Meet John Zbesko

Editor's note: Today we begin an ongoing series profiling the board members of the Democratic Party of Evanston. Veteran board member John Zbesko has bravely agreed to be our first, but we will continue to add profiles over the next few months.

John Zbesko may be known for his trademark Greek fisherman's cap, but when it comes to local politics he actually wears a number of different hats. 

As a Democratic Party of Evanston board member since 1986, he has served in every executive position, including treasurer, secretary and president. Aside from his ongoing commitment to the local party, he is a trustee of the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, having been recommended by Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin in 2005. He has also run for Evanston city council, been involved in a number of civic campaigns-- including the effort to save Evanston's elm trees and retain the Civic Center as the seat of Evanston government--and is currently on the board of the Central Street Neighbor's Association.

But John's commitment to positive action doesn't stop with politics. In the early '90s, John and his wife, Pamela Duhl, were founding families of The Family School, which has provided a combined Jewish/Catholic curriculum to more than 120 interfaith families from Chicago and the suburbs.

Evanston Democrats clearly value this veteran activist's keen insight and historical perspective, but on election day he brings something even more important. If you've ever served as an election judge or poll watcher, you've probably seen John delivering the doughnuts and lunches. (As we all know, democracy can wither and die if it is not lovingly tended and properly nourished!)

John is proud to have raised three accomplished young Democrats, but he does admit that his children have been a disappointment in one important respect. "My biggest disappointment with my children is that they don't share my appreciation of kielbasa, sauerkraut, and polka music," he jokes.