Chamber Of Commerce Director Melissa Fedora Running For Village Board

Mokena IL

11 February, 2021

2:32 PM

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By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. — Melissa Fedora, the executive director of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, is throwing her hat into the ring as she seeks to be elected to the Village of Mokena Board of Trustees this April. Fedora, 38, a first-time candidate, is running for one of the three open Village trustee seats. She is part of the Friends of Mokena slate that includes current board members Mayor Frank Fleischer, Village Clerk Melissa Martini and Trustee George Metanias – as well as fellow newcomer Rob Dauphinais, who is also running for trustee. "I feel strongly about giving back to the village [and] about helping build a strong, vibrant future for every Mokena family," Fedora said in an interview with Richard Free Press on Wednesday, Feb. 3. "I see this as an opportunity to make a positive contribution toward that goal." Fedora also said she feels her time with the Mokena Chamber of Commerce will help her if elected to the Village Board. "I believe that my experience dating back to 2009 as executive director of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce uniquely qualifies me to serve on the Village Board — drawing from my professional experience to help attract new businesses and enhance those businesses already here," she said. Fedora said she decided to run for trustee because it was crucial to her that the businesses in the community receive the support they need in the coming months and years ahead as Mokena recovers from the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. "With my role at the chamber of commerce, I am all too familiar with the burdens that have been put on our business community in 2020," Fedora said. "They would benefit from a strong advocate and someone that understands the intricacies of what they have faced — and what is likely still to come. "One of the important reasons that our businesses are crucial to the success of our Village is because they keep our residential property tax base low. And looking to new businesses opening in the future, we have seen firsthand how important it is to have a diverse base of businesses, so the Village can be best positioned to be recession-proof. "I also want to continue to build off what has been done before me. I believe a great deal has already been accomplished for the taxpayers of the Village." If elected, Fedora said she is committed to building an "exciting, vibrant and beautiful" downtown area. "One which attracts a variety of businesses and that offers purposeful, planned residential opportunities," Fedora said. "I made the choice to purchase my home in the downtown to raise my son there. And I led the charge to relocate the chamber office to Front Street in 2019 to have a centralized presence for our member businesses in the heart of our town. I believe that my professional experience and love of Mokena will help me make a focused, positive contribution to initiating and advancing these goals." Fedora also said she wants to continue improving the Village's infrastructure, advance public safety goals, and find the best ways to use technology to communicate with residents and businesses. "I am strongly passionate about building on our past successes to make Mokena the best place to live, work, shop and play," Fedora said. "Personally, I want that not only for myself but also for the next generation as I raise my son here. Through my years at the chamber, I've worked alongside so many people that selflessly volunteer their time and resources to help us successfully put on our large community events, such as the Fourth of July Parade, the Parade of Lights on Front Street, the Community Business Expo, the Mokena Garden Walk, Photos with Santa and the Parade of Trees, and the former Food, Wine and Brew Festival. I am proud to do my part volunteering, and I serve on the board for the Mokena Community Park District Foundation. Since March 2020, I have been the call-taker for the nonprofit community organization Mokena Strong, which helps residents with needs they may have during this time of COVID-19. "Of all the towns, cities, or villages to raise my son, I chose Mokena because I know this is the best place to live. I hope I can give back to the community that means so much to me by serving as a trustee on the Mokena Village Board." Subscribe 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.