Tinaglia rejects accusations, says he will not accept board appointment
After trustee candidate Jim Tinaglia endorsed Tom Hayes for Arlington Heights Village President last week, he received backlash in the form of allegations that his support was in exchange for a promised seat on the village board even if he loses April 9.
Now, Tinaglia is saying not only did he never ask for a board appointment, but he will not accept one if offered.
Because Hayes is not up for re-election this year, he would need to appoint someone to finish the remainder of his term if he wins the three-way village president’s race in next week’s election.
Tinaglia, the only newcomer among five candidates for four board seats, said he was surprised to hear claims he endorsed Hayes in hopes of securing that potential appointment.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. I have never ever talked with Tom or anybody about an appointment, in fact I never thought of it,” Tinaglia said. “If I cannot run an honorable campaign and win enough votes to finish in fourth place or better, then I wouldn’t accept it another way.”
Tinaglia said he made the decision not to accept an appointment as soon as he heard that some people thought he had made a deal.
“I’m trying my hardest to do this, but if I can’t win then it wasn’t mean to be,” Tinaglia said. “At the end of the day I would rather gracefully bow out and congratulate the other winners than accept something that was handed to me.”
Tinaglia said he has not talked to Hayes about his decision not to accept an appointment.
Hayes, a village trustee since 1991, is facing Ron Drake and Mark Hellner in the race to replace retiring Mayor Arlene Mulder.
He was apprehensive Tuesday to discuss any possible appointments before Election Day, but said he has not had conversations with anyone about potential vacancies on the board.
“I have not made any deals or promises,” Hayes said. “It is something that should be thought about after the election.” Hayes said it is not typical for someone who lost in an election to be immediately appointed to the board.
“That would be a bad precedent to set because the people have spoken about who they want their elected officials to be,” he said.
Tinaglia endorsed Hayes last week after staying neutral throughout the campaign and attending events and fundraisers for all three mayoral candidates.
“It would have been easier to just say nothing, but I thought (the endorsement) was the right thing to do because I think he is the right man for the job,” he said.