Loves Park Resident Throws Hat in Ring for Alderman

By Margaret Downing, REPORTER

 April’s election is looking to be a busy time for Loves Park. Two candidates have announced they were running for Mayor (John Pruitt and Greg Jury). Bob Burden and John Danielson are running for re-election as City Clerk and City Treasurer, respectively. Pruitt’s four-year term as Second Ward Alderman expires in April and resident John Lee has now announced he is running for that spot. John was raised in Loves Park and graduated from Harlem High School before attending Rock Valley College. As John notes, “The 1980s recession led me to Midland/Odessa, Texas to work for Permian Coca Cola.”

In his spare time he volunteered for the Red Cross and was an Instructor/Trainer in Advanced First Aid and Water Safety, taught CPR and also served on the Water Safety Board. A few years later John moved back to Loves Park, the place he calls “home.”

 At that time he started his career in the fastener business, working 17 years learning and running machines. He next moved on to manage a small fastener company for 18 years; and is currently employed today as Manufacturing Manager at Fastenal of Loves Park. He is also on the Manufacturing Advisory Board at Rock Valley College, and is very excited with the new cold-heading training facility starting this next year in which John has been very instrumental. “I strongly feel our young people need avenues to better help and guide them in today’s economy,” he says.

John has been married to wife Alisa for over 30 years and they are parents to “two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law and one precious granddaughter.” John is very active in his church and serves in many areas, as well as a Board member for the Harlem Fans Club, which through fundraising will continue to make Harlem sports become less dependent on Loves Park taxes.

MARGARET DOWNING, PHOTO – The Journal. John Lee of Loves Park is running for Second Ward Alderman in the April election.

John says, “I have always had the ability to be a leader in whatever I become involved in. I feel the need to become a Second Ward Alderman in Loves Park because of my drive and dedication to this City and its surroundings. This year, we will be electing a new Mayor and I would like to be a part of the City Council with a new outlook and perspective for Loves Park. My past achievements show that I will continue to strive forward and to make Loves Park the best City to live in and raise a family.”