Fox Valley mayors headed toward greater harmony?
Perhaps it was the post election high, but there seemed to be love in the air this morning as the newly minted mayors in the central Fox Valley gathered for a group portrait.
Hugs and thumbs-up were exchanged. Promises of meetings made. Smiles all around.
Elgin City Councilman Dave Kaptain beat 12-year incumbent Mayor Ed Schock in a fairly tight race — only a few hundred votes separated them.
In neighboring Campton Hills, first-term Village President Patsy Smith fended off a write-in campaign from Kristin LeBlanc. Campton Hills might not exist today if not for Elgin's encroachment farther west in the last decade. The village was formed to halt further Elgin expansion to protect the country charm of Campton Township.
In Wayne, Eileen Phipps cruised to victory unimpeded by an opponent, as she has done since she was first elected to the post 16 years ago.
And in Pingree Grove, Trustee Greg Marston rode to the mayor's seat uncontested when first-term incumbent Clint Carey decided that he'd had enough.
Ÿ Stay tuned for more on this story later today.