Sources: Village of Bolingbrook to invest in earth orbiting ads (Fiction)

In 2021, could Bolingbrook residents look up at the night sky and see an ad for a village event?  Some anonymous sources say the village will invest in orbiting “community service” promotions. 

According to the sources, the village will buy advertisements from SmartRocket. They will look like star constellations, but will actually be a synchronized group of CubeSats.  The initial ads will only have text.  There is, however, talk of adding images and video to future ads.

One of the sources explained:  “Nobody reads the fake press, I mean the local press.  It harms local community groups.  So it’s the village’s responsibility to promote groups whose members create harmony instead of chaos every election year.”

The sources did not specify how much the village would budget for orbiting ads, but SmartRocket confirmed that they sell eight hours of ads for $20,000.

Another source defended the ad buy:  “Bolingbrook is an exceptional village, and our promotion needs to be exceptional.  We might incur some more debt, but it will be good debt!  That’s why the residents elected Trustee Michael Carpanzano.  He has the marketing background necessary to bring Bolingbrook to the night sky.”

Judith, who asked that we not use her last name, is looking forward to the ads: “Stars are so boring to look at, and it’s not like you can see many of them here.  It’s will be nice to look up and see something useful.  (Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar) is a genius!”

Patricia, who asked that we not use her last name, wants to stop the: “It’s bad enough seeing a satellite fly by when looking up at the stars. Now I fear that I will look up at the sky and see a video of Roger!  This is one of the reasons God will eventually get around to smiting Bolingbrook.  We need less light pollution, not more light pollution tor ads!”

Claar denied any plans to buy orbiting ads:  “No!  No!  Not true!  I am not buying flying ads. And offering free recycling lids does not mean I am appeasing the talking skunks or the wereskunks, or whatever your made-up skunks are called!”

In the background, several people screamed.  A woman who sounded like DuPage Township Trustee Alyssia Benford then said, “They can’t be stopped.  You’ve got to admire their purity of purpose.”

“Who can’t be stopped?”

“You have my sympathies.”

“Where are you going?”

A few seconds later, more people screamed and started running.  A woman who sounded like Village Clerk Carol Penning cried, “We were wrong.  We were so wrong.”

“You know we never say the ‘W’ word in Village Hall.”

“But they’re out of our control.  They didn’t stop with the DuPage Township.  They kept going.  They—”

Penning screamed.

“Who are you running from?” asked Claar.  “It can’t—Oh my God!”

A man with a downstate accent then said, “Your clerk is double dipping the taxpayers of Bolingbrook by collecting two salaries.  She must resign.”

“She will not resign,” Claar replied.  “You will go (expletive deleted) yourself!”

Also in the Babbler:

Russian snow attack angers residents
Aliens hope to attend Bolingbrook Pride Picnic
Mayor Claar to take over Clow UFO Base on 5/1/19
God to smite Bolingbrook on 4/16/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Woman exiled from Bolingbrook after trying to sell fake Dead Sea road salt (Fiction)

Mayor Roger Claar exiled Janet Z. Fischer from Bolingbrook for allegedly offering fake Dead Sea road salt to the village.

“Normally we would jail people like her,” said an anonymous source with friends in Village Hall.  “But considering the sensitive nature of this incident, we thought it would be better to exile her.  Roger does have the power to do that, you know.”

According to many sources, Fischer walked into Village Hall and identified herself as Golda Zimmerman, a delegate from the Israeli government.  She met with the Director of Public Services and Development and offered to sell Dead Sea salt to the village at ten times the cost the village buys road salt from the state.

Zimmerman replied that if the village refused her offer, she would report the village as participating in the Boycott Divest Sanction movement.

“If you’re perceived as supporting BDS,” said Zimmerman, “it would hurt the village, more than it would hurt Israel.  On the other hand, if you buy our wonderful salt from the Holy Land, I can tell the world that Bolingbrook is participating in the Buy Invest Allocate Support movement.  It can only help your village’s reputation.”

