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Helmer to seek second term

Prospect Heights Mayor Nick Helmer said Thursday that he believes a sense of pride has returned to the community.

"It used to be that people would say things like, 'Oh, I live right near Wheeling,' or 'I live near Mount Prospect by Randhurst,'" Helmer said. "I hear more people now saying they live in Prospect Heights. I think people feel pride about their town again."

Helmer says he wants to build on the pride, which is why he has filed candidacy papers for the consolidated election on April 7, when he will seek his second term as mayor.

Right now, Helmer is the only person to file for the mayor's position, but the filing period will be open until the end of the business day on Monday.

"I feel like there's more to do, like we have to finish the job that's been started," Helmer said.

Helmer said the city improved roads and filled 22 vacant storefronts during his first term, generating 400 new jobs in the community. He said the city also boosted staffing levels at the police department, which had experienced layoffs.

Looking ahead, Helmer said he would like to focus on economic development, adding revenue-producing restaurants and businesses to the center of town and other commercial zones.

"We're smaller than our neighbors, so we can't do everything some of them have done," Helmer said. "But I believe we can add businesses that give Prospect Heights a homey, downtown feeling and provide valuable sales-tax revenue."

A number of other city positions will be on the April 7 ballot, too - city clerk, city treasurer and five city-council seats. The following people have filed candidacy papers to run in the spring:

• City clerk: Wendy Morgan-Adams and incumbent Stacey Adamson.

• City treasurer: Incumbent Richard Tibbits.

• Ward One alderman: Laura Messer.

• Ward Two alderman: Lawrence Rosenthal and incumbent Alderman John Styler

• Ward Three alderman: John Mondala, Marcia Jendreas and incumbent R. Scott Williamson.

• Ward Four alderman: John "Doc" Rana and incumbent Patrick Ludvigsen

• Ward Five alderman: David Derwin.

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