March 2, 2024
Dear editor;
As the Spring primary election season is in full swing, the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County, along with the local leagues of the Aurora area and the Elgin area have just completed being host to two forums for candidates in contested races for the primary.
Forums are designed to provide a safe space for candidates to share their views on issues of importance to the voting public. The League of Women Voters strives to promote an opportunity for information to be presented in a nonpartisan, neutral setting that benefits the voting public. A candidate forum can clearly be seen as a job interview. Campaign stops, glad handing, ads, flyers, and stump speeches absolutely do not serve the same purpose.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank City of Batavia mayor Jeff Schielke, administrative assistant Karen Morley, IT guru Howard Chasen, and Chief Mazza for assisting us with the forums at Batavia City Hall. The venue is perfect to host a forum in that an audience can be in attendance and the forum is aired live on our local cable television station BATV’s YouTube channel (1017). Thanks to Andrew Van Meter, program director and Audrey Karpf for their continued support.
Thanks to the candidates for attending the forums. We know campaign time is extremely busy and sometimes it is hard to work in a forum around your “other” job. Your attendance is appreciated.
Finally, thanks to the many Leaguers who volunteered their time to make our forums happen.
We are already gearing up for the general elections in November. Keep tuned for forums in September and early October!
Patti Lackman, vice president, voter service chair
Llona Steele, vice president
Tammy Caltagirone, vice president