The director, according to sources, summoned the Public Works Committee to hear the offer.

Trustee Robert Jaskiewicz was skeptical:  “Not buying your overpriced road salt is not the same as boycotting.  It’s a simple market decision.”

“But it’s from the Holy Land!”

Trustee Michael Lawler then said, “You know, supporting an Israeli company could be considered good debt.”

“If something goes wrong,” added Trustee Maria Zarate, “We can always blame Bob.”

Lawler left the room.  Several minutes later Claar entered the room.  Zimmerman explained her deal, then added that she could arrange for a sizable donation to the campaign fund of Claar’s choice.

“I can’t risk taking donations from a foreign country,” Claar replied.  “I can suggest donating to a local charity that helps at risk youth.”

“Wait a minute,” cried out Jaskiewicz.  “Facebook says your real name is Janet Fischer, and you’re not from Israel or even Jewish.”

“Those silly Palestinian hackers.”

“And these local governments have posted warnings about your scam.”

After Claar yelled at Fischer, she confessed.  Claar then decided her punishment.

“I just had to deal with an attempted coup, and I don’t have the energy to deal with you in court.”

“You mean an election,” replied Jaskiewicz.

“Which your party was swept in.”

“We won seats on the Plainfield Library Board, The park district board, and the Joliet Junior College Board of Regents.  That’s not a sweep.”

“Whatever, Wójcik.”

“Jaskiewicz.”

“Close enough.  But that’s beside the point.  Miss Fischer, you are exiled from Bolingbrook, and you if say one more word, Bob, you’ll be joining her.”

A receptionist for Claar denied that the meeting ever took place:  “Don’t you think if he really has the power to remove people from Bolingbrook, he would have exiled you guys years ago?”

In the background, a man who sounded like Trustee-elect Michael Carpanzano said, “I’m sick of these so-called satire sites, Charlene.  They’re so anti-Bolingbrook!”

“I don’t know,” replied Charlene.  “Bolingbrook has a tradition of satirical publications going back to the Phantom Press.”

“Not in my Bolingbrook, Charlene.  I’ve been silent for too long.  I’m going to start a Facebook page to expose their unfunny lies, and I will call it True Bolingbrook Facts!”

“That name is already taken.”

“That’s never stopped me before.”

Also in the Babbler:

Village Clerk: I am not a dictator because I haven’t committed atrocities!
Alien sticks probes in itself to protest Bolingbrook United’s losses
Sources: Illuminati paid off $100 million of Bolingbrook’s 2017 fiscal year debt
God to smite Bolingbrook on 4/10/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

We Get Letters: The 2019 Consolidated Election edition (Fiction)

By Doug Fields
The Reader’s Editor

Doug Fields here.  The candidates have spoken.  Our editorial board has spoken.  Now it’s our readers’ turn to speak out.

We’ve gotten a lot of letters like this:

To the Editor:

Bolingbrook is great!  —Because the residents care.  (Insert what you care about in Bolingbrook.)  The First Party for Bolingbrook is the only party that says they care.  (Insert name of fake Bolingbrook party) has never said that on their literature or in person.  (Insert your favorite First Party candidates’ name) inspires me to (add your own comment).

I don’t want to attack but (Insert fake candidates’ name) does not support (our great golf club, our wonderful airport, our set list of village vendors)!  They do not care.  If they cared, they would apologize for forcing (name any member of the FPFB except Mayor Roger Claar) to spend money on campaigning.  The First Party for Bolingbrook is (any word except “perfect”), and Bolingbrook First and Bolingbrook United cannot accept that we live in a Utopia!

The Babbler must stop spreading their lies and only tell (“the truth,” “affirming stories,” “stories edited by Patch Mayor Michael Carpanzano”) because we care!

(Insert Name here)
(Insert a Bolingbrook address here)

Got to love astroturf.  We have received some original letters supporting each party.  This one is for the First Party for Bolingbrook:

To the Editor:

I’m sick of partisanship!  Anyone not affiliated with a political party knows that our mayor is a genius.  Even this random woman from California is praising me on Facebook!  Parties divide us and slow things down.  Uniting behind the best leader is the most efficient way to run a village.  Roger Claar is the best mayor in Bolingbrook’s history.

