Endorsement: Nunzio Pulice for Wood Dale mayor
Wood Dale's Annunsiato "Nunzio" Pulice is a down-to-earth, accessible, hardworking mayor.
He's not given to self-aggrandizement. If anything, he's that rare politician who speaks quietly, calmly, modestly - less about himself and more about the people and the community he serves.
As he so frequently says, "The residents' concerns are my concerns." To Pulice, it's more than a slogan. It's his philosophy on public service.
He's being opposed in the April 2 election by former Mayor Ken Johnson, the man Pulice ousted eight years ago after exposing a health insurance scandal that had left Johnson indebted to the city.
Johnson, senior attorney for Secretary of State Jesse White, is a high-energy personality who knows how to push the political buttons. He's run what we would call a kitchen-sink campaign against Pulice, throwing a lot of exaggerated political claims at the wall hoping some would stick.
But we hope that they don't obscure the truth that under Pulice, Wood Dale is a safe and generally well-run suburb that makes important investments for the future. Under his watch, Wood Dale is making progress on economic development and on road and sewer improvements. It is making progress as well on efforts to combat airport noise and flooding.
"My leadership style is to treat people with respect, which in turn helps with productivity and growth for the City of Wood Dale, " Pulice says. "I feel that my calm demeanor, attentiveness to citizens' needs and willingness to hear what the council members have to say brings about good constructive conversations. The last thing I want is a city council that is a rubber stamp for me."
Nunzio Pulice for mayor. He has our endorsement.