Peru and LaSalle Mayoral Races

It seems like the mayoral races in both Peru and LaSalle are heating up. In Peru there is an anti-Baker movement, but 2 candidates are running. One is an alderman with a long history of responsible opposition to the mayor and one is a self proclaimed union man who ran a losing campaign last time out. He seems to have tapped into a lode of anger and hostility toward anyone in office regardless of past accomplishments. Many of the conspiracy theorists seem to be backing Dave Harl. I guess he took a hint from the Obama campaign, and is running on a promise of change. Of course, he has not said what that means - just that it is change. The alderman is Dave Potthoff who runs the local YMCA, and has many years experience managing what has become a multimillion dollar enterprise. He has often opposed Mayor Baker's proposals, but was usually the lone voice of dissent. He needs to differentiate himself from Harl and Baker if he is to succeed. I was talking to a Harl supporter the other night, and he told me that many of his fellow Harl supporters believe that Potthoff is running to split the anti-Baker vote so Baker can get in. Man -what are they smoking? Whatever it is has led to a paranoia with little or no basis in reality. If a politician is to be judged by those who support him, then we do not need a Harl in the mayor's office. It will be the same kind of circus Dalzell used to be with Carlo Olivero as mayor. Hello! Is that what Peru wants - an ill informed, incapable, ring master. As for Mayor Baker - he has had his time. He has a record of solid accomplishments, but also a record of some failures. Don't we all have that record in our personal and professional lives? He ran last time on a platform of giving him one more chance. He had it, and now it is time to move on. Retire Don. You and Ann need to enjoy your golden years before they become mere tin.