Getty celebrates 14 years as Lyons Mayor at packed fundraiser at Gibsons
By Ray Hanania
Honored at a fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 for his 14 years as a public official, Lyons Mayor and Lyons Township Supervisor Chris Getty thanked residents and local business owners for their support and cited a range of achievements he said could not be done without their backing.
Getty, during his remarks at the fundraiser at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook, said that he is proud of the work he has done to build up the Village of Lyons as Mayor over the past 14 years and as Township Supervisor for the past six years.
Mayor Getty said he spent much time reflecting on his 14 years as Mayor and his service as Township Supervisor reminding himself of the importance of public service and the qualities of good government.
“Our government, at its core, is meant to serve the people. It is meant to be a tool to advance the common good, to ensure that every resident has access to the opportunities and freedoms that they need to succeed,” Getty said.
“Good government is not just a lofty ideal. It is a practical necessity that we need in order to achieve our collective aspirations. It is a government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of its citizens. With leaders who are guided by principles of justice, equality, and integrity. Leaders who work to earn the support of their citizens and leaders who put the interests of the people first!”
Good government, Mayor Getty said, is important to promote democracy and encourage respect for the rule of law.
“Good government encourages civic engagement and participation, providing a platform for citizens to voice their opinions and hold their leaders accountable. It creates a culture of openness, welcoming diversity and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs,” Getty said.
“My friends, we live in a time of great challenges and great opportunities. Every challenge we face presents us with the opportunity to come together to move our cities, our state, and our nation forward. How we handle our challenges today, will define us & our future, tomorrow.”
First, we must recognize that good government is not a one-person job, Getty said. He said “good government” is not a “one-man show” but is the result of teamwork of officials and community leaders working together.
“During my time as Mayor and Supervisor, I’ve had the privilege of working with a team of dedicated individuals at the Village of Lyons, the Township of Lyons, and many surrounding communities, who share my values and commitment to good government. Their service is inspiring, their support is motivating, and their friendship encourages me to continue to push forward,” Getty acknowledged.
“I believe we must recognize that good government is not a one-time achievement. It is an ongoing process, one that requires constant attention and involvement. We must always be vigilant, always push for better, and always strive to be a more effective government.”
Mayor Getty reminisced that his path to be a better and more effective public servant for Lyons which has a population of 11,000 residents and for Lyons Township which has 120,000 residents, began in very humble beginnings.
“I remember when I was first running for Mayor and our events were held in our insurance office garage. We were lucky to get 20 people in attendance. And it is humbling to see how much we have grown. I genuinely appreciate the support of everyone in this room,” Mayor Getty recalled to a crowd of over 400 supporters.
“I was elected Mayor of the Village of Lyons in 2009 and although I was successful in that election, it was not easy. Knocking on someone’s door and trying to convince them to elect 26-year-old Mayor was quite a difficult task.”
He added, “But I knew what I lacked in experience, I could overcome with hard work and persistence. Luckily, that hard work has allowed me to gain the experience of serving as Mayor of the Village of Lyons for the last 14 years. It’s a great honor.”
Getty concluded by expressing his gratitude to all of the attendees and those who could not make the packed event, saying, “So, I thank you all for being here tonight and joining me in these efforts. Let us continue to fight for good government. Let us continue to work to advance our communities, and let us remember that by working together we will continue to achieve success! Thank you & God Bless.”
Among the attendees were many regional officials and dignitaries who came out to salute Mayor Chris Getty and congratulate him on his many achievements in the Village of Lyons and the Township of Lyons.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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