Darien Mayor Denounces Flock Foe's Personal Attacks On Alderman

DARIEN, IL – Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese said Monday he wouldn't put up with personal attacks on aldermen and other city officials during meetings.

He was referring to comments by resident Jeff Sturgeon, who called Alderman Eric Gustafson names during a City Council meeting two weeks ago.

Sturgeon opposes the city's Flock license plate-reading cameras.

Marchese told aldermen that the village was open to criticism, but he would not stand for "derogatory" comments such as Sturgeon's.

"There's freedom of speech, but there's also slander, and I won't tolerate that," the mayor said.

He said that when Sturgeon made the comments, he said he didn't hear them. He said he wears hearing aids.

Marchese said he learned of the comments when he read a Patch story.

After Marchese spoke, Gustafson said, "Thank you, Mr. Mayor."

Other aldermen also expressed support.

Sturgeon, a teacher in Naperville School District 203, was put on administrative leave for 2½ months there a couple of years ago. Gustafson's wife, Debbie Gustafson, wrote Naperville's superintendent.

Sturgeon has not returned Patch's messages for comment.