History center CEO eyes Wheaton council race

Center for History supporters could be voting for a very familiar face in the April race for Wheaton City Council.

Alberta Adamson, the center's president and CEO, has been circulating petitions to appear on the ballot for one of the city's two at-large council seats.

“She's running,” said Laurie Warfel, who serves on the center's board of directors, “I circulated petitions for her.”

The at-large seats currently are held by John Prendiville and Liz Corry. Prendiville is running for mayor against incumbent Michael Gresk.

Corry, who has the paperwork needed to seek re-election, hasn't officially announced her intentions to run again. The filing period for candidates starts Nov. 15 and runs through Nov. 22.

City council candidates who already have kicked off their campaigns are Jeanne Ives and Evelyn Pacino.

“I am in the race to win it,” said Pacino, a 39-year-old attorney. She had no reaction to the news that Adamson might be joining the race.

Bill Schultz, who serves on the center's board of directors, said Adamson told him about her interest in seeking a council seat. “She just feels like it's something that she should do,” he said.

Museum supporters have been trying to convince the council to reinstate an agreement that once paid the center $225,000 annually to preserve and promote local history. The council hasn't acted on the center's request for assistance.

Gresk said he believes the issue is what motivated Adamson to start circulating petitions. Attempts to reach Adamson on Thursday were unsuccessful

Gresk said it would be “wonderful” to have Adamson run for city council.

“She's very active in the community,” he said. “She has a high profile. She sees this condition out there and she wants to improve on it. This is why you run for school district and park board and city council.”

Councilman Tom Mouhelis, who opposes giving the center funding, said he wasn't surprised when Adamson picked up a petition for candidacy.

“It's an open election,” Mouhelis said. “I'd like to see if she's more than a one-issue candidate.”