Verciglio won't run in Island Lake

Island Lake Trustee Don Verciglio won't run for re-election in April, he confirmed this week.

Verciglio, 71, who first joined the board in 2007, cited his age as one reason he's stepping down. The adversarial behavior of some of the board members also was a factor, he said.

“I'm at a point where I don't need that in my life,” he said. “I think four years (on the board) is enough.”

Verciglio won election to a 2-year term in 2007 but lost a re-election bid in April 2009. Shortly after losing his seat, he was appointed to fill a vacancy created by Trustee Rich Garling's resignation.

Three seats, all carrying 4-year terms, will be up for election April 5. Candidate filing began this past Monday and ends Monday, Dec. 20.

Verciglio isn't the only incumbent not seeking re-election. Neither is Don Saville, who made that announcement earlier this month.

The third seat on the ballot now is held by John Ponio. Ponio has refused to say whether he'll seek re-election.

Six candidates, all political newcomers, have filed for election so far. They comprise two slates.

Thea J. Morris, Joseph K. Ptak and Shannon L. Fox are running under the banner of Residents Invested in Governing With Honesty & Integrity, which they've abbreviated as RIGHT.

Morris, a part-time psychiatric case manager who also teaches first aid and CPR, said she sees a need for better representation of the community on the board.

She believes her experience as a parent and a community volunteer “will give me a fresh perspective on what our community needs and how it needs to be represented.”

Ptak, a contractor and former U.S. Air Force reservist, announced his candidacy last month. At the time, he called for the extension of Route 53 into Lake County and said Island Lake officials should actively seek out more entertainment venues and year-round attractions.

Fox, a mother and part-time pharmacy technician, said she feels the village has “come to a standstill” and blames the frequent and very public fighting between the current trustees.

More professional behavior is needed, she said, as is better communication with residents.

Charles Cermak, Mary Piekarski and Allen Murvine are running as the People's Voice for Island Lake.

Cermak, a longtime village resident who owns a local barber shop, is concerned about empty storefronts in Island Lake and said the village needs to do more to encourage new businesses.

He also believes the village's recent political scandals including the arrests of two former mayors and other officials and the current board's political squabbling have hurt the town.

“I think we need to rebuild (our) image,” he said.

Neither Piekarski and Murvine could be reached.