The following Letter to the Editor states the opinions of the author. Patch is serving as a platform for writers to express their views. 

 As an outsider trying to take an objective view of the Action Party’s primary mayoral race, and determining who to place my vote with, I can’t help but see a disturbing and recurring theme with our current mayor that convinces me that he is not the person to lead us for the upcoming term. It seems to me that he has a consistent pattern of alienation with several factions of the community. For example, he has driven two seated trustees from his own party to announce a campaign to run against him for mayor. On his own block and surrounding immediate area, he has driven his neighbors to overwhelmingly post lawn signs for his competitor. From the previous board that he sat on for the Morton Grove Park District, he has driven the longest tenured elected official in the state, in Park Board Commissioner  Eileen  Coursey,  to endorse his competitor.

     If Mr. Staackmann can’t keep his own party together, or get along with his neighbors, or work well with fellow board members, how can I have the confidence in him to pursue and attract new businesses to Morton Grove.  It doesn’t sound like a stretch to think that he would drive them away like he has done to so many others.

     Mr. DiMaria, on the other hand, seems to have a galvanizing effect on his constituency. He brings a refreshing perspective on the possibilities for the village, and his enthusiasm would lend a positive face to our town. The most telling evidence of this to me was seeing both mayoral candidates at the 4^th of July festivities. Mr. Staackmann was sitting in a corner most of the time with his friends while Mr. DiMaria was on stage or working the crowd to promote Morton Grove. Mr. DiMaria seems to understand the role as ambassador for Morton Grove. These days, when we are competing with other towns to convince businesses to locate here, I would have much more peace of mind knowing a go getter like Mr. DiMaria was at the helm instead of our present mayor. In an effort to avoid more alienation and uncertainty with our current mayor, I will be voting for Mr. DiMaria.

John Bryan Liston

Morton Grove