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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 13, 2013 9:48:27 GMT -6
Tara Iverson of Streator has been selected to complete the late Ed Benner's city council term. She will be sworn in at next week's city council meeting.
According to a press release, Iverson is a full-time industrial engineer for Caterpillar, Inc. and is also involved in several volunteer/civic organizations for the city; i.e. acting President and founding member of the Streator Garden Club, Acting secretary of Streator Leading Ladies and an active member of Streator Tourism since 2011.
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Post by dog on Sept 13, 2013 11:44:23 GMT -6
Tara Iverson of Streator has been selected to complete the late Ed Benner's city council term. She will be sworn in at next week's city council meeting. According to a press release, Iverson is a full-time industrial engineer for Caterpillar, Inc. and is also involved in several volunteer/civic organizations for the city; i.e. acting President and founding member of the Streator Garden Club, Acting secretary of Streator Leading Ladies and an active member of Streator Tourism since 2011. I dont know her very well, but what I have heard and read, I think the council made a good choice. What is your opinion of the choice, Kyle? You had anticipated them picking a previous council member, and you were more leaning towards the next highest candidate from the last election, neither of which happened. Not asking specifically about Tara, but do you think the council made a good and progressive decision?
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 13, 2013 12:16:55 GMT -6
Yes, I am happy with their choice.
Technically I think she was the voice of the voters for the seat she is replacing.
I don't know her very well either but did follow what she had to say at election time in 2011.
She has shown the ability to separate the person from the issue and decide what she thinks is best, I like that.
I think she is a progressive choice and look forward to hearing her fresh view point on our council.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 12:40:14 GMT -6
Masked Man, I knew that this would come up and fully understand your opinion. You are correct - I did not enter the election in 2013, but I did run in 2011. I wanted to run in the April 2013 election, but chose not do so. I was married last weekend, and I knew that I would be very busy up until then. I did not want to run knowing that from May to September 7th, I would not be fully available to provide the time that I believed is needed and deserved. I had planned to run in the 2015 election, and still plan to do so.
Mr. Benner's seat was up in 2011 and he was re-elected. I ran against him then, and came in 4th out of 7 people. Benner and Hart won the election, followed by Toni Pettit, and then me. Based on those who applied for Mr. Benner's vacant seat, I had the next highest amount of votes in 2011.
From my understanding, seven applicants applied for the seat. All of us were interviewed.
Since the 2011 election, I have continued to attend nearly all council meetings. I have kept involved with the community, and have kept a watchful eye on what has been happening. I look forward to serving our community.
COUNCIL MEMBER FULL 4-YEAR TERM CITY OF STREATOR VOTE FOR 2 (WITH 17 OF 17 PRECINCTS COUNTED) TOTAL VOTES % EARLY/ABSENTE ELECTION NIGH BRUCE F. HART . . . . . . . . . 1,228 31.65 64 1,164 EDWARD F. BENNER . . . . . . . . 1,003 25.85 42 961 TONI PETTIT. . . . . . . . . . 655 16.88 23 632 TARA IVERSON . . . . . . . . . 420 10.82 14 406 SCOTT J. SIRIANNI. . . . . . . . 229 5.90 14 215 TIMOTHY GEARY . . . . . . . . . 172 4.43 7 165 JAMES A. CASHMER . . . . . . . . 173 4.46 10 163
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 12:53:09 GMT -6
I completely understand, and did not take it personal at all. I was surprised that no one mentioned it earlier. Thank you for expressing your opinion, as I am sure it is shared by others. If nothing else, I wanted to provide the reason why I did not put myself on the ballot for this past year.
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Post by dive61364 on Sept 13, 2013 14:47:10 GMT -6
congratulations Tara and good luck
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Post by helencrump on Sept 13, 2013 17:05:24 GMT -6
Mr Benner was reelected in the 2011 election, and Ms Iverson was on the ballot during that election, with a good showing.
Ms. Iverson meets almost every point I've seen posted on this board.
1. She's not a retiree.
2. She's a woman who just got married, so most likely isn't interested in pulling on any old boys clubs ropes.
3. She's an engineer, so I would assume she has credentials to equal Ottawa's commissioners. as someone here complained that streators city government and wage attracted citizens with sub par education and experience.
4. In the 2011 election of this seat, Ms Iverson was second runner up with almost double the votes as the next, and over twice as many as the last two.
5. She's not Willy. that alone should have an outspoken group doing a happy dance.
Good luck Ms Iverson. I wish you continued health to deal with your new position with a clear head. to listen to the facts and make strong, intelligent decisions, while listening to the public.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 17:47:29 GMT -6
Aren't both Lansford and Brozak Streator Garden Club members?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 17:57:06 GMT -6
Mr. Lansford did join the garden club. Mr. Brozak is not a member, but his wife is.
We now have 25 plus members in the garden club. I am very proud of the club. In our first year, we spent over 200 hours cleaning, weeding, and maintaining various areas throughout Streator.
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Post by helencrump on Sept 13, 2013 18:53:40 GMT -6
Tara, thats wonderful! It shows your dedication toward improvement by not only words and promises, but with blood, sweat, and tears. And that other members of city government participate is great. Every time I've been through the park, I enjoy the hard work of the garden club. kudos to all members.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 19:00:26 GMT -6
Yeah...er...GREAT...just great...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 19:00:44 GMT -6
Tara, thats wonderful! It shows your dedication toward improvement by not only words and promises, but with blood, sweat, and tears. And that other members of city government participate is great. Every time I've been through the park, I enjoy the hard work of the garden club. kudos to all members. Thank you! We have a great group of people and I can't give the members enough credit.
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Post by RiverRat on Sept 13, 2013 19:03:30 GMT -6
Yeah...er...GREAT...just great... Why do say it like that? WAIT! I thought the Streator City Council were corrupt! Now people are telling me they actually DO things to make the community a better place? I'm confused!
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Post by helencrump on Sept 13, 2013 19:10:13 GMT -6
Yeah...er...GREAT...just great... Sounds like you think it's a bad thing. If our city leaders dont roll up their sleeves and get a little dirt under their nails, shoulder to shoulder with the citizens, how will they relate?
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Post by greekgod on Sept 13, 2013 19:40:34 GMT -6
I offer congratulations to Councilwoman Tara on her recent marriage to Kurt, and on her appointment to the Streator City Council.
Our city certainly needs individuals as dedicated to improving Streator as they Tara and Kurt, have demonstrated already.
They both "role up their sleeves", get some soil under their fingernails, clean up and move onto the next task.
We, as a community, need a thoughtful individual with fresh ideas, working to do what is, in her opinon, best for the City and Citizens of Streator.
Oh, and congratulations to the Streator City Council on your excellent choice. . g
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