Mokena's Front Porch Podcast

Send us Fan Mail THIS EPISODE WAS CREATED USING A.I. SOFTWARE AND MAY INCLUDE FACTUAL ERRORS IN THE EPISODE. PLEASE BE SURE TO VERIFY QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION YOURSELF AS WELL.  With the explosion of A.I. (artificial intelligence), there are new tools coming along all the time! We shared the video of the March 19th Mokena 159 School Board meeting on our YouTube channel. Using that video and some a...

Send us Fan Mail Kimberly Huelsman is a teacher at Sandburg High School in Orland Park. This is her first time running for elected office and she is running with the Mokena's Future slate. Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ www. MokenasFrontPorch.com Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos Find Matt's Blog he...

Send us Fan Mail Dan Gilbert teaches in Mokena 159 schools and is a Mokena Park District Commissioner. He is running with the Friends of Mokena slate, who's website is www.friendsofmokena.com Get to know Dan Gilbert and be sure to vote BY April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!  Please subscribe to our channel!  Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ www. MokenasFrontPorch.com...

Send us Fan Mail Melissa Fedora is the Executive Director of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and a current Village Trustee, running for her second term.  She is running with the Friends of Mokena slate, who's website is www.friendsofmokena.com You can watch all of our candidate interviews, campaign events and election updates on our website and YouTube channel.  Support the show Be sure to che...

Send us Fan Mail Colleen is a lifelong Mokenian and a sales professional. This is Colleen's first time running for elected office. She is running for the 2 year term.  Get to know Colleen Patrick-Lenart and be sure to vote on April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!   She is running with the Friends of Mokena. Their website is FriendsofMokena.com  Support the show Be sure to check out our w...

Send us Fan Mail James Roberts is a retired, having spent his career running grocery stores. He ran for Village Trustee once before back in the early 90's. Get to know James Roberts and be sure to vote BY April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!  Jim is running with the Mokena's Future Slate. Their website is www.friendsofmokena.com Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ w...

Send us Fan Mail Tuesday, March 4th, the Mokena's Future slate hosted their 3rd meet and greet at Clancy Bros. Coffee. There next meet and greet will be Tuesday March 18th at Clancy Bros.  Early voting starts March 17th and election day is April 1st! Be sure to subscribe to our channel and vote on election day! Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ www. MokenasFrontPorch.com Fol...

Send us Fan Mail Nick Clancy is a Mokena business owner, having started Clancy Bros. coffee in Mokena. This is Nick's first time running for elected office. Get to know Nick Clancy and be sure to vote on April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!  Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ www. MokenasFrontPorch.com Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch Check Out Our You...

Send us Fan Mail The Summit Hill 161 School District, serving parts of Mokena, Frankfort, and Tinley Park, has been in the spotlight due to school closings, transportation challenges, and other key issues. With 10 candidates running for the school board, transparency is more important than ever. Five candidates—Amy Berk, Patrick Oliphant, Adrian Chavez, Ronnie Petrey, and Melissa Ryan—reached out...

Send us Fan Mail George Metanias has been a Village Trustee since 2005 and is running for Mayor of Mokena for the first time. He is running with the "Friends of Mokena" slate with candidates for Trustee and Clerk. Learn more about Trustee Metanias and his plans for Mokena, should he be elected in the April 1st, 2025 election.  You can watch my other conversation with Trustee Metanias as...

Send us Fan Mail Frank Fleischer has been the Village President of Mokena since 2013. He is running for re-election with a group of candidates as the "Mokena's Future" slate. Learn more about Mayor Fleischer and what his plans are for Mokena's Future. We had a previous conversation with Mayor Fleischer and Mrs. Fleischer, that can be found on our YouTube page. You can watch and...

Send us Fan Mail Katie is a candidate for Mokena 159 Elementary School District. She has two children in 159 schools, holds a Masters Degree from Lewis University and works as a social worker. We talked about what she would bring to the school board and how she thinks she can strengthen communication and improve our schools. We have a local election page https://mokenasfrontporch.com/local-electio...

Send us Fan Mail Jim and his wife, Jaymie, have lived in Mokena since 2007, raising their three children in District 159 schools. A Mokena native and graduate of Mokena Jr. High and Lincoln-Way, Jim earned his Communications degree from Eastern Illinois University. He works as a Financial Representative with Country Financial and has served the community as past President of the Mokena Lions Club,...