Do you know that there’s a Facebook group that doesn’t always praise Roger?  All they do is tear people down.  It is overrun with stupid partisan liars who would rather tear me down than admit they would be lost without Roger.  

The Democrats want to take over Bolingbrook.  My message to them is simple:  Just shut up and vote for my party!  Because it doesn’t matter what you look like, what you wear, or which God you worship.  Just as long you support your mayor.

Reggie Connor
Bolingbrook, IL

I think this reader is confusing mono-party government with non-partisan government.  Local political parties in Bolingbrook date back to the 1970s. We’ve had a long period of single-party rule, which ended in 2017 with the election of Robert Jaskiewicz. Naperville doesn’t have local political parties, and split votes during meetings are common.  The last time I checked, Naperville hasn’t descended into chaos.

Here’s a letter from a Bolingbrook United supporter:

To the Editor:

I moved to the suburbs to get away from the Chicago political machine.  Imagine my surprise when I realized that I moved into a community with an even worse political machine, run by Roger.  

Last week, Roger said Bolingbrook residents like me “want to create a political machine.” Please.  Chicago politicians take notes every time he releases his campaign’s financial statements because they are in awe of what he gets away with.

I’m voting for Bolingbrook United because someone needs to keep Roger in check, and it won’t be his handpicked candidates.  Sure they talk about fiscal responsibility, but let’s get real.  If Roger suddenly decided that the village needed to build the world’s tallest skyscraper, and he was going to take out bonds to fund it, would all the First Party candidates vote to stop him?

Jenny Z. Olmstead
Bolingbrook, IL

Here’s one for Bolingbrook First candidate Maripat Oliver:

To the Editor:

This election is generating interest around the world.  Residents as far away as Paris, IL are coming here just to disrupt our meetings.  Russian trolls are flooding our social media accounts to incite us into a civil war.  They say we only have a choice between two parties.

No, we don’t.  The Russians and the Downstaters don’t control me. I’m going to stick with the party that made Bolingbrook great, which is Bolingbrook First.  Roger may no longer endorse its candidates, but Roger isn’t Bolingbrook.

This year, I’m voting for Maripat Oliver.  Because Maripat is where it is at.

Jed Z. Oliver
Bolingbrook, IL

There you have it.  Now it’s up to you, the residents of Bolingbrook, to decide who you want to represent you in local government.  Remember: Anyone can complain about taxes, but voters are the ones who do something about them.

Also in the Babbler:

Werecat accused of aggressive leafleting for Bolingbrook First
Sources: Claar considers hiring Blackwater to replace the police department
Experts say local flu not caused by Martian virus
God to smite Bolingbrook on 4/2/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Vandalism is still not acceptable in Bolingbrook or anywhere else (Non-fiction)

Last weekend, someone slashed three tires on Bolingbrook Village Trustee candidate Maripat Oliver’s car.  Her car was the only one attacked, despite other cars in the neighborhood being equally accessible.

Apparently, this needs to be said again:  Vandalizing a politician’s personal property is a form of intimidation, and it is not acceptable.  It was not acceptable when Mayor Roger Claar’s home was vandalized.  It is still not acceptable today.  Violence should play no part in a democratic election.  Even if it turns out to just be a random attack, it should be condemned by everyone who believes in free elections.  

I also hope that in light of this incident, The incumbent First Party for Bolingbrook will revaluate its passive-aggressive campaign rhetoric.  Constantly stating “we care” implies that the other candidates don’t care.  Posting that their candidates “aren’t planning to get involved, they are already involved,” implies that the other party’s candidates aren’t involved in community activities.  Even the name ‘First Party for Bolingbrook’ implies that the other party’s candidates aren’t for Bolingbrook.  It is a follow up to Mayor Roger Claar’s statement that the 2017 race was between “residents” and “foes.”  To be blunt, that is a form of othering.  It could have influenced someone to commit vandalism against a “foe” because they’re fighting for the “residents.”

