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Contests set as Lincolnwood election filings close
The newly-formed Independent Party of Lincolnwood is endorsing the following candidates for the April 9, 2013 election: John Swanson left), Demerise “Reese” Gratch and Lawrence Elster for the three open trustee positions, Beryl Herman for clerk, and Geor
Updated: March 4, 2013 1:51AM
LINCOLNWOOD — A number of contested races are expected across Lincolnwood in April, as a crowd of candidates is running in village and school board elections.
The last day to file nominating petitions to run in the April 9 election was Dec. 26.
Running for village president is incumbent Gerald Turry, former village president Peter Moy, and former clerk Georgia Talaganis.
Turry announced his bid for re-election five days before the filing deadline after reconsidering a decision he made two months ago to retire when his current term expired. He is running as an independent against candidates endorsed by two newly formed parties.
Moy hinted last spring that he would seek the bid once again, and has reunited with Carol Krikorian under the Forward Vision Party. Krikorian, who served as village clerk when Moy was mayor from 2000 and 2005, will face incumbent Beryl Herman in the clerk’s race. The party’s slate of candidates for the village’s three open trustee positions includes Mira Mazur, Jennifer Spino and Martin Youkhanna.
Talaganis represents the Independent Party of Lincolnwood, along with incumbents Herman for clerk and Lawrence Elster and John Swanson for trustee. Demerise “Reese” Gratch is also on the ticket for trustee. The party announced its slate in early November.
Running for the Village Board of Trustees as independents are Ronald Cope, Jean Halevi, and Craig Klatzco. Current Trustee Thomas Heidtke, chairman of the Independent Party of Lincolnwood, is not seeking reelection.
New faces are squaring off against longtime board members for three open seats at Niles Township High School District 219, which serves Lincolnwood and parts of Morton Grove, Niles, and Skokie. The candidates include incumbents Ruth Klint, Robert Silverman and Lynda Smith, and newcomers Orrin Joffe and Mitchell Steinberg.
Five of seven seats on the Lincolnwood School District 74 Board of Education are up for grabs in 2013.
Six candidates are vying for a four-year term, including incumbents Scott Anderson, Kevin Daly and John Vranas, and newcomers Mahmood Khan, Kathryn O’Brien, and Meeta Vakil.
Georjean Hlepas Nickell is also running for an uncontested two-year term with the school district.
David Koder, who is in his second term with the District 74 Board, did not file for reelection. Last February he relinquished his post as president citing work obligations.
Three open seats at the Lincolnwood Public Library compelled incumbent Bertha Gimbel and newcomers Linda Poulsom and Pamela Stavinoga to file for candidacy.
Outgoing trustees Dany Fields and Charlene Bartlett are not seeking reelection.
Unlike other local municipalities, Lincolnwood does not have an elected park district board. Its parks and recreation program operates as a village department and, thus, has a seven-person advisory board appointed by the village president, according to Director of Parks and Recreation Jan Hincapie.
The period for filing objections to an individual’s candidacy for the spring elections is this week.
