Olympia Fields Citizens Question Excerpts from Village Presidential Candidate's Website & LinkedIn

Politics. A concept that has allowed for peace and order through the institution of government. Every few years or so, different candidates go head to head to determine who will govern a certain municipality. Throughout electoral history, there have always been naysayers. Some may or may not be valid- but naysayers nonetheless. Despite the position the people in these elections seek to possess, it is very important for the voter to do their research on candidates. At the end of the day, these are people simply attempting to obtain & maintain a specific position. 

Soon, voters of Olympia Fields, Illinois will vote for the president of their respective village. It is encouraged that all voters be knowledgeable when stepping up to the metaphorical “plate” when making their decision. 

Desiree Watkins is currently an Olympia Fields Trustee and active candidate. During this time, she has been building and preparing for her possible election as President of Olympia Fields, making her case of being suited for the position. Recently, citizens of Olympia Fields have noted a pattern in Trustee Watkins’ online presence. 

When candidates build a campaign, it is important for them to make it clear to the public what their mission is. In today’s age, it is important to use the internet to express one's goals and intentions, as it gives users the platform to control their image and build rapport. 

On Desiree Watkins’ campaign website and LinkedIn profile, there are major pieces that seem to be a copy of other online websites and other LinkedIn profiles. There are quite a few cases of this and the first item in questioning is the opening statement of Watkins’ Economic Development Plan. The plan starts with this excerpt:

“Economic development at the municipal level is paramount to the promotion of growth, accessibility, stability, and to establishing strong, cohesive municipalities and regional partnerships in the realm of the global market economy.” {https://desiree4olympiafields.com/issues/municipal-economic-development}

This is the exact opening to a 2014 article posted by Business in Focus Magazine, which was written by Jessica Ferlaino. The problem is not that this quote was used, rather the fact that it was used and uncredited. 

The second example presented, is Ms. Watkins’ Infrastructure Platform. The introductory paragraph of this plan reads, as such: 

“As technology advances, so do the expectations placed on our local governments. The United States is gradually transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, From LED bulbs in streetlights to electric-powered city fleets, the energy transition is impacting the way our local governments do business.”  

These are the exact same words that start a 2019 article published by IMCA.com.

Stating:

“As technology advances, so do the expectations placed on our local governments. The United States is gradually transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and some are referring to these shifts as the “energy transition.” From LED bulbs in streetlights to electric-powered city fleets, the energy transition is impacting the way our local governments do business.”

The second paragraph on this particular page starts out very similar, but not exact, to the first sentence as the article posted by IMCA. This part of Watkins’ plan reads as such: 

“With global warming and climate strikes happening across the world, it has become increasingly common for environmental concerns to be listed among a municipalities’ top priorities.” 

The second paragraph’s opening sentence on the IMCA website asserts: 

“With climate strikes happening across the world, it has become increasingly common for environmental concerns to be listed among a municipalities’ top priorities.” 

Whereas the statements in second paragraphs are not the exact same, they boast enough similarities to raise suspicion.

The last two examples were gathered from article excerpts, but for the next example, the purported information was garnered, via other LinkedIn accounts. On Watkins’ 5th listed role as a Branch Manager for Accountants on Call, she had a slew of responsibilities. Per the listing, it states that Watkins worked in the greater Detroit area as a Branch Manager for this company between 1995-1998. According to Watkins’ LinkedIn, she performed these duties during the time:

“Responsible for developing and managing client relationship, building business, hire, train, and coaching branch personnel and act as key contact between the client, the branch field staff and Accountants On Call Corporate office."

It continues, written & formatted in the exact manner displayed in this paragraph:

"ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Developed and built client relationships at all supervisory and management levels

Filled client orders with qualified field staff promptly and according to our commitment

Ensured that daily and weekly quotas are met

Assisted in growth and development by expanding client usage through quality staffing 

Performed and managed all aspects of the operations of the company related to the use of client site facilities, productivity tracking processes and client established metrics.

Hired, trained, coached and mentored branch personnel 

Manages the office profitability

Established weekly, monthly and annual goals and developed strategies to achieve those goals

Acts as Recruiter when required; recruits, selects, interviews temporary staff employees

Resolved issues for clients, branch personnel and field staff

Identify developmental/career opportunities to ensure staff retention--”

This part of the page’s listing is notably similar to another LinkedIn user’s account, Tania Veirs. On Veirs’ LinkedIn profile, it states that she was a Branch Manager at Advantage Resourcing from Mar 2015-Sept 2016. According to this section of Veirs’ LinkedIn account, during her time as a Branch Manager, she had quite a few duties. Below are her listed responsibilities and abilities: 

“Responsible for developing and managing client relationship, building business, hire, train, and coaching branch personnel and act as key contact between the client, the branch field staff and Corporate Office.

• Develops and builds client relationships at all supervisory and management levels
• Fills client orders with qualified staff according to our commitment
• Assists in growth and development by expanding client usage 
• Hires, trains, coaches and mentors branch personnel 
• Manages the office profitability
• Assists the Credit Department in the collection of receivables
• Establishes weekly, monthly and annual goals and develops strategies to achieve those goals
• Acts as CSR when required, recruits, selects, interviews field staff employees
• Resolves issues for clients, branch personnel and field staff
• Communicate and coordinate the various aspects of branch operations required to ensure compliance (Worker’s Compensation, Unemployment, Human Resources, Legal, WOTC, etc.)
• Financial management of branch operations (budgeting, forecasting, monthly P&L review, credit and collections, etc.)
• Develop a fully operational and qualified staff by hiring and training employees according to established company guidelines
• Identify developmental/career opportunities to ensure staff retention--"

Just like the websites, the LinkedIn has some slight differences from the comparative material that is presented through Desiree Watkins’ media, but it is very similar, if not almost exact. 

A second comparison was drawn between Watkins' Chief HR Consulting Officer listing and listings posted by two other LinkedIn accounts. 

Under a specific part of the listing, Watkins listed her special qualifications as such: 

“Articulate [and] understanding of the issues and dynamics of difference. Possess a strong commitment to enhancing multicultural understanding with my clients. Have a broad experience in the development of educational, cultural, and social programs designed to improve the quality of the educational and social experiences of college age students in general, women and underrepresented minority students in particular. Possess a demonstrated history of success working both independently and as part of a team. Proven ability to collaborate and work successfully with multiple constituents to deliver and improve programs and initiatives. Possess superb communication skills.”

This has a striking resemblance to a LinkedIn profile by Janice Johnson. On this page it states that Johnson works at Gallaudet University as the Coordinator of Operations and Activities in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Under her Special Qualifications you can find this:

“Special qualifications:

Articulate [and] understanding of the issues and dynamics of difference. Possess a strong commitment to enhancing multicultural understanding on campus. Have a broad experience in the development of educational, cultural, and social programs designed to improve the quality of the educational and social experiences of college age students in general and women and underrepresented minority students in particular. Possess a demonstrated history of success working both independently and as part of a team. Proven ability to collaborate and work successfully with multiple constituents to deliver and improve programs and initiatives. Possess superb communication skills.”

When asked for comments regarding her Website and LinkedIn, Watkins responded: 

"If you go on Nextdoor, then maybe you should look and see what the people that I've worked with have said about me. Regardless of what's on the website or LinkedIn, that's a social media network. I'm not looking for a job. I own a company. I [have] been in the market for 25 years." 

Nextdoor is a social media app that connects those in specific communities.

The election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2021.