Shill Candidate

IVB

The Independent Voters of Berwyn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

DCOB Tries to Dupe Voters, Puts Shill Candidate on IVB Primary Ballot

The Democratic Committee of Berwyn (DCOB) can't even get to the first day of the upcoming election season without dirty political tricks.

On Dec. 15, just before the filing deadline, a DCOB campaign manager filed candidate petitions for a phony Independent Voters of Berwyn (IVB) mayoral candidate for the upcoming Primary Election on Feb. 24.

The shill candidate, Berwyn resident John J. Meshek, is not a registered Democrat, according to voting records. Mr. Meshek is not a member of the Independent Voters of Berwyn and has never attended a meeting of the group, according to incumbent Berwyn Mayor and IVB Chairman Michael O'Connor.

"This is business-as-usual for the DCOB. They think they are hurting the IVB; but they are really just playing games with you, the voters, the same people whose best interests we represent," Mayor O'Connor said. "While I respect Mr. Meshek's service as a veteran, it's unfortunate he would get involved with a group of people who desperately want to manipulate our democratic system in order to turn back the clock to the days of rampant cronyism and corruption here in Berwyn."

Jesse Ruben Juarez, a campaign consultant for Berwyn Democratic Committeeman Robert Lovero, is the 1st Ward Committeeman in the City of Chicago. Along with other Chicago Democrats, Mr. Juarez circulated petitions on behalf of Mr. Meshek, who is a registered Republican. A review of DCOB's candidate petition filings indicate that many of its candidate petitions were also circulated by people who live in Chicago and other communities outside of Berwyn.

"We've seen where dirty, Chicago-style politics has landed people like Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Voters are sick and tired of it. I personally expect better from my opponents. But the IVB and I also know that the voters will see through the tricks and vote for independent-minded IVB candidates, who are wholly committed to accountable government that improves the quality of life for the people of Berwyn," Mayor O'Connor said.

The IVB slate includes 17 candidates for the City of Berwyn and Berwyn Township. Officials from the IVB filed candidate petitions that included more than 3,000 signatures on Monday, Dec. 8, the first day of the campaign filing period.

Mayor O'Connor said the IVB is determined to keep Berwyn on the right track: "Our campaign is already up and running, and we won't take our foot off the gas until April 8, the day after the General Election. We intend to show people that Berwyn stands for ethical reform and good government and that there's no room here for dirty Chicago politics," he said.

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