Inverness mayor to seek another term

Inverness Village President John "Jack" Tatooles isn't about to step down from his post - not with three big projects in the hopper.

Tatooles, 65, has announced he'll seek a fourth term in office come April's election.

"It's a busy time in the village and I want to see everything completed," he said.

For one, the suburb of about 7,300 people will launch its own police force on May 1, 2009. The board voted to sever ties with Barrington after 30-plus years of providing police service. Tatooles, a general practice lawyer, said the village can operate a department for at least $1.3 million less than the $10.1 million, five-year contract Barrington proposed.

Palatine Deputy Police Chief Robert Haas Jr. was named Inverness police chief over the summer, and the village has already hired all 11 sworn officers, each of whom have more than 25 years experience. The department will be housed in the village annex.

Inverness is also embarking on a major roads and drainage program. Tatooles said officials are working to get $10 million in municipal bonds issued to update 55 miles of road, some in better condition than others. The two-year project will most likely begin in 2009. The village typically repairs or resurfaces 21/2 miles of road annually at a cost of $300,000 per mile.

Lastly, the trademark silos housing village hall are showing their age.

"They're more than 100 years old and in disrepair," said Tatooles. "We need to get them up to snuff. They're our image."

He said the three structures are being assessed and will be restored in the next year or two.

No other candidates have publicly said they'll run for the village presidency. In 2005, Tatooles, who says he has a good working relationship with the board, defeated Thomas Donahue with 53 percent of the vote. All three village trustees up for reelection next spring - Patricia Ledvina, Richard Gallagher and Janice Stremel - also said they'll seek another term.

Voters in the 57th State House District will see another Tatooles on the ballot Tuesday. The mayor's brother, James Tatooles of Northbrook, is running against incumbent Elaine Nekritz for that seat.