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Cauley earns praise, but not endorsement for Hinsdale village president
Hinsdale Village Trustee Bob Saigh (left) and candidate for village trustee Jerry Hughes circulate their nominating petitions following a caucus meeting Nov. 28, during which both received the caucus endorsement for the Village Board.
Updated: February 4, 2013 1:15AM
HINSDALE — The Hinsdale Village Caucus will not endorse Thomas Cauley, Jr., for village president, although its nominating committee believes he is the best man for the job. But members will consider revising the rules for future years that prevented them from giving Cauley their official backing.
The caucus bylaws prohibit the village president from seeking slating for a second term. Cauley, who was elected president in 2009, will complete his four-year term in April.
“There was a such a strong feeling to support Tom and there was talk about suspending the bylaws,” said Amy Louis, caucus chairman. “But there was also a strong sentiment against suspending the bylaws.”
Ultimately, the caucus decided not to override its own rules.
“But there’s a very strong sentiment he is the right man for the job,” she said.
The caucus limit for village trustees is two four-year terms. The caucus last week endorsed trustees Laura LaPlaca and Robert Saigh for re-election to their second terms on the Village Board, and endorsed Gerald Hughes to fill the third seat that will be available next year.
After the meeting, members of the committee that nominated Cauley despite the bylaws stood by their decision, but accepted the full caucus decision.
“I think we are satisfied, because they are going to convene a special committee to look at the bylaws, and especially that provision,” said Nominating Committee member Julia Liesse.
“Tom (Cauley) made a very compelling argument for his re-election,” Liesse said. “There’s a learning curve and a lot of knowledge you need to be village president. It takes a long time to get up to speed.”
Committee member Lisa Prisby and Liesse said they felt there was unanimous support for Cauley at the caucus meeting last week. Cauley did not attend.
People interested in serving on the Village Board or other local government boards can circulate nominating petitions without the endorsement of the caucus. To be listed on the April 3 ballot, candidates must file their completed petitions with the village clerk between Dec. 17 and Dec. 26.
“We strongly encourage individuals to run,” Louis said. “Choice is great.”
An endorsement from the caucus, simply, is “the Good Housekeeping seal of approval,” Louis said.~.
