Hanover Park village board to be full of mayor's allies

Though he once butted heads with a majority of his village trustees, Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig's political life has gotten exponentially easier since his party's slate won three board seats two years ago.

Come spring, the dissenting votes may become a thing of the past entirely.

Incumbent Trustees Lori Kaiser, Joseph Nicolosi and Toni Carter — none of whom agree with the mayor on much — will not seek re-election in next year's election.

They'll be replaced by newcomers Jenni Konstanzer, James Kemper and Jon Kunkel, Craig allies who are running uncontested on the April 5 ballot.

“I just figured they'd (one of the incumbents) walk in at the eleventh hour to file to run, but nobody showed up,” Craig said. “Given the last couple of elections have been so contentious, I'm just going to enjoy the ride.”

Each incumbent offered a different reason for not running.

Carter, who had a falling out with Craig following the Progress Party's sweep of the 2009 election, focused largely on bringing diversity to the village's hiring practices, a task she believes largely has been accomplished.

Though she never intended to seek a second term, Carter now says she would have worked to put together a slate had she known no one else would step up and run.

“I do have a problem that Mr. Mayor is going to have absolute authority,” said Carter, adding that Trustee Bill Cannon doesn't hesitate to question Craig. “People don't have a choice and that's a problem.”

Nicolosi, a trustee since 1997, ran four years ago only to support former Trustee Bob Packham in his mayoral race against Craig. He believes his three terms and 14 years in office is long enough.

Kaiser, who also ran unsuccessfully against Craig, said her decision came down to her Community Party's lack of resources compared to the Progress Party.

“Progress has their little machine going, and our political party needs to regroup,” Kaiser said. “I'm not retired like Rod. I'm still working, trying to keep my head above water. You need money to fight the fight.”

Each reiterated the importance of the new trustees making independent decisions based on what's best for the people of Hanover Park.

“Just because you got rounded up and brought into this deal doesn't mean this is a group sport,” Nicolosi said. “Be prepared, get yourself educated and think for yourself.”

That's the plan for Konstanzer, who said her decision to run is about being a “servant to constituents.” A Wayne Township Republican committeeman, Konstanzer also was active in bringing back the Neighborhood Watch program after last year's spree of murders and gang violence.

“I'm a competitive person who's had cancer three times and I wanted a challenge,” Konstanzer said. “So many people genuinely care about Hanover Park, but nobody else came to the plate, and that's disappointing.”