With two current commissioners trailing in the Mokena Park District board race Tuesday, there could be some new, but familiar faces on the board of commissioners, according unofficial election results.
Board President Michael Bartos was trailing opponent Lana Graser, in his bid for a two-year term. With all 15 precincts reporting, Bartos had about 29 percent of the vote, compared to Graser’s approximately 71 percent, according to unofficial vote totals.
Graser previously served on the park board, from 1989 to 1998, including a stint as president, and was executive director of the Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association.
“I am very honored to have received so many votes. I will do my best to live up to the expectations of the residents of the Mokena Park District by serving with integrity and transparency. I look forward to working with the board and the staff,” Graser said.
Asked for comment, Bartos in a text appeared to blame “biased reporting” by the Daily Southtown in his defeat.
In the six-person race for three four-year terms, John Olivieri was leading other candidates with about 23 percent, followed by former park commissioner Robert Lindbloom with about 22 percent, and newcomer Jeffrey Apel with approximately 21 percent, according to unofficial results.
Apel, Graser, Lindbloom and Olivieri ran together as the AGLO team. Olivieri’s architectural firm previously served as architect for the current expansion of The Oaks Recreation Center and development of Yunker Farm, until it was fired by the board in November.
“I’m very pleased with the results. I really believe the Mokena voters did their research, formed their own opinions and made their decisions,” Olivieri said. His teammates may not agree on everything but they have the same goals and can work together to make the park district “the best it can be,” he said.
Lindbloom served on the park board from 2003 to 2012.
Incumbent Steve Curran netted about 13 percent, and newcomers Dan Canniff garnered nearly 12 percent and J. Andy Ventress, about 9 percent, unofficial totals indicated.
Vote totals will be official in three weeks after provisional ballots and all mail-in ballots have been tallied.
Incumbent Patrick Markham, who was appointed to the board in February 2016, did not seek office in this election.
Twitter @SusanLaff
