Montgomery candidate coalition calls for ‘Return to Reason’
By Judy Pochel For The Beacon-News March 18, 2013 2:38PM
Village
president forum
A candidates forum for the village president contenders is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Montgomery Village Hall. Residents are asked to submit questions to the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce at 200 N. River St., or by e-mail at gmacc@montgomery-illinois.org.
Updated: April 20, 2013 6:02AM
MONTGOMERY — Four candidates in the upcoming village elections have formed a coalition and with it an Internet site.
Matt Brolley, a trustee who is running for village president, has partnered with fellow Trustee Denny Lee and trustee candidates Steve Jungermann and Theresa Sperling, who both sit on the planning commission.
“We believe the current make up of the Village Board have made several decisions that have cost the village money and trying to micro-manage village operations. This has taken the focus away from the long-term vision of the village, that is what we have qualified staff for,” Brolley said.
The specific issues he points to include the termination of former Village Manager Anne Marie Gaura’s contract and squabbles with the Montgomery Economic Development Corporations and the Chamber of Commerce over office space.
On the website created by the candidate coalition, http://montgomeryr2r.com, the banner for the campaign is “Return to Reason.” The bottom of the web page says Paid for by the Committee to Elect Montgomery Trustees and President.
The other sitting trustee who is running for re-election, Andy Kaczmarek, said he does not believe running as a slate is a good idea.
“You are telling the rest of the residents who to vote for. You’re controlling the vote,” he said.
Kaczmarek said he voted for the termination of the former village manager’s contract and said he stands behind that decision.
“It would have cost us more if we had kept her. We still have to pay her golden parachute all along,” he said.
Kaczmarek also said the village should not even have the MEDC.
“We are spending over $55,000 a year and what do they produce, what have they produced in the last four years?” he asked.
Longtime Mayor Marilyn Michelini has decided not to seek re-election. Brolley, current Trustee Bill Keck and challenger Thomas Campbell all are running for the top spot.
There are eight candidates for the three trustee positions open on the board. Kaczmarek and Lee are trying to retain their seats, challenged by Sperling, Jungermann, Colleen Nedrow, Ben Brzoska, Josh Salisbury and Greg Nelson.
