Oost Seeking To Be Elected As A Mokena Trustee This April

Mokena IL

08 February, 2021

1:01 PM

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By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. — Julie Musselman Oost, a Mokena resident since 1979, is seeking to be elected to the Village of Mokena Board of Trustees this April. Oost, 49, a graduate of Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, is running for one of the three open Village trustee positions. A first-time candidate, Oost said she has always wanted to get involved with government during an interview with Richard Free Press on Tuesday, Feb. 2. "I didn't like the direction things were going," Oost said of her reason for seeking office. "We need to involve the community in the business of Mokena. This is not a Village that is run by a small group of people who know what is best for everyone. We need to be transparent and connect the community and tell them what's going on." Oost said that as she tried to offer input on concerns, she was met with roadblocks. "It felt like there was only a select group of people who were ever allowed at the table and knew what was best for everyone," she said. "It just got to a time where I sat down with my whole family and said, 'What can we do about this?' And we decided that we wanted to run to try to get in there and help — and let people feel like they are being heard." Giving the residents a voice in their government is an area of focus for Oost. "I want to connect with people, and I want them to know that I care," she said. Another policy goal would be improving the Village's social media presence. "That's the way the world is working," Oost said. "With communication at your Village, you can't just rely on a paper insert or a static website that people can't feel like they can share their opinions on things." Oost also said she wants to ensure the police have what they need to be successful, while also creating stronger bonds between other governmental bodies in the area. "We should have a good relationship with the police department and see what they need," she said. "We should have a good relationship with the park district. There should be a liaison to communicate things." She also wants to help the business community thrive. "I do like the idea of trying to revamp the train station and making that a mainstay," Oost said. An idea she gave as an example to how she could help grow businesses in the downtown was to possibly allow pop-up stores on the weekends to draw foot traffic. Overall, Oost said her goal will be to engage the residents in the process. "When I talk about resident participation and seeking everybody's input, I think that goes along with when the Village creates their committees to either implement the new police department or search for a new chief of police," she said. "Things that are big decisions should include the residents in some fashion." Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.