The State Journal-Register

Wednesday, August 9, 2006

SECTION: NEWS; Page 1

Park Board member running for alderman: Lesko wants to succeed Redpath

By BERNARD SCHOENBURG
POLITICAL WRITER

Springfield Park Board member Frank Lesko said Tuesday he plans to run for alderman from Ward 4, where incumbent Chuck Redpath is precluded from running because of a term limit.

"I'm going to run," said Lesko, 46, who won his third four-year term on the park board in the spring of 2005. City elections, which are officially nonpartisan as is the park board, will be next spring.

At least three other residents of the ward could be vying for the seat.

Dave Danner, 54, indicated in February that he wants to run, and said Tuesday, "I intend to run and win." He is a Democrat, as is Redpath.

Jim Fleck, 68, who retired in 2004 as superintendent of parking for the city of Springfield, also said in February that he'll seek to represent Ward 4. Fleck, a Republican as is Lesko, said Tuesday that he also remains a candidate.

And Mike Buscher, 45, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty and a lifelong Springfield resident, said Tuesday he's considering a run.

Redpath, a member of the city council since it went to the aldermanic system in 1987, said he is not yet taking sides in the race to succeed him.

"I want to see how everything shakes out," Redpath said, adding that Buscher would be "a tough candidate."

"I'm not going to say who I'm going to be for yet," Redpath said. "I know every one of them."

Springfield's limit of three consecutive four-year terms for city officials took effect in 1995. Redpath and four other aldermen - Frank McNeil of Ward 2, Judy Yeager of Ward 7, Irv Smith of Ward 8 and Bruce Strom of Ward 10 - are blocked from seeking another term in 2007.

Lesko said that he and his wife, Kim, "talked it over and we thought about it long and hard. We love the north end. We've been out here our entire lives. And since Mr. Redpath is not going to be able to run again, we know that the seat will be vacant and we have decided to throw our hat into the ring."

Lesko is paid about $55,000 annually as manager of operations for the Sangamon County highway department. He has been active in statewide Republican politics, including working in Jim Ryan's gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and being co-manager of former state Rep. Al Salvi's campaign for secretary of state in 1998. Lesko's wife is a granddaughter of Gov. William Stratton.

"I'm going to run on my record," Lesko said, including his decade on the park board and his chairmanship of its finance committee.

"We have delivered a balanced budget," he said. "We have added new park facilities (and) new programs, all without raising any taxes. And I want to take that experience to the city council so that we can possibly improve services and hold the line on taxes."

Lesko said he's not involved in any other campaigns now and is mostly "doing the dad thing." He and his wife have three children, ranging in age from 4 to 14.

He also has some legal baggage. Lesko pleaded guilty in October 2004 to driving under the influence of alcohol. The charge followed his falling asleep at a restaurant, and in November 2004, he was sentenced to pay a fine, serve a year of supervision and take a class concerning alcohol.

Lesko has said of the arrest that it was "the worst night of my life." He said Tuesday that he has given up drinking. He also said the incident "turned my life around" and "actually made me a better person."

Lesko, who is also owner of Abe's Tradin' Post, an antiques and used-furniture store on Peoria Road, expects to make a formal campaign announcement sometime after the Illinois State Fair.