Alderman Steve Morley Makes it Official: He's Running for Mayor
Morley cited TIF, electricity aggregation and a flat tax levy as recent city accomplishments in which he takes pride.
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Flanked by his family and "Morley for Mayor" signs, 6th Ward Alderman Steve Morley announced to a room of more than 60 people at Wilder Mansion Monday that he is running for mayor.
Morley, who has served the 6th Ward since 2007, was introduced by 4th Ward Alderman Kevin York. Nine city aldermen showed up to support Morley, along with elected county and state officials.
Elmhurst aldermen not in attendance included Diane Gutenkauf and Paula Pezza (1st Ward), 3rd Ward Alderman Michael Bram, and 7th Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner, who announced his own run for mayor in August.
Morley pointed to his deep roots in Elmhurst.
"I was born and raised in Elmhurst, attended Elmhurst schools, I'm a graduate of York High School," he said, adding that his two daughters, Jeanette and Anna, attend Bryan Middle School, and his son, Reed, is a freshman at York.
His Elmhurst marketing firm employs more than 30 people, he said. His mother attended Elmhurst College and taught in Elmhurst District 205; his father was a teacher at Elmhurst College. Morley called out multiple audience members by name, including parents of his best friends, his kindergarten teacher and others.
"I'm heavily invested in this town and deeply interested in its future," he said. "There is nothing more important to me than making sure this community provides a safe and secure atmosphere where children, families and businesses can grow and prosper."
York said Morley treats people with respect, "regardless of any difference of opinion or philosophy." He also referred to Morley as an "advocate of smaller local government" and "sensible economic development."
"I believe Elmhurst residents pay enough in taxes," Morley said. "We need to work hard to grow our tax base. The city recently approved a (tax increment financing) district in the north area of town, on North York. This is a great example of growth that is needed."
He said property values in the North York area only have grown .18 percent in the last 10 years.
"Something needs to be done, and if it's done properly, it can relieve the tax burden on the Elmhurst resident," he said.
The park, library and school districts are reliant on the city to expand the tax base, he said.
"We can promote growth, where our fellow taxing bodies are limited in that capacity. If we do that in a responsible manner, we can lower taxes for everybody."
He referred to some of the accomplishments of the current City Council, including bringing Mariano's Fresh Market to town, zero increase in city taxes last year, electricity aggregation and new budgeting procedures.
He said officials should "examine how things are done … add services where necessary and reduce spending in areas that are no longer relevant."
His vision, he said, is to make Elmhurst the place people want to return to and raise their own children.
"I love this town," he said. "There is nothing more important to me than making sure this community provides a safe and secure atmosphere where children, families and businesses can grow and prosper.”
Doremus Jessup
7:54 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I think that the more choices we have for mayor the better, I applaud everyone interested in serving. On a different note I would like to ask a question about taxes. I see that the city is looking for a substantial increase in the property tax levy, same as last year but my understanding is that last year the reduction in home values kept the actual increase somewhat flat. I am concerned that this year that house values may have stabilized or risen and that such an increase will be more substantial. Also, from looking at the disbursements from the state to Elmhurst in the areas of sales tax and income tax I see that there has been a good increase in the disbursement amount. Which begs the question why such a high increase in the property tax levy?
Tim Race
8:26 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The only thing that I take issue with in this article is the quote from Mr. York stating that Mr. Morley is an advocate of smaller local government. Smaller local government means reduced services. I look forward to hearing about what local services Mr. Morley would like to reduce or eliminate. Will it be fire protection, traffic enforcement, crime scene investigation, education, road repairs, inspections, permitting, parks, maintenance, facilities, or what? I suspect that all of these things are of interest to Elmhurst residents. But I'm guessing we can broaden Elmhurst's tax base (ie. attract new businesses) without maintaining our current level of city services. Mind you I am not against broadening our tax base, but I do question the wisdom of smaller local government and reduced services. At what diminished size of local government does Elmhurst no longer look like the place that Mr. Morley loves? No one actually likes to pay taxes, but arguably our local taxes effect our quality of life more than all of the other taxes we pay. Does Mr. Morley really believe in smaller local government or is this just a necessary button that needs to be pushed in order to attract the dominant local Republican vote?
Bill Angel
9:33 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
@TRace, are you suggesting taxes have increased big time and City services are getting even worse? What is Mr. Morley's record on tax increases while in office? "I believe Elmhurst residents pay enough in taxes." Really? Then why did Morley raise taxes and fees every year in office except last year? What specifically would he cut that he claims is not a relevant City service? Pensions? Paycuts?
I was unaware that Elmhurst does not provide a "safe and secure atmosphere where children, families and businessess can grow and prosper."
I better notify the new police chief.
Glad to see Morley got the green light to run with that DiCianni victory!
Bob Santini
9:02 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
i'm guessing the school board members think it a little ironic that alderman morley is touting his d205 background ... isn't this the same guy who rammed through tif 4 while the school board and park board were saying, can't we slow this process down a bit. and then there's his statement re "zero increases in city taxes" ... perhaps we need a fact checker here because i'm pretty sure the city's levy actually went up by 2.25% last year ... so i'm not really attuned to the new math they teach these days, but isn't a 2.25% increase a little more than zero. and wasn't it mr york who said "it's dangerous not to raise taxes" ! oh well, birds of a feather ...
Bill Angel
9:37 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
@BSantini,
Mr. York quote, "it would be criminal not to raise taxes." (Elmhurst Independent)
Watch what they have done, not what they say they will do!
Darlene Heslop
9:49 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
per the patch of 10/24/11: "it's dangerous not to have any increase in the tax levy..." alderman kevin york, 4th ward.
