Good morning neighbors and friends,
Yesterday marked a change for our Village.
As you may well know by now; three absentee votes were received and counted at the County Clerk’s office. All three of those ballots were voted in-favor of me for President, Cathy Nelson for Trustee and for the non-binding Mettawa Trail referendum (63% voted yes & 37% voted no.) All three votes were cast against the Open Space park non-binding referendum (51% votes for & 49% votes against.)
Here are the final results for the Mettawa Board in this year’s election that will be formally announced by Lake County today:
1. Jess Ray - Mettawa President (Mayor)
2. Bill Armstrong - 4 yr. term Trustee
3. John Maier - 4 yr. term Trustee
4. Mary Brennan - 4 yr. term Trustee
5. Larry Falbe - 2 yr. term Trustee...up for re-election in 2011
6. Bill Nicholson - 4 yr. term continues...up for re-election in 2011
7. Jack Tindall - 4 yr. term continues...up for re-election in 2011
In the end, 287 of Mettawa’s registered voters cast ballots to have a say in this two-year election. This was an astounding 70% of registered voter turn-out this year as compared to two years ago when the total votes cast was 47. Wow! My interpretation of your involvement in this year’s election is this: contrary to the often-referenced voter apathy said to exist in the world of elections, this turn-out shows that, when given adequate information, you will voice your opinion. While this was an energy-packed election, let’s not forget the many years of dedicated service that Mayor MacLean, Trustee Nagel and Merrifield have given to this Village.
As your newly elected Mayor, I expect the new Board to work as a cohesive team on your behalf. I will also expect the Board and residents to engage in healthy debates and fact-finding on major issues before arriving at major decisions which impact the well-being of Mettawa and our neighbors. We will adopt the principles of fair, honest and transparent government, open communication and resident participation. This is well documented on the MTP web-site: 1-goal; 4-Values and 5-objectives.
One of our first goals will be to determine the best communication methods for our residents so that we are able to keep everyone informed on a consistent basis. Additionally, we will identify and prioritize key Mettawa projects/committees and solicit resident volunteers to offer their skills and talents. We hope that you will demonstrate the same commitment and energy you demonstrated in the elections by volunteering your time to serve on the new committees that will be announced in the coming months.
There have been so many people who have supported the Mettawa Transparency Party in so many ways. We want to thank all of you who supported us, and we want to thank everyone in our community for going to the polls to let their opinions be heard. It is this type of resident involvement that we want to encourage and continue.
Now the work begins of "beginning with the new." The election is settled. Our hope is that ALL the Village residents can come together as neighbors with a fresh view of our future together. It is time for Mettawa residents to unite on our common ground: we all reside here because we have great appreciation for the character and life-style we enjoy in our Village and want to preserve and protect what we have. We can only accomplish these things by being willing to work together for our mutual common good.
These words, taken from the United Nation’s Charter, capture the spirit of the Mettawa that I hope we will have going forward:
To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person,
in the equal right of men and women and of nations (homesteads) large and small, and for these ends…
To pratice tolerence and live togeher in peace with one another as good neighbors, and
To unite our strength to maintain international (community) peace and security…..
Have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.
Excepts from the preamble to the Charter of the United Nations (June 1945),
Best regards,
Jess D. Ray
Mettawa Mayor-elect
