South Cook News

Incumbent Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry bagged 70% of the vote to easily fend off challenger Marcia Hollis-Bratcher and secure another term.

In the days leading up to the April 6 vote, Alsberry sought to remind voters of what he has meant to the area during his years of being in charge.

“I’ve been the leader of the Village of Hazel Crest many years,” Alsberry said in a video posted to Facebook. “My family and I have enjoyed our time here. We’ve seen the growth; we’ve seen the development of new businesses and we’ve seen how families have come here and helped grow our community. Whether advocating for health care services for our region or providing services to small organization, I’m committed to you.”

In the weeks leading up to the election, Alsberry also brought attention to himself by joining forces with the Southland Partnership to create COVID-19 memorial tributes.

As part of the development, the mayor sought video tributes from local people who had lost loved ones to the virus.

“I just felt that we all need some closure,” Alsberry said. “At the beginning, there were a lot of people passing who were not even able to be with loved ones before they passed. I had some friends pass and I felt left out and unable to say goodbye.

 “I’m not sure who will reply to this, but I felt it was a good way to give people an opportunity to at least bring some closure for their loved ones and for themselves.”