Morton Grove Election Update -- Action Party “Meeting the Candidates” Event a Success

Morton Grove, IL, February 18, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Morton Grove Action Party held a “Meet the Candidates” afternoon on Sunday, January 30, 2011, at Giordano’s of Morton Grove. Sixty residents came out to meet the three candidates on the Action Party’s slate for the upcoming April 2011 municipal election.

In his opening remarks, Mark V. Matz, President of the Action Party of Morton Grove, welcomed guests and thanked them for taking an active role in becoming informed about the candidates and getting to know them on a one-on-one basis. President Matz then introduced Morton Grove Mayor Dan Staackmann, who spoke of the great team effort the current Village Board has displayed in getting things done for residents during the last two years. Staackmann gave an overview of the projects that have been worked on and completed under Action Party leadership. The Mayor rallied the crowd by reminding them that even during tough economic times, the Action Party’s three Trustee Candidates, incumbents Shel Marcus, John C. Thill, and Maria S. Toth, are proven leaders who will continue to lead the Village of Morton Grove forward.

Marcus addressed the crowd and said he was “pleased to be a member of a team which works together to get the job done”. A Morton Grove resident since 1968 and Village Trustee since 2007, he founded a business in Morton Grove in 1972, and joined the Village’s Chamber of Commerce. At one time he served as the Chamber’s President. Marcus was also a candidate for State Representative in 1986-88, and served as the Niles Township Republican Committeeman for 11 years. He has served as the State Central Committeeman for the Illinois Republican Party as well. Marcus is a past President of High School District 219, having served as a board member for seven years; he was also a board member of Elementary School District 67 for six years. Marcus is a past Chairman of the Niles Township Council School Boards. Marcus was heavily involved with the Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation, serving as their President.

Thill, a 40-year resident of Morton Grove, added that he was “excited to see so many people attending the event and looked forward to their support”. Thill successfully ran for Village Trustee in 2007 under the Action Party banner. He currently sits on an advisory board for Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and has recently been requested to sit on an environmental advisory board for State Representative Daniel Biss. Thill and his wife, Marian, have been active for many years with the Friends of the Morton Grove Forest Preserves. He served as President of this organization from 2002 to the present. Thill is also a volunteer for the Cook County Forest Preserves and currently is a site steward for Morton Grove’s Linne Woods. From 1991-2001, he served as Vice President of the environmental group, “Wild Ones.” In addition to his commitment to the forest preserve, Thill is also involved with the Taste of Morton Grove’s planning committee.

Toth thanked supporters and her fellow Board Members for their vote of confidence and reminded everyone that early voting starts on March 14 and runs through March 31. Toth, an 18-year Village resident, was appointed to fill Mayor Dan Staackmann’s trustee position when he was elected Village President in 2009. At that time, Toth was already quite active in Village government, serving on the Community Relations Commission, the Appearance Commission, and the Economic Development Commission. In her role as Trustee, Toth spearheaded the initiative to update the Village’s Sign Code, making it simpler and more business-friendly. She was also tapped by the Mayor to serve on the sub-committee responsible for interviewing and recommending candidates for the position of Community & Economic Development Director. Toth also serves as Assistant Director for an ethnic folk-dance group based out of Des Plaines, Illinois. She and her husband have three daughters.

Other current Board Members (Dan DiMaria, Larry Gomberg, Bill Grear, and Tony Kalogerakos) had a chance to address the crowd and former Village officials in attendance were also acknowledged: former Village Trustees Don Sneider, Joe Moll, and Steve Blonz; and former Village Clerk Marilyn Sneider.

The Action Party, a grassroots Morton Grove-based political party, prides itself in the fact that its members are non-partisan – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – who are dedicated to providing the Village of Morton Grove with experienced, independent, and dedicated leadership.

Look for more information about the Action Party of Morton Grove, its candidates and accomplishments, and the upcoming April 5 election on: www.actionparty.org. Follow the Action Party’s Facebook page (Action Party of Morton Grove). Email the Action Party at contact@actionparty.org.

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