Tom Cullerton

Welcome

Today is a great day in the life of the Cullerton Family. After much sole searching and many pro/con discussions we have made a decision that I should work towards the next level of Village leadership and run for the President of Villa Park. We are all very excited and anxious as we count down to April 7, 2009 -Election Day.

My goals are very clear. Throughout the campaign I will be bringing up ideas and giving opportunities for you to view my opinions on various issues. I will run a campaign based on the issues- how to move Villa Park forward, how I can be an effective leader for our Village and how I will work toward the long term future of our town. 

As your President I will bring respected leadership, a vision of economic success, a transparency to Village issues, a strong fiscal responsibility to the needs of our residents, an attack dog mentality to criminal activity and I will continue with fresh ideas that move our Village to prosperity.

Since 2005 when I was elected to the position of Trustee I have been a constant source of new ideas. My belief in government is not what won’t work but rather how can we make it work. With today’s slumping economy and housing crisis, the likes never seen before, we need a leader that is creative. A leader that will be effective in attracting new opportunities. A leader that can articulate to developers and new families how Villa Park is shaking off the dust of complacency and striving to achieve the highest level of success. I believe I am that leader.

My unique perspective and my optimistic outlook has allowed me to push for ideas that many thought weren’t possible. Ideas that others said couldn’t get done. Development that was thought beyond the reach and capability of Villa Park. I don’t believe in allowing others to rain on the positive opportunities that we have here in VIlla Park. The future is here in Villa Park. It is time for us to make a shift in our government as well as in our community. A shift towards a brighter and stronger future here in Villa Park.

Sincerely,

Trustee Thomas Cullerton

News Clippings

Roughly 20 children who have lost their hair for medical reasons will have a chance to wear specially donated wigs. About 100 needy children and adults here and abroad will get shoes. And several soldiers will have a more festive holiday season.

This and more was made possible by people who donated their time, hair and items as part of USA Magazine’s annual Make a Difference Day.

In Villa Park, hundreds of residents of all ages participated in the annual day of doing good through a collaborative effort by the Villa Park Lifelong Learning League, which coordinated and co-sponsored 10 projects and spotlighted others during an Oct. 25 fair.

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” said Judy Grove, a coordinator of the effort. “We had no idea what to expect. The spirit of cooperation … helping people - that made me feel good.”

With help from five area salons whose stylists donated their time and talent, the Villa Park Junior Women’s Club collected more than 20 quart-sized bags of human hair to be used by the Locks of Love Foundation for hair prosthetics for medically bald children, Grove said. Anyone interested can still donate hair by calling Julee Vingren at (630) 833-0610.

About 100 pairs of new and gently used shoes were collected for the Soles of Villa Park effort, Trustee Tom Cullerton reported.

Under the direction of Girl Scouts of Villa Creek Center Service, more than 40 children created 110 handcrafted Christmas tree ornaments. The decorations will be sent with live Christmas trees to on-duty military personnel as part of the Villa Park Men’s Garden Club Trees for Troops Make a Difference Day project. The Garden Club collected nearly $700 for the trees, Grove said.

In addition, the Villa Park Rotary gave away more than 200 books to students in preschool through high school.

Kevin Conner, a community service officer with the Villa Park Police Department, helped make a difference by teaching safety lessons to numerous children through hands-on activities.

Though a few people were unable to donate, a total of 13 pints of blood were collected during the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce’s blood drive for LifeSource, said chamber Executive Director Alesia Bailey. The donations have the potential to save 39 lives, according to the blood center.

About a dozen bicycles and wheelchairs were donated for the Recycle your Cycle program, while eight pairs of glasses were collected by the Lions Club.

Daily Herald