Addison Mayor Hartwig won’t seek re-election

Longtime Addison Village President Larry Hartwig says he thought “long and hard” before deciding not to seek a fifth term in April.

“(My wife and I) still intend to stay here in Addison and we still intend to remain active members of our community. There have been no great changes in our lives to prevent me from seeking re-election,” Hartwig said in a written statement. “So the real reason is that I just truly feel it’s time.”

Hartwig won his first mayoral election in 1997. Before that, he was selected to serve on the police commission in 1983, then won a 1987 election to become a village trustee. He served as acting village president from 1995 to 1997 after former Village President Anthony Rossutto died.

Hartwig moved to Addison 40 years ago with his wife, Sandy. The couple was looking to put down roots after five years serving as educational missionaries in Papua and New Guinea where their children, Jennifer and Scott, were born.

The couple both remained teachers, and Hartwig ultimately became principal of Wood Dale Junior High School. He retired from the post in 2001.

After retiring from the school, Hartwig said he was able to devote more time to organizations such as Choose DuPage, DuPage Water Commission, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Council of Mayors, and DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference.

Roselle Village President Gayle Smolinski has collaborated with Hartwig on several projects, including recent efforts to promote tourism in their communities during the Ryder Cup golf tournament in Medinah. The pair also served as representatives on the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.

“Larry’s been a great representative for Addison, specifically, and for the region in general,” Smolinski said.

Hartwig announced he plans to support a mayoral bid by Trustee Rich Veenstra. Veenstra has been a trustee since 1992 and deputy mayor since 2003.