Volo village president candidates differ on issues facing community

Candidates seeking to be elected as only the second village president in Volo's history have different opinions on what they think is the most important issue in the next four years.

Village trustee Stephen Henley said bringing Lake Michigan water to residents and businesses is the top issue, but first-time candidate Zachary Steffens said adding retail and park programs are what people have told him deserves more planning time and energy.

The winner April 7 will replace Burnell Russell, who is stepping down as the first and only president the village has had since incorporating in 1993.

Steffens, 38, the owner and operator of Culver's of Palatine, said it's important to elect a village president who has the "correct perspective" when adding retail to Volo. Because of his background as a business owner, he said he can help entice businesses to open in town.

"I think, coming from a business background and because I own my own restaurant, I know what businesses are looking for," he said. "I am the best person to sit and talk with them on why Volo is the best place for the right businesses."

Henley, 65, the executive director of Marvel Capital LLC, said Lake Michigan water is clearly the village's most important issue in the next four years.

As towns build along same the aquifer the village uses to provide water to residents, it will require Volo to dig deeper wells, Henley said. That could result in more pollutants in the water and cost more to treat, he added.

"Lake Michigan water is our future," he said. "Without water, we have nothing."

He also said the village is three years into a five-year plan to add retail to the village. During that time, the village has hired consultants to entice more companies, Henley said.

"The consultants we have brought in have 30-plus years of experience and have put us on the pathway to meet the retailers we cannot seem to meet," he said. "Our goal is to give residents a place to go, to shop and to eat."

Steffans also said voters have told him they would like to see more park programs for residents in town.

"I have three children, and all of them have to go to park districts outside of our town for athletics and activities," he said. "I would like to find out what is best for all community members, then either join an outside park district or potentially bring in enough commercial businesses to set up our own."