Elect Laura

Time to Vote.  Election day is Tuesday, April 7th.  Good government starts at the local level and DOES make a difference.

I write to you today as your neighbor and local Maine Township trustee. Together with my husband and two teen-age boys, I have lived in Park Ridge for over twenty years. I have been very active in community, civic, school, and charitable groups in our town because I care deeply about the future of our community.

For example, just a few days ago we held our twice-annual Anti-Gang Educational Forum, our sixth.  To put this on, I conduct a massive outreach to all of our educators, law enforcement, parents, and local leaders to come together and share updates on existing gangs and new trends.  We also cover strategies to help parents with at-risk youth or youth that want to sever existing gang ties.  Four years ago, I saw a need and began presenting as the featured speaker, working with local agencies and our own township to be a resource all on volunteer time.

We are the only government in recent times that has consistently lived within our means and actually reduced our budget while improving services to the communities we serve. I have proved myself for eight years as a trustee, consistently keeping a tight rein on your tax dollars while creating innovative programs that directly serve you, the community.

• Local politics means your neighbor, like me who works hard in the community
• Local politics means, your vote DOES count – Vote Laura Morask – #91
• Local politics means, voting NO to the Stroger referendum, keep your taxes low, we run great services with the money we have

Vote for the best record of fiscal responsibility and responsible use of your tax dollars.  

Punch #91 for Trustee Laura J. Morask on April 7th

Please forward this to your friends and neighbors, including newly minted 18 year old voters.

Just some thoughts  on recent events, views, forums and chatter. 

I hope all of you are aware by now there is yet another election!  And this one matters.  A lot. We are at a critical point in our state and local history and it is up to each and every one of you to put your vote to work.

Tired of ever increasing taxes that tax you out of existence?

Put Todd Stroger on a Tax Diet and vote No on the upcoming referendum on the ballot of many townships, including Maine Township.

Vote for the best record of fiscal responsibility and responsible use of your tax dollars. At Maine Township, we take less than 2 cents of your tax dollar and take care of the road district, run an award winning senior program and an award winning youth and family services program.  We hold instructive seminars like the upcoming one I am hosting, our bi-annual anti-gang seminar.

People are extremely upset with state and county tax rates and corruption yet they keep voting in the same old people that raised your taxes and hired their relatives the last go-around. BREAK the cycle!

Voters are tired.  

• Tired of the never ending bad news.
• Tired of the hysteria on TV every moment of every day.
• Tired of twitter.
• Tired of traffic gridlock.
• Tired of corruption.

WHAT TO DO?

Vote for Laura Morask Maine Township Trustee - Punch #91

Get out and Vote!!!

Early voting is now until April 2nd and makes it so easy there is just no excuse. Nor is the rationale that your vote won’t make a difference. Then you can’t complain when things aren’t the way you want them.

Who else to vote for?

You want responsible citizens who want to serve the public not to gain power or enrich their coffers but to make a difference. And with today’s cynicism, no one believes such people are out there, BUT THEY ARE.  A perfect example is the current race for Maine Township School Board District 207, encompassing Maine South, East and West, three award winning schools that have placed in top two of Best High Schools in the country in US NEWS and World Report.

People hear “school board” and think Big Yawn but it is a crucial  election for a thankless volunteer job that garners huge benefits not just for those with children in the community but everyone else who shares in the increase in property value of their homes when their hometown has one of the top high schools academically and athletically in the country. In this upcoming school board race-6 people are running for 4 spots and really folks, there is no pay, and tons of work these folks do for us.

The shining star candidate is Eric Leys who first ran for the board eight years ago as a 21 year old. Imagine that. He was the youngest candidate ever for school board and when I met him, I was genuinely impressed with his incredible maturity, business acumen and vision for the future that I have voted for him ever since. Eric went on to win another term, as well as a term as the youngest school board president ever.

