Plainfield Mayor Race: Collins Will Stay on April 9 Ballot; Lambert Loses Election Challenge

Hearings held Friday at Village Hall had two very different outcomes.

Voters will have only one box to check for village president this spring. On Friday, incumbent Mayor Michael Collins won his fight to stay on the April 9 ballot — but his challenger, Michael Lambert, wasn’t as fortunate. Despite the support of electoral board chairman Paul Fay, Lambert lost his bid to stay on the ballot after Plainfield resident Jeffrey Schmitt filed an objection claiming Lambert didn’t have enough valid signatures on his nominating petitions. At a Friday morning hearing, Plainfield resident John Ledvina — who hopes to run as a write-in Republican candidate for the mayor’s seat — was unsuccessful at ousting Collins from the ballot. Get Plainfield news delivered straight to your inbox - sign up for the free Patch newsletter…

•  16 Comments
• Photos (1)

Manley Tyson

5:51 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013

I agree! They should also do en expose on how Michael Lambert threatened to sue Plainfield Township when they would not award him a no bid contract for the new senior senter. What a bully!   more ›

Bike Ride to Benefit Plainfield Riverfront Foundation

30-mile trek from Plainfield to Plattville set for Oct. 14.

Residents can enjoy a scenic bike ride will supporting efforts to revitalize the DuPage riverfront during the Oct. 14 “Ride for the River.” Village trustee Paul Fay, who also serves as the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation steering committee chairman, said the 30-mile ride will begin at noon and take cyclists along paved, rural routes in Will and Kendall counties from Plainfield to Plattville. Registration fee is $20 per person. Riders are urged to dress for the weather, Fay said. Any riders under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. An energy bar/water station will be located at the halfway point of the route, and a car or truck will follow along the route in case any riders need assistance. For more information, visit www.…

• Photos (1)

Despite the Heat, the First Two Days of Plainfield Fest Deemed a Success

The fair will be open from noon to 6 p.m., and among the highlights will be unlimited carnival rides for $22 and live music all day.

Victoria Westhoff scoped her target, pulled back the trigger and fired her final shot. “You’re a winner,” the game vendor exclaimed, just after the final shot knocked another can to the ground. It was a common phrase that resonated Saturday throughout the 30th annual Plainfield Fest, where it seemed that everyone from vendors to patrons to businesses ended up winners. “There’s a wide variety of activities,” said Kathy Westhoff, Victoria’s mother. “I like it. They liked getting their hair done by Boozle B’s and they liked the rides. There was a good variety of them.” Friday night, the first day of three-day event, was definitely a hit, said Paul Fay, festival committee chairman and Plainfield village trustee. “That was confirmed by the …

• Photos (3)

It's Not Summer Until Plainfield Fest Weekend Arrives

There will be plenty to do and see from Friday through Sunday: live music, carnival rides, food vendors, a beer tent and lots more.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Save some gas and stay right in town ‘cause the fun is coming to you. Plainfield Fest opens at 4 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday in downtown Plainfield. “It’s a 30-year-old local fair that has a lot of things to do for all ages held in our historic downtown,” said Paul Fay, festival committee chairman and a Plainfield village trustee. “It’s a good family event.” Inflatable attractions, carnival rides and games, train rides, music and food will be featured at the event, which is presented by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation and MainStreet Plainfield Inc. and sponsored by Rod Baker Ford. For the wee ones, this year’s fest will have more inflatable attractions than last year, Fay said. In…

• Photos (4)

Kachel Exits Stage Left as Rippy's Sworn in as New Village Trustee

A small reception was held during a break in the Plainfield Village Board meeting to celebrate one trustee's departure and another's new tenure.

Plainfield Village Board members said goodbye to their colleague Larry Kachel Monday night and welcomed newcomer Dan Rippy to their ranks. Kachel, who was appointed to the board two years ago, opted not to run in the April general election. Rippy, a Joliet-based lawyer, was elected as were incumbents Paul Fay and Bill Lamb. All three men were sworn in Monday by village Clerk Michelle Gibas, and a small reception with cake and punch held in their and Kachel's honor.

• Photos (8)

You Choose: Election 2011

Village Board Election: Paul Fay Answers Our Questions

Plainfield village and School District 202 candidates in the April 5 election answer questions posed by Plainfield Patch.

Editor's note: Candidates for Plainfield Village Board and Plainfield School District 202 have been asked to complete questionnaires about who they are, why they're running and their positions on some of the key issues. Plainfield Patch will run them as they are received and they will be available up through the April 5 election. These are the candidates' own words, written specifically for the benefit of those who are deciding how they will vote. PLAINFIELD VILLAGE TRUSTEE ELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE Name: Paul Fay  Address: 24208 W. Ottawa St., Plainfield E-mail address: pfay@goplainfield.com Age: 43 Education: Bachelor of arts, master of arts degrees Profession and employer: Director of adult education for a non-profit religious group …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)

Lindsey

11:23 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Seriously? Who is hiding behind a curtain when you want a private response via email? This is the perfect forum to ask questions and expect answers. He should be confident enough with his positions to share them in a public forum.   more ›

'Twas a Beautiful Day for a Downtown Parade and the Wearing o' the Green

Hundreds gathered downtown for the annual Hometown Irish Parade and other events, including free corned beef and a beer garden.

Nine years ago, Plainfield’s Hometown Irish Parade was nothing but a cluster of kids dressed in green pedaling down Lockport Street on trikes and bikes.  “The first couple of years, the only people who came to see it were the kids’ parents and families,” said village Trustee Paul Fay, master of ceremonies for Sunday's 9th annual parade in downtown Plainfield Sunday.  This year, the streets were lined with thousands of parade-watchers decked out in leprechaun hats, shamrock antennae headbands and just about every shade of green from olive to lime. Even the canines came in kelly green kerchiefs and emerald green doggie sweaters to watch a lineup of floats, bagpipers and Irish dance teams that lasted more than an hour.  “Everyone’s Irish …

• Photos (13)

Arizona Shooting Prompts Trustee to Push for Village Hall Metal Detectors

Paul Fay says the device would offer needed protection for elected officials, but the concept is opposed by at least two board members.

Plainfield Trustee Paul Fay says a metal detector is needed at village hall to prevent a shooting similar to that in which an Arizona congresswoman was gravely injured and six people killed. Fay, who broached the subject with fellow board members this week, said it’s a sad commentary on the current state of the world but precautions are necessary. “I am very serious about this,” he said. “There are too many incidents of this kind in our culture.” Fay’s idea would be to install an unmanned monitoring system at the front door of village hall, 24401 Lockport St. Village employees would be trained on how to handle a situation in which it was activated, and a police officer attending village board meetings could do the same thing after hours, …

• Photos (2)