Residents accuse local campaign group of racial attacks, urge removal of Alderman Lennon; others decry campaign mailers and loss of family spaces

Several residents used the Berwyn City Council public-comment period on Feb. 5 to raise concerns about leaked text messages, race-based campaign mailings, enforcement of the city ethics ordinance and the loss of youth-oriented businesses.

Rafael Avila, a candidate for mayor and former Seventh Ward alderman, said text messages he attributed to Alderman Scott Lennon and others contained "extremely offensive racist and insulting remarks" directed at Latino Berwyn politicians and families. Avila read excerpts and urged Mayor Robert Lovero to demand Lennon’s resignation and terminate his public appointment.

"I demand that you stop these erroneous remarks," Avila said. He accused the group Berwyn Strong and several named individuals of spreading slander against independent candidates and family members.

Jamie Franklin, a First Ward resident who said she prepared the local landmark application for 6804 West Windsor Avenue, also urged action on the leaked messages and asked the mayor to remove Scott Lennon from his public positions.

David Goldberg, a new resident, criticized recent campaign mailings that he said use "race baiting and fear mongering" and asked why the council twice failed to acknowledge Black History Month. Michael Solway and other residents expressed similar concern about mailers that describe newcomers as a public-safety threat.

Steve Taylor, a Third Ward resident, urged enforcement of the municipal ethics ordinance and said multiple ethics complaints remain unresolved. Taylor said the ordinance calls for investigations and resolutions within 60 days; he said the commission has not completed its assigned tasks and asked the mayor to direct the city attorney to act.

Nayeli Burns, a Seventh Ward resident, described bringing her children to 6207 Roosevelt Road for bubble tea and finding the shop replaced by a bar with a slot machine. Burns said the change eliminated a family-friendly space for local children, particularly affecting Latino families.

Daniel (identified in the record as a First Ward resident) said the recent mailers and the use of armed officers to hand out flyers at a "Know Your Rights" event created fear among residents and reflected tactics he associated with far-right political organizing.

No formal council action was taken during the public-comment period on the complaints about leaked text messages or the ethics process. Council members acknowledged the comments but did not provide responses during the public-comment period.

Speakers who raised these issues during public comment included Rafael Avila (mayoral candidate and former Seventh Ward alderman), David Goldberg (new resident), Michael Solway (First Ward resident), Steve Taylor (Third Ward resident), Jamie Franklin (First Ward resident), Daniel (First Ward resident), and Nayeli Burns (Seventh Ward resident).