Elect Laura

It takes hearty souls to brave the elements, especially ones who are volunteers during the holiday season. That’s what we did at two Park Ridge Jewel Food Stores on Saturday (December 22) as the Maine Township Emergency Food Pantry collected food and cash donations to support needy persons living in Maine Township.

Here’s a little interactive slideshow of our fun time.

Now in its 26th year, the Maine Township Emergency Food Pantry operates throughout the year, accepting food from individuals and businesses, and organizations such as churches, schools, and scout programs. Monetary and/or food donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Maine Township Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge.

Thank you Jewel food store patrons and volunteers; your generosity will feed the needy in Maine Township.

It was an honor to be a part of such a worthwhile endeavor.

I am truly thankful and overwhelmed for everyone’s support and help. I am also strongly encouraged as a Republican to see the party base energized and leaders leading the charge to seat local, statewide and nationally qualified candidates, especially those who braved this record setting Chicago weather to do so.

In keeping with this year’s grand tradition, the Elk Grove Township’s Christmas Party will be met with WGN-TV’s meteorologist Tom Skilling’s Weather forecast, promising to bring record setting cold temperatures atop one of the earliest December accumulated snowfall totals.  I know all these events are packed because we are Republican Strong!

I have been warmly greeted at each reception and received wholehearted support in my endeavor to become the Circuit Court Judge of the 12th Judicial Subcircuit. This has included hundreds of local precinct workers, business people, citizens, and volunteers to local, state and national officeholders; Republican Committeemen, Mayors, Township officials and Trustees, and other candidates. Believing in my qualifications and experience, and enthusiasm and energy as a candidate they pledged their personal support.

Each party I have attended features good food, drink, and lively festivities…and an ice storm. Twenty-fours hours of relentless rain followed by another ice storm, snow, sleet, and wind. The Maine Township Republican Women joined forces with the Republican Women of Park Ridge to put on a lovely affair at the Park Ridge Country Club featuring retired Maine East High School Teacher Dr. Paul Carlson and numerous dignitaries and candidates. We had a lovely view onto the country club grounds as the snow fell fast and furiously. Three hours later, at the conclusion of the memorable event, people were digging their cars out from under five inches of snow.

The outpouring has ranged from my home base – the Maine Township Republican Women, and the Republican Women of Park Ridge - to attendees of Township Christmas parties - the Wheeling Township Regular Republican Organization in Arlington Heights, and New Trier and Northfield Townships in Winnetka on December 13 – as well as individual house parties held to support national Republican Candidates such as Mark Kirk held at a private home in Long Grove, last Saturday. Hundreds of people drove through a blinding snowstorm and closed roads to show their support for their Republican candidate!

Over the past several months on the campaign trail I had the privilege of attending numerous events in support of local and national Republican organizations. Two things that struck me - during each event there was some sort of major weather crisis, yet overflowing crowds attended.  It proved to me once again that Republicans are a hardy group who share a fundamental principal of personal responsibility for getting their candidates elected as well as being extremely energized in this election to unify and elect solid Republican Candidates.  I was also struck by the warm and personal welcomes I received from each group.

I have lived in Park Ridge the last 19 years, contributed to both the Park Ridge community, Maine Township as Township Trustee since 2001, and supported Republican candidates in their efforts to win election to a variety of positions throughout the State of Illinois.

Now, being a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in the 12th Subcircuit, I was thrilled and heartened Thursday, Friday and over the weekend by virtually unanimous support of local precinct captains, campaign workers, and fellow office seekers throughout the area who personally endorsed me.

Some of those pledging their support include:

• Maine Township Supervisor Carol Teschky
• Township Clerk Gary Warner
• Township Assessor Tom Rueckert
• Township Collector and longtime Des Plaines resident and Hellenic Community Leader, Peter Gialamas
• Township Trustee Susie Moylan Krey
• Township Trustee Walter Kazmierciak
• Township Trustee Susie Moylan-Krey
• Highway Commissioner Robert Provenzano
• The Honorable Ruth O’Connell-Trustee, Wheeling Township Board OF Trustees
• Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia
• Josh Wessell

I continued gaining support and endorsements from the Maine Township Republican Organization. I saw many of them on Thursday Dec. 13th when I attended the meeting and Christmas party, where I donated a shrimp platter and champagne punch replenishments. I was overwhelmed by their kinds words and support. It is true what they say, what goes around comes around.

Maine Township Regular Republican Organization (MTRRO) - members:

• Maine Township Republican Committeeman Mark Thompson
• Former MTTRO 1st Vice President and Election Judge Coordinator Jean Dietsch
• Deputy Committeewoman and longtime Des Plaines community activist Mary Rohde
• MTTRO fundraising Chair Bob Babowice
• Former State Senator for the 33rd District and current Elk Grove Township Cheryl Axley
• Numerous other leaders and volunteers from the New Trier, Elk Grove, and Northfield Township organizations

They are all formally placing their trust in me with an personal endorsement as the best person to fill the judicial seat. They pledged to help me win the February 5, 2008 primary and the November 4 general election.