Small Town News

Two Republicans running for state representative

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Two engineers from Monroe County are seeking the Republican party nod in February to unseat longtime State Representative Dan Reitz (D-Steele-ville) next fall.

Glenn Farley, 61, of rural Waterloo, and John Piazza, 45, of Columbia, officially filed paperwork in Springfield this week as 116th District Representative candidates for the Feb. 2 Republican primary.

The 116th District serves Monroe, Perry, Randolph and St. Clair counties.

Rep. Reitz, 55, has served the district since 1997 and ran unopposed in winning his latest term in 2008.

A graduate of Steeleville High School and former Randolph County Commissioner (1986-97), Reitz and wife, Joyce, have three children - Nathan, Nicholas and Natalie.

For Farley, a rural West Virginia native and Vietnam War veteran with an aeronautical engineering degree from Parks College, the state's budget problems and rising taxes have driven him to try and make a difference in state politics.

"I don't see the lawmakers attacking the problem like they should," Farley told the Republic-Times on Tuesday. "I want to be a new voice for southern Illinois."

Farley describes himself as a strong "Reagan style" conservative and constitutionalist who is pro-life, pro-gun and pro-first amendment.

He has been a resident of the area for 38 years and currently works for American Airlines in St. Louis.

He is a professional pilot and a former helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard.

"I've been a problem solver in aviation for 40 years," he said.

A member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tipton, Farley and wife, Barbara, have two children, Mark and Norah.

Farley criticized incumbent Rep. Reitz on Tuesday, saying it was time for a change.

"I don't think he tries hard enough to bring recognition to southern Illinois and get projects for us," Farley said. "We need jobs terribly."

Also throwing his hat in the ring for the Republican primary is fellow engineer and Monroe Countian John Piazza.

A graduate of Cahokia High School, Piazza has resided in Columbia for 10 years with wife, Ann, and children John, Jen and Michael.

Piazza obtained a degree in chemical engineering from University of Illinois and is currently employed in that field.

Piazza said that while he's never held a public office, he's always been interested in politics.

With the state's latest budget crisis and looming allegations of corruption, Piazza felt he couldn't sit on the sidelines any longer.

"As I watch what's going on, I get more and more frustrated," he said. "I don't think the common person can afford new taxes, new regulations."

Piazza said he hopes to balance the state's budget without raising taxes.

He said his current job involves training, speaking to many people and dealing with complex issues -- qualities he hopes can get the job done as a lawmaker serving this region.

"I tire of the corruption, and it crosses party lines," Piazza said. "I'm hoping that 2010 is an opportunity to change that, one district at a time."

Piazza said Rep. Reitz is a victim of his own party and the Democratic Chicago machine.

"He seems to be a real good, conservative man," Piazza said of Reitz. "But as long as he's a Democrat, Cook County will run things throughout this state. The party he represents is run by Chicago."

Piazza had nothing but good things to say about his challenger in February's Republican primary.

"Good man," he said of Farley. "The people of this district will have to choose between two good men, I think. He brings a little different perspective, maybe, than I'll bring."

Farley returned the praise for his primary opponent.

"John is a very qualified person and will be a strong contender in the primary," Farley said.



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© 2010 The Trenton Sun Trenton, Illinois. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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