Slates Firmed Up For Manhattan Election, Campaigns Get Rolling

MANHATTAN, IL — Slates are set for the April 1 local election in Manhattan, with candidates already making their cases for several key spots in government.

The mayoral role is up for contention, along with two trustee spots and the clerk's. The board will inevitably be shuffled a bit, with Trustee Ron Adamski not seeking re-election, and another trustee 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.

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, and incumbents Tom Biscan and Mike Naughton seeking trustee spots. The slate does not include a clerk candidate.

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.

Both slates are in early stages of laying out their campaigns. Early talking points center on the town's finances, the future of the downtown, and—everyone's favorite subject—property taxes.

Patch will send out candidate questionnaires in the weeks ahead. Send questions you'd like answered to lauren.traut@patch.com.

Mayor Mike Adrieansen

Adrieansen's focus on finances includes exploring a tax rebate program for the village portion of taxes and building reserves, among other bullet points. He wants to improve pedestrian safety along Route 52, continue to grow communication between police and the public, pursue accreditation for the police department, and increase truck enforcement.

In the area of infrastructure, he would aim to acquire grant funding for village projects, develop a street resurfacing program, replace and upgrade older water mains, and construct a new water tower.

Adrieansen would seek to continue the growth of the downtown, working to attract local businesses to reduce reliance on property taxes. He hopes to continue improving the downtown, with residents' input, and pursue development of a senior living facility.

He wants to finalize border agreements with neighboring communities, expand the trail network, establish a Historic Preservation Committee and beef up family events.

A complete look at his mayoral goals, as well as biographies for each candidate on his slate can be found on his campaign website.

You can also find Adrieansen's campaign on social media.

The slate will host a Meet the Candidates fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Midtown Bar and Grill.

Challenger Dave Beemsterboer

Trustee Beemsterboer's mayoral agenda highlights focus largely on government function and procedures, in addition to downtown beautification efforts.

He would improve transparency, his website states, and "empower the Board by giving them all information in a timely manner."

He wants to aggressively fight NorthPoint, and "protect village borders by working hard to extend the border agreement with Joliet." He would also seek to freeze or lower the “dollar amount” of the Village portion of property taxes for at least two years.

He plans to meet with landowners to plan for new economic development moving forward. He'd continue efforts to beautify the downtown, as well as complete the southern section of Eastern Avenue.

Honing in on the board's way of doing things, Beemsterboer says he'll assign elected trustees to committee chairmanships, hire a human resource firm to handle payroll and handle staff issues, and pay the Village's bills on time.

He also hopes to "fix the comprehensive plan."

A complete look at his mayoral goals, as well as biographies for each candidate on his slate can be found on his campaign website.

You can also find Beemsterboer's campaign on social media.

The slate will hold a candidate Meet & Greet Saturday, Feb. 15, at Peaceful Grounds Coffee Company.