Charging that Mayor John Strobbe`s administration has plunged Romeoville into financial crisis, freshman Trustee Fred Dewald Jr. has announced his candidacy for mayor.
Strobbe, who has been the village`s mayor since 1985, has not yet announced whether he will run for another term in April`s election. In the past, he has expressed interest in seeking a third four-year term, but has conceded his future is in doubt because of Romeoville`s financial problems.
The village is running a $7 million deficit and has dismissed 50 of its 140 employees this year to save money.
Dewald, 40, blamed Strobbe for pursuing an expansionist policy that has contributed to the village`s problems. He said many of the problems could have been avoided had Strobbe sought input from the village`s 16,000 residents.
”It`s time for a new era of open and honest government,” Dewald said Monday in announcing his candidacy.
Dewald was especially critical of Romeoville`s decision to pay $3.5 million for 207 acres three miles southwest of the village in an effort to block Joliet from annexing the land. Last week, the property was appraised at $740,000.