All the candidates care about Bolingbrook.  All the candidates have relevant experience for the office they’re running for.  All of them deserve to be heard.  All of them are Bolingbrook residents.

It is one thing to criticize positions or state that you don’t like a candidate personally.  That’s part of campaigning for public office.  However, violence and vandalism should not be a part of political campaigns anywhere in the world.

Editorial Board suggestions for Village Trustees (Alternative Parties): The Al Gore Party and The Zero Tax Party (Fiction)

We get it.  You don’t want to choose from among the three establishment political parties.  You don’t want to cast a write-in vote that will not be counted.  You want to make a statement.  You don’t want the tabulator to record that you didn’t vote for an approved candidate.  You want to make a statement to the tabulator before they record that you didn’t vote for an approved candidate.  We hear you.

So we would like to recommend these alternative political parties to write on your ballot.  You’ll make a statement, even if your vote won’t count.

For those of you who lean to the Right, we recommend voting for the Zero Tax Party.  We still haven’t figured out how “Zero taxes=Infinite revenue!” Maybe it’s based on the same economic principle that allowed the Bolingbrook Park District to lower their taxes and generate more revenue for the playgrounds?  We don’t know.

However, we do know that many of you don’t like to pay taxes, and reject the notion that taxes are the cost of maintaining civilization.  There’s no better way to tell the government that you hate paying for the police, fire department, and roads, than to vote for the Zero Tax Party.

For those of you on the Left, we recommend voting for the Al Gore Party.  They are right when they state that the climate that Bolingbrook expanded under is going away.  Bolingbrook will have to deal with periods of too much rain followed by too little rain.  Potential crop failures, refugees from the Southern United States, and more dangerous heat waves, will impact our community.

Now a village board under Bolingbrook United might be more receptive to an environmental message. Or, maybe Claar might act if enough residents demand action to deal with climate change:  But that wouldn’t be making a statement like writing “The Al Gore Party” on your ballot.

Politics in Bolingbrook can be messy— Especially when people from Edgar County insert themselves into it.  But why make compromises or risk the wrath of Claar when you can easily make a statement by voting for one of these two parties?

Also in the Babbler:

Editorial Board suggestion for Village Trustees (Mainstream Parties)
Claar vetos accepting Brexit refugees
Clow UFO Base announces the schedule for visiting Presidential candidates
God to smite Bolingbrook on 3/22/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Editorial Board’s suggestion for Village Trustees (Mainstream Parties): Bolingbrook United (Fiction)

The 2019 race for village trustee is important because of its potential to shift power away from Mayor Roger Claar.  If First Party for Bolingbrook wins at least one seat, Claar’s allies will hold the board. If Bolingbrook United sweeps, they will take control of the board.  If Maripat Oliver (Bolingbrook First) wins, and Bolingbrook United takes two seats, the balance of power could rest with her.

All the trustee candidates care about Bolingbrook.  They’ve also served the community in one capacity or another.  All of them have relevant experience.

We recommend supporting Bolingbrook United’s Trustee slate this year.  We support their call to end “no bid” contracting and to allow more businesses the opportunity to provide services for the village.  We also agree that village employees should be collecting no more than one salary from the village.  While Bolingbrook isn’t on the verge of bankruptcy, the village can do more to get its large debt under control.  Residents don’t need to be “educated” about the debt. Bolingbrook needs leaders who will do something about the debt besides continually refinancing it.

Current Bolingbrook United Trustee Robert Jaskiewicz received a hostile reception from Claar’s trustees and had a few minor missteps at the beginning of his term.  Since then, we’ve been pleased with his work.  He’s worked with the other trustees, as signified by the relatively few no votes he’s cast.  We’re also impressed with his effort to give residents the option to have garbage toters.  Considering that Claar seems to regard toters as a liberal conspiracy, the fact that residents may soon be able to get their own toters is a testament to his work on the board. His use of social media to update residents about what happened at meetings is appreciated.  Sadly, many of his attempts to propose agenda items have been blocked by Claar.

