By Greg Halbleib
BLOOMINGTON – Candidates for Normal Township supervisor agree on what the primary role should be.
During a forum at the Laborers Local 362 hall Wednesday night, Democrat challenger Sarah Grammer said the township’s main function is to serve vulnerable residents.
“Whether they be individuals who are struggling and need access to the township’s financial assistance programs, young children who need support from the township’s after school care grants, or seniors who need access to community building activities at the township’s senior center,” Grammer said.
Republican Cheryl Gaines agreed that the senior center provides a vital service.
“What it does is provide that time for people to come together, have socialization, physical activity and proper meals at noon,” Gaines said.
Gaines said she’s worked with unions to reach win-win agreements on labor contracts for several years.
“Illinois is not a right-to-work state,” Gaines said, “so collective bargaining remains a tool and a tradition for workers and employees to appreciate one another.”
Grammer stressed the importance of using local labor.
“Whether it be renovations to the activity and recreation center or township road construction projects, I’ll do my best to ensure that local workers are hired through local signatory contractors,” Grammer said. “I support collective bargaining and PLAs. I believe strongly that healthy wages make for a healthy local economy.”
Gaines is a former Normal Town Council member while Grammer says she is the first Democrat to run for the position since 1971.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
