Community Corner

Watras: I Look Forward to the Opportunity to Serve

Mayoral candidate believes he will receive the support needed to place his name on the March election ballot.

John Watras, unanimously selected for the position of mayor by the West Nominating Committee, will be fighting for the seat during a run-off election Jan. 29 against trustee Laurence Quinn, who challenged the nomination.

The nine-member nominating committee accepted his resignation from his current position as trustee in order to be considered for mayor. There is one year left on his trusteeship; resident Bob Bolebruch was selected to serve that remaining year.

Watras, in a letter, states that in accordance with the Community Agreement and the rotation of the mayor’s seat to the senior trustee from the West, he looks forward to the opportunity to serve the western section and all residents of the village as future mayor.

The letter, in full:

As the WPOA nominee for Mayor, I am honored by the recognition of my 18 years of service to the WPOA in various capacities from director to president, and my nearly 10 years of service as a Village Trustee from the West and as Deputy Mayor.

Any resident who has reached out to me has received my full attention, and I have endeavored to understand and resolve any Village issues they may have encountered.

During my tenure, I have been proactive in developing avenues to improve Village functions and services in a cost effective manner with residents’ needs in mind. As a businessman with a professional skill set, you can be assured that I will bring a business-like approach to Village concerns. The current fiscal environment calls for positive changes that will maintain our community as a highly desirable place to live, work and play.

I trust I will receive the support needed to place my name on the March election ballot. And, in accordance with the Community Agreement and the rotation of the Mayor’s seat to the senior trustee from the West, I look forward to the opportunity to serve the Western Section and all residents of the Village as your future Mayor.

Together, we will continue to meet the challenges and find solutions.


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