We look forward to what he could do with more members of his party on the board.

Bolingbrook United may not have the First Party for Bolingbrook’s flashy marketing or Oliver’s local charm, but they do care about Bolingbrook enough to face off against the Claar political machine and to give residents a viable choice for the future.

Also in the Babbler:

Editorial Board suggestion for Village Trustees (Alternative Parties)
Claar vetos accepting Brexit refugees
Clow UFO Base announces the schedule for visiting Presidential candidates
God to smite Bolingbrook on 3/22/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Aliens charged with dumping a whale carcass on the Bolingbrook Golf Club (Fiction)

By Reporter X

Three aliens were arrested and charged with dropping a blue whale carcass near the Sixth hole of the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

“Bolingbrook is not a dumping ground,” said Peter. Z. Louis, a prosecutor representing Bolingbrook’s Department of Interstellar Affairs.  “I will do all that I can to dump this criminal crew in the darkest, coldest cell on Pluto!”

Matt, who asked that we not use his last name, said he witnessed the whale’s impact:

“I was waiting for my food when I saw this blob in the sky.  I left my coat at the table and ran outside to take a look.  Af first I thought it was one of those UFOs that I always hear about in Bolingbrook.  Then I realized it was a falling whale.  Well, let’s just say I will never think of the term, ‘Bolingbrook Bounce’ the same way again!”

The aliens pleaded not guilty and asked to be represented by Bolingbrook attorney Joe Giamanco.  The judge informed them that Giamanco was not licensed to practice interstellar law, and assigned an attorney for them.

“My clients were framed!” said Jenny Z. Guzman, the lawyer for the crew.  “I will prove in court that they were working under the direction of Mayor Roger Claar.  He wanted a whale meat buffet and asked my clients to deliver a dead whale to the golf club.  There was a slight misunderstanding, and that’s why the whale was delivered to the wrong location.  I will also not tolerate jokes about Improbability Drives!”

Guzman insisted the whale was dead when the aliens found it in the ocean.

The New World Order wants to question the crew members regarding a whale that was found in the Amazon. 

A receptionist for Mayor Claar said he was busy and could not be disturbed:

“The Bolingbrook S.T.E.M. association just held a demonstration for us, and Michael Carpanzano was the MC.  Can you tell that Bolingbrook Politics lady that it was not a political event?”

In the background, a woman who sounded like covert social media operative Charlene Spencer,  said: “What were you thinking when you posted those pictures in Bolingbrook Politics?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” said a man who sounded like Carpanzano.

“That’s not what my Channer friends are telling me.”

“You trust your Chinese friends more than you trust me, whom people describe as a community leader?”

“The point is, if I can figure it out, others can figure it out.”

“You’re so negative Charlene, and we don’t do negative in Bolingbrook.  So let’s say I did post photos of myself at the Trump fundraiser in Bolingbrook using a fake account.  I would have done it to trigger the Bolingbrook United members and make them look bad— Thus ensuring victory for the First Party for Bolingbrook.”

“That’s brilliant!” said the woman.  “It’s such a brilliant idea that it looped into (ableist comment deleted)!”

“Don’t make me do it!”

“Hear me out Mr. I Promoted a Tax Increase as a Tax Cut.  Your plan might have worked in 2017, but that was before the criminal investigations of Trump.  The optics are terrible.  You look like a teenage fan of a corrupt politician, while Bolingbrook United gets to brag about canvassing neighborhoods with the Bolingbrook police union!  And you undermined our latest rebranding flyer.  Now Maripat can cry, ‘Boo Hoo!  That flyer crossing out the Bolingbrook First name was so mean, but what do you expect from a bunch of self-identified Trump Republicans?’”

“I don’t have time for your immaturity,” said the man. “You are carped!”

“I counter with my Alligator Gar!”

The man screamed in horror.

