Kaiser to oppose Craig for Hanover Park mayor

Hanover Park officials aren't shy about voicing contempt over the way the village is run.

The mudslinging isn't likely to lessen in the next few months now that one of Mayor Rodney Craig's adversaries has announced her candidacy for his job.

Trustee Lori Kaiser of the CommUnity Party will take on the freshman mayor in April's election.

"We are dysfunctional, and I think we need a leader who will work with the board as a whole and not play favorites," said Kaiser, a midterm trustee who would retain her office should she lose to Craig.

Kaiser, 46, said Craig favors Trustee Toni Carter, adding his name-calling and refusal to work with anyone else escalated after the rest of the board fired his wife, Clerk Sherry Craig, from her position as collector.

"He doesn't talk to us and has never really spoken to me," said Kaiser, a lifelong Hanover Park resident.

Before Kaiser was elected trustee in 2003, she served as park board president and commissioner. She said her focus will be responsible fiscal management and finding the money to hire more police officers. She voted against Hanover Park hosting its four-day, 50th anniversary festival last year, citing a lack of funds.

"Craig likes the hoopla," she said. "I want to make sure taxpayer money isn't being spent on frills."

Hanover Park's leadership will take on a new look regardless of the mayoral election's outcome.

Citing a need for fresh faces, longtime Trustees Bob Packham and Wes Eby will not seek re-election.

"Mayor Craig has brought the circus into town," said Packham, who narrowly lost to Craig for mayor in 2007. "I want to enjoy my retirement and think some new blood and new ideas are needed."

Trustee since 1987, Packham was the one to approach Kaiser about running against Craig. He's encouraged she was the leading vote-getter among trustees two years ago, winning 19 percent of total votes.

Rounding out the CommUnity Party slate are current Trustee Bill Manton, Jeffrey Bakes and Carol Bock, wife of the late Mayor Irv Bock. Margaret Blanford-Granbom will run for clerk.

Each has extensive experience in village government and organizations, said 20-year trustee Eby.

Progress Party candidates are Craig for mayor, Ed Zimel, William Cannon and Rick Roberts for trustee and Eira Corral for clerk.