Meet Len:
VOTE Len to Win for Ottawa!
Hi, I'm Len Newell.
I'm excited to announce my candidacy for Ottawa Mayor!
Growing up in Ottawa meant two things for me as a kid – 1) playing baseball and 2) looking to each of my grandfathers for their guidance and wisdom.
I had high admiration for my maternal Grandfather, Robert Dumke, who dedicated his life to family and horticulture following World War II. He was in the 82nd Airborne, not to mention, a retired Union Iron Worker. I'm fortunate to have inherited some of that nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic from him.
My interest in civic duty can be credited to my other (paternal) Grandfather, Francis Newell, who retired from the Ottawa Fire Department as Captain.
Aside from growing a greenhouse full of beautiful flowers like Grandpa Dumke or saving lives and putting out fires like Grandpa Newell, I just wanted to play baseball. So I did. As time passed, and I made my way through college, I never forgot the value of great teamwork and solid leadership.
Not long after graduating from SIU with two Bachelor degrees under my belt, I came back home to Ottawa to serve our community through coaching and I haven't looked back since.
Ottawa American Little League, Ottawa Baseball Boosters, G&P Baseball, Marquette Academy, Shepherd Middle School and Illinois Valley Community College are my personal highlights.
Today, I'm employed at Halm Electric, where I have been for the past 24 years. Whenever I get a break from work and coaching, I'm usually fishing, camping, or finding some other way to enjoy the great outdoors. My two Great Danes (Paisley and Sparky) keep me company and provide plenty of entertainment. Paisley's cool, but Sparky is a handful. :-)
P.S. – Don't forget to vote for Ottawa Mayor on April 4th, 2023.
Link to WCMY Radio Interview with Leonard S Lewell
The debate itself begins at 42:20. The City of Ottawa Consolidated Election Mayoral Debate for 2023 was held from 7:00pm to 8:45pm on Monday, March 13th at the Central School Cafetorium in Ottawa, Illinois.
