Oak Park is a diverse community of various races, ethnicities, family structures, incomes, religions, ages, and perspectives. As such, it is a challenge to manage. To manage it well and with integrity requires someone who will approach it from a service-minded perspective.
We all have opinions and preferred issues, but that’s not leadership. Vicki is a leader who understands that village government isn’t just about a few controversial issues. It’s about the range of skills, experience, and relationships that can be brought to bear to address the known and unknown, the planned and unplanned, and the preferred and everything else.
Most of us have no idea of all of the areas of village government that function to give us the life we have here. Vicki does and has worked tirelessly to make sure that all of it has the attention it needs. She has led strategic plans to address community safety, traffic, economic vitality, affordable housing, and sustainability. She works closely with village staff to make sure that board meetings are run effectively and efficiently and is always well-prepared.
Oak Park does not exist in a vacuum. Vicki has developed strong relationships with the leaders and constituents of neighboring communities. For example, she helped to secure considerable funding regionally for climate change. When migrants arrived on our doorstep, it was Vicki who got out of bed, found temporary shelter, and stayed at the church to make sure they were cared for and that the church partner was not left to shoulder their care. She secured funding for the crisis and responded to my concerns and issues.
She has a deep knowledge and a working relationship with much of the nongovernmental organizational (NGO) work that have been so crucial to village success. She has used this knowledge to build trusting partnerships with numerous businesses and nonprofits. She led on Engaging Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) — alternative responses to behavioral health crisis, homelessness, and non-emergency calls. The impact of her Liquor Board leadership was also felt as liquor licenses were opened for outdoor cafes, microbrews, and community events.
As you make your voting decision for village president, please choose the candidate who will lead for all of their constituency and on all of the issues – President Vicki Scaman is that person.
Linda Francis
Oak Park