Blase of Glory: Indicted Niles Mayor Retiring After 47 Years in Office

By Margaret Lyons in News on Aug 25, 2008 4:27PM

Niles Mayor Nicholas Blase is set to retire today after 47 years in office. The 80-year-old great-grandfather is facing federal charges of accepting more than $420,000 in an insurance kickback scheme, which he doesn't mention as one of his reasons for stepping down. "At 80 years of age and 47 years of Mayoring, I am tired," Blase wrote in a letter to Niles residents. "I am retiring early so a Mayor candidate can start campaigning now without the question ‘is Mayor Blase going to run again?’”

The Niles board will appoint an interim mayor to serve out Blase's term until new elections are held in April. [Daily Herald, CBS 2]