Ex-candidate to try his hand at unseating Pingree Grove mayor

A man who on Tuesday lost his bid for a two-year trustee seat in Pingree Grove has thrown the gauntlet.

This time, Charles Jackson, who placed last in the three-way race, has his eye on ousting first-term Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey - in 2011.

"I am launching my campaign right now as a candidate that will stand up for the people, a candidate who will listen to the people," Jackson said. "I refuse to be a 'yes man' for the individuals that sit in village hall."

For the next two years, Jackson plans to meet with Pingree Grove residents to learn about their concerns and answer their questions.

Jackson, a member of the village's plan and zoning commission, has taken aim at the board and Carey in recent weeks over the garbage and construction debris he says have found a new home in front of Cambridge Lakes Charter School.

He criticizes Carey for dragging his feet on the issue and says such a thing would never happen on his watch.

"If standing up for Pingree Grove and standing up for the safety of its residents makes me a coward, I will accept that title openly," Jackson said via e-mail.

But Carey says Jackson - who he believes is running out of anger because he lost his own race - doesn't know the full story.

"He has no idea of the handling of it - he's not party to the discussions, he's not party to the executive sessions, he has no idea what's going on," said Carey, adding that negotiations have been going on for about a year. "For him to say he could to a better job, he would have to know all the facts."

Jackson and Carey were friendly before this recent election, with Jackson helping Carey reach out to voters during his 2007 mayoral campaign and holding a victory party at his house. Jackson says he was Carey's campaign manager, while Carey says that was never the case.

But the situation at the charter school strained their relationship this election season, both men say.

Nonetheless, the board, with the charter school and Kane County Regional Office of Education, should resolve the school matter this summer, Carey said.

"Just because something doesn't happen quickly doesn't mean it didn't happen the right way," Carey said. "Have a better platform when you run against me in two years."