Steve
9:12 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
A lot was mentioned in this article on what the City Council has recently done in the past years. I would ask what did Mr. Morely or any Mayoral candidate has brought to the table since they were on the city council. In this case, Mr. Morely did not bring Mariano's or the New North TIF district to the city council/Elmhurst. What are the personal achievements of these Mayoral candidates that have served the community as Alderman? Taxes? Didnt Mr. Morley vote for all of the past taxes? As I stated when Mr. Mulliner announced his run for Mayor, check the voting record of these candidates and NOT to vote because they are "known" by your friends/family.
Elm Forest
9:22 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Yes, Agreed Steve. I would like to know why 9 Aldermen have thrown their support behind Morley? Why are they apposed to Mulliner then?
Steve
9:55 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
@no joke - I would recommend you contact your 2 Alderman to see why they have thrown their support behind Mr. Morley (especially so early on). The Mayoral race is in April, they must feel, for what ever their reasons are, that there are no other capable candidates (those that have announced and those that havent announced) within the @45,000 Elmhurst residents.
Laura Urbik Kern
9:32 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Hey Steve, called you last July about my handicapped father and no parking laws for his handicapped van on the street overnight. You said, "I will get back to you within the week". Still waiting.... If you don't respond to the needs of one person in your ward, how can you be trusted with taking care of a whole city? Just sayin'
Bill Angel
10:13 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
@Laura Urbik kern. Was he born and rasied in Elmhurst? Does he love Elmhurst like Steve? Is he heavily invested in Elmhurst? Did he attend Elmhurst schools?
Did he teach at Elmhurst College? Did he attend Elmhurst College?
Did he bring Mariano's to north York Road? (I thought DiCianni took credit on that one.)
Sounds like a page out of the DiCianni play book.
I love Elmhurst too! SO what!
Elm Forest
10:24 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Laura Urbik Kern, I guess you are addressing Steve Morley please realize there is a separate Steve blogging. I don't think the two are the same as Steve is referring to Steve Morley in the third person. Just sayin'
Steve
11:08 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I am a different Steve (not Mr. Morley).
MIKE
12:13 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The more candidates the better. When exactly does King Peter leave his throne?
The Publican
2:51 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The current group of nine Alderman standing with Mr.Morely, ironically, are the ones that have stood with him approving the massive tax increases over the last four years. If I am not mistaken they also plan to ram through another very large increase this year (of course Ald. Morley will vote NO, but how will his Alderman fan-club vote?). It looks like it is going to be current corrupt bunch of "frat brothers" vs. Alderman Mulliner.
Elm Forest
3:20 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
But what can you expect from a child (Mr. Morely) of two school teachers? I don't want to guess as to what form of local government instruction he received in his formative years. But I would like to know.
Tim Race
8:58 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
TP - Maybe after my 4 sons finish public school here I will also whine about "massive tax increases." If automobiles aren't selling and producing local tax revenue and the State of Illinois is not making timely disbursements of obligated funds, who else is there to make up the difference other than us? It's self defeating to hold taxes down and strip city services. If policing drops crime goes up and people leave Elmhurst. If school funding drops the schools decline and residents vote with their feet and move to better school districts. Property values drop and tax revenues decline further. The demographics change and the average local income declines and the tax base is further reduced. Businesses go bust or leave Elmhurst for greener pastures and tax revenues are lost. Ask Detroit and other decimated cities how this has worked for them. Luckily Elmhurst residents have the ability to pay enough taxes to prevent such a scenario. Buck up and pay or move to a low tax community and enjoy the crime rate, potholes, lousy schools, gangs, lack of jobs, etc. That community already exists and it is out there waiting for you. Me - I prefer Elmhurst.
RobertAWilson
11:57 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
But wait until you see what Alderman Yorkie proposed last night to protect Morley from this potential set up.
Sol Fiske
12:48 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tim Race: very well stated--thank you for your wisdom. I hope its not lost on the denizens of the patch blogosphere.
The Publican
12:48 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tim, you make a very good point. However, there is a lot of waste in town. It all boils down to the pals of the "Frat Brothers". There are a number of "consultants" making big $$$ on the city pay roll. Why? Tom Borchert is back. On top of his fat pension he is now making money helping others bilk Elmhurst tax payers. Why? Also on the "Frat Brothers" front. I notice former senator, now rep Sandack has thrown his weight behind Ald. Morely. Why? Unless they all share the same secret "Frat Brother" decoder ring. Sandack's district is no where close to Elmhurst, It is under Sen. Rodogno's senate district, not Dillards or Cullerton's (Elmhurst's two senators). I heard today that Ald. Gutendorf is mulling a run. She is a goodie two shoes ~ that would be an interesting race. Frat Brothers vs. the Librarian. Will the populace wake up this election cycle? Only time will tell.
Tim Race
2:09 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
TP - thanks for the info on Borchert and the bros. I am also not a fan of crony politics. Show me an insiders network and I'll show you waste, fraud, and abuse. BTW I signed Gutendorf's mayoral petition.
Bob Santini
2:36 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
i guess alderman york is doing the 'tennessee two step'
Mike S.
9:12 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The frat bros. rule ! Not so fast Morley and York, are you the ones who appointed an assistant mayor to a crony who does nothing all day? We just hired a new City Mgr. who is supposed to be full time, then we add Mike as assistant city mgr. because he is an ex-fireman. God, you guys spend money like it is not yours, I say get rid of all the incumbants and let's start new ................
The Publican
12:33 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Anyone find it interesting Alderman Kennedy, a big Morley endorser, is running for re-election at the same he is packing-up to move out of state? Are these the actions of honorable men? Even better, Morley isn't even his real name. I hope an enterprising journalist decides to research why he felt he needed to change his real name.