By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES-The May 8 elections in Brandywine at first glance may seem simpler than other districts. However, they too have glitches to get past.
A write-in incumbent and a newcomer set to take over a vacated seat, currently occupied by Thomas Wentworth, are on the ballot for the two Brandywine trustee seats up for re-election.
Dennis Cooper hopes that voters will remember to write his name in on the May ballot in hopes of retaining his seat on the board. A mix-up in filing communications kept his name off the ballot.
However, with no candidates challenging his run, there should be little problem for him in retaining his position.
Doris Schoenleber is on the ballot to fill the seat vacated by Cindy Benson when she moved to Buchanan last year. Thomas Wentworth offered to temporarily fill the chair when a letter, requesting volunteers, went unanswered.
Schoenleber said she has always volunteered in a capacity where she could help children. She and husband Gary are long time supporters of the Babe Ruth baseball league for those 12 and under.
"I finished my term there in September. My kids attend Brandywine schools and I have known many of the other kids since mine started school there. I want to do my part to see that the schools do keep moving forward and provide the best education possible for all kids," she said.
Son, David, 16, is a freshman at Brandywine High School. Michael, 13, is in seventh grade.
Schoenleber said that she believes the board is moving in a very good direction now. She has not missed a school board meeting or superintendent's interview since deciding to run.
"I feel it is important to know what's going on for when I do join the board. I had considered it in the past. Now is the time I feel I can do it," Schoenleber said.
Working for LaSalle Bank as a loan associate doing credit analysis, the mother of two, has the financial skills to cope with much of the budget uncertainty plaguing all school districts today. However, the possible cutbacks potential of adversely affecting her children, is still personal.
"It's very personal. I've known all these kids for so long. Curriculum is the thing I am most interested in. I believe in a rigorous curriculum. Kids need to be challenged as they learn," she said.
How does the family feel about Mom joining the school board?
"The kids don't say a whole lot. They are used to me doing a variety of things. My husband is very supportive of me. He still goes down to help out with the baseball league. We're a package deal," Schoenleber said.
For the Tuesday, May 8 elections, township officials wish to remind Brandywine voters that precinct one will be voting at the South County Building for this election only. Precinct two votes at the Police complex at 1600 Silverbrook Ave., precinct three votes at the Department of Public Works building at 322 Bell Road, precinct four votes at the Evangelical Free Church on Bertrand Road and precinct five will cast their ballots at Morris Farms on Morris Drive.
Niles Township clerk Marge Durm-Hiatt said the township hall will be open for absentee ballots to be cast, this coming Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to noon.