In the upcoming election on April 6th, one of the contested races in the City of Monmouth is for Fourth Ward Alderman. Chad Braatz, Kevin Ferry, and John VanVleet will be featured on the ballot as candidates. Kevin Ferry is currently the music director in the Monmouth-Roseville School District at the Junior High and High School. As a candidate, Ferry explains what he would bring to Monmouth residents as Fourth Ward Alderman:
“One of my biggest things is to grow the town of Monmouth in whatever shape or form that can be. I know they have done programs in the past to encourage more businesses to come and I am not saying that they are not looking into it, but I need to learn more of that process and see what we can do to encourage entrepreneurs, to encourage larger corporations to come here. Whether it’s in manufacturing, whether it’s in retail, whatever the case may be.”
Also on the ballot is Chad Braatz. Braatz is a Monmouth College graduate, a former Fourth Grade teacher, was a member on the Prairie Hill Resource Conservation and Development Board, and the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Council. As a candidate for Fourth Ward Alderman, Braatz shares what he plans to bring to the residents if elected:
“Personally just looking for combining resources as I have done in the past to create the programs I have developed. Being experienced with working with other agencies outside of Monmouth is necessary. We cannot do it all on our own. We have to have help and that help has to come from somewhere other than town. We start the initiative, but then we have to go look for the resources.”
Early voting at the Warren County Courthouse is open to voters leading up to the April 6th election. Registered voters may report to their local polling place on Election Day or call and request a vote by mail ballot.
