Three declare interest in running for Wheeling president
The Wheeling village president race is shaping up to be a three-way contest, with a possible fourth contender planning to announce his intentions soon.
Judy Abruscato and Pat Horcher, both current village trustees, have announced that they are running for the vacant spot in April.
David Kolssak, a member of the Chicago Executive Airport board, said he is also a candidate for village president.
Dean Argiris, the third trustee who is currently filling in as village president as part of a three-person rotation in the job, said he has not made a decision yet on whether to run.
The spot has had a temporary occupant since April 2007 when Greg Klatecki announced he was stepping down.
Abruscato served as a fill-in for the first 233 days, with Horcher following. Both said at the time that it was an opportunity for residents to get a preview on how they would run the town.
Abruscato said her 22 years as trustee have prepared her to lead Wheeling.
She said one of her goals has always been to have an expanded, free-standing senior center, which she would continue to advocate for as president.
"I've been an advocate for many things since I've been on the board," she said. "I think I can help unify and put things in perspective."
Pat Horcher, who ran for trustee 14 years ago when his family's farm was forcibly annexed into town, said he's striven to be a rational voice on the board and tried to clear up the president's duties when he took the role earlier this year.
Klatecki had been using veto power during his time, and Horcher got an ordinance passed to make it clear the president wouldn't have that option.
"I will emphasize that the board as a whole has to make decisions," he said. "The village president has little or no specific authority: We don't have the right to veto things. We can't go to meetings with a developer and promise things."
Kolssak, who grew up in Wheeling and came back to town after college to raise his family and run his business, said he's been outside the political goings-on of the current board and can offer a fresh perspective.
"We're in a pivotal time in village history: We need a leader who's decisive, intuitive and knowledgeable about all facets of the community," he said. "I'm local; I have a vested interest in the community."
He said one of the things he wants to do in the current economic climate is take a step back from village development and re-evaluate it so that vacancies like Kmart no longer exist.
Petitions for positions on the village board, including three trustee spots, are still available at village hall, 255 W. Dundee Road, or online at vi.wheeling.il.us. So far, 13 residents have shown an interest in the trustee positions, not including any who have printed online petitions that can't be tracked.
Filing for the April elections begins on Jan. 19.