If you are searching the ballot for an alternative to voting for Phil Hare, you won’t find it, but the Congressman is not running unopposed. I am on the approved list of write-in candidates in all the counties in the 17th Congressional District, and, if you write in my name it will count on Election Day.
My name is Mark Lioen, and I am a 56-year old resident of Rock Island. I was born and raised in the Quad-City area before moving with my family to Peoria. Subsequently, I graduated from secondary school in Indianapolis after my family was moved there when my father was promoted by Deere.
I was awarded an undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, and, while there, I had an opportunity to study at Trinity College, Dublin. I also have a master's degree from the London School of Economics.
Afterwards, when I returned to do post-graduate research, I spent time with an influential polling firm called Market & Opinion Research International (MORI) and worked in the office of a British Member of Parliament named George Robertson, who was the British Minister of Defense before becoming, as Lord Robertson, the Secretary General of NATO. Currently, I am a teacher.
My purpose in running is to see whether it is possible to make a more congenial atmosphere for business growth and the creation of more jobs in the district to accommodate all those who wish to stay in this part of Illinois.
Actively courting new firms to move to the area, as well as providing a stimulus to businesses by allowing them to deduct more of the cost of machinery and equipment sooner could create jobs as well as free money for further investment.
If you agree, write in my name on Nov. 4.
Mark Lioen, Rock Island
