Woodstock re-elects Sager

Woodstock incumbent Mayor Brian Sager tell stories Tuesday to friends and supporters, including R.B Thompson (left) and Mike Turner (center) while waiting for election results at O'Leary's in Woodstock. Sager won the mayoral race, beating out Mark Indyke. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

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WOODSTOCK – Mayor Brian Sager was elected to a second term Tuesday.

In unofficial returns with 19 of 19 precincts reporting, Sager bested challenger Mark Indyke, 1,713 to 579.

“I respect Mr. Indyke because of his willingness to step into the public arena,” Sager said. “I’m very grateful to anyone who does that.”

During Sager’s first term as mayor, Woodstock approved a multipurpose stadium that will be home to an independent league baseball team. It also could host other regional events.

The city also created transportation and environmental commissions and took steps toward improving Route 47. The city has made widening the state route a priority and estimates the cost of the project to be more than $62 million.

“Woodstock has a strong history,” Sager said. “We can build on that history to provide for our collective future.”

Sager served on the Woodstock City Council from 1989-93 and from 1995-2005. Sager also is acting president and interim vice president of academic and student affairs at McHenry County College.

Sager said that in the next four years, he would work with the City Council to encourage growth and economic development. He said the city needed to be well-positioned for when the economy begins to improve.

He said his other top priority would be transportation issues and building a consensus with neighboring communities to address regional transportation issues.

The mayoral race was Indyke’s first attempt at elected office.

“I wouldn’t trade the experience for all the money in the world,” Indyke said. “If nothing else, I think I brought a diverse opinion [to the race].”

Indyke is the co-owner of Royal Pet Services and Dog in Suds. During his campaign, Indyke talked about the need to bring a more businesslike approach to city government. He also said that the city could do a better job providing residents with information.

Indyke thanked city staff for answering his questions during the campaign. Indyke also said that he believed that Sager and the City Council had the city’s best interests at heart.

“I still want to play a part in city government,” Indyke said, adding that Sager was “a scholar and a gentleman who conducted himself well” during the campaign.

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