The JPF Board elections will be held at the annual meeting on Thursday, September 21. This year, the following Board seats are up for election:
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Three (3) at-large Board seats
Per Section 3.3 of the JPF Bylaws, only Regular Members in current standing may be eligible to vote in JPF elections. If you have an expired membership has lapsed, please renew your membership to be eligible to vote.
Below are brief bios for each of the candidates running:
Vice President (choose 1)
Rolando Rodriguez (incumbent)
Bio
- Lived in Jefferson Park for 6 years
- Co-Founder, Vice-President, Jefferson Park Forward
- Chair, JPF Social Committee
- Member, JPF Bylaws Committee
- Volunteer, Jefferson Park Sunday Market
- Volunteer, Jeff Fest Planning Committee
Statement of Interest
Along with a group of like-minded individuals I helped found this group with the belief that we, as a community, have a hand in making it better and want to see JP achieve its currently dormant potential. I believe that we are responsible for being the change we want to see.
Secretary (choose 1)
Marie MacDonald (incumbent)
Bio
- Lived in Jefferson Park for 5 years
- Co-Founder, Secretary, Jefferson Park Forward
- Co-Chair, JPF Livability & Attractiveness Committee
- Member, JPF Bylaws Committee
Statement of Interest
I, like many other residents, have their life savings invested here, their homes in Jefferson Park. I want a friendly vibrant community where we can go to ice cream shops, coffee shops, sidewalk cafes, parks, theaters, nice bars and restaurants and retail. We want a place that when we invite friends and family we are proud of; and want to share the Jefferson Park experience with them. I have no political affiliations or aspirations. The best adjective people who know me would use to describe me would be pragmatic. My goal is working towards a better Jefferson Park for all.
Directors (choose 3)
Ozden Esme
Bio
- Lived in Jefferson Park since 1990
- Member, JPF Social Committee
- Volunteer, Neighbors for Affordable Housing in Jefferson Park
Statement of Interest
My hope for the neighborhood is that JPF will be able to lead the effort in supporting existing and encouraging new economic development, which will spur walkability and engagement with other neighbors and business owners. I am like-minded in the JPF goals of encouraging transit-oriented development, increasing the beauty of our downtown area, and voicing our neighbors concerns with our elected officials. I look forward to supporting the burgeoning arts scene here. Plus, I really like everyone in JPF. It makes me happy to be a part of such a great group of people doing awesome things for our neighborhood.
Doug Grom (incumbent)
Bio
- Lived in Jefferson Park for 6 years
- Director, Jefferson Park Forward
- Co-Chair, JPF Livability & Attractiveness Committee
- Member, JPF Bylaws Committee
- Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
- Member, Evans Scholars Leadership Council
Statement of Interest
I have served on the JPF Board for approximately fifteen months. There have been many accomplishments since the creation of JPF and I know we can accomplish much more. I want to continue to be a part of that effort. I participated in the drafting of the JPF Bylaws, and I regularly participate on the Livability & Attractiveness Committee. Over the next two years, I want to continue our beautification efforts of Jefferson Park. Jefferson Park is an awesome community and I am encouraged by the work of all JPF members to improve Jefferson Park.
Bella Ventresca
Bio
- Lived in Jefferson Park for 5 years
- Member, JPF Restaurant Crawl Committee
- Traveled the world in the fashion industry and as a whisky specialist
Statement of Interest
As a homeowner and member of the Jefferson Park/Portage Park community, I have a vested interest and want what is best for our neighborhood. I plan to live and raise my family in Jefferson Park, and hope that by working with Jefferson Park Forward, I will be able to make a beneficial impact on our beautiful community. I feel that I would make a positive addition to the Jefferson Park forward Board because while I may have slightly more conservative views than some of the other members, I am able to listen, rationalize, and respect other’s opinions about our community and then act in a way that is in the best interest of our neighborhood. As a member of the Jefferson Park Forward Board of Directors, I hope to bring a fresh, alternative view committed to local growth and community improvement.
Sam Wertime
Bio
- Lived in Jefferson Park for 10 years
- Chair, JPF Fundraising & Services Committee
- Member, JPF Bylaws Committee
Statement of Interest
I fully believe in the vision of Jefferson Park Forward of a vibrant, open-minded community that embraces the arts and smart growth and development. Having lived in Jefferson Park, I can see that change is coming; it is not a question of if, but when. The dynamics and demographics of this neighborhood are changing, and now more than ever, Jefferson Park Forward is needed to guide and foster the inevitable change.