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DiMaria to challenge Staackmann in Morton Grove’s mayoral primary
Updated: January 7, 2013 6:08AM
MORTON GROVE
The primary race for the Action Party nomination for mayor is on after Morton Grove Trustee Dan DiMaria filed his nominating papers Monday.
Mayor Dan Staackmann and the full slate of endorsed Action Party candidates filed for the primary election on the first day of filing, Nov. 19.
The winner of the mayoral primary will run in April as the candidate of the Action Party. Every elected seat in the village is represented by an Action Party member.
Though he was elected first as village clerk and later as trustee on the Action Party ticket, DiMaria sought the party’s endorsement for mayor this year. After Staackmann was chosen to run for a second term, DiMaria decided to challenge him in the Feb. 26 primary.
The winner of that race will likely face Trustee Larry Gomberg who has said he plans to run for mayor as an independent candidate next April. Gomberg also was elected trustee on the Action Party ticket.
When he announced his plans to run, DiMaria cited what he said has been Staackmann’s failure to involve residents enough in the decision-making process. He also said Staackmann has not done enough personally to help bring new business to the village.
For his part, Staackmann said DiMaria had the opportunity as a trustee and Village Board liaison to Morton Grove’s Economic Development Commission to take an active role in attracting business.
He also questioned DiMaria’s motivation in running after he sought, but failed, to receive backing from the Action Party to run for mayor.
Staackmann contended that everyone who sought the party’s endorsement agreed not to challenge the candidates who were selected.
DiMaria, a long-time member of the Action Party, served as clerk before he was appointed to the Village Board. He then won a full four-year term.
DiMaria did not run for re-election in 2007, but two years later was again elected to the board with the greatest number of votes of any of the six candidates running for trustee.
Staackmann served as trustee for six years before he was elected mayor in 2009. Before that he served for 16 years on the Morton Grove Park Board.
