Fox Lake candidates set for final push

With the final weekend of campaigning ahead, candidates running for office in Fox Lake are pushing to get the vote out.

"My entire slate will be out going door to door, stopping at the train station and shaking hands to meet people," said incumbent Mayor Cindy Irwin. "This is crunchtime and we are meeting as many people as possible."

Irwin and her slate - United for Fox Lake - is facing stiff competition from Fox Lake Focused, headed by mayoral candidate Ed Bender. Also on the ballot April 7 are independent mayoral candidate Alberta Meyer and two independent trustee candidates.

Aside from Irwin, United for Fox Lake is made up of trustee candidates Donald "Donnie" Schmitt, Donald Otway and incumbent trustee Carol Ulasy, and clerk candidate Bernice Konwent.

Aside from Bender, Fox Lake Focused includes incumbent clerk Samantha Weeks and trustee candidates Val Griseta, Kevin Burt and Jon Mumford.

Incumbent trustee Noel Working is running in this election as an independent candidate, along with candidate Harry Schippers.

Meyer calls herself the wild card in the mayoral election, openly admitting she was a long shot when the campaign started in January.

"But, I have definitely gained ground in the past couple of weeks," she said. "And, you just never know when it comes to elections. I think this race for mayor is a lot closer than anyone realizes."

Bender said his slate is also walking neighborhoods and going door to door, talking about the issues while also informing supporters that the mayoral election four years ago was decided by only 17 votes.

"Overall, I think both sides have run a decent campaign with very little personal attacks," he said. "This is the final stretch and we are doing what we can to meet everyone, discuss our policies and urge people to vote."