Endorsement: Lentz for Mundelein village president

With incumbent Ken Kessler not seeking re-election April 9, the wide-open race for Mundelein village president features three candidates. Trustees Steve Lentz, director of education and research for a software company, and Robin Meier, a telecommunications project manager, and Mundelein Park District Commissioner Wally Frasier, a retired former Mundelein police chief. Each offers strong experience in elected office. They offer solid ideas on several issues: pursuing the new village hall/downtown redevelopment project; filling vacant storefronts; streamlining the permit process; and improving customer service by village employees. We endorse Lentz, a trustee since 2009, because we see him as a proactive leader in addressing these important issues. He embraces the new village hall/downtown project as a huge win that will spur development of nearby commercial lots and boost the village’s image. Lentz has a three-step plan to make Mundelein competitive in attracting business. He also wants to continue cost-saving measures so rising sales tax dollars can be applied to his goal to fund a $1 million increase in annual street repairs. He is endorsed.