SUGAR GROVE – Sugar Grove residents will have an opportunity to get to know their local candidates and what they stand for at a Meet the Candidates Night, organized by the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sugar Grove Community House.
Mary Edith Butler, the event’s co-chair, said the Chamber has hosted this free event for more than 20 years. She expects a big crowd this year because there are several seats to be won and several write-in candidates.
“The leadership of the Sugar Grove village and the township play vital roles in attracting business and setting the quality of life for all, so this leadership must be chosen carefully,” Butler said.
The focus is to offer business members and residents of Sugar Grove as much information as possible before they head to polling places for the April 9 election. Candidates vying for the following offices will attend the event: Sugar Grove village president, village trustees, township supervisor, township clerk, township road commissioner, township assessor, township trustees, Community House board of managers, fire protection district, park district, public library board, Kaneland School District 302 board and Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees.
“Every candidate will have a chance to introduce him- or herself and make a basic statement,” Butler said. “Then, the candidates for the offices of village president, trustees and township supervisor will participate in a short forum.”
The co-chairs of the event have a list of basic questions about issues affecting Sugar Grove. Questions also were submitted on the Chamber website, and more will be asked by members of the community. Three questions will be chosen for each of the three groups of candidates. The candidates will have two minutes each to answer the questions.
Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce President Steve Ekker strongly encourages citizens to take advantage of this event.
“Meet the Candidates Night is an opportunity for all residents to learn about the candidates’ positions and become knowledgeable and informed voters as a result,” Ekker said. Because the Chamber will host the event, it “lends both credibility and impartiality, which is what our residents deserve.”
After the event, attendees may talk with candidates and pick up campaign materials. Early voting runs from March 25 to April 6, with election day on April 9. For information, call 630-466-7895.
