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Four incumbents announce re-election plans in Hawthorn Woods
Hawthorn Woods Mayor Joseph Mancino announced he will run for re-election in 2013.
Updated: December 31, 2012 12:16PM
Hawthorn Woods Mayor Joseph Mancino announced he is running for re-election in April under a new party known as the Responsible Government in Hawthorn Woods.
Mancino has formed the group with Trustees Kelly Corrigan, Neil Morgan and Peter Ponzio, whom pledge to focus on rebuilding the fiscal health of the village.
“We have worked very hard to bring the village back from the financial crisis of 2008, and we want to continue that work,” said Ponzio, who also serves as chairman of the village’s Finance Committee.
The 2008 financial crisis resulted in layoffs of more than 40 percent of the village’s staff and forced the cancellation of capitol improvements. Since then, however, Responsible Government party members say they have helped the village achieve its goal of saving 35 percent of its operating budget in its reserve fund, which equates to almost $1 million in savings.
Trustee Corrigan said the Board was able to reach the reserve target by being smart and conservative in financial planning. Corrigan sits on the village’s Finance Committee.
The Responsible Government in Hawthorne Wood alliance was first elected in 2009 with the vision of bringing a small business model to the village. Since that time, the village has experienced a reorganization of staff, with the task of improving services but reducing costs.
“We have built a great team within our village staff,” said Mancino. “The results are obvious and many residents have noticed.”
If elected, the our officials say they plan to invest back into the village with a capital improvement plan to address roads, parks, and water and other utility infrastructure.
The deadline to file candidacy for elected positions across the village is Dec. 26. Check back at www.lakezurich.suntimes.com for updates to the local races.
