Kierna won't run for re-election in Cary

CARY – When candidate filing ended on Dec. 26 for the April election, there was one expected name missing.

Village President Tom Kierna has decided not to run for another term as mayor, although he previously said he planned to seek re-election.

Kierna said he did pull an election packet to collect signatures. However, he has opportunities to expand his responsibilities with his full-time employer, Exide Technologies, where he is an executive sales representative.

"My intentions were to run, but a lot of things happened," Kierna said. "I had to make a tough decision."

With the new work responsibilities, Kierna said he believed he would not be able to devote enough time to being mayor.

Kierna said he spends about 20 hours a week working at the village.

"My approach is whatever it takes," Kierna said.

"In the last year, there's been a lot of opportunities to do more, expand horizons with Exide and grow the business," Kierna added. "Growing business will necessitate more traveling and doing more things than I'm doing today."

Kierna's term ends May 7.

On the ballot for village president of Cary is current Trustee Bruce Kaplan and former Trustee Mark Kownick.