For a position that will last less than three months, the open seat for Ward 2 on the Yorkville City Council is a pretty popular post.
Six people have expressed an interest in filling the spot vacated by Alderman Larry Kot in December. Kot said he left the City Council to spend more time with his family.
The interim person chosen will fill the spot until the April election.
Three of the six candidates for the job in Ward 2 are on the ballot themselves in the April 4 municipal election looking to be elected to the post. Two of the candidates previously served as aldermen in Yorkville.
Yorkville Mayor Gary Golinski announced that he is in the process of reviewing the applications of those seeking to fill the remaining term of Kot.
“As a courtesy I would like to talk with each of the candidates to see what their interests are and take it from there,” Golinski said.
Golinski said they represent a wide range of qualified candidates and selecting one will be difficult.
The three candidates whose names will appear on the ballot are Arden Plocher, Deborah Horaz and Robert Gryder. The other three that are seeking to fill the seat are Mary Maher-Bartalone, Randy Mohr and Robyn Sutcliff. Plocher and Sutcliff previously served as aldermen in Wards 2 and 3.
Plocher is seeking to return to the City Council in Ward 2. He was elected to a four-year term in 2007 but lost his second bid for election in 2011.
Plocher said he has insight as a past alderman and as a union member.
“I served as mayor pro-tem and therefore have experience running City Council meetings,” he said in his application for the post. “As a union pipefitter/Welder/CWI, I have a great understanding of the building industry which will be an asset to the council as the city seeks to encourage growth.”
Plocher said he would like to keep taxes low in Yorkville.
“My goals would be to help pass a responsible budget and keep costs down by working on strong intergovernmental agreements,” he said in the application.
Gryder said he has been “politically active” for most of his adult life and has an “understanding of how things work. I have been involved in many civic and community groups,” he said.
Gryder said as a resident of downtown Yorkville and manager of a downtown business, “I would like to be involved in making Yorkville prosperous and sharing that prosperity.”
Horaz said she currently is Yorkville Park Board president and serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. She previously served on a citizens advisory committee and transportation task force. She is president of a telecommunications company.
“I have lived in Yorkville for 15 years and have served my community as a volunteer for 14 of those years. I am dedicated to serving in the future in any capacity. I am always prepared for meetings and have a good attendance record,” she said in her application.
Maher-Bartalone said since 2014 she has been the deputy assessor for Bristol Township. She is a certified residential appraiser although she is not currently in the field. Maher-Bartalone said she has lived in Yorkville since 2015 and has resided in Kendall County for all of her life.
“I believe my experience in the field of real estate, general knowledge of government and long term residency of the area could greatly contribute assistance to serving the residents of Yorkville,” she said in her application.
Mohr said he has served as chairman of the Kendall County planning commission and is also chairman of the zoning board of appeals. He has coached youth sports in Yorkville for almost 25 years, he said in his application. Mohr said he was on the original Yorkville School District planning advisory board and served as Bristol Township supervisor for four years.
“I think my selection makes sense in that I have zero plans to run for City Council at any time, so my selection would not have any bias whatsoever. I believe a (short) term requires someone with some government experience because the learning curve is non-existent,” Mohr said.
Sutcliff said she has been a resident of Yorkville since 1990 and has “seen the city grow and change.” She said when her children were in school she was involved in school-related activities. Sutcliff said she previously served as alderman of Ward 3 from 2007 to 2011.
“In 2011, I created Foxy’s Ice Cream. Foxy’s main mission is to build community,” she said on her application.
“The city of Yorkville is a great place to live and raise a family,” Sutcliff said. “As a resident of the 2nd Ward, I am very interested in helping our downtown be a thriving destination for both residents and those from outside of Yorkville. Our city has a lot to offer and has unlimited potential.”
Kot held the seat from 2011 to Dec. 13 when he stepped down. He previously served on the Yorkville City Council from 1997 to 2005.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
