There's one point which I can agree with Mr. Hofeld "one needs only to vote to elect the best person/people on the ballot each Election Day". That being said, it apprears that his reasons to support Dimaria over Staackmann is based on style over substance. Supporting your friends is a good thing but what is Dimaria offering all the voters? If he has energy, new strategies and entrepeneurial vision then where is any evidence of it since serving as a trustee? Energy is a good thing but it should be channeled in the right direction. Even Mr. Hofeld stated that "Dan (Mayor Staackmann) has worked very hard during his term as our Mayor, a term during which the economic conditions have been unquestionably challenging." If you read other letters on this site written by Weiss, Sneiders Thill and Friewer you will see why voting for Dan Staackmann is our village's best choice on February 26th and what he has done, not just vague promises like Dimaria. Please read these four letters by people who have served our village and know the Mayor’s character, integrity and ability before you decide who is best suited for the job. http://niles.patch.com/articles/staackmann-took-lead-to-bring-menards-to-morton-grove & http://niles.patch.com/articles/staackmann-has-record-of-leadership & http://niles.patch.com/articles/talk-is-cheap-commitment-is-priceless
& http://niles.patch.com/articles/staackmann-has-integrity-loyalty-to-morton-grove

In looking back, didn’t Staackmann’s energy contribute to working out Park District’s financial problems years ago when he was President of that? I remember reading Mayor Staackmann helped to save a tradition in town called Morton Grove Days when the Parks wanted to toss it aside for no good reason. The Village’s finances seemed like they turned around with balanced budgets which I am sure took a lot hard work by all involved. Giving back is important and I recall Staackmann was one of the first officers of the Morton Grove Foundation, which continues its good works to this very day. Drive down Dempster Street on the new pavement that he got the state to pay up for. So my point is simple. Do we need to change from a Mayor who has accomplished a lot just for a one of just song and dance? Mayor Staackmann has the focus and steady hand that we need, not just another pretty smile that gets our attention with nothing to back it up.

As all NASCAR fans know, every event is chock full with energy, flash, excitement, thrills and chills, (and sometimes a few bloody crashes thrown in for good measure). It's all entertaining and exciting, but once all the smoke has cleared, when all the roaring noise has stopped, everyon ended up right back where they started from making no progress at all.
Hard work; staying with the task at hand, (even when it isn't flashy or pretty); doing your homework so you don't have unpleasant surprises or feel forced into uniformed choices may not be exciting, but they are the prequisites of leadership.
I prefer substance over style and accomplishment over grandstanding and empty promises.
Dan Staackmann has proven through deeds rather than words that he knows how to get the job done.

Here are some comments from a current Trustee about Mayor Staackmann, which I think are worth reading:

“Making the tough decisions and sticking to them unwaveringly can make the mayor seem emotionless, but his heart is right here in Morton Grove."

The previous mayor, "had all the same issues and opportunities, but for four years, nothing was getting done."

“Krier was more personable, but Staackmann is more effective.”

"I think he's been an effective leader in that he's driving the village in the right direction in a tough economic climate."

"But overall I think he's done a pretty good job."

Who wrote all of these endorsements? Trustee Dan DiMaria (November 10, 2010 – Patch.com story titled: Patch Profile – Morton Grove’s Mechanic Mayor)! And in a current statement by Trustee DiMaria, found on his Facebook page, “…I believe Morton Grove needs a leader who will bring in new businesses and save taxpayers money.” Gee, from his previous statements -- does this mean Trustee DiMaria is now voting for Mayor Staackmann???

I appreciated Tony Hofeld's thoughtful endorsement for Dan DiMaria. He gave his opinion as to why DiMaria will make a better mayor but he did not attack our current mayor.

It's sad that as soon as his letter was posted the mayor's supporters, some using fake names, launched their all too familiar attacks on Dan DiMaria. We are sick of that kind of politics on a national level and we sure don't need it here in Morton Grove.

Dan DiMaria is a good family man with a record of volunteering and being involved in our community. He was elected once as Village Clerk and twice as Village Trustee, he was the top vote-getter in these contests. Each time he was elected he ran as an Action Party candidate and he was never bashed by his opponents like he's being assaulted by his own party now. Why is that?

I see no attacks or bashing in comments. But let's tell the truth. Compare the two men's records of accomplishments and then decide upon that. If you do, you will see Staackmann a man of few words and accomplishment while Di Maria a man who aspires to achievement but has no record to share. It is good to volunteer, but having the capacity to lead is another. It is not about being friends, having a nice family or having a good personality, it is about hard work and the capacity to get it done. Perhaps any feelings of assault are because Di Maria turned his back on the Action Party and is working with those they defeated in previous elections. I have read other letters here by Di Maria's colleagues who wrote in support of Staackmann so I imagine they know more about what the requirements are to be a good mayor and that it may be more than having energy and a nice personality. If Ms. Liston is sick of politics, I can agree but wonder why her family is so involved in support of Di Maria's candidacy? Can that camp give us some reason why to vote for him instead of our current mayor?

Perhaps, in all the political rhetoric, a few questions got lost.
-Exactly what is Mr. DiMaria's plan to lead Morton Grove?
-What is his record of accomplishments that would indicate he has what it takes to lead Morton Grove?
- What programs has he originated, concieved or championed that were not collaborative to better life in our village?
-How would he do anything different than what has been done, (and he signed off on), by the current administration?