Six in contention for Pingree Grove trustee seat

Pingree Grove residents who applied to fill the trustee seat vacated by newly sworn-in Village President Greg Marston will be interviewed by the village board at a committee of the whole meeting on Monday.

Village Administrator Bill Barlow said seven people applied for the position: Ray LaMarca, who ran unsuccessfully for the village board in April, former trustees Richard Stramaglia and Jon Peschke, residents Victor Krismalian, Greg DiLaura and Marianna Pantelin, and a resident who didn’t meet the one-year residency requirement.

However, Peschke hadn’t yet turned in a candidates’ questionnaire due April 29, Barlow said. Board members will give their input about whether to allow Peschke’s candidacy to move forward, but Marston will make the final decision, Barlow said.

At the end of the meeting, board members’ top three choices will be tallied. Marston will then make his pick for the appointment based on the board’s recommendation, Barlow said.

Marston said he hopes to choose among the board’s top three candidates, but could also appoint someone else entirely, he said.

“The thought of this process was to make it open and transparent. If I don’t select one of the three recommended by the board, I should have a good explanation,” Marston said.

The village did not solicit letters of recommendation, but received about two dozen for LaMarca, Barlow said. No other recommendation letters were received, he said.

LaMarca said he hopes the effort he put into running for office shows he is serious about wanting to serve the village. “I think it does give me a leg up in that the other trustees understand my positions on the issues,” he said.

Marston said LaMarca’s candidacy is “under serious consideration.”

“I believe he’s a very strong candidate. I believe we have numerous strong candidates,” Marston said.

Marston said he expects to announce his decision at a village board meeting May 16 or June 6.