"The time has come to end our reputation for dysfunction.
Background
Resident of Mount Pleasant - 25 years Education - Bradley University B.A. Studio Art/Painting Minor - International Studies Wife of 30 years with 1 child - Tess Former Curator of Education - Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Art, Racine WI Artist In Residence Art Educator Community Engagement Coordinator - Yes! For Our Children's Future Community Engagement WISDOM Action Network - State Treasurer Racine Interfaith Coalition - Board Member Community for Change - Lead Organizer Racine Family Literacy - Board Member RUSD Diversity Policy Commission KRM Commuter Rail Community Task Force NAACP Racine Branch - Board Member ADAM/Drug Court - Board Member AAUW-Corresponding Secretary City of Racine Main Gallery Great Midwest Dragon Boat Race - Board Member Families with Children from China - Coordinator 
Awards YWCA Woman of Distinction U.S. Congressional Citation - Fine Arts Dresen Spirit of Democracy Award Racine Interfaith Coalition - Love & Justice Award Racine Educators Association - Education Supporter Award Racine County Democrat of the Year Award 
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Why I'm Running
In March 2017, Mount Pleasant Village Trustee and soon-to-be Village President, David DeGroot, sent out a press release to local media saying his home had been vandalized in what he called a "political attack." DeGroot implicated me by name - accusing me of "egging" his house. Of course, I did no such thing - a fact borne out by village police and DeGroot's own home video. But unfortunately, his fake story of a "political attack" may have helped him win the election as Village President. That was just the beginning and things haven't improved much since then. Shortly after taking office, DeGroot nominated a business associate to his vacant trustee seat - a banker with whom he has over a million dollars in loans - a direct conflict of interest. But he didn't learn his lesson - he has consistently backed and nominated friends and campaign contributors for staff jobs and committee positions. In August 2017, DeGroot was formally censured by Village Trustees - a first in village history. He attempted to have an African American resident removed by Village Police Chief Zarzecki because he didn't like his public comment at a Village Board meeting. Then he refused to allow me to speak at all in the same meeting until I submitted a "written and oral apology" to him first. When Trustees confronted his bizarre and abusive behavior, he threatened to have them removed too. I have been in the political world for a long time. Politicians can be unusual people and DeGroot is no exception. While these stories are colorful, they don't fully convey how reckless and unprofessional he has been as a community leader. Dave DeGroot has proven that he doesn't understand the rules of parliamentary procedure - having to redo meetings and votes because he doesn't know the rules. He drafted a disastrous budget which drained 19% out of our Village's general fund. He has diminished and undermined public input and transparency with Foxconn negotiations being conducted completely in closed sessions. We can do better than this. I made the decision to run as Village President because the people of Mount Pleasant deserve real, authentic leadership. They deserve a leader who isn't an embarrassment. I am a respected and qualified community leader and organizer. I have years of public policy experience and a track record of community involvement that goes back two decades - and I am not afraid of Dave DeGroot. Mount Pleasant needs a tough, smart leader. I will end the secrecy and closed sessions at Village Hall. I will institute and enforce real financial integrity in every development, and in every department. I will fight to protect our most valuable resource - our environment. Village Hall belongs to the people of Mount Pleasant. If elected as Village President, I will ensure transparency and open information. Most importantly, your input, and the input of every resident, will always be valued and respected. Thank you. |
