3 Candidates Vie for 2 Board Positions

The three candidates are Marianne Fotopoulos, Alesha Henley, and Lisa Knauf. 

On March 24, Marianne Fotopoulos and Alesha Henley appeared on "Meet the Candidates," sponsored by the Addison Chamber of Commerce. Lisa Knauf had a prior commitment and could not attend. You can watch "Meet the Candidates" online. An article about the candidates appeared in the Daily Herald. The article lists the terms as two four-year terms; however, the terms are actually six years.

The candidates were asked to provide information about themselves. In their own words:
 

Marianne Fotopoulos

My name is Marianne Fotopoulos, I have lived in Addison for 31 years with my husband, Mike, and we have been blessed with two sons, Michael and David. With the help of my family I have served the community for 10 years as a member of the Plan Commission, as well as being a Charter member of the Women's Club of Addison and Village of Addison Sister Cities. Being recognized by AAUW with The Woman of Distinction Award in 2005 and by IASA in 2002 for my contributions to the children of DuPage County. While the boys were at Stone School and Indian Trail, I was very active in fundraising for the PTA. As they moved on to Addison Trail, my time and talents went to raising funds for the Music and Theatre Boosters. Over the years while raising a family, I owned a basket business called Holiday Saks Inc. where many gave me the nickname of "The Basket Lady." I helped such groups as the St Philip's Fashion Show, Mayor Community Charity Ball and any organization that asked as well as The Library Gala in Sept.'08.

I am running for Library Trustee, because I feel my talents of running a business and my involvement in the Community will help Keep this Beautiful New Library at its best for many years to come. I am grateful for the time our young sons spent at the Library and all the wonderful programs that taught them the joy of reading. They both had the benefit of graduating from The University of Notre Dame and still read all the time. I am proud of that, and I thank the many who helped them while they were growing up here in Addison, and I would like to be a part of that for our Children in the Community, and I hope that I can get involved in the Adult programs as well.

I have always made a strong commitment to any group I have volunteered for and have put my heart into working hard for that group. I hope I can do the same for the Library. 
 

Alesha Henley

I would like to be a member of the Addison Public Library Board of Trustees because I have a genuine interest in the success of the library. I am an avid user of library services and I am dedicated to helping provide needed programs to the village of Addison.

I first expressed an interest having an active role in the library in 2004, when I applied to be appointed to a vacant position on the Board of Trustees. I was not selected to be a part of the board at that time. I did take the opportunity to become a part of the Library Advisory Council (LAC) in 2006. As a part of the LAC, I helped coordinate the ground breaking ceremony, the grand opening ceremony and became the chairperson for the corporate fundraising committee. Through the committee’s efforts $3,500 was raised for the new library. I am also an inaugural member of the Friends of the Addison Public Library. 

In an effort to build on my volunteer efforts with the library, I thought I could contribute even more as a member of the Board. My 15 year background in business and MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of business would be valuable to the library’s operations, strategic direction and marketing efforts.

Lisa Knauf

My name is Lisa Knauf, and I am a candidate seeking reelection to the position I currently hold as Library Trustee on the Board of the Addison Public Library. I have am a lifelong Addison resident, attended St Philip the Apostle School and Driscoll Catholic High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marquette University. I have two children and we are avid readers and frequent patrons of the Addison Public Library. As a current Board member, I was actively involved in the project to plan and build the beautiful new library building, which opened in July 2008. The new Library is more than twice the size of the old building, was built without an increase in taxes, and completed on time and under budget. It is a great asset to the community and the ever-increasing number of people using it is evidence that Addison residents are enjoying its many amenities.

I believe that a democratic society is based in part on the ability of its citizens to freely access information of all kinds. Public libraries serve a vital role in providing that access to all citizens, regardless of their color, gender, religion or economic status. Libraries are no longer just quiet places full of books. They are vibrant community gathering and meeting places, sometimes noisy places with computers, games, movies, songs and, yes, books of many types and in a variety of languages. I am proud of the service I have provided to the Addison community and hope to have the opportunity to serve another term as Library Trustee for the Addison Public Library.
 

Tuesday, April 7, is Election Day. Please vote.