Residents of Des Plaines’ 7th ward now have an alderman, following the period of more than a month in which the ward had no representative in city government.
Mayor Matthew Bogusz appointed former 7th ward Ald. Don Smith to the seat in early September following the sudden passing of the late Ald. Joanna Sojka in August.
But Bogusz needed City Council approval, which came when the council voted 5-2 on Oct. 6 to appoint the longtime alderman.
Ald. James Brookman, 5th, and Ald. Dick Sayad, 4th, voted against the appointment.
Brookman said that while he respected Smith and had no issue with him filling the vacant seat, he would still vote against the appointment based on a Facebook post made by Bogusz that characterized Smith as a “true contrast” to many of the council members he served alongside from 1997 through 2009.
He referred to the social media post as “broad-brushed criticism” that was “unwarranted and very negative.”
Sayad, however, questioned why Smith never held a ward meeting during his tenure as alderman.
“At the time, I didn’t see the necessity for them,” Smith said in response to Sayad’s question.
Smith said he received input from residents in other ways but added that he does believe ward meetings may hold some benefit and would consider hosting them in the future.
“I think it’s time to set politics aside,” said Ald. Denise Rodd, 3rd, who had previously voiced her support for Smith’s appointment. She said residents in the 7th ward were “anxious to have representation.”
Ald. Mark Walsten, 6th, though piqued by Bogusz’s statement on social media, agreed.
“I think some of the comments made by the mayor were completely politics, but I do agree with you,” Walsten said. “They need to be put aside.
Sayad disagreed.
“We’re politicians so everything we say is politics,” Sayad said. He added that “everything we do is political.”
Though he agreed that “politics should be stopped,” Sayad said the council shouldn’t rush just anyone into the vacant seat.
Ald. Michael Charewicz, 8th, on the other hand, touted Smith’s previous experience as an alderman as reason to appoint him to the position.
“It is important to remember … he was elected three times to the 7th ward,” he said. “It takes a while to become a good alderman, and it takes some time to understand the job, and I know (Smith) has a good step in that direction for being up here so long.”
Ald. Patricia Haugeberg, 1st, remained silent during the discussion, though she was the council member who proposed in September that the appointment be deferred as she had not yet had a chance to meet one on one with Smith.
Haugeberg hesitated before she gave her vote of approval.
“I will say ‘aye,’ and I guess time will tell,” she said.
Smith was immediately sworn in following the favorable vote and he subsequently took his seat on the council as the new 7th Ward alderman. He will fill the position until municipal elections are held next April.
