Election 2025: Mokena Mayoral Candidate George Metanias​

MOKENA, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, and Mokena could come out of it with a new mayor.

First elected in 2013, incumbent Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer seeks a fourth term against sitting Trustee George Metanias.

The policy-making branch of the Village of Mokena includes the Village President (Mayor) and a six-person Board of Trustees. Officials are elected at large for staggered, four-year terms.

Mayor Fleischer leads his Mokena's Future slate, with trustee candidates Nick Clancy (candidate for the unexpired term), Kimberly Huelsman, and James Roberts.

Mayoral challenger and sitting Trustee George Metanias runs with his Friends of Mokena slate, with trustee candidates Daniel Gilbert, Colleen Patrick-Lenart (candidate for the unexpired term), Melissa Fedora (incumbent) and Josh Bailey. Incumbent Village Clerk Melissa Martini also joins their ticket.

Patch has provided a candidate questionnaire to both, and we're now featuring their answers in candidate profiles.

Early voting begins March 17.

Candidate:

George J. Metanias

Campaign website:

www.friendsofmokena.com

Town of residence:

Mokena

Party affiliation:

Independent

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 Electrical Contractor 30 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Mokena Village Trustee

The most pressing issues facing Mokena are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

The revitalization of our downtown business district and attracting new business development; building our commercial tax base so we can ease the tax burden on homeowners... These are two of the more pressing problems we face to insure a vibrant future for our community.

I pushed hard for a comprehensive plan and finally got it adopted. As mayor, I'll make implementation of that plan- which includes the revitalization of Mokena's downtown and making our community more business friendly- the priorities they should be. I'll be proactive in marketing Mokena to quality business investments. By attracting more businesses, we can ease the tax burden on homeowners while securing more dollars for schools, infrastructure at no cost to families.

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

Every time our current mayor seeks re-election, he makes the same promise- namely to make Mokena more attractive to business and to redevelop our downtown district. He promised this in 2013, 2017, and 2021 and he's ' promising it again this year. But what has been accomplished? What has been done? Nothing.

You7 can't wring your hands and role up your sleeves at the same time. We need leadership and business know-how- the kind that comes from being in business- to recognize what businesses are looking for, what they need and how to help them.

I owned and operated a successful contracting business for 30 years. The candidates of the Friends of Mokena Team have similar business backgrounds. Our team has pro-business acumen and spirit that comes only from doing the work.

Taking these skills and applying them to a deep, passionate commitment to help make our community succeed is the critical difference between me and my opponent.

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

Ask residents of Mokena what issues are important and they'll generally tell you that they'd like to see more quality businesses come to town; the they want an invigorated, revitalized downtown area that's family friendly; that attracts shoppers from surrounding communities- a destination spot for residents to gather. Our mayor has promise this for 12 years but what has been done? Our downtown looks the same as it did 12 years ago and Mokena has lost out on a number of quality, high-end businesses that located elsewhere. We need a mayor who'll provide the pro-active leadership to break the logjam stonewalling business development.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Property taxes are a critical concern. Village government needs to do more with less, just like Mokena families have had to do. That's why quality, commercial investment and purposeful development are so important. By enhancing our commercial and business tax base, we can secure the dollars for our schools, streets, and other infrastructure projects without increasing taxes on homeowners.

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

I'm deeply passionately committed to Mokena and its future. My wife Denise and I raised our children here and we've been homeowner for over 30 years.

I owned and operated a successful electrical contracting business for over 30 years with many employees.

But I always had time for my community. I coached baseball , softball, and varsity
Burro's football for 20 years. I'm chairman of the Electrical Commission and chairman of our Comprehensive Planning Commission, and a village trustee for 20 years.

Why should voters trust you?

Because of my 30 years in business; and in this community and the commitment I believe I've demonstrated to Mokena through m services on the village Board and my volunteer work over 20 years of coaching youth sport, mentoring kids.

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

Helping to ease the burden on taxpayers; attracting quality business to our community in order to achieve that and generally, being able to stand in front of Mokena residents at the end of my term and be able to say, I kept my pledge to help make our village a better, stronger more vibrant place for your family and mine.

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

Someone once said that the problem with government spending is, sooner or later you run out of others people's money.

This economy has come down pretty hard on all of us, forcing people to do more with less.
I believe government has a special responsibility to remember that and to do the same - to spend better and smarter not bigger. That's our special responsibility to those tax payers who have to pick up the tab.

This is why I'll begin each day with a commitment to being pro active in attracting quality businesses to Mokena - to secure the investment and dollars we need for Schools and to sustain the quality of life in our community - while easing the tax burden on homeowners.

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?

Mokena is much safer then most of the surrounding communities.
On the Village board we've made public safety the priority it should be.

For example, the Friends of Mokena team on the board worked tirelessly to build - and pay for - a new multi - million dollar, state of the art police facility at no additional cost to taxpayers. PAID FOR WITH NO NEW TAXES. Very proud of that achievement.

What is your view of the city's approach to commercial and residential development? What would you change (if anything)?

Mokena is a very desirable community in which to raise a family. Maintaining that quality of life requires a balance between purposeful development, residential expansion and sustainable family friendly, " green space".

Dedication and commitment to purposeful planning will provide critically important to our work on behalf of every family in town.

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 believe I sort of addressed this in my answer several of the previous questions. We need to try to make Mokena more business friendly - not just promise to do so year after year - but to get that done. Attracting more business isn't just about beautification, it's about easing the tax burden on homeowners.

We need to be pro-active in the revitalization of our Downtown. This will be an anchoret attracting other quality businesses.

Generally speaking, the Village needs to do more with less - spend better, not bigger - just like families have to do.

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

I intend to be a full time Mayor - addressing the issuesI've outlined here - they are important to each of us and I intend to complete my full term in office.

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

Just that I'm deeply, passionate committed to Mokena and the future of our community and that I believe that my background in business uniquely qualifies me to tackle the problems that matters most. To help formulate policies to attract business; to help implement the comprehensive plan I pushed for adoption and to finally launch the revitalization of Mokena's downtown and above all, to demonstrate - in no uncertain terms - that I am committed to be a taxpayer advocate and will never forget the special responsibility village government has to working families who pick up the tab.