5-May-12 – It does not happen often, but this year’s condo board election at Marina City produced two new directors and one of them is a former mayor of Normal, Illinois.

Richard T. Godfrey, who has owned at Marina City for 25 years and has lived there for 14 years, was not only elected but also received the most votes of ten candidates running for eight seats.

Godfrey was mayor of Normal, located 130 miles southwest of Chicago, from 1975 to 1983, elected to two four-year terms. Working for the citizens of Normal, the mayor and town council oversee a city manager, 100 volunteers, and 360 full-time employees. In 1980, the population of Normal was 35,672. (Left) Godfrey in an undated photo most likely from the 1980s.

In 1979, while attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Godfrey was asked by The Pittsburgh Press if he was “awed” by the presence of well-known leaders at the conference, “No, not really,” replied Godfrey. “My wife and I have met with Fidel Castro, former presidents Ford and Nixon and other leaders. We’re not out of place here.”

“As I go around and meet people across the country,” he quipped, “I always say that I am the only mayor who says he comes from a normal city.”

Toward the end of his second term, Godfrey helped land a $500 million automobile assembly plant in Normal. At one time, five states were competing for Mitsubishi’s only car manufacturing facility in North America, now employing about 1,300 people.

Godfrey was mayor when about 1,500 students from Illinois State University’s main campus in Normal marched on city hall in protest of local alcohol-related ordinances against large parties. The year after he left office, closer to 2,000 students rioted following a rally to protest the town’s anti-party laws.

In 1988, while president of the Illinois State University Foundation, Godfrey surveyed mayors in Illinois to learn what information is needed most by new mayors. They “have a significant need for specific information about their responsibilities soon after taking office,” he concluded, “particularly in economic development, media relations, budgeting, and public safety.”

Now 78 years old, Godfrey is currently retired, according to a candidate information form sent to unit owners at Marina City. He and his wife, Mary Jean, have four daughters and 12 grandchildren – three of whom also live at Marina City.

Expert on ancient Americas wins seat on condo board

Also elected at the 34th annual meeting of Marina Towers Condominium Association was Michael Ruggeri, a retired history professor known at Marina City for his wine seminars. Ruggeri has lived at Marina City for 30 years and says he has “watched the neighborhood and the building change for the better over the years.”

Considered an expert on the ancient Americas, Ruggeri taught American, Mesoamerican, Mexican, and Latin American history for 33 years at City Colleges of Chicago. He has a website (right) devoted to numerous ancient sites and cultures. He is currently on the board of the Chicago Archaeological Society, which works to preserve archaeological sites and artifacts.

He and Godfrey replaced Daniel M. Starr, a Chicago lawyer who after three years on the board did not seek re-election, and William Balcerzak, who received just 5.55 percent of the vote.

Elected to two-year terms at this year’s annual board of director’s meeting were…

• Richard T. Godfrey (31.29%)
• Robert Abell (30.42%)
• Maureen A. Leonard (29.94%)
• Donald J. O’Malley (29.52%)
• Michael Ruggeri (29.51%)
• Marc Straits (28.08%)
• Dr. Albert S. Colley Jr. (27.64%)
• James F. Ward (26.75%)

Also running in this year’s election was Jamison Klassman, who fell short with 8.2 percent of the vote. Elected last year to two-year terms were Harold Bellamy, Ellen Chessick, Peter Desch, Phyllis Hartford, Gautier Laude, Donna Leonard, and Dr. Michel Louvain.