Send us Fan Mail Frankfort Township Assessor Joe Kral is running unopposed in the April 1, 2025, consolidated election. In this episode, we get to know Joe, explore the role of the Assessor, and break down the property tax process—from how your home is valued to paying your tax bill. We also discuss how this important position impacts homeowners and the steps you can take if you disagree with your...

Send us Fan Mail Deadra Stokes and her husband, Paul, have three daughters and live in Frankfort. Along with being a member of the Lincolnway 210 High School Board, she is an attorney, the Chief Commissioner of The Police and Fire Board for the Village of Frankfort and more!  Deadra doesn't have a challenger this election but she was still nice enough to sit down with me.  Get to know her and...

Send us Fan Mail Aaron Janik is the current President of the Lincolnway 210 School Board. He lives in Mokena with his wife Molly and their three kids. He is running unopposed this election but still sat with me to talk about the school district and himself.  Enjoy this conversation with my friend, Aaron Janik! Israel This is a production of Mokena's Front Porch. More on our website at www.mok...

Send us Fan Mail This is was the first candidate meet and greet for the Village Board and Mayoral races. Mayor Frank Fleischer's "Mokena's Future" slate provided a spread of coffee, pastires and a chance to hear from their candidates. When I planned to attend this event I thought I could put a quick set of clips together but the Mayor and his slate, for the first time, laid out...

Send us Fan Mail This past week I went out to my mailbox and found an endorsement mailer from the Mokena Teachers Association, proclaiming their support for the four incumbent board members. So I reached out to a couple of the representatives from the Mokena Teachers Association and they were kind enough to meet with me at the Mokena Library.  I ask them about the endorsement session and why they...

Send us Fan Mail We are very excited to share this audio from the Mokena Village proclamation remembering Deputy Walter Fisher, who was Mokena's only law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty. After the proclamation is the episode we did in March of 2023 about Deputy Fisher as well! After 98 years we are proud to have been a part of making this recognition happen. There are als...

Send us Fan Mail It has been a busy couple of weeks, with fundraisers and petition filings! We hear from former Mokena Mayor, Mike Everett, and we find out who actually filed their petitions to run in the April 1st election! Be on the look out for our candidate interviews! You won't want to miss them!  Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ www. MokenasFrontPorch.com Follow Us On...

Send us Fan Mail This is the most in depth video recorded conversation with Eddie Yunker, the last owner of the historic McGovney-Yunker Farm, that is know of. Before Mr. Yunker passed away, he sold his farm to the ‪ Mokena Park District, ensuring this property will be controlled and appreciated by the public.  Brian Yunker, the grandson of Eddie Yunker, gave this video to Matt and asked that we s...

Send us Fan Mail The Imagination Station was more than a playground, it was a community effort that brought our entire Village together. For 27 years this wooden playscape was a staple for every Mokena kid. After years of weather as well as a lack of sufficient maintenance,  the playscape was taken down this summer.  In the video, we have included a bunch of pictures, provided by Dr. Mark Cohen an...

Send us Fan Mail Since moving to Mokena in 1977, the Fleischer's have been an active part of the Mokena community. Mayor Fleischer and Mrs. Fleischer sat down with Israel and talked about their lives before Mokena, how they came to Mokena and they impact they have both made since.  We discuss Mayor Fleischer's political future and what changes he would like to see for Mokena. Enjoy Israe...

Send us Fan Mail Since our Village was incorporated in 1880, it held elections to determine who the decision makers in town would be.  The local elections for Village Mayor and Trustees, Village Clerk, School Boards, Park, Fire and Library boards, will be Tuesday April 1, 2025! And candidates are already circulating petitions. This municipal elections cycle, Mokena's Front Porch Podcast is go...

Send us Fan Mail Israel sits down with Joann Jeffers and Lana Graser of the Mokena Women's Club to learn more about this group and how they have been serving the people of Mokena since 1960!  I hope you enjoy our conversation and please reach out to them if you would like to join what they are doing in Mokena! Support the show Be sure to check out our website @ www. MokenasFrontPorch.com Foll...