
Syed would bring proven leadership skills to city council
Ashfaq Syed is a true champion of Naperville, focused on the betterment of our community. Nowhere is this more reflected than in his years of committed service to our city. His experience, proven leadership and dedication to our citizens make him an ideal candidate for the Naperville City Council.
From library trustee to board member for Loaves and Fishes Community Services to brand ambassador of NCTV17 and committee member of 360 Youth Services, Ashfaq focuses on the well-being and progress of his community. He listens and cares. He is respectful and has the integrity to represent all of Naperville.
In 2020, Ashfaq was chosen to serve as co-chair of the U.S. Census Naperville Complete Count Committee. This proved challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashfaq persisted and developed a “best in the country” widespread campaign. Through his leadership, Naperville was recognized as the No. 1 City in America of over 140,000 residents for U.S. Census Self Responses.
The results ensured our city would receive millions of additional dollars in federal funding over the next 10 years. Ashfaq was awarded with a mayoral proclamation for his “outstanding contributions.” His efforts will benefit our city and residents for years to come.
As a diverse candidate, Ashfaq brings a broad perspective to council, where he will be the voice of all residents as his experience shows. Ashfaq offers more than 20 years in the financial industry and is currently a vice president for a global financial institution with offices in Naperville.
Vote Ashfaq Syed for Naperville City Council, a proven community leader who will “get the job done” for the city and our residents!
Mark Rice and Lyndsey Kokoris, Naperville
McBroom says he’s nonpartisan despite Awake Illinois past
In his 2023 State of the State address, Gov. Pritzker decried the “virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation, with a particular attack on school board members and library trustees, whose real intention is to marginalize people and ideas they don’t like.”
Naperville’s Awake Illinois is one of the local groups engaged in attacking and suppressing people and ideas they don’t like. Josh McBroom, candidate for Naperville City Council, was their vice president until he resigned in November to run for the Naperville City Council. While Mr. McBroom was Awake’s VP, the group shut down the St. Charles Public Library over their mask policy, attacked efforts in Naperville and elsewhere to support diversity and inclusion, and started compiling a watchdog list of public officials who express views different from their own. (awakeil.com)
Mr. McBroom failed to respond to an invitation from Indivisible Naperville to appear at their City Council Forum on Jan. 25. When questioned about this on Facebook, he claimed he was running a nonpartisan race and Indivisible Naperville was a partisan group. The more likely reason is fear of potential criticism over his ties to Awake Illinois.
Mr. McBroom, who had a leadership position for over a year with Awake Illinois while they regularly attacked people and ideas they didn’t like, is wrong for Naperville, the fourth largest city in Illinois with a growing diverse population.
Mr. McBroom has displayed astounding hypocrisy, claiming to be running a nonpartisan race while fleeing his highly partisan past. While on the Naperville Park Board, he was part of the failed partisan lawsuit regarding CDC guidelines against Gov. Pritzker that wasted $25,000 of taxpayer dollars.
If someone willing to waste taxpayer dollars in pursuit of misguided ideological beliefs is elected, will this pattern be repeated on Naperville City Council?
Indivisible Naperville leadership
Rebecca Gamboa, Paulette Goodman, Dianne McGuire, Kate Refine, Nancy Turner, Beth Wendt, Lisa Yost
Yang Rohr seeking resident input via online survey
To truly represent the residents of the 41st District of Naperville, Bolingbrook and Warrenville, I need to know what you care about and how you would like me to work on your behalf. To that end, I would greatly appreciate your taking the time to complete my office’s 2023 Legislative and Community Survey by going to www.RepYangRohr.com/legislative-survey-2023.
Your responses on past surveys directly affected legislation and policy in Springfield. Because of your voice, we provided more funding for our schools and to those with developmental disabilities; we saved for our future and lowered fees and taxes for working families.
There is always more to do. With your help and input, I’m excited to continue working together to build a stronger community and a better Illinois.
State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, 41st District
White’s credentials, commitment make him ideal mayor
I first met Dr. Benny White in 2012. I was serving on the Indian Prairie District 204 School Board when there was a vacancy. Dozens of community members stepped forward with resumes and a willingness to serve the administrators, educators, and students of our district. Many were impressive, but none as impressive as Dr. Benny White. His character. His leadership. His honorable commitment to service. We couldn’t believe our luck.
Dr. White served on the school board for years, and then moved up to serve on the Naperville City Council. His commitment to community is second to none. He serves with character and integrity. He has polished the leadership skills that were infused at West Point and in 22 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. He earned a doctorate in values-driven leadership and an MBA.
Dr. White is commits to using those impressive leadership skills to advance Naperville’s vision of community values, economic growth, and safe neighborhoods for our families to enjoy now and in the future.
His entire life has been committed to serving others: in the Army, as a school board member, on the police board, as a city council member, etc.
When voters cast their ballots for the next mayor of Naperville — a place I’ve called home for more than four decades — I hope they vote for the most qualified candidate who has earned incredible respect through hard work, countless hours of community service, and integrity: Dr. Benny White.
Dawn DeSart, Naperville
DuPage County Board Member, District 5
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