The woman continued: “Leave the fake accounts to me, and I’ll leave the virtue signaling to you.”

Also in the Babbler:

Mayor Claar campaigns on Venus for the First Party for Bolingbrook
Clow UFO Base unions endorse Bolingbrook United
Post-modernists of Bolingbrook endorse Bolingbrook First
God to smite Bolingbrook on 3/13/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Mayor Claar hires wereskunk security detail (Fiction)

Sources —who have friends with relatives that have a connection to village hall— say Mayor Roger Claar recently hired wereskunk bodyguards.

“Sure it might be overkill,” said one source.  “But really, you can never be too careful today.  Some liberal might walk up to Roger and demand healthcare or demand that Bolingbrook reduce CO2 emissions.  The police wouldn’t do anything to protect the mayor from a radical opinion, but a wereskunk in war-skunk form will.”

Mark X. Baggot, an Uber driver in San Fransisco, claims he gave a ride to Claar and two wereskunks:

“Your mayor said they were his friends, but they didn’t look like the people you would normally expect a mayor to hang out with.  One was snacking on dried flies.  The other one said I should keep my eye on the road or he would make my car stink.  At one point your mayor said, ‘You can’t trust certain people in uniform, but I can trust these guys.’  I asked what he was doing.  He said he was campaigning.  His guards laughed until he told them to shut up.”

A manager at Bolingbrook’s Mora Asian Kitchen claims one of Claar’s guards ripped off the lid of their dumpster and started eating the garbage.  According to her, Roger intervened:

“He said if we had served rice with his guard’s dish, he wouldn’t be so hungry.  I said we prefer quality over quantity.  This is the worst part.  He said that was fine for him, but not for his friend.  Then he told me to waive his cover fee for our late night dancing, and give him unlimited ramen.  If we didn’t Roger said he would ‘fairly’ judge our liquor license.  I don’t want to go into too much detail after that.  I can say that at least one wereskunk has some mean dance moves.”

An alleged wereskunk, who asked not to be named, confirmed that they are providing security for Claar.  She says they will receive a portion of the soon to be announced fee for garbage toters and lids for recycling containers.  She says part of the money will be used to buy food to leave out for the local skunks:

“Roger is a genius.  Those who hate paying fees will keep supplying our cousins with free meals.  Those who buy lids and toters will be paying us to help our cousins.  Roger has our backs, and it’s only fair that we should have his back.”

A receptionist for Claar said he was busy, and there was a line of people waiting to see him.

In the background, a woman who sounded like Charlene Spencer, a covert social media operative, said, “Here’s the script.  You just go to the Bolingbrook Politics page and type these in.  Then you are exempt from the township income tax for the rest of your life.”

A man replied:  “Freedom.”

A man who sounded like Trustee Robert Jaskiewicz said, “Charlene, you know that DuPage Township doesn’t have an income tax.”

The man replied, “Fake news.  Fake trustee.  Keep Bolingbrook great.  You’re triggered.  I win.”

A few moments later, Jaskiewicz said, “Charlene, we need to talk.  For years, Roger’s supporters have told us we should support our police department without question.  Now that the police union has endorsed Bolingbrook United, you’re directing his followers to question the residency of each officer. All the officers work here and live within 13 miles of Bolingbrook.  Why is it okay for Roger and his party to accept donations from out of state, but it’s not okay for Bolingbrook United to accept help from M.A.P.?”

“Because I’m playing the election game, Bob.”

“And?”

“And the card says ‘Moops.’”

Also in the Babbler:
Bolingbrook blocks human cannibalism restaurant
Weredeer arrested for polygamy
Developer proposes mile-high ‘Roger Claar Tower’
God to smite Bolingbrook on 3/7/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Bored billionaire to back Bolingbrook First party (Fiction)

A man who claims to be Bolingbrook’s only billionaire announced his plans to support the Bolingbrook First Party in the April 2 Village Trustee election.

This graphic could soon be featured on the Patriots for Maripat Oliver website.

