Council’s Brodhead appointment debate disrespectful
City of Naperville boards, commissions and task forces play a vital role by providing advice to our city council on issues that include public safety, the Riverwalk, Naper Settlement and other matters of community importance.
According to the city website, the 250 volunteers who serve on more than 20 boards, commissions and task forces are carefully chosen by the mayor “based on experience and interest” and brought to city council for approval.
What should have been a seamless, routine procedure of approving former Councilwoman Judy Brodhead to the Special Events Cultural Amenities (SECA) commission at the June 15 council meeting resulted in a divisive debate and 5-4 vote, with council members Paul Hinterlong, Patty Gustin, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor and Paul Leong voting against Brodhead’s appointment.
They argued the SECA commission needs “young, fresh people,” “fresh blood,” “fresh ideas.” Brodhead’s age and invaluable years of experience were somehow considered a pejorative, disqualifying factor.
As a city, our mission statement was recently amended to include the words “respects an inclusive community that values diversity.” In a search of municipal boards and commissions across the nation, most had a more detailed definition of diversity that included prohibitions against age discrimination. Perhaps after this unfortunate exchange, we need to clarify that all are welcome to apply.
If the goal is to lead the city by example, then it begins with the council fostering an attitude of respect not only for fellow council members, but for the members of our community. While there may be differences of opinions on topics that come before council, the mayor’s appointment recommendations have not usually been among them.
As former Councilwoman Brodhead herself said after the meeting, “It was just very disappointing to see that kind of unnecessary division.”
Lyndsey Kasson Kokoris and Dianne McGuire, Naperville
No inaccuracy found in Will, DuPage election systems
Welcome to the calm between the storms. Our next election is one year away — June 28, 2022.
Between now and Election Day 2022, both the Will County and DuPage County election divisions are looking to acquire badly needed new election equipment. The League of Women Voters of Naperville will observe the process of acquiring the equipment and we will report back to you, the voters.
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In the past we have made time to observe in both counties:
Election equipment security;
Election equipment testing;
Ballot chain of custody;
Ballot certification;
Vote By Mail ballot processing;
Election Day polling location operations.
These processes are thorough, methodical, orderly and transparent. The county team running our elections are the unseen and unsung guardians of your vote, working diligently all year long to ensure your vote will be counted accurately.
Because of the time League of Women Voters of Naperville has spent watching the election process, we have confidence in the election systems for Will County and DuPage County. The voters of both counties can trust their elections.
Becky Simon, President
League of Women Voters of Naperville
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