Time for change in village government

I’ve been a WeGo resident for almost seven years. I love my home, neighbors and neighborhood. Most of the WeGo residents I’ve met have been fantastic. I’ve become involved and, the more engaged I become, the more frustrated I get.

WeGo has a particularly compelling history. Built on the railroad, our town helped cattle reach the Chicago Stockyards and made fresh dairy, lumber, shoes and schoolbooks accessible to Chicago and surrounding areas. We welcomed people from all backgrounds and our community embraced diversity. We offer affordable housing and outstanding special needs programs in our dual-language schools.

But our current administration is not working for us. From the state of our historic downtown to the lack of basic resources (does anyone in City Hall speak Spanish?), we aren’t being heard.

Why don’t we do more with our history and encourage tourism? Why don’t we have a farmers market or celebrate all our heritage? Our city owns several downtown buildings that stand empty and many others are run down. Why do we have so few streetlights? If millions can be spent on a children’s park on a former superfund site, why not invest in a safer neighborhood with more streetlights? The City Clerk position was eliminated without any input from residents.

We need change. Our community, our city and our people deserve better.

I ask of anyone reading this, please go to a single event sponsored by Dan Bovey for Mayor. Just one. You will hear someone who is enthusiastic about what our city can be. Dan wants to know what we all think and he wants to make change happen, and I will be enthusiastically voting for him in the April 1 consolidated election.

Wendy Christman

West Chicago