“Two-party elections are simplistic and boring,” said Peter Z. Zinn.  “Three party elections are fun to watch.  Who doesn’t like to have fun?”

“Bolingbrook First” is one of two names Mayor Roger Claar has used for his political party, along with “First Party for Bolingbrook.”  For the 2019 election, Claar’s endorsed candidates are running as the First Party for Bolingbrook.  Maripat Oliver, however, was able to file as a candidate for Bolingbrook First, and her candidacy was not challenged.

Instead of donating directly to Bolingbrook First, Zinn will form several Super PACs to back Bolingbrook First.

“There’s a lot of work to be done, and it just would be faster if I did it on my own.  Maripat has done a great job getting to people on the ground with flyers and her Facebook page is fine.  However, she still needs help from an organization right now as her party is in disarray.  Only a person of means, like me, can do what needs to be done.”

Zinn unveiled designs for the websites for his Super PACS: “Citizens United to put Bolingbrook First,” “First Voters for Bolingbrook,” and “Patriots for Maripat.”  He said that together with Oliver’s website, residents will know that Bolingbrook First believes in fighting for residents, higher wage jobs, low taxes, more growth, fiscal responsibility, and garbage can reform.

Zinn also premiered two tv ads that he hopes to get on the air by late March.  The first ad starts with a montage of all the trustee candidates:

Voiceover:  Of all the people running for Bolingbrook Trustee, only one has stood up to the Edgar County activists attacking our village.

Video of a police officer approaching a man speaking at a DuPage Township meeting.  The man will not stop talking.

Oliver: He has gone way over time, and he’s being very disrespectful.

The man is removed from the meeting.  Dissolve to a video of a waving Bolingbrook Flag and an image of Oliver.

Voiceover: Any party can brag about being first.

Dissolve to the Bolingbrook First logo.

Voiceover:  Only one party puts Bolingbrook First.

The second ad starts with an older woman in her living room.

Woman:  I’ve lived in Bolingbrook for many years. I’ve seen many elections and spoken to many candidates.  This year, I’m voting for a party that knows Bolingbrook almost as well as I do.

Knock on the door.

Woman:  Who is that?

She opens the front door.  A younger female candidate speaks.

Candidate1:  Hi.  I’m with the First Party for Bolingbrook—

Woman:  First party for Bolingbrook?  You seriously think you’re the first party that’s for Bolingbrook?

Candidate1:  I—

Woman:  Bob Bailey was one of Bolingbrook’s founding fathers.  He served as mayor and would have served a second term if the Federal Government hadn’t driven him out of town.  Are you saying he wasn’t for Bolingbrook?

Candidate1:  No—

Woman:  Bob meant business.  You mean nothing to me.

Candidate1:  Oh yeah?  Well, I bet I have more homestead exemptions than you do!

Woman slams the door.

Anyway, I’m voting for the only party that really cares about Bolingbrook.

Knock on the door.

Woman:  Again?

She opens the door and sees another candidate at the door.

Candidate2:  I’m running for Village Trustee because I care.

Woman:  I know you.  You’re the trustee who didn’t care when wrong information was printed in the Village Directory.  If you didn’t care about that, why should I expect you to care about important issues like our debt or our overpriced water?

Woman slams the door.

Woman:  The party I’m endorsing cares about real people and has a history of—

Knock on the door.

Woman:  What now?

She opens the door and sees another candidate.

Candidate3:  I’m running for Village Trustee.  People describe me as—

Woman:  What are you, a walking resume statement?  No real person talks like that.

She slams the door on Candidate3.

Woman:  I’m voting for Bolingbrook First.

Dissolve to the logo.

Woman:  Because any party can say they’re first.  Only one party puts Bolingbrook First.

While Zinn says he hopes to make the race exciting, he added that he does have an issue with Claar: “When I heard about a bank closing a branch, I sent an application to the Planning Commission so I could use the space to open a restaurant that serves caviar tacos.  Roger called me and said that because I didn’t ask for his permission, he was going to deny my application.  Now there’s a hole in the ground where my restaurant could have been.”

