Lake Co. election energy continues
Mayors in many Lake County communities will face multiple opponents April 7, as interest in politics appears to be thriving at the local level.
Candidates in a variety of races say they are running to make a difference in their respective towns. Whether that means exposing perceived secret societies, better communication with residents or righting what they believe to be past wrongs, mayoral candidates filled the ballots and promise lively campaigns.
Monday was the last day for candidates for local elected offices to file nominating petitions for seats on village boards, libraries, park and school districts and townships. Mayors and trustees in several towns will defend their records against slates of opponents.
In Wauconda, incumbent Mayor Salvatore Saccomanno will face three opponents in his run for a second term.
Among them is Trustee Mark Knigge, part of the Wauconda United slate also fielding candidates for three trustee spots and village clerk. Independents Thomas Larkin and Roger Wojcicki are the other mayoral candidates.
"We're not running against the current mayor," Knigge said. "We're trying to move it up a notch and present a whole new outlook."
Knigge said interest in local politics this season likely is an offshoot of the national election.
"It got people energized and interested - what can they do to make a difference in their towns?"
Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes ran unopposed when first elected eight years ago. In 2005, he defeated two other candidates. This time, he faces challenger James Dietz. Gentes, who lost a run for state senate in November, says local politics are more personal and decisions can have a more immediate impact.
"I think mayors and municipal officials have more sway over your life than the president of the United States," he said.
Local finances, for example, are the main issue in Antioch, where veteran trustees Larry Hanson and Robert Caulfield are running. Incumbent Dorothy Larson is not seeking re-election.
Mayoral challengers also are surfacing in other communities for the first time in decades.
In Libertyville, well known attorney and former village trustee Terry Weppler is challenging incumbent Jeff Harger, who is seeking a second four-year term. It has been 20 years since the post was contested.
Weppler says village officials should be more business friendly and wants some processes streamlined. Harger counters that an economic development director was hired for specifically to deal with business, and staff has an open-door policy lauded by those working with the village.
In Mettawa, challenges to mayor and four village board seats may be the first in the roughly 50-year history of the tiny village east of Vernon Hills.
The driving issue for the Mettawa Transparency Party are village board actions involving the land sale and approval of a Costco store. Challengers say incumbents have been secretive and have not acted in the best interests of residents; incumbents say the sales tax windfall will be used to preserve the village's rural lifestyle.
Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik will face former restaurant owner Anthony "Tony" Maniscalco and village Trustee Greg Garner.
Maniscalco, who made an unsuccessful bid for trustee in 2005, said his acquittal on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, battery and disorderly conduct in December is one reason he's a candidate. He said the arrest in 2007 was a result of village operatives who wanted him out of politics.
"There's a secret society or a small clique that's been running this area in Gurnee for years and years," he said.
In a long-awaited confrontation, longtime Fox Lake Trustee Ed Bender and his Focused Party is challenging incumbent Mayor Cindy Irwin and her Fox Lake United Party. They are joined in the race by former Trustee Alberta Meyer.
Mayors also are being challenged in Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Lakemoor, Lake Zurich, Hainesville, Island Lake, Indian Creek and Lake Villa.
Daily Herald staff writers Bob Susnjara, Lee Filas and Vince Pierri contributed to this report.