John O'Neil a public servant

I cannot let the letter slandering John O'Neil that appeared in the Oct. 20 Fencepost go unanswered. O'Neil is the Republican candidate for state representative in the 63rd District. The Oct. 20 letter referred to John as “just another politician looking to make a living at taxpayers' expense.”

First, it is a stretch to call a man who is on a school board and a library board a “politician.” Perhaps call him civic minded, or a public servant or a concerned citizen.

If John O'Neil had a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin, was a practicing attorney, held family interests in local banks, had been unopposed for his state representative seat in the last three election cycles and possessed a $600,000 campaign fund, the pejorative of “just another politician” might apply.

Secondly, John O'Neill does have some “new ideas.” O'Neil says, “My opponent has failed us by voting for Michael Madigan as Speaker of the Illinois House; at the beginning of each General Assembly, it is the Madigan Agenda which has driven jobs from our state and has led to a $13 Billion deficit.”

John O'Neil is a man of courage, conviction and honor ... John is a public servant not a “politician.”

Patricia Gessert

Cary