Four years ago, when our community was in the depths of the pandemic, Ravi Parakkat heard from those who wanted to save our local restaurants and those who were more concerned about public health. From that debate he devised a solution that honored both perspectives. We are all now familiar with TakeOut 25 and how it saved our local restaurants while also prioritizing public health. This initiative earned him co-Villager of the Year in Wednesday Journal, and it was adopted by communities across the country.
It is a rare person who can make that big an impact. Ravi’s innovation, problem-solving, and commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives leads me to support him for village president.
As the great coach and leadership expert John Wooden said, never mistake activity with accomplishment. Ravi will prioritize the real problems that Oak Park faces, problems like how to balance a high demand for services against a rising tax burden, how to provide public safety in a way that honors our community’s values, and how to bring private investments into our community to build the tax base and help alleviate our residential tax burden. Ravi has the courage and integrity to focus on our community’s real needs and to say no, or not yet, when doing so will allow the village to accomplish what needs to get done first.
Service is about others, not self. While Ravi’s opponent voted to for a village board raise, he pledged to donate that raise to local charity.
I trust Ravi Parakkat to lead with integrity, with selflessness, and to make a difference in our experience of living in this community. He already has, and he will do so in the future. Please join me in voting for him on April 1.
Simone Boutet
Former village trustee