Election 2025: Manhattan Mayoral Candidate David Beemsterboer

MANHATTAN, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, with Manhattan's mayor making a push for a second term and going up against a longtime trustee.

Mayor Mike Adrieansen heads up a slate with current trustee Justin Young and joined by newcomers Jennifer Bahena and Clint Boone for trustee, and Becky Bouck for clerk. Their slate is not named.

On slate "Manhattan First," current trustee Dave Beemsterboer tops the ticket in his bid for mayor, with new face Paula Gibbs, former trustees Mike Naughton and Tom Biscan seeking trustee spots. The slate does not include a clerk candidate.

Heather Falkenthal is also listed as a candidate on the Will County Clerk website.

The board will inevitably be shuffled a bit, with Trustee Ron Adamski not seeking re-election, and Beemsterboer forgoing his seat to for a shot at the mayoral one. Those elected will join trustees Tom Doyle, Lucinda Neighbors and Bob Dilling, whose terms expire in May 2027.

Patch provided candidate questionnaires, with answers now published in candidate profiles.

Early voting begins March 17.

Candidate:

David L. Beemsterboer

Campaign website:

Manhattan First

Office sought:

Mayor

Town/City of Residence:

Manhattan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Retired USW Local 17u Decorator's Union 35+ years

Previous or current elected or appointed office.

Manhattan Village Trustee for the past 24 years

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

I feel the most pressing issue we face is the border agreement with the City of Joliet which expires in 2026 and Northpoint planning on building on our side of the current border agreement area. I will work tirelessly to get a border agreement between Manhattan and Joliet. I will also work with the land owners who border that area to annex to the Village of Manhattan to shore up our west side.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a public servant and not a politician. Unlike my opponent, I am not taking campaign donations from vendors who do business with the Village and am not taking campaign donations from unions who support the Northpoint project. My campaign is self funded.

I will work with ALL Village Trustees and ALL Village Staff and not just a select few. I will enforce the current Village ordinance to bring back Trustee Committees.

Some may want you to believe that an individual Trustee can direct staff and consultants. This is untrue. Staff and consultants can only be directed by the Mayor, Village Administrator or a majority vote by the Village Board. I have never acted as an individual in this capacity.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

My opponent has done nothing in the past 4 years to negotiate and extended the border agreement with Joliet and only just recently got involved in the fight against Northpoint. His management style has torn the Village staff apart. We are currently on our third Village Administrator, third Police Chief and a whole new Finance Department which is in total disarray. Our new finance team is working hard to fix it. The Mayor's priorities are not on day-to-day operations and he refuses to work with many employees from previous administrations. I will work hard to repair the moral at the Village Hall.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will freeze or lower the dollar amount of the Village's portion of the tax levy for 2 years. I will engage all Village Trustees by bringing back the committee assignments that we should have by ordinance that the current Mayor refuses to implement. I will govern with true transparency and not a brick wall. I will give Trustees ALL information in a timely manner so they can make an educated, unhurried decision.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience as a Village Trustee for the past 24 years, and my ability to work with all other government entities, has allowed me to secure $50 million in grants for various projects in Manhattan such as the Metra, Round Barn Farm and many street and infrastructure improvements. I have been instrumental in attracting many businesses into the Village. I work well behind the scenes for the betterment of the Village while never asking for the spotlight.

Why should voters trust you?

I have been an elected public servant for the past 24 years and feel that the voters who put me in office year after year can continue to trust me. Unlike my opponent and his Trustee slate, I volunteered to sign The Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

My biggest priority will be shoring up our borders and keeping taxes as low as possible.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am a very fiscally conservative person and will do everything within my power to spend the taxpayers' money wisely and efficiently.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

My experience as the Public Safety Committee Chairman helped make the Village of Manhattan one of the safest Villages in the State. I will continue to work hard with the Police Department to continue to enforce our strict semi guidelines.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

For commercial development, the current administration travels to Las Vegas ISCC convention with no results and no reports. As for residential development, I have worked to strengthen our residential building codes to ensure that new developments build quality homes and will continue to do so.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

I feel that the residents want and need commercial development that will not only fulfill their needs, but lower their taxes at the same time. I will engage with all commercial landowners to work with the Village on a cohesive marketing strategy that works for everyone to achieve this goal.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a public servant and not a politician. I will continue to do what is best for the Village of Manhattan as a whole and not just a few select groups. I have been on this Village Board for the past 24 years and have been a part of all achievements past and present. I am endorsed by 6 of the last 8 Village Trustees who have been elected to serve under the current Mayor. The only endorsement that counts is from you, the voters