While some were ready to file papers to run for public council seats as soon as the deadline opened to get their names added to the top of the ballot, one candidate handed them in just before closing time Monday night — creating a contest for the three seats open in the April election.
Jim Moran, who announced Saturday, Dec. 18 that he wants to run for one of three Village of Libertyville trustee seats, handed in petitions Monday just before 5 p.m. with about 280 signatures-most of which were gathered on Sunday.
“If I don’t have first ballot position, I feel that last is the second best,” Moran said.
While his official announcement was made late in the game, he said he’s aspired to join the village council for as long as he can remember. Issues such as uploading documents and broadcasts of meetings to the village website, finance and historic preservation are key at this moment, Moran said.
Until Monday, Trustees Nick Proepper, Drew Cullum and Donna Johnson were uncontested in running for re-election.
“The three of us feel like we have unfinished business,” Proepper said. “I think it’s from the standpoint that in our first terms we got some experience and we want to see some projects through. The most important thing for me is to see the village on a firm financial status. I want to serve for four more years to see that through.”
Meanwhile, just three candidates have filed to run for the three seats open on the District 70 Board of Education in Libertyville.
President Judy Zoellick is not seeking re-election. A newcomer, Jennifer Lund, and incumbent Maryann Ovassapian simultaneously handed in their documents to run for seats on the Elementary School District 70 board on Dec. 13, when the filing deadline opened.
“Who doesn’t want to be first?” asked Ovassapian.
The simultaneously filed petitions require that District 70 hold a lottery for the two candidates to determine who will appear in the number one slot on the ballot, officials said. It will be held at 9 a.m. on Dec. 22 at the Education Resource Center, 1381 W. Lake St.
Incumbent Chris Kennedy also put his name in the hat shortly after Ovassapian and Lund each filed their papers.
“I think it’s very fair and I’m glad they are doing it that way,” Ovassapian said. “I wouldn’t want that kind of stress and it’s really not that kind of race. I’m happy to be running against the people that are in the race. I’ve known Jennifer for many years on the Family Association of District 70 committee and Chris and I have worked really well together on the board.”
Lund agreed with Ovassapian on the fairness of a lottery.
“I filed first thing this morning because I am committed and excited to run for a school board position again,” Lund said. “I think that the lottery for ballot position is equitable, and I fully embraced the concept the last time I ran for the school board. I look forward to the chance to serve District 70 in a new capacity.”
So far, the Community High School District 128 race is uncontested. Incumbent Alexander Delli Paoli and newcomers Bill Ratzer and James Batson filed nominating petitions for three school board seats.
