Morton Grove’s Newspaper Endorses Action Party Candidate Dan Staackmann for Mayor!

April 2, 2009 - PRLog -- The Morton Grove Champion in this week’s edition of their weekly publication clearly stated their choice for the next Mayor of Morton Grove and why:  “We endorse the Action Party's Dan Staackmann for mayor”.

The Champion went on to say:  “Staackmann's no-nonsense, no-drama approach to his trustee duties has earned our respect.  With his service on the Morton Grove Park Board as well as his common-sense approach to issues ranging from the proposed off-track betting parlor to the appeal on the lawsuit on the Muslim Community Center easement, he listens and thinks before he acts.  We are happy to support him again for mayor”.

When referring to Krier of the Caucus Party, the article stated:  “But we also have seen an uncomfortable politicization of the office, with the refusal to seat Steve Blonz on the planning commission because of his activity in the Action Party as the most prominent example. And Krier did not do himself any favors by pushing through a series of levy and fee increases after he took office in 2005 to, as he puts it, better fund the village [police and fire] pensions”.  The article went to say about the Caucus Party’s Trustee Candidates in relation to the increase in taxes:  “Brunner and Minx certainly backed those efforts”.  

The Champion’s Political Reporter Nick Katz added more about those seeking election.  In a phone interview with Action Party Clerk Candidate, Tony Kalogerakos said that, if he is elected, he will use the position of clerk to get residents more involved in local government. In particular, he said, the village needs to communicate more with members of condominium associations since so many residents now live in condos. "They need to be heard".

In his article, Mr. Katz provided more information after speaking with the Action Party’s three candidates for Trustee, Dan DiMaria, Larry Gomberg and Bill Grear.

DiMaria did not run for re-election when his term expired two years ago, but said he decided to run again "because I didn't like what's been going on in the village." He said he would be willing to consider offering tax incentives to businesses to locate in Morton Grove and was critical of the village's failure to get the off-track betting facility.   DiMaria, as well as the other Action Party candidates, contend the only reason the Village had to raise taxes to make large pension fund payments is because of actions Krier took when he was a trustee. On the night the Village Board approved the 2005 budget, Krier, the only Caucus Party trustee on the board, proposed some last-minute cuts, including pension payments.  Action Party candidates believe that act caused pension fund representatives, who had agreed to a lower payment schedules with former Mayor Dan Scanlon, to pull out of that agreement. "They don't trust (Krier) like Scanlon," DiMaria said.

Gomberg, a member of the Economic Development Commission, served one term as trustee.  He called Morton Grove a "ghost town" because of the empty storefronts and said the village needs to evaluate its economic development efforts and try to improve them. "You have to have a government-business partnership," and “The village should consider eliminating or reducing its food and beverage tax as a way to attract restaurants.” Gomberg noted that the tax originally was supposed to expire, but was later made permanent” (by the Caucus Party).  He also blamed Krier for the failure of the "gentlemen's agreement" that would have prevented the large pension payments the Village has had to make.

Grear, a life-long resident of the Village, said the Village needs to work harder to attract business. He said the outlots on the Menard's site are particularly attractive because of the traffic generated by the large home improvement store.  Like other Action Party candidates, he blamed Krier for the large pension payments the Village had to make, saying that Krier's attempt to cut funding in the 2005 budget "put a red flag up for the police and fire unions."  He said it is up the board to oversee the government, but not to "micromanage" daily operations at Village Hall.  He said addressing the need for street repairs and improvements will be his top priority, but he said the Village will need to find funds to do the work. In addition, he said, the Village needs to address flooding problems in several areas.

The Action Party, a grassroots Morton Grove-based political party, prides itself in the fact that its members are non-partisan – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – who are dedicated to providing the Village of Morton Grove with experienced, independent, and dedicated leadership.

Look for more information about the Action Party of Morton Grove on its website:  www.actionparty.org

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The Action Party was formed with one goal in mind: “To support and maintain effective, honest, open, scandal-free and non-partisan municipal government in the Village of Morton Grove.”

The organization continues on to this day with its original mission and actively seeks out positive opportunities that the future holds for all of the village’s residents.

We are truly a local, grassroots, roll-up-your sleeves mix of concerned citizens that place the interests of the village, its residents and our business community first. Seeking to provide proven leaders of good character and an independent spirit; we strive to foster the kind of municipal government that we can all be proud of when telling anyone that Morton Grove is our home.