Hello, I’m Elmer Littlefield, and I am running for Mayor of Lewistown. I write to introduce myself and to ask for your support. I am retired and married to my wife of 40 years, Christy (Sipe) Littlefield, who grew up in Lewistown and graduated from Lewistown Community High School.

The first question my friends often ask is why I decided to run for Mayor? In my case the answer is simple. Twenty years ago my wife and I began buying land in Lewistown with a plan to someday retire and move here. At that time, I was impressed with how all city streets in my area were being tarred and chipped, not just a select few.

I was also impressed with the emphasis on upkeep of the infrastructure (roads and streets, sidewalks, green areas, parks, curbs and gutters and the like) around the entire community.  Today, however, some of those same streets have not been touched in twenty years.  When I asked why, the answer was that we just don’t have the money.  For my part, during this same twenty years, I’ve made a point of being a constructive citizen by demolishing five residences and erecting two homes at my own expense.  My friends and neighbors have thanked me for improving the area and properties I’ve bought.  

So, I decided that if I’m going to retire in Lewistown, then I must become an active citizen to judge for myself how the community is being governed.  

I have regularly attended Lewistown City Council meetings for the last several years and have often been the only observer other than citizens who have matters before the Council.  As a result of my attendance and interest, I understand how the Council is spending your tax money, and I have strong ideas about how some of the Council practices need to be changed.  Lewistown is a small community in rural America, and our advantages and problems require leadership and innovation.  So, for a start, I want to encourage more citizens to attend our Council meetings and to speak out on issues of community-wide concern.  To that end, I want all City Council meetings to be televised on our local cable TV channel, which is common in many other cities and towns in Illinois.  

At an early age, I learned discipline, leadership and respect. Throughout my four years of high school, one of my daily classes was Army ROTC in which we had to be in military uniform for regular inspections.  This was a lifelong learning aspect for me which helped me to continue my education.  I then obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce from DePaul University, Chicago, IL, with an emphasis in accounting, finance and economics.

But, I was also interested in working with my hands, so I became a carpenter and joined the Carpenters’ Union. For ten years I worked as a journeyman carpenter before going to work for Mr. Robert Irsay, the sole owner of the Indianapolis Colts and Colt Construction. Within a few years I rose to the position of Vice-President of Colt Construction, where I ran the entire construction company including obtaining jobs and supervising approximately 45 employees. After working for Mr. Irsay for seventeen years, he suffered a massive stroke, and I never saw him again. It took me about one year to finish the jobs on the books, and then Colt Construction’s doors were closed. For the next thirteen years, I worked for another general contractor in Evanston, IL, where I held a similar position as I had at Colt Construction until I retired.

In my work experience as a business man (either as a vice president or senior project manager), my employer considered my value to the company as to whether I could close the deal, successfully complete the job, and make a profit for the company. If I encountered problems at any stage of the project, my employer didn’t want to hear lame excuses, and I never offered them. Instead, I was successful in performing at all those requirements, and I believe my work history would be a valuable asset in serving as Mayor of the City of Lewistown and in serving its citizens.

So, my wife and I want to meet as many of you as possible on Sunday, October 30, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. at the Lewistown Park District building, 1203 N. Broadway in Lewistown. This event will be catered by ME & EM Bakery in Ipava with its delicious homemade desserts, coffee, tea, and lemonade.

Please try to visit our reception and sign my nominating petition so that I can appear on the ballot for Mayor. My petitions will be available about September 20, 2016 for 90 days, and, if you’re a registered voter in Lewistown, I will greatly appreciate your support.

If I may have the privilege of placing my election sign in your yard, please contact me by email at erjlittlefield@comcast.net

Thanks for your support,

Elmer R. Littlefield, Jr.