Pingree Grove village president lacks board support

It's now a two-man race for Pingree Grove village president between incumbent Greg Marston and Trustee Steve Wiedmeyer, who has the support of the majority of the board.

Challenger Patrick Whalen said he dropped out of the running for personal reasons and so he wouldn't split what he called the "anti-Marston" vote between himself and Wiedmeyer.

"I really wanted to be mayor but it's hard to fight the current system," Whalen said, adding he now supports Wiedmeyer. "Steve is a better man. If he's elected, he'll be a better mayor."

Four of the five other trustees - Ray LaMarca, Bernie Thomas, Bob Spieker and Brian Paszkiewicz - told the Daily Herald they are endorsing Wiedmeyer.

LaMarca said all four have the same reason - they object to Marston's leadership style.

"He wants to make sure he gets the limelight instead of (giving credit to) a board decision," he said. "Greg cares more about how he looks than how it will affect the residents."

LaMarca acknowledged he couldn't point to any specific action or decision by Marston that adversely affected the village.

Wiedmeyer is more of a team player, LaMarca said. "He's looking out for the best of Pingree Grove, and putting Pingree Grove in a partnership with the board first, not looking out for individuals," he said.

Marston, 44, who ran unopposed in 2011 after serving as trustee for four years, didn't comment on board members' take on his leadership style.

He said he's always encouraged others to take part in the political process. "That's the great thing about the American system," he said. "We can endorse whomever we want."

Wiedmeyer, 48, says he's served under different leadership styles in his 18 years on the board, which in turn has taught him what it means to be a good leader.

"I'm flattered," he said of his fellow trustees' support. "I'm the senior trustee and I think all the guys have kind of looked to me for a passive or casual leadership role outside of the village president's position."

His decision to run is not about unseating Marston, with whom he's friendly, he said. "It always was my intent to (run for village president) one day, and I felt this is the time to do that," he said. "I felt our residents deserved a choice."

Wiedmeyer said he takes no issue with Marston's leadership style. "I'm not going to take it the 'dirty politics' style and have a negative campaign," he said.