Good, clean fight expected in Carol Stream mayor race

Don't ask Rick Gieser to jump into his battle to be the Carol Stream village president slinging mud. Gieser said he expects a respectable campaign against incumbent Frank Saverino.

“I'm looking for a good, clean race and I think we are going to have it,” Gieser said.

The lifelong Carol Stream resident said he decided to join the race to lead the town because he just thought it was time and he said it was not an indictment on Saverino's first term as village president.

“I'm just excited about going out and chatting with the people of Carol Stream to find out what they would like to see,” Gieser said. “I have had my ear to the ground and have learned a lot as trustee.”

Gieser has served on the board eight years as trustee. Saverino will finish up a first term that has included several notable situations.

Twice he has had to handle flooding in the county and successfully pushed for a county borrowing plan that includes millions of dollars for Carol Stream flood mitigation projects.

He has also been a staunch supporter of controversial red light cameras in Carol Stream.

He said he has been proud of his work with the village and looks forward to finishing jobs projects aimed at filling the industrial park on Gary Avenue. He said he also expects a tough battle with Gieser.

“I think he'll give me a run for my money,” he said. “But I think I've proved myself in my 14 years as an elected official.”