Arnold R. Crater, one of three persons running for mayor of Flossmoor, has withdrawn as a candidate in the April 4 consolidated election. Crater submitted a notarized notice of withdrawal, via email, to Flossmoor Village Manager Bridget Wachtel on Feb. 27.
Arnold R. Crater, one of three persons running for mayor of Flossmoor, has withdrawn as a candidate in the April 4 consolidated election.
Crater submitted a notarized notice of withdrawal, via email, to Flossmoor Village Manager Bridget Wachtel on Feb. 27. The document was notarized on Feb. 21.
Assistant Village Manager Allison Deitch said a hard copy of the withdrawal form was submitted to the village on Tuesday morning.
In an emailed note to Wachtel, Crater gave a reason for the withdrawal.
“Unfortunately, the perceived conflict with my current job will not allow me to assume the office of mayor should I win,” Crater said. “So, it’s better for me to withdraw. Hopefully, I can be removed from the ballot. I would hate to confuse the voters.”
Crater forwarded a copy of the letter to the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle.
The other candidates for Flossmoor mayor are Paul Braun, the two-term incumbent, and Jeanne “Gigi” Gummerson, a former village trustee.
In his note to Wachtel, Crater said he “plans to remain extremely active in the community.”
Crater is president of the Ballantrae of Flossmoor Homeowners Association, a post he has held since 2016. He is also a former board of education member in Flossmoor School District 161.
In information provided to the Chronicle for its voter guide, which will go online March 3, Crater said the most important issues facing Flossmoor are preserving property values, lowering property taxes and keeping local schools strong.
Crater spoke at Monday’s special town hall village board meeting and questioned the need for hiring two additional police officers if the local crime rate is low, and whether that’s a good financial move for the village.
It’s not clear whether Crater’s name can be removed from the April 4 ballot.
Colleen Gleason, the candidate services manager for the Cook County Clerk’s Office said Tuesday that Jan. 26 was the withdrawal date for candidates in the local elections.
“It depends on if a ballot has been printed if we will accept the withdrawal,” Gleason said.
As of Tuesday, she said, the clerk’s office has not received an amended certification of withdrawal from the village of Flossmoor.