Eric was instrumental in finally resolving the longstanding negotiations with teachers last year that threatened to cause a walk-out and cancellation of high school graduation and shut down the school. Eric is endorsed by the Daily Herald and is proposing merit pay for teachers, an idea that sounds so common sense you probably think  ”Oh, we must already have that, whats so novel?” Yet we don’t. The education and socialization of our youth is literally the future of our country but we don’t pay based on whether you do a good job teaching or not?  If that sounds nuts to you, (somewhat like whats happening on a national level!) Vote for Eric Leys, if you live in Park Ridge, Niles, Rosemont, Des Plaines, or an unincorporated area.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

Now -April 2nd - Early voting at your town or village hall. Mon-Sat. (Call specific one for hours)
April 1st, 7:00PM – Anti Gang Seminar hosted by Laura Morask at Maine Township Hall, 1710 Ballard Rd. PR-847-297-2510 for info.
April 7th – Election Day! VOTE and vote for your Township Team of responsible, dedicated and experienced officials. PUNCH # 91 for Laura Morask.
For District 207 School Board, Vote Eric Leys! PUNCH#206 –  To learn more visit www.ericleys.com and don’t forget to visit www.mainetownshipincumbents2009.com

JOIN Us Thursday, May 29th as Laura Kicks off her campaign with a plea for a bigger cause!
Committee to Elect Laura Morask is taking the lead in the race to eradicate breast cancer. In addition to our April and May online donations, we are hosting a gala Kickoff the Campaign Fundraiser at Club Casa on Thursday, May 29th, 6PM-8:30PM, cocktails, hor d’ouevres, raffles, guest speakers and the appearance of Team Cosmonaut pictured above. Tickets are available either through the Host Comittee or you can buy at the door. Suggested donation is $100.00, of which 10 % of all proceeds from this fundraiser will be contributed to sponsor Team Cosmonaut, a team of breast cancer survivors, family and friends that are all based in the Maine and Northwest Township areas. They have the distinction of being the highest ranked team in the Chicago Avon Walk! www.AvonWalk.org Please join us to show your support for Laura and the Avon Walk at the same time!

Laura will put her 20 year experience serving the public as a Prosecutor and six year experience as a Maine Township Trustee to use once again serving the local community by presenting a Gang Awareness and Prevention Strategies Seminar at Maine Township Town Hall on April 23rd from 7-9:00 PM. This seminar is hosted by Mainestay Youth and Family Services Department and is open to all. Laura will teach our parents, schools, and communities what type of risk factors, behaviors and clothing to watch for in preventing and combatting gang crime behavior. Laura will also focus on prevention strategies used sucessfully by some of our local police departments in combatting “quality of life” type crimes. Laura’s presentation has been featured in the Pioneer Press both online and in Niles, Park Ridge and Des Plaines: www.pioneerlocal.com/niles/news.

Morask thanks supporters

originally in the Park Ridge Herald Advocate on March 6, 2008

To my friends, family, colleagues and voters: Words alone cannot adequately express my thanks for your show of support not only at the polls on election day but throughout the long hard road of the last six months. This was truly a grassroots, friend-to-friend, helping hands campaign that demonstrated a unity of purpose that is much needed in this era of divisive and bitter politics. To everyone who helped spread the word that qualifications, experience, and ideals are what matter to the vast majority of the American people, I sincerely thank you…

One of the most amazing things I saw throughout these months was the willingness of people I did not yet know personally to reach out, to tell me they believed in my dream and goal of electing a qualified and experienced judiciary and to then offer their time, their name, and their hard-earned money to invest in that dream…

I want to thank most of all my husband Dean and my two teenagers Alex and Jake…

Finally, I would like to congratulate all who participated as candidates in these elections, whether winners or losers and all who came out to vote! I am a firm believer that a person has no business complaining about the status of the country, the courts, or their community if they do not participate in the American process.

Laura J. Morask, Park Ridge, Judicial Candidate, 12th Subcircuit

We Did it! Thanks to all of you, we did it!

With a campaign built on grass roots, word of mouth, overwhelming support from friends, family, colleagues, organizations and hard work — We won the primary!

