Endorsements: Guranovich, Matuska, Kerman in South Barrington
The village of South Barrington is in solid shape financially. City services are stable and well-run. Its leadership operates collaboratively and without controversy. Under such conditions, it's hard to find cause for change on the village board, and we see no reason to suggest any. Not that voters aren't offered a strong alternative. Hina Patel, a physician and the one newcomer among four candidates seeking the three available board seats, is an articulate and thoughtful candidate, moderately well-versed in the operations of the village. And, she shares the vision of the village as a comfortable small town with carefully controlled residential and business development that other candidates express. But she doesn't have previous direct experience in village operations, and, perhaps more to the point, the three incumbents remaining all have been actively involved in managing the affairs that find South Barrington operating effectively and efficiently. Bernard Kerman, a sales executive, advocates for closely monitoring taxes. Louis Matuska, who is retired, has served not only as a village trustee but also on the police pension board and on finance and public works committees. Stephen Guranovich, an account executive and current board president, has served on the board since 2003 and for eight years before that was active on the Plan Commission and Zoning Board. It's an impressive field in every case, but the incumbents have shown their ability to work cooperatively toward their common interest in South Barrington's prosperity and comfortable quality of life. We endorse Guranovich, Kerman and Matuska, with the hope that, if she is not elected, Patel will continue to become actively involved in village committees and activities.