Former political leader wants back in spotlight

Dr. William Dam realized during a trip to China to pick up his adopted daughter that he needed to spend more time at home.

The longtime Fox Lake political leader also said he misses life in the political spotlight.

Now, he wants to do both.

Dam, 64, the former Republican 8th Congressional State Central Committeeman, announced he will run for mayor in spring 2009. Dam held that office from 1985 through 1989.

Current Mayor Cindy Irwin has not announced if she will seek election. Irwin defeated Trustee Nancy Koske, who has acknowledged in the past she might be interested in being mayor again.

Dam said his need to serve in political office spurred this decision to run again.

"This time, I'm not running because I'm upset with the village or anything," he said. "The various boards and committees are giving their best efforts. This time, I just want to step up."

Dam also has served as the elected director of the Fox Waterway Agency in Fox Lake and was elected state central committeeman in 1993.

Because of his link to state and federal politics over the past 20 years, Dam said he has more experience for the mayoral job than during his first term.

"I've spent the last 20 years making contacts in Lake and McHenry County, as well as in state and federal government," he said. "Maybe I can bring some of those contacts forward and give our community a chance to reach its full potential."

However, Dam has drawn criticism of late from residents for some projects he has tried to build.

Most recently, residents on Lippencott Road rose up against him when he tried to open a three-story, 56-room hotel on the residential street.

Dam threatened residents in public meetings that if he didn't get the hotel he was requesting, he would instead open a nightclub on the site.

Before going forward with that plan, Dam decided to back out of the project and open an 11-room bed and breakfast instead.

Dam said he wants to run now to help the community and remain home for his family.

"Some people just serve out of the goodness of their heart," he said. "I look forward to an opportunity to put the energy of the community together and the resources together to make this the best community it can be."