Last week I attended the candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest. The first half of the program was for the five people running for Oak Park village clerk.
A question I had submitted in writing was asked of the candidates: “Is all of your printed literature, campaign buttons and yard signs printed by union labor?”
The person asking the question said it’s a “yes,” “no” or “I don’t know” answer. All but candidate Lori Malinski responded, “I don’t know.” Ms. Malinski emphatically answered “Yes!”
When the candidates stepped off the platform and into the crowd, I found a flier for the two trustees seeking re-election on a slate with Ms. Malinski that did not have a union bug. It was on the table at the entrance to the Veterans Room at the main branch of the Oak Park Public Library, where the forum was taking place.
I approached Ms. Malinski, who was talking with Peter Barber. Barber and Glenn Brewer are seeking re-election on the slate with Ms. Malinksi. I pointed out that the flier did not have a union bug. Mr. Barber immediately got on the phone with the person who handled the printing. That person had it printed at a local Fed Ex print shop. Perhaps the one in nearby Elmwood Park, which is not a union print shop.
That the other four candidates could not say whether their material was printed at a union print shop is unfortunate. I expect printed political campaign material to carry the union bug if it is professionally printed. Experienced political campaigns know to use union labor in their printed material.
Ms. Malinksi likely responded “yes” to the question because she was running with two experienced village trustees. The yard signs for Barber/Brewer/Malinski have the union bug. I didn’t get a good look at the campaign button to see if it had been printed using union labor.
Since the flier for the three VMA candidates was not printed with union labor, I feel free to pick the one who provided the answers I felt were best.
Oak Park candidates for all offices frequently say they live in Oak Park because of the school system and for the diversity found in Oak Park. Elia Gallegos is fluent in Spanish and English. This is a plus for the village. She has a daughter attending Oak Park and River Forest High School. Elia’s job at village hall has her working with residents on housing issues. At the moment, she is my candidate of choice.
Tom Broderick
Oak Park resident and voter
