Rolling Meadows mayor promises to appoint 'refreshing' addition to council
Responding to the abrupt resignation of longtime Rolling Meadows Alderman and political adversary Mike Cannon, Mayor Joe Gallo said this week he plans to appoint an interim replacement who he believes will be a "refreshing" addition to the seat and city council.
Gallo said he's already made a selection among the several Ward 1 residents who told him they were interested in the position, many of them reaching out as soon as the morning after Cannon's Nov. 24 announcement.
"While his actions were certainly abrupt, I was disappointed when I read in the paper that he blames me for his failure to commit to the remainder of his term," Gallo said at a city council meeting Tuesday night.
Cannon told the Daily Herald Nov. 25 that he stepped down because of his disagreement with the "leadership" of the council over the last year and a half - the time since Gallo's election as mayor.
"I don't have the power to do much," said Cannon, who represented the city's far west side ward since 2011. "I felt like it's a fight quite often on a lot of issues. I thought it'd be better for someone else to take up the mantle."
Gallo said he plans to make the aldermanic appointment Dec. 15 - a day after candidates can begin filing petitions to run in the April 6, 2021, local election. Gallo's appointee would serve until next spring but would have to run in the election for a chance at serving the remaining two years on Cannon's term.
Gallo said his chosen replacement would be "dedicated, approachable and, most of all, balanced in their judgment." The appointment is also subject to confirmation by the council.
"In this last election the residents have really demonstrated their desire to see progress and change in our community," Gallo said. "They also decided they want a council that really represents them. Our council is becoming more diverse in its makeup and definitely with its perspective. Our focus has shifted toward making decisions that affect our future, promote accountability, and aiming for greater inclusivity."
Though not expected to get Gallo's appointment, former Planning and Zoning Commission Vice Chairman and two-time mayoral candidate Dave Whitney said this week he applied for Cannon's vacancy and will also be running in the spring election. Gallo, who ran against Whitney and two others in the 2019 election, decided not to reappoint Whitney to the zoning panel earlier this year.