Rooney for Rolling Meadows mayor

When Tom Rooney stepped down from the Rolling Meadows City Council in 2009 — self-imposing a two-term limit on himself when city ordinance would have permitted him to run for a third — he declared himself a candidate for mayor in 2011. With Mayor Ken Nelson coming to the end of his two-term limit as mayor, Rooney wanted people to start seeing him as the next potential leader. Two years and several financial misfortunes later (the city’s, not his), he is still eager to tackle the leadership role.

The issues in Rolling Meadows aren’t hard to understand: The loss of Sam’s Club, which was the biggest of several financial blows; the unsolved puzzle that is the vacant Dominick’s on Kirchoff Road; and looming negotiations with the city’s public employees.

We have always liked Rooney’s approach to city business, and are pleased to endorse him for mayor. He has demonstrated his belief in positive, information-based leadership, where decisions are made based on the best available facts. A self-described “geek” about public meeting procedure, he is able to bring a sometimes unruly council to focus. Rooney has pledged to put a stop to the veiled personal attacks that have gone on in meetings; he also says the city must hold the line in police and fire negotiations without alienating the work force. To be successful, the parties will have to start off from a position of mutual respect, which we are confident Rooney does.

Jonathan Trapani doesn’t approach Rooney’s level of involvement and experience, but he’s an impressive person we hope to hear more from. He is very protective of the city’s work force and was driven to run by the proposal that the city study outsourcing the fire department.

Ward 3

With Alderman Glenn Adams bowing out, the difficult choice is between Robert Banger and Jon Bisesi. Both men exhibit a clear commitment to the city and realism about its financial condition. In an extremely close call, Bisesi gets our endorsement because of his experience working with local government — he has been a plan commissioner for eight years and has chaired several Fourth of July parades, including the 50th anniversary event.

Ward 5

Alderman Larry Buske, running for a third term, and former economic development director Rodney Blane are the candidates here. Blane, a department head for 28 years, has an excellent command of economic development and finances, and a nearly lifelong residency in Rolling Meadows. Buske, meanwhile, shoots from the hip in meetings, often before he’s in command of all the facts, and he isn’t much of a concensus-builder. At the same time, he’s an excellent steward to his Ward 5 residents. He’s in frequent contact with them and offers quick responses to their complaints. Buske needs to tone down his rhetoric, but having that kind of connection with his ward is hard to beat. We endorse giving him one more term before he has to retire on term limits.

Ward 7

In his first term, Alderman Jim Larsen has shown he is studious and thoughtful. He isn’t the first to speak to an issue, but when he does, it is after consideration and he offers reasons with his opinions. That kind of alderman is an asset, and while we like first-time candidate Jim Suchecki very much, and appreciate former alderman Rudy Balek’s willingness to give it another go, we see no reason for Larsen to be replaced.