Politics & Government

UPDATE: 5 Aldermen Won't Run for St. Charles Mayor in 2013

Heading into the Labor Day weekend, five did not reply to St. Charles Patch's questions about their plans after Mayor Donald DeWitte's announcement on Friday that he will not seek a third term.

So far, none of the aldermen responding to an email from St. Charles Patch on Friday indicated that they would consider running for mayor after Donald DeWitte announced early in the afternoon that he would not seek a third term in that post.

But only five of the city’s 10 aldermen responded to St. Charles Patch’s email, which, like DeWitte’s announcement, came out as the nation prepared to celebrate the Labor Day weekend.

Both the city’s 4th Ward aldermen were succinct, one was emphatic.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I am not a candidate for mayor,” Alderman Jim Martin wrote.

“No, I am not running for Mayor!!” read Alderwoman Jo Krieger’s response, whose double exclamation points stood out.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Alderwoman Maureen Lewis said she has not finished her work for the residents of the 5th Ward, and so she plans to seek re-election to her seat.

“First of all I would like to thank Mayor DeWitte for his 20 years of service to St. Charles. His commitment to serving, his love of St. Charles, and doing the best job possible was unwavering,” Lewis wrote. “To answer your questions, even though some have suggested to me  I run for the position of Mayor, I will not be doing so. I am very flattered, however, there are those who think  I would be a good Mayor.”

Ward 1 Alderman Dan Stellato was more pensive in his response, although he, too, stated he would not seek higher office at this time.

“First of all let me begin by stating that I wish Don DeWitte and his family nothing but the best in his future endeavors,” Stellato wrote. “Don has accepted an exciting new position with a quality company and he will do well because of his strong work ethic. I have enjoyed working with Don on the St. Charles City Council for the past 17 years. I will miss his presence on the City Council.

“We as elected officials, because we work for the citizens, are always expected to do what is best for our community, while using our best judgment, and only after taking all sides of any situation into consideration,” Stellato continued. “Like all good objective working relationships, Don and I have not always agreed.  But mutual respect was always evident. This true objective approach, sometimes does not allow for emotions, or friendships to interfere. It is just part of the job. ...

“As far as my intentions to seek higher office; I am humbled by those who feel I can do the job but it is just not the right time for me. I have a full-time career and a growing family, so time is scarce,” he wrote. “There are other very talented citizens of this community, some already on our council who 1) have the time to serve as Mayor and 2) truly care enough to devote the needed time that the Mayor’s position requires.

“I thoroughly enjoy my aldermanic position and look forward to continuing to help any way I can,” he added, drawing to his conclusion. “The citizens of this community will have a very important decision to make in April 2013, and I have the utmost confidence that they will make their decision based on who can best lead this community for the next four years.”

Alderman Cliff Carrignan, 2nd Ward, wrote Saturday that he does not intend intend to run for mayor but instead will focus on his re-election bid.

“I have been very fortunate to represent the Residents of the 2nd Ward for the past 7.5 years and  we have accomplished a number of things together including seeing Wal-Mart expand in their current location rather than moving next door to our neighbors homes,” he wrote. “There is more work to be done, especially involving the revitalization & redevelopment Charlestowne Mall and the surronding East Gateway to St Charles. I look forward to listening to and collablorating with my neighbors to develop a solution to these and other important issues impacting the 2nd Ward.”

Related:

Follow St. Charles Patch by "liking" our Facebook page and following us on Twitter at @StCharlsILPatch.

You also can subscribe to have the St. Charles Patch newsletter delivered to your inbox.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here