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Hot election races to watch in Lake County

The names may not be as recognizable as those involved in big money races for state or federal seats, but the candidates in local contests on Tuesday's ballot arguably have the most effect on the lives of Lake County residents.

Mayors and village trustees, as well as board members for school, park and library districts, will make up the majority of ballot selections in 215 solely local contests.

And voters will have some interesting issues to gauge in hot races.

In Buffalo Grove, a failed downtown development has raised opposition in races for mayor and village board. The future of downtown also is an issue in Long Grove, where six candidates on two slates have been locking horns for three village board spots.

In Wauconda, the 911 emergency center and incentives for business are issues for six candidates seeking three 4-year seats and two others seeking a 2-year term on the village board. And in Volo, there will be a change at the top as Burnell Russell steps down as the only president the village has had since being incorporated in 1993.

Experience versus a fresh perspective is a consideration at the College of Lake County where five candidates are seeking three trustee seats.

While local entities, particularly school boards, have a big say in the amount of property tax bills, for example, turnout in local elections has been low at about 15 percent in 2011 and 18 percent in 2013. But Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff says officials keep trying to spread the word.

"Sometimes it saddens us a little to see how low the turnout is because these are the races that have the most direct impact on people," Wyckoff said. "Often times, these elections are won by very narrow margins. These local races really do matter."

Following is a recap of some of the hotter local races to watch.

Buffalo Grove

The area's highest profile contested mayoral race is in Buffalo Grove, where incumbent Village President Jeffrey Braiman is challenged by Trustee Beverly Sussman.

A key issue separating the candidates is a now-dead downtown development proposal that was pulled in December when village leaders balked at the developer's request for financial assistance.

The proposal called for a $320 million mixed-use development of condominiums, entertainment venues, retail and office buildings and open space on 65 acres along Lake-Cook Road, on the site of village hall and the Buffalo Grove Golf Club.

Sussman, a village trustee since 2009, opposed the plan because it would have been built on a floodplain and would have placed a large supermarket on a quiet street near homes and a church.

Braiman, a village board member since 1991 who is seeking his second term as village president, said the proposal was worth considering, as it would have generated $5 million to $8 million in property and sales taxes annually.

Long Grove

Frustrations over the roads, the downtown and politics are boiling over between two slates of candidates in what has become a bitter campaign in this small town of about 8,000.

The victors from the contentious race will face some fork-in-the-road decisions, chief among them, how to revitalize the beloved historic district.

Trustee Charlie Wachs is running with Stan Razny and Steve Sintetas. They say the village should pay for infrastructure - adding public water, for instance - as a way to spark development downtown. They also favor keeping video gambling downtown to drive traffic to restaurants and bars.

Trustee Stan Borys, running with Bill Jacob and Michael Sarlitto, comprise the other slate. They want to poll residents about extending video gambling past a trial run. They also believe downtown lacks a long-term vision.

Wauconda

The proposed outsourcing of the village's 911 emergency service to Lake Zurich continues to be a divisive issue in the community. Four candidates want to keep it in town, while four others don't have an opinion, although the matter prompted public protest.

Incumbents Linda Starkey, Chuck Black and Ken Arnswald, and local volunteer Tim Howe, who are running together as the United For Progress team, want to save the center. Trustee Joseph Coster, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last year, newcomers Dwight Thomas and Jason Anderson and Wauconda Park District Trustee Bob Cook, running as the For Wauconda slate, have not publicly supported the center's continued operation.

Outsourcing to Lake Zurich could save Wauconda about $2.1 million over five years, according to a public presentation last year that attracted hundreds of residents.

Offering sales tax rebates or other incentives to boost economic development also has drawn split support among the candidates.

College of Lake County

Incumbents Amanda Howland, William Griffin and Richard Anderson are joined on the ballot for 6-year terms by Phillip DeRuntz and Timothy Powell. The candidates support a proposal for CLC to offer limited four-year bachelor degrees but disagree on the value of experience in making that happen.

Anderson, who has served on the board since 1974, said he heads a committee studying the issue for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. He said his experience would help in CLC's pursuit of four-year degrