I am confident that under her leadership we will see cost saving practices implemented and full commitment
to serving the residents of Ogle County.
Her enthusiasm, energy, and positive attitude are refreshing and will contribute to strengthening the team serving our county.
Please join me in voting for Tiffany O'Brien for Ogle County Clerk & Recorder on March 15 Republican Primary Election.
Ruth Whitney
Stillman Valley
Supports Cook
Dear Editor,
I have had the pleasure of serving the citizens of Ogle County for over 20 years as Ogle County Treasurer.
In that period of service I had the opportunity to observe many county officials as they performed their duties and interacted with the public.
It is my opinion that Laura Cook has the experience and abilities to provide leadership and to fulfill the responsibilities as Ogle County Clerk & Recorder in an exemplary manner.
I have known Laura Cook for over 17 years, and I strongly support her candidacy for Ogle County Clerk & Recorder.
Join me in casting a vote for Laura Cook.
Thanks,
Chris Martin
Oregon