Candidate to foe: If you want 'best and brightest,' you should probably get out of race
Two incumbent Des Plaines aldermen were on the receiving ends of pointed criticism from their election opponents during a candidates forum Wednesday.
Seventh Ward Alderman Don Smith, appointed to the position by Mayor Matt Bogusz last October following the death of 29-year-old Alderman Joanna Sojka, is seeking to fill a remaining two-year term. He's being challenged by Bob Porada, an attorney who wasn't reappointed to the zoning board of appeals by the mayor.
During a 1½-hour debate at city hall, Porada questioned Smith's independence from Bogusz due to the aldermanic appointment, and since one of Smith's campaign workers has contributed $1,000 to the mayor in the past.
“There is a clear choice in this election,” Porada said. “If you want a guy who does nothing, doesn't return calls, is a mediocre alderman who voted against the casino, wanted to take away your right to own guns, and thinks casino money should be sent to other wards, then Don's your guy.”
In response to a question on whether city department heads should be required to live in Des Plaines, Porada said, “Don, if you want the ‘best and brightest,' you should probably get out of the race.”
Smith said he's prided himself on being independent ever since he first ran for alderman in 1997, and said he wouldn't be beholden to the mayor or anyone else.
A good alderman, Smith said, is not having a preconceived agenda, not coming to council meetings thinking “you know it all,” and being a little bit humble. He says there were some votes over the course of his tenure as alderman — from 1997 to 2009, until he was forced to step down due to term limits — that he may have reconsidered.
Smith said he returns calls and is responsive to residents.
“My mom and dad told me, ‘If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all,'” said Smith, noting that his parents were in the audience during Wednesday's debate. “A lot of what I've heard tonight and from this entire campaign from my opponent is not saying nice things about me. I think there is a clear choice in the 7th Ward. Our styles are much different.”
In the 4th Ward, longtime Alderman Dick Sayad is being challenged by Mark Setzer, an East Dundee firefighter who is backed by the mayor.
Setzer said he decided to run for office after years of watching city council meetings in which he saw Sayad “disrespect city staff in an unprofessional manner.”
“The current 4th Ward alderman is going to be a stumbling block in the future,” Setzer said. “After explaining disrespect to my son, I decided enough is enough. I will bring respect and professionalism back to the 4th Ward.”
Sayad, who has served on the council since 2011 and from 1999 to 2007, said he brings experience to the job. He says he's out walking and driving through the ward, is accessible by phone to residents 24/7, and hosts well-attended ward meetings. If re-elected, he promised to maintain that level of communication with them.
And, he added, “I'll continue to be your independent voice on this council.”
In the 6th Ward, 8-year incumbent Alderman Mark Walsten is stepping down due to term limits. Three candidates, Herman Zelk, Malcolm Chester and Mario Palacios, are running for the spot.