All of Bolingbrook’s parties spokespersons refused to be interviewed for this story.

Also in the Babbler:

Aliens arrested for organizing a fake Bolingbrook United fundraiser on Jupiter
High winds blow Bolingbrook infant into Chicago
UFO lands on Palatine resident’s backyard by mistake
God to smite Bolingbrook on 3/1/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction. 

Zombie skunks terrorize Bolingbrook (Fiction)

Despite reports of zombie skunks in Bolingbrook, the Department of Paranormal Affairs denies their existence.  

A cartoon skunk next to text that reads, "Snow, Bolingbrook's Skeptical Skunk, says Zombie Skunks are fake news! Learn more at www.bolingbrook.com."

Will the Village of Bolingbrook use this graphic to “debunk” zombie skunks?

“There’s no such thing as zombie skunks!” said an official who wished to remain anonymous.  “If zombies were real, we would have been overrun years ago.  This kind of reporting only incites panic.  If you see a very skinny skunk with unusually severe wounds, just run away from it and call animal control.”

Many residents disagree.  

Juanita, who asked that we not use her last name, claims she saw a zombie skunk in her backyard:  “It was really skinny, and had a blank look in its eyes.  It just shuffled towards the house.  I threw something at it.  That should have scared it off, but it kept moving towards the house.  So I pulled out my gun and shot it.  I know I hit it, but it kept going.  So I locked the doors, and my spouse and I debated whether we should lock ourselves in the basement, or shelter upstairs.  We never reached a decision.  The police arrived and the zombie skunk was gone.  The officer gave me a ticket for discharging a gun inside the village.  The zombie apocalypse has started, and the police are ticketing the residents!  No wonder police are useless in these situations!”

Pete, who also asked that we not use his last name, also spotted a zombie skunk:

“I saw a dead skunk next to my trash bags.  I felt bad at first, but as I was getting in my car, it stood up, and I saw that its eyes looked funny.  Then it started walking towards me.  That’s when I realized something was wrong.  No ordinary Bolingbrook skunk would ignore a bag of fresh garbage.  I think it wanted to eat me.  Fortunately, it was slow, and I drove away.”

Pete claims he later called Mayor Roger Claar about the sighting:  “Roger asked if I was supporting the First Party for Bolingbrook in the upcoming election.  I said I was going to vote for Bolingbrook First because I want to elect a party that puts Bolingbrook first.  He said I gave the wrong answer and hung up.  I used to wonder why the governments collapsed in every zombie movie.  Now I understand.”

Pete urged all Bolingbrook residents to stock up on food and ammunition.  He also suggested shooting any skunk in the head, “just to be safe.”

An anonymous employee at Animal Control denied the incident happened and denied the existence of zombie skunks:

“I am aware of the zombie deer disease. It doesn’t turn deer into zombies.  It just makes them waste away and eventually die.  My best advice is not to eat the meat of a deer that was acting strange or looked sick before it was killed.  We do have a few cases in Will County, so be careful out there.”

The employee also urged residents not to kill any skunks without a proper license from the village.

Claar could not be reached for comment, but Michael Carpanzano, a Village Trustee candidate for Claar’s First Party for Bolingbrook, denied the existence of zombie skunks:

“Your stories are stupid and do nothing to help our community.  You should write about how all of our candidates are the only ones canvasing neighborhoods today because we care.”

Bolingbrook United’s Park District Park District candidate Saud Gazanfer walked up to Carpanzano:  “We’re out canvassing today because we also care about Bolingbrook.”

Carpanzano pulled a rubber carp out of his pocket and held it in Gazanfer’s direction:

“As I was saying, I don’t see any of the other parties outside today.”

Also in the Babbler:

The Babbler remembers the victims of the Aurora shooting
Aliens deny attacking PZ Myers
Bolingbrook considers importing rock salt from Europa
God to smite Bolingbrook on 2/20/19

Note:  This is a work of fiction.