Candidates,

On these pages I laid out many suggestions to improve different aspects of our city.

Instead of the usual generic and familiar platitudes, typical of those seeking elected office, I challenge each one of you to comment on the ideas I have put forth as well as your specific ideas that you would incorporate to make this a better community. I truly want to see an innovative leader, not just a manager. A person who does nothing but to continue with the same old approaches and not be willing to take our community to a higher level, is at best, a manager and perhaps a cheerleader. Everything can be improved and blind acceptance of the status quo and lack of courage to challenge the way things are done, does not inspire me, or lead this city to be the best it can be.

So, I ask again. Are anyone of the future Mayors willing to stick their neck out and boldly proclaim that they are willing to be visionary leaders who will adopt the best practices of world class cities and to accept innovation and the willingness to listen and the courage to act with bold independence. Taking the safe, comfortable, and easy way out may earn you a few critics but do you have the independence to rise above the commonplace. Show the community who you are and truly commit to excellence. I eagerly await. Please do not disappoint me, although this is not about me. It is about what is best for the citizens of our community.

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things
differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for
the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify and
vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because
they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some
may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy
enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Perhaps my frustration can be summarized by the reality that we live in a community that is unable to support the existence of a bookstore. What does that suggest?
As much as I love the Library I am somewhat dismayed by the huge volume of less than intellectual non-fiction that gets bought in volumes and then quickly sold off at bargain basement prices. Is this the best use of our tax dollars and does this support the mission of what I thought libraries were all about?

I truly feel like I am talking to myself for the most part. It was my belief that only crazy people do this. Perhaps I have joined their ranks.

Jim, admitting you have a problem is the first step towards a cure. Congratulations.

What you seek, is perfection, an individual with talents. Your seek someone that can change the world, in a four years term.
Most people with these talents are business owners. They make a lot of money and don't have to wait for a show of hands. Why would they put themselves out for a bunch of ungrateful and selfish citizens.
I see good people run for boards and never make it. They are shunned because they have good ideas and what to make a change. I see idiots get elected screw up, steal from the coffers, go to jail and then get re-elected.
Books stores are becoming obsolete along with the post office. If you don’t change with the times then your city dies, look at your neighboring towns.
The people running this country are greedy, selfish and don’t care about the future, they are stealing everything they can and don’t care what anybody thinks. Most people are too busy or poor to do anything about it and if you do, you are considered “CRAZY.”
Are you crazy, maybe, I don't know you. Are you crazy for caring, no. The world changes every day, ideas come and go, people die. We don't have total control of everything in our lives, nor will ever.
My suggestion is to step up, tackle one thing at a time, not a hundred. There is no winning in politics because most career politician are selfish losers. Don’t look at it as winning or losing, because if you do, you have just become a loser.

Mark Mulliner will be talking the issues to anyone and everyone that wants to come hear his ideas for Elmhurst in 2013 and beyond. Mark has a vision for leading Elmhurst which you can see is some specific detail on www.mulliner4mayor.com

And come in person to the next event.

http://mulliner4mayor.com/th_event/nu-year-nu-crepes-nu-mayor-mulliner/

Meanwhile Mark has always been accessible as a public servant and you may contact him directly if you'd like. You will certainly be able to talk with him directly.

Alan Brinkmeier

This screwed up site once again did not print what I spent much time writing about.
Karen,

Why do you refuse to fix this? I had four letters left, entered everything properly, and it didn't show up. I am tired of incompetency at any level. You are in charge.
Fix it. No, I have never met you and you seem nice enough. A very elemental issue and you do nothing about it.. Imagine Donald Trump sitting next to you or being on the Shark. ........................................ PLEASE FIX IT. PRETTY PLEASE

I am sure they would respond very differently.

@ JC, while you do occasionally come up with some good ideas, you need to keep in mind that Elmhurst follows the "city manager" form of government; a form of government designed to vest day to day decision making in that person, not the mayor. as a city, we found out the hard way what happens when a person tries to exert more power than he actually has. the good news is that that person became so enamored with his own power that he actually thought he was above the law. so imo what we need to look for in a new mayor is someone who understands and respects the limits of the office of mayor; someone who is going to reach out and be a coalition builder, not someone who is pushing a private agenda. do we need someone who is innovative ? of course we do. but more than anything else, we need someone who can work with people to get things done. we need someone who will push an agenda that is inclusive of all the stakeholders here in elmhurst, not just the consultants. at the end of the day, we need a problem solver, a coalition builder. but more than anything else, we need to return honesty and integrity to elmhurst city government !

Karen,

Could it be my computer? I just wrote another article and again, it disappeared.

Maybe it is time to quit writing and to direct my time and energies elsewhere.
I feel like I am talking to myself anyway. Take care.

Dan,

I don't know who you are but you are always a voice of reason. It happens to me even when I write a short response. If I sign in ahead of time I am generally fine. I have to develop this habit. You are correct about not limiting comments because of differences.