Center Cass Teacher Faults Darien Mayor

DARIEN, IL – The band director for Center Cass School District 66 said this week he was disappointed in the Darien mayor's handling of a tax increase referendum.

Like many tax hike supporters, music and band teacher Tom Tedeschi criticized Alderman Eric Gustafson, a vocal opponent of the increase.

But Tedeschi took his criticism even further – to Mayor Joseph Marchese.

"I'm here tonight to express my disappointment in the Darien leadership for their lack of support for the Center Cass referendum and complete disregard for the residents that are and will be affected by its outcome," Tedeschi said at Monday's City Council meeting.

As it happens, vote counting ended Tuesday. The tax hike prevailed with 50.3 percent of the vote. In June, 60 percent of voters rejected a similar referendum.

In his speech, Tedeschi said he was disappointed in the "lack of conversation" from the mayor.

"Mr. Mayor, I had the pleasure of having you speak at the Center Cass Community Band performances on two occasions. You were more than willing to greet the public," the teacher said. "However, when asked to provide a statement of support for District 66 and attend some events on school property, you declined. In fact, you were silent throughout both the June and November elections."

In a statement later in the meeting, Marchese lamented the divisions in the community as a result of the referendum.

A retired educator, the mayor said he chose to remain neutral in the referendums in both Center Cass and neighboring Cass School District 63.

He said he would attend school meetings if invited.

In response, an audience filled with Center Cass tax hike supporters laughed, with a woman saying, "That has not happened."

Marchese said the city has been criticized by both sides of the referendum battle.

"I have received emails blaming the city for the failure of the referendum," Marchese said, referring to when the measure was losing in the days after the Nov. 8 election. "I have received emails from people saying, 'Why are you supporting the referendum?'"

He said he has taken a neutral position because the decision is the responsibility of taxpayers.

Marchese also gave examples in which he has been involved with local school districts. He said Cass District 63 asked him to take part on a strategic planning committee earlier this year. He did, saying he would do the same for Center Cass.

He also noted he was part of a committee studying consolidation for Darien District 61 and Cass District 63 a dozen years ago.

The mayor said tax increase supporters hadn't asked for the support of the mayors of Downers Grove and Woodridge, which are also part of Center Cass.

"Did they come out and endorse your referendum? They didn't," Marchese said.

Near the end of the meeting, Marchese noted the referendum supporters made up the biggest crowd in the council's chambers in a long time.

"It's the biggest crowd since we discussed people raising chickens in their backyards," he said.

That was in fall 2020. In the spring of 2021, a controversial proposal for an apartment building drew a roomful of opponents.