THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007

Near Naming Smyth To Notre Dame Post

Off The Record, By TODD WESSELL

For more than 30 years the heart and soul of Maryville Academy, Father John Smyth, is within an eyelash of being named president of Notre Dame High School in Niles.

Off The Record has learned that Father Smyth will likely be informed of his appointment within the next few days. He was recently approached by leaders of the Niles-based Catholic high school about serving as its new president. Apparently, he's been offered the job and a formal announcement is just around the bend.

In the meantime, a special appreciation dinner in honor of Smyth will be held on Mar. 24 at Algauer's Restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue in Northbrook. More than 4,000 invitations have been sent out. Hundreds are expected to attend. Proceeds raised will benefit Father Smyth's Standing Tall organization which helps area youths attaining higher education...

Des Plaines Ald. Tom Becker's filing of a formal objection to the nominating petitions of a candidate running to succeed him on City Council was not altogether surprising when word reached us yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

A few days earlier, there was plenty of talk that not only would Becker file an objection, but that his target was 6th ward resident Richard Hughes. It appears that Hughes was caught off guard when he learned of Becker's move. Hughes, though, said he was aware that Becker had, a few days earlier, viewed the 27 signatures on his petitions. Becker said he looked at the petition forms of all four candidates running in the Apr. 17 6th ward election and arrived at the conclusion that some of Hughes' signatures are invalid. Because of that, Hughes should be tossed off the ballot paving the way for a three-person race featuring Patti McDonough, Joseph Catalano and Mark Walsten.

Becker this spring will have to vacate the City Council seat he has held for the last eight years due to term limits. Apparently, he still wants a major say in who serves the far south side ward.

What else we were told before Monday was that Becker has already made up his mind to support Joseph Catalano, a member of the city's Zoning Board of Appeals. When we asked Becker about that Tuesday, he responded that he has not yet determined who he will support.

What seems fairly obvious here is that Becker's motive in attempting to have Hughes removed from the Apr. 17 ballot is to tip the scales in favor of one of the other candidates---possibly Catalano.

What we know of Mr. Hughes is that he likes local politics, wants to become involved, and says doesn't know Becker or any of the other candidates. Whether he would be a formidable candidate is uncertain. Still, why doesn't Ald. Becker, who has served the city well in his eight years on City Council, just let nature take its course and let the four individuals who have shown a strong interest in serving the public slug it out among themselves?