Issues That Matter
Lake County voters have the opportunity in less than a month to vote for a new State's Attorney for the first time in over 22 years. I encourage you to make the choice not based solely on who you know, but who you believe is the best and most qualified candidate.
On election day, it will have been 15 months since the day I announced my candidacy outside the courthouse at the Lincoln Plaza. Over the course of this campaign, I have had the opportunity to meet so many citizens of our great county and not only to listen to their concerns, but to discuss and share with them the importance of the role of the State's Attorney. As State’s Attorney, I will continue to be accessible, to be out in the community and to establish a new era of open communication and transparency in the office.
The issues that the State's Attorney's Office deals with are truly issues that matter to each and every citizen. They involve justice, fairness, swift and accurate prosecution of crimes, working hand-in-hand with law enforcement and with the victims of crime.
Over the next few weeks, there will be numerous opportunities for citizens to come out and compare the candidates. There are several candidate forums open to the public and I encourage you to check the calendar and make sure that your vote matters by voting for the candidate who you feel has the experience, commitment, integrity and well-defined priorities that are deserving of your vote.
Kathy Oetker
12:49 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Clearly coming out and hearing the Lake County State's Attorney candidates will help voters decide. Signs don't vote - people do. They more informed we are the better for us as a community.
Chris Kennedy is and will be accesible. He is well know to Lake County, not only as an Attorney, but a man with strong convictions. He has stood up and represented the Board member who blew the whistle on the stealing of money from North Chicago School District to Quality bus company.
He will hold MIke Waller to higher standards. He has no problem speaking out for what is right as he hs done with his disabilty rights work.
He owes no one anthing in the State's Attorneys Office or the Sheriff's Office. He accepts resopnsibility if elected to make decisions to clean up the office. He suggested first a Conviction Integrity Unit. He will not have outside people telling him running the office. He knows that it will be his job. But he will listen to the citizens, the police, the legl community and the employees in his office who represent pursuing justice, not just finding someone to convict.
Lastly, he is the only candidate who will set up a sex crime unit. These crimes and the justice system often victimize the victim twice. Chris undertands that sex crimes need to be a priority.
Be well informed. I know that you will find Chris Kennedy to be the best, most independent strong voice for justice in the Lake County State's Attorney race.
MichaelS
3:11 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Ms Oetker, it sounds like you are posting on behalf of Mr. Kennedy's campaign? If so, it would be only fair to indicate to other readers. Or perhaps you could ask the candidate to be as willing to share his insights directly as Mr. Nerheim seems to be doing.
Kathy Oetker
6:18 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
Chris Kennedy has been more than willing to shre his insight directly. google him or search on the Patch. Go to his website, attend a debate.
Kathy Oetker
3:21 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
MIchael:
It is clear that I am a Kennedy supporter. If anyone has read anything I have written on the Patch, it is clear. I never said that I wan'ts a Kennedy supporter. Mike and Chris supporters have every right to post. So what is your problem?
Chris Kennedy shares his insights on a regular basis. Perhaps, you could do some googling and read his ideas.
MichaelS
3:36 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I think it's great that you feel strongly about the candidate you support, but I will ask the same question again. Are you posting on behalf of the campaign itself? It reads like you are and if so, you should be transparent about your relationship when making statements about what he will and won't do.
Chilawyer
7:23 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
MichaelS,
I haven't decided who I am voting for yet for State's Attorney, but your pedantry is growing tiresome. It is obvious Ms. Oetker supports Chris Kennedy. I don't care if she has never met him or is his campaign manager. Your mosquito like buzzing is not helping your candidate at all, and I hope you do not exemplify Mr. Nerheim's supporters. Finally, it is somewhat hypocritical of you to interrogate Ms. Oetker about her exact identity when she appears to be posting under her full name and you are not.
Brian
8:52 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
I agree with you (chi) on most of this, but I also see nothing wrong with Michael asking this. She did make very strong statements saying what he "will" do in office. It just makes things more believable for others when you know if it is just your friendly neighbor extolling the candidate or someone closer to Kennedy who knows exactly what he is stating that he will and wont do.
Also, I think people need to get over the full name thing. It's still a message board on the internet. You're Chilawyer, he's MichaelS, I'm Brian. We all could very well be Puppy, Kitty, and Snake and while our names would be odd, our points may still be valid. Because you or I choose not to divulge our surname doesn't change what we say.
Kathy Oetker
6:15 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
Let me try again because you apparently are to obtuse to understand. I AM NOT POSTING FOR THE KENNEDY CAMPAIGN!! I personally support Kennedy as is my right.
I have done my research on Chris Kennedy and his opponent.
Tim Froehlig
1:24 am on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Umm, no one is trying to deprive you of that right Kathy, relax.
LMJ
6:35 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Mike has my vote. Can't wait for fair judgement in Lake County, not partisan or personal judgement. IMO, left to anyone else, it will Crook County.
Doug Daluga
6:17 pm on Saturday, October 13, 2012
I see nothing but generic platitudes in Mr. Nerheim's article. Anyone could have submitted this.