By we I do mean We — all of you. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the well wishes and congratulations I have received since starting this campaign through the win in the primary election. I am also inspired by the energy of the voters to march on together to the November election. Together I know we can fight the good battle to put a highly qualified, overwhelmingly endorsed candidate as the Judge on your bench!

You all have truly participated in the process and we are half way to “Putting Laura on the Bench.” To my friends and family who are a daily inspiration, to the people I met and deep friendships I formed on the campaign trail, it has been the most amazing, indescribable experience.

The committee is already in the midst of planning, and we need your help. See how you can get involved.

Thank you all again.

Laura

Upcoming Events

More details will follow on these Kick-Off Events

“Kick off for Laura”
Join us at Arlington Racetrack to celebrate Derby Day
Details coming soon

“Swing into Summer”
A BBQ at Laura’s home in Park Ridge
Details coming soon

Can I do something today?

Email or call with ideas to this list:

Ideas for future fundraisers or parties
Host an event
Host a coffee
Venues to hold events
Volunteers are needed for easy things like email and management.

Contact us with an email to: laura [at] electlaura [dot] net

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 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.

As a six-year incumbent Maine Township Trustee, I was quite honored when the Maine Township Supervisor asked me to fill her shoes and lead off the annual Niles-Park Ridge CROP Walk for Hunger. I have always been very supportive of the work done by the Maine Township Food Pantry in serving underprivileged or disadvantaged people of the township. I was equally impressed by the hard work and dedication of the people that turned out for the Niles-Park Ridge CROP Walk For Hunger, particularly their coordinator, Lynda Santrella who then donated a percentage of the days’ proceeds to our food pantry.

Therefore, that day when I awoke I was dismayed by the unbelievably terrible weather. The previous day had been a beautiful sunny early October day and Sunday, October 14th dawned a blustery, cold, rainy, and gloomy day. I was dismayed because I thought the walk would have to be canceled or the turnout greatly reduced. I was therefore really impressed when I arrived at the staging area a half-hour before kick-off time and it was mobbed. This group is really dedicated. And, as luck and karma would have it by the time I had the honor of speaking some short opening remarks of thanks to the group on behalf of Maine Township, the rain had stopped and the sun was breaking through.

I wish to thank the CROP Walk for their huge donation of $6,250.00. to the Maine Township Food Pantry. A perfectly timed donation which will help replenish the food from Thanksgiving baskets so that our pantry can now do our annual Christmas Baskets of food and necessties. Recently, I received a letter of thanks from Lynda Santrella which was so nice I wanted to share it.

Dear Trustee Morask,
I cannot thank you enough for your part in this year’s Niles-Park Ridge Crop Hunger Walk on that rainy-sunny-beautiful spirited Sunday Oct. 14th.
Your comments and presence were very sincere and added an “official” special touch to the event.
It appears that we will have no problem reaching our goal of $25,000, therefore being able to donate at least $6,250.00 to the Maine Township Emergency Food Pantry.
I have enclosed some pictures that I thought your would enjoy.
I wish you great success in your endeavors.”

Gratefully,

Lynda Sandra Santrella
Coordinator

I have for fifteen years been privileged enough to be an honorary Marine as for many of those years I and some others organized and helped run the annual Marine Corp Birthday Party held for thirty years at 26th and California and attended by State’s Attorneys, Public Defenders, Judges, current and former, Police officers as well as building personnel at 26th and California who had been with the Marines. This year the party is being held at Chicago Sports Bar and Grill at 4335 W. 47th Street from 5:00 PM- 9:00PM . Everyone is welcome to come say Happy Birthday, sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and watch the oldest marine and the youngest marine share cake-cutting duties with the Marine sword. Semper Fi!

Judge Ken Wadas, longtime Judge, former prosecutor and defense attorney and organizer of this event for thirty years reading the annual letter from a Marine right before we sing Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Police Officer Eddie May, a highly decorated 11th district police officer and marine attending the Marine Corp Birthday celebration.

Join us for cake!