Posted by Dead Wax Records on April 08, 2009 at 01:54:48:
WBBM-AM/Bears Radio announcer becomes Mayor of Palatine
A former Chicago Bear is shufflin' on down to village hall.
Political novice Jim Schwantz, 39, is the new face of Palatine after defeating 20-year incumbent Rita Mullins in a sound and stunning upset.
With 58 of 60 precincts reporting unofficial results Tuesday, Schwantz carried 42 percent of the vote compared to 26 percent for deli owner Vito Manola. Mullins, seeking her sixth term in office, finished a close third with 23 percent of the vote, followed by ex-councilman Warren Kostka at 10 percent.
"It was pretty evident from the beginning when we got 1,300 people to sign my petition that the support was going to be there," Schwantz said Tuesday night at his victory celebration at Durty Nellie's. "This is very humbling."
Mullins, 63, didn't return phone calls seeking comment. Her daughter, Amber, said on the phone from campaign headquarters Tuesday night that Mullins didn't want to talk.
It's been a long and hard-fought campaign for Schwantz, who grew up in Palatine and first announced his candidacy 14 months ago. He said he was proud of all candidates for taking the high road and focusing on the issues.
Mullins ran a much more organized and visible campaign compared to four years ago, when Manola virtually came out of nowhere to win 48 percent of the vote. Mullins touted her two decades of experience in the village's top post and pointed out successes including new businesses like the Toyota dealership, growing reserves, an improved bond rating and incentive programs for businesses to improve their facades along Northwest Highway.
But Mullins' opponents tried to spin her experience and connections against her. They said she spends too much time traveling and hobnobbing with Chicago, Springfield and even national politicos. They promised to be more accessible to residents.
"I think I'm someone residents feel comfortable approaching," Schwantz said. "I can be an ambassador for all the business owners, legislators and government entities."
The three challengers also painted Palatine as unfriendly to businesses, citing several proposals voted down by the council, including a Walgreens and Aldi grocery store.
Schwantz said he'll be more proactive and focus on filling empty office space because those workers will exponentially create revenue by eating, shopping and running errands in Palatine.
Candidates also debated the merits of a new police station. All agreed a new space is imperative because the department is currently housed in the basement of village hall in what used to be the old Palatine High School cafeteria.
Schwantz has suggested looking at a different site than Hicks Road and Northwest Highway in order to keep that parcel of commercial property generating revenue. He said plans for a new village hall should be put on hold during this economic downturn but that a new police station is more realistic because construction companies are clamoring for business and willing to drop the price tag.