McMichael: I Won’t Debate Noak

Ex-Bear says he won’t take part in community debates prior to the April 2013 election.

After Steve “Mongo” McMichael missed a candidates’ forum at a Romeoville senior community, Mayor John Noak is reasserting his willingness to debate his opponent in the weeks leading up to the April 9 election. But the former Chicago Bear doesn’t seem eager to engage his political foe. Last week, McMichael told CBS he has no intention of debating Noak. “You know if I choose to debate this guy, every media outlet is going to be there,” McMichael said, adding, “Why am I going to give him that exposure?” McMichael previously told Patch his campaign was considering a fact-based debate, but did not accept an invitation to a March 28 candidate event sponsored by the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce. Read: Chamber Hosts Debate for Trustee, …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: McMichael Should Debate, Let Voters Decide

A resident sounds off on the mayoral race between John Noak and Steve McMichael.

Ref: Monday, March 11th Herald-News "Pulse" article regarding the mayoral debates: Perhaps what Steve McMichael meant to say instead of “a debate would be 'boring' and unfair” was that it would be extremely embarrassing because it would demonstrate just how totally unqualified he is to expect to head the government of any village. He has absolutely "zero" experience!  There was an adage back when I was a kid that read: “Crawl before you walk and walk before you run.” Shortly after he moves into town (into a rented apartment) he announces he is going to run for mayor to makes the schools better for his child. Does he not know that schools are governed by school districts which are completely separate from local governments and mayors have …

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Judy Gross

12:15 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013

David...I was unaware that Mr.McMichaels owned any bar! It was my understanding that he was the titular face of the establishment without the responsibility of ownership!   more ›

Romeoville Elections: Chamber Hosts Debate for Trustee, Mayoral Candidates

Event is set for Thursday, March 28.

Residents will get the chance to hear directly from Romeoville trustee and mayoral candidates during a March 28 debate at Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the debate will begin at 7 p.m. The event is hosted by the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce. Scott Slocum of WJOL will be moderating, and a panel of local reporters will be asking the questions. All six Romeoville trustee candidates have confirmed they will be attending the event, according to Anthony Hamilton of the Romeoville Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee. Mayor John Noak has also signed on for the debate, but his opponent had not yet responded, Hamilton said Monday. Click here to see who's running Last week, Noak …

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Romeoville Mayor Challenges Opponent McMichael to a Debate

John Noak took to the airwaves this week to invite the former Chicago Bear to a face-to-face debate.

Noak Challenges McMichael to Debate

Romeoville mayoral candidates have been sparring in the media; now the incumbent is asking for a face-to-face debate.

Romeoville Mayor John Noak took to the airwaves Wednesday to challenge opponent Steve "Mongo" McMichael to a debate. The two mayoral candidates have been engaged in a somewhat heated battle leading up to the April 9 election. Sign up for the Romeoville Patch newsletter Noak, the incumbent, challenged McMichael during a Wednesday morning interview on WIND. “The contrasts between Mr. McMichael and me couldn’t be clearer, and our residents deserve to see those differences side-by-side,” said Noak. “Mr. McMichael has made statements that are raising questions among voters. Debates are the best way to get those and many more questions answered." Click here to hear Noak's full interview on WIND. On Wednesday afternoon, Noak said he hadn't yet …

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Lisa

10:02 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

If that were true, Mongo supporter, how could our village be in surplus?? How could he have everyone a credit on their water bills if the money was being wasted. Good thing the people of Romeoville are actually paying attention to the facts and not fabrication.   more ›

Ditka to Host McMichael Fundraiser

The $100-per-person event will be held in Chicago March 5 and will include several of the Romeoville mayoral candidate's former Chicago Bears teammates.

Editor's note: The event was postponed due to inclement weather. Read: Severe Weather Prompts Cancellation of 'Mongo' McMichael Fundraiser "Da Coach" will stump for a Romeoville mayoral candidate next month. According to a campaign release from Steve "Mongo" McMichael, the candidate's former coach Mike Ditka will endorse him at a March 5 fundraiser in Chicago. McMichael is running against incumbent John Noak in the April 9 election. The $100-per person benefit will also feature appearances by some of McMichael's teammates from the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl championship team, including Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik and Matt Suhey. "Several well-known Chicagoans, political figures and surprise guests will be in attendance," McMichael's press …

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Super Bowl Bears Gather to Show Support for McMichael for Mayor

At a campaign event Saturday, some members of the 1985 Chicago Bears said Steve "Mongo" McMichael would make a good candidate for Romeoville mayor.

Steve McMichael kicked off his campaign season Saturday surrounded by an all-star cast of Chicago Bears football legends who said their former teammate was a natural leader and a good choice for Romeoville’s next mayor. Romeoville residents packed Mongo McMichaels restaurant to show their support for the candidate and meet and greet members of the 1985 Super Bowl Bears, including Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson, Gary Fencik, Tom Thayer, Jay Hilgenberg and Shaun Gayle. McMichael faces incumbent Mayor John Noak and former mayor Fred Dewald in the April 9 election. McMichael said he’s been active knocking on doors, listening to residents and taking notes. He said residents are concerned about their declining property values and the high rates of …

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Spartans' Square Starts to Fall

The vacant Route 53 strip mall, former home of Jewel-Osco and Ace Hardware, is being cleared for future downtown development.

Construction crews began work Thursday tearing down the former Jewel-Osco and Ace Hardware in the Spartans’ Square strip shopping center to pave way for the future revitalization of Romeoville’s downtown. It will take about two weeks to clear away the rubble from the former building.   Jewel closed in 2001. Then a Sterks grocery store moved in for a short while, followed by an Ace Hardware, which left a few years ago. The remaining portion of the Spartans’ Square mall will be torn down this June. Romeoville village Trustee Linda Palmiter worked at the Spartans’ Square Jewel for 28 years. She recalled Thursday how the roof often leaked, the break room was 91 degrees and people accidentally drove through the front windows. “Rubbermaid didn’t…

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Noak, DeWald, McMichael Vying for Mayor Job

Incumbent Noak will face an interesting challenge given that the former mayor and a former Chicago Bear both want to unseat him.

Former Chicago Bear Steve McMichael and former Mayor Fred Dewald want to unseat current Romeoville Mayor John Noak in the April 9 election. All three men have filed petitions with the village clerk to have their names on the ballot, according to a story in the Joliet Herald News. McMichael, who lent his name to Mongo McMichael's restaurant/bar in Romeoville, made his intentions known several months ago and began renting a condo in the village in April to establish residency, the story said. DeWald, who resigned in 2008 after pleading guilty to driving under the influence, wants to regain his old position.  Noak was appointed mayor following DeWald's departure, and was elected to job in the following election. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE DAILY …

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Marketing Specialist Hired To Promote Events Center, Downtown

Romeoville approved a contract Wednesday to pay the Fred Barofsky Co. $10,000 a month to market and promote the new downtown initiative.

The village of Romeoville has hired a marketing consultant to help promote the new Athletics and Events Center as well as the downtown redevelopment initiative. The village board on Wednesday hired the Fred Barofsky Co., which specializes in real estate marketing and marketing and operating sports and event centers, to help the downtown area become more vibrant. Barofsky will be paid $10,000 a month starting Dec. 15 and ending Nov. 1, 2013, according to village documents. Among the duties of the company will be to work with public and private groups to identify potential users, activities and events for the new Athletics and Events Center and market the Route 53 corridor from Honeytree Drive to 135th Street. The consultant will recruit …

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