First Party For Bolingbrook Announces Candidates

(The following information comes from a press release submitted to Bolingbrook Patch)

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta announced the team of candidates running as the First Party For Bolingbrook in the April 6, 20201 Consolidated Election during a limited attendance event Monday.

Mary Alexander-Basta: Basta is seeking to retain her seat as mayor, experienced incumbents Deputy Mayor Michael Lawler and Trustee Maria Zarate, long-time business and community leader Martha “Marti” Barton, and Bolingbrook’s first and only Olympian, Troy Doris.

"The First Party for Bolingbrook team represents the values, diversity, transparency and dedication our strong and thriving community deserves. Our slate of talented and driven candidates are committed to guiding Bolingbrook families and businesses to a secure and stable future during these unprecedented times," Basta said.

A 17-year resident and Village Board Trustee, Basta, was appointed mayor with overwhelming support on July 30 after long-time Mayor Roger C. Claar stepped down. Basta has been applauded for leading a seamless transition and confidently guiding the village during difficult and unprecedented times.

Basta served on the Public Safety Committee, chaired the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, has been active as both a school and community leader, and currently serves on Bolingbrook Soccer Club’s Executive Board and as a consultant for the ECN Children’s Cancer Network. Basta, the former and first-ever female general manager in the Chicago Yacht Club’s 125-year history, is an event design and hospitality management consultant by profession with over 20-years’ experience working with major corporations. Basta was also Bolingbrook’s 2018 Female Citizen of the Year. She has been characterized as an extremely organized, energetic, creative and caring leader with a fierce love for youth, family and her Community.

Michael Lawler: He brings a wealth of civic and business experience to the team. Lawler is a 34-year Bolingbrook resident, an experienced trustee, an active community volunteer, and an accomplished executive in the hospitality and information technology fields. Lawler has managed $100 million budgets and implemented technology to deliver widespread business solutions in his professional career. He has played an active role in helping build the foundation of Bolingbrook during his tenure as trustee.

A father of five, Lawler was Vice Chair of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, a founding member and the current president of the Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation, and a member of multiple community organizations, including the Lions, Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Citizens Against Abuse, and Illinois Aviation Museum. Michael looks forward to continuing to support and improve Bolingbrook’s quality of life for over 76,000 residents.

Martha Barton: She is running with the First Party team for Village Clerk. Marti is a former English teacher, a successful business owner, an ordained non-denominational minister, an active community volunteer and a respected leader in the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce, having served as chamber president, board member, committee chair and a chamber ambassador. Marti received the Bolingbrook Chamber’s Best of Bolingbrook Business Award in 2005 and again in 2019. In 2014, Marti received the Chamber’s Women in Business Community Leadership Award. In addition, Marti is a “Ham” radio operator with a technician-plus class license, a lifetime member of the Bolingbrook Amateur Radio Society, and trained as a severe weather spotter with the Six-County Skywarn Network.

Marti’s work as a radio operator and weather spotter has helped hundreds of people avoid disaster and has kept valuable lines of communication open, including providing auxiliary communications during the Plainfield tornado disaster. Marti is also a distinguished toastmaster and was recognized as Bolingbrook’s Female Citizen of the Year in 2006. Marti feels her extensive business experience and knowledge of the Community, her professional communication skills, and her genuine concern for people would serve her well as Clerk of the Village of Bolingbrook.

Maria Zarate: She has been a Village Trustee since 2012 and stresses the importance of working collaboratively to positively impact families, elderly, those with disabilities, and local businesses. Zarate’s involvement with Heart Haven Outreach (H2O), an organization for high-risk youth, has helped countless families. She has left her mark on several community events aimed at helping those less fortunate including: H2O’s Cheesy Pretzel 5K, Character Counts 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, and the H2O’s Family Thanksgiving Dinner.

Zarate supports strong diversity and is an advocate for the Latino community, encouraging them to share their culture, work ethic and family values with Bolingbrook through local events. Professionally, Maria has managed two Chicago District offices providing constituent services, including children and family services, healthcare and well-being, housing assistance and senior citizen advocacy. Her community volunteerism combined with her civic and professional experience make her a unique and valuable guiding force on the Village Board.

Troy Doris: He is a product of Valley View 365U, attending Woodview Elementary School, Humphrey Middle School, and graduating from Bolingbrook High School in 2007. While at Bolingbrook High School, Doris was a member of the Marching and Concert Bands, mastering the saxophone, and a member of the High School Track Team, where he succeeded as the Illinois State Champion in the Triple Jump and Long Jump both his junior and senior years.

He attended the University of Iowa on a track and field scholarship, and graduated in 2012 with a degree in Political Science and plans of pursuing a law degree. While preparing for his LSAT (Law School Admission Test), Doris was invited to live and train at the US Olympic Center in California, and later competed in the Olympic Games. Following the Olympics, he returned to Bolingbrook and began his career as a personal trainer, helping athletes develop their fitness level.

Doris has a record of discipline, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and is known for inspiring and motivating others through team leadership and community service. His love for his community, his strong character, his youthful energy and his passion for good government will serve him well as a village trustee. It is his hope to work to energize the Bolingbrook community to work together and make his hometown the best it can be.

"The First Party is committed,” Basta said. "We will help Bolingbrook thrive among safe streets, leading schools, prospering businesses, and close-knit families. The First Party For Bolingbrook stands for Truth, Leadership, and Commitment, and we will give that TLC to the Bolingbrook we all love to insure a secure and stable environment for ALL residents."