Marian Garrigan, Neighbor

I'm a native Oak Parker with deep roots in the community. Back in the 1920's  my grandparents, the Brandstraders and the Goldens, came to Oak Park to raise their growing families.  I thank them every day for that, because as a result, I grew up with six large families of cousins in the village. By the 1980's we had well over a hundred blood relatives in the area. I will get back to you when the 2010 census results are in.

I married my best friend, Tom Garrigan in 1975 and in 1983 we moved our family of six into the most broken down house in Oak Park. Imagine being able to buy a house in here for $31,000! Imagine having a mortgage with 17% interest!

While raising four daughters, we fixed the house up. The kids got bigger, we bought a bigger house and fixed that up. The kids grew up, started moving out, we bought a smaller house and fixed it up. Now we are empty nesters, but we are staying in Oak Park, because it is home.Politics: I'm an independent leaning toward the Democratic Party.

Religion: I'm a Roman Catholic, with a deep appreciation for Ascension Parish and it's tendency towards universal acceptance, charity and justice.

Local Hot Button Issues: The issues that interest me the most are unemployment, crime, housing, the homeless, drug abuse and underage drinking, along with historic preservation, new businesses and making the village universally accessable.