Candidates in Des Plaines 7th Ward aldermanic race offer contrasting styles
Voters in the 7th Ward on the north side of Des Plaines will be able to choose from two candidates this election with contrasting styles in how they'd approach the job of alderman.
Incumbent Don Smith, appointed by Mayor Matt Bogusz in October following the death of 29-year-old Alderman Joanna Sojka, is running to fill the remaining two years on Sojka's term. Smith was the 7th Ward alderman from 1997 to 2009, until voter-imposed term limits forced him to step down.
Elected officials are allowed to serve up to two consecutive terms, which allows Smith to run for alderman again.
Challenger Bob Porada, an eight-year member of the zoning board of appeals until he wasn't re-appointed by the mayor this year, has criticized Smith for not taking a stronger role in responding to constituent services. Porada, meanwhile, says he's already communicating with city staff members about issues in the ward, like when he brought two dozen broken streetlights to their attention.
"This is not Mayberry. I don't mean any disrespect to Don, but if he wants to be a thinker and not worry about streetlights and potholes, then he should go to Mount Prospect or Niles or places like that where they have trustees," Porada said last week during an interview with the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
"It's book smart, and it's common sense smart, and they're both good in equal measure, but for an alderman of Des Plaines, you have to be out there. You have to be upfront," Porada said.
Smith said he has been attentive to residents' questions and followed through with their requests for services - and has 12 years worth of files related to phone calls, meetings and correspondence to prove it.
"I return every phone call and try to answer everybody's question and do the best I can for them," Smith said.
Smith, who owns a Niles law practice, said he doesn't view being alderman as a full-time job, and acknowledged he may not be the same "hands-on alderman" as fellow city council veteran Dick Sayad, who is running for re-election in the 4th Ward.
Smith said what he enjoys about being alderman is talking to residents, debating the issues, and making decisions, and argues that he's brought an independent and open-minded perspective to the council.
Porada, who owns a Chicago law firm, admits he's "an acquired taste, but you know what you get."
"If you want me to sit in the corner and not voice an opinion, I'm not your guy," he said. "If you want me to roll over and not talk about issues that are out there, I'm not your guy."
Both candidates will appear at a forum sponsored by VFW Post 2992 at 7 p.m. Monday at the Frisbie Senior Center, 52 Northwest Highway.