MONROE — With Mayor Donna Douglas stepping down, three candidates are vying to lead Monroe into the future.
Kevin Lollock Tom Miller, and Corrine Wartenweiler will appear on the April 7 ballot for Monroe mayor.
A 62-year-old incumbent, Monroe native, and lifelong resident, Wartenweiler has served on council for three years. She has 30 years’ experience as a nurse in the community. She said she is running to continue trying to make a difference in the community. She sites also cites a desire for community service.
“Seeing the political climate of the nation a few years ago, I realized that there was very little I could do about the decisions that were being made nationally,” she said. “But I did recognize that there was potentially something I could do in the community where I lived.”
She cites taxes, home values, and affordability as top issues facing the city in the years ahead — years a new mayor and council will have to address quickly.
A retired industrial engineer, Tom Miller, 71, grew up in North Dakota and has served on the council for 14 years, and he has not been shy about taking a stand or speaking his mind.
“It has been an honor to serve the residents of Monroe as an Alder,” said Miller who cites his work on various city committees for giving him ample background on the key issues of the day. “When I think of Monroe I see a great town filled with wonderful people. I would like to further serve the city and residents as Mayor of Monroe.”
In addition to his council service, he says he is especially proud of his enduring commitment to various community events in town — including the annual New Year’s Cheese Drop and the Farmer’s Market, which he has managed since 2023, expanding it by adding music and cooking demonstrations.
“Last summer many residents of Monroe shared their concerns and ideas with the city. I would like the opportunity to address all these ideas and concerns,” he said. “Also, I see many opportunities for growth in Monroe that I would like to be part of.”
A seven-year resident of Monroe, Candidate Kevin Lollock, who has worked in the tech industry for four decades, cited several experiences that will help him serve as mayor.
“I have served on advisory panels for technology adoption, transition planning, and investment recovery of technology costs for businesses and state/local governments,” he said. “I also served as an associate (non-veteran) member and Treasurer for the Northwest Suburban Detachment of the Marine Corps League (a Marine Corps Veterans organization focused on USMC tradition and fraternity for Marines transitioning from active service) and am an active member of Optimist International which serves youth in our community.)
Lollock said he is committed to common-sense solutions, and keeping city governance non-partisan.
“I am running for Mayor so that we as a community do our level-best to preserve the unique charm of our community while working diligently to support the City’s 2025-2045 Comprehensive plan through open dialog, transparency, and fiscally responsible execution,” he said.
Top issues facing the city, he said, include a perceived gaps in city/citizen collaboration, jobs and economic expansion, and housing solutions/taxes. A key to all three is to continuing to build that collaborative approach to problem solving and fostering faster growth in the city.”
“My leadership style is rooted in non-partisan problem solving, putting sustainable growth of Monroe ahead of personal or political interests while maintaining the deeply rooted culture and community spirit of our city,”