A faction of local Republicans has apparently succeeded in heading off further splintering of their strength by bringing together two potential rivals in next spring's primary election.

Cheryl Axley of Mt. Prospect, who recently replaced Dave Sullivan of Park Ridge in the State Senate, faced the prospects of a potentially destructive primary challenge by Eric Leys of Des Plaines. Leys, a politically ambitious young man who is currently president of the Maine Township High School Dist. 207 Board of Education, had openly vowed to take on Axley next March after it became apparent that she, not he, would be named as Sullivan's replacement.

Cooler heads have prevailed. Axley and Leys met a week ago to bury whatever hatchet was out there and agreed that a united effort to head off a challenge by Democrat Dan Kotowski in the November general election is best for all concerned Republicans.

The Axley-Leys partnership, however, has much deeper significance than just trying to beat a Democrat. It's the latest chapter in a long, drawn out battle over control of the Republican Party primarily in Maine Township. Locking up a united Maine Township GOP, which has been at war with itself for the last five years, would be an accomplishment that would benefit politically area Republicans worried about stronger than ever Democrats. Whether it would lead to better government overall is a matter of debate. An important result of Leys agreeing not to challenge Axley next year is that it brings Leys into the fold of a faction of Republicans that now not only includes a grateful Axley, but also Maine Township Highway Commissioner Bob Provenzano. It's the feisty Provenzano who is running against incumbent Maine Township GOP Committeeman Mark Thompson in the spring primary. With the savvy Provenzano comes Maine Township Supervisor Bob Dudycz and his organization that would like nothing more than to see Thompson go away. If that occurs, not only would the more moderate Thompson be out as committeeman, but the future and strength of his political allies would be sapped and in jeopardy. At the top of that list is long-time State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-65th) of Des Plaines. Thompson and Mulligan have been political supporters of each other for years. Leys and Provenzano are political allies. In next spring's committeeman race, Mulligan will support Thompson and Leys will support Provenzano. With Leys agreeing not to run in the March primary, the way is cleared for a stronger Axley to take on Kotowski in November. Leys, meanwhile, is free to work hard on Provenzano's bid to replace Thompson, which will be the marquee race next spring. If Provenzano wins, Leys' political stock shoots up as now entrenched Maine and Elk Grove township Republicans---appreciative of his support and willingness to step aside in the March 2006 primary---strive to find a spot where the 25-year-old can run and serve. That spot, as it appears now, would be Mulligan's state representative job. Mulligan's 65th District post is up for election in 2006 and 2008. Leys has said he will not run for political office next year. Look for him to run in 2008.

"Eric's a team player," Provenzano told us this week. "Me and Dudycz are behind Eric. Eric decided for unity. Eric has shown he can be a serious candidate. Maybe state rep or state senator."

Added Provenzano, " These things roll around very quickly. It's a good time for Eric to make friends now."

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Des Plaines City Council Monday night voted 7 to 0 to authorize the city staff to negotiate an agreement with a Chicago-based company to redevelop a section of property along the east side of Mannheim Road south of Touhy Avenue.

The vote would undoubtedly have been 8 to 0 had Ald. Dick Sayad (4th) not abstained from voting.

Sayad, the man who wants to be Mayor of Des Plaines some day, gave no explanation for his refusal to vote. When asked by this reporter at the end of Monday night's regular City Council meeting why he abstained, Sayad whisked by saying only that he was going to watch the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on TV.

For decades, the practice of City Council has been that when an alderman abstains from voting, a reason must be given. Sayad gave no reason. In fact, we're told that when the matter was discussed in executive session prior to Monday's regular meeting, he explained nothing. Sayad, we're told, was asked why he is abstaining. He again was mum. We know of two city officials, Mayor Tony Arredia, and Ald. Tom Becker (6th), who said they believe Sayad's abstention was due to a conflict of interest.

What conflict of interest? we asked. No one had an answer.

Ald. Tom Koplos, a life-long Des Plainesite and former 1st ward alderman who served in the 1970s, recounted for us yesterday (Tuesday) an incident many years ago involving a City Council member who did not want to explain why he was abstaining on a formal vote. Then Mayor Herb Behrel instructed the council member to either provide a reason, or else vote.

"He (Behrel) made him vote," said Koplos.

LAST MINUTE FOOTNOTE...Ald. Sayad called this reporter at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday just as we were wrapping up writing Off The Record to report that the reason he abstained was because he knows one of the individuals who submitted a bid to develop the Mannheim property. He and others felt he should not vote because of this.