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La Grange Council slates incumbents for trustee slots
Mark Langan | Jane Michaels~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 4, 2013 1:17AM
LA GRANGE — The Citizens Council of La Grange slated candidates for Village Board, choosing Mark Langan, who has served 12 years as a trustee, and Bill Holder, seeking his second term, along with Dave McCarty, an architect who has served on the village’s Plan Commission, Design Review Board and the Heritage and Architectural Commission for more than a decade.
“They all had great experience and a long commitment to the village and the community through various community projects and organizations they’ve devoted substantial time to in the past,” said David Schwartz, council chairman.
The three were chosen over bids by newcomers Lisa Schumacher, a communications manager and community volunteer of three years, and Jeff Tucek, a retired business consultant to the automotive industry and resident since 2008.
Joan Hoigard, a 24-year resident and project engineer, also was unsuccessful in winning the endorsement of the council, a nonpartisan group which vets candidates.
During sessions to question each candidate separately, McCarty was asked whether his firm’s work matching prospective businesses with municipalities would pose a conflict of interest in further development of La Grange.
“No, not at all,” he said. “There is no expectation of favorable give-aways. Businesses are just looking for a fair shake that laws will be enforced the same for them.”
McCarty did say if elected, his architectural firm would discontinue doing work for the village, after completing several remodeling projects on village buildings.
Schwartz said 22 council members debated the candidates’ qualifications until about 11:30 p.m.
Members also slated Tom Livingston, a trustee from 2003 to 2011, for village president, who was unopposed in seeking an endorsement.
Trustee Mike Horvath, whose term expires in April, didn’t seek council slating.
The council’s endorsement isn’t required to run for any of the four-year village positions and seats on the Park District of La Grange and La Grange Public Library boards. Nominating petitions must be filed at the respective office between Dec. 17 and 24. Age, residency and the number of required signatures are available at www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections.
Schwartz said the council plans to host a candidates’ forum in March, though a date hasn’t been set.
The council endorsed incumbents Becky Spratford, Bill Coffee and Mary Nelson and Tim Kelpsas, a past president and member of the Park Board, for four Library Board seats.
Park Board member Robert Ashby also was endorsed by no one else stepped forward to be slated for two other seats on the board.
