Police diversity, economic development issues in Hainesville race

An alleged lack of police diversity and the need for an economic development committee are among the issues raised by candidates in the Hainesville village board race.

Six candidates are competing for three, 4-year seats in the Tuesday, April 7 election. In the hunt are trustees Dena Hein and Kevin Barrett, with newcomers Michael Russell, George Duberstein, Jacki Brunk and Mark Typlin.

All of the candidates addressed issues in Daily Herald editorial board endorsement interviews and on questionnaires. One question to the candidates was whether they have a good idea to better the community that no one else is talking about yet.

Russell, a technology specialist, expressed concern about what he believes is a lack of diversity for Grayslake-Hainesville police. Hainesville contracts with Grayslake for patrol service.

“The one idea that I have would be to find a way to better integrate our police department,” Russell said. “Upon entering our village hall, there is a picture of the Grayslake (and Hainesville) Police Department, which features no minorities.”

Police Chief Phil Perlini said of 31 full-time officers, four are women and two are Hispanic.

Two of six part-time cops are women, he said, while a woman holds one of two full-time community service officer positions.

Barrett, a transportation sales and management professional, said Hainesville should direct its efforts toward landing a business that serves the trucking industry. Barrett first joined the village board in 2001, lost in the 2005 election and has served continuously since reclaiming his trustee seat in 2007.

“Let's look at marketing (an) old farm for light manufacturing or warehousing, as more trucking companies are looking at central Lake County for space,” he said.

Duberstein, a professional actor and former business owner, is the husband of Hainesville Trustee Georgeann Duberstein. He said he has a potentially money-saving idea for the village's townhouse associations.

“One idea might be working with our three townhome associations to consolidate contracts for services, such as garbage collection and recycling, to achieve economies of scale. This idea could be expanded to include neighboring villages where possible.”

Typlin, who works in the mass notification services industry, said Hainesville should explore creation of an economic development committee to work with village businesses and residents. He said there is a need to spur development in areas zoned for commercial and industrial uses.

“This could include the annexing of local unincorporated areas, where there could be a mutual benefit to both the village and the residents (and) businesses of those currently unincorporated areas,” Typlin said.

Hein, appointed to the village board in December, said she doesn't see “any big pressing issues that aren't already being studied and addressed.” She works as a payroll clerk and handles accounts receivable and payable on the job.

Brunk, a licensed clinical social worker, pointed to herself on the question about the good idea to better the community that no one else is talking about yet. She said she's excited to have a chance to take action on Hainesville issues.

“One good idea I had was to run for village trustee,” Brunk said.

“By participating in local government, ideas are shared at the local level that directly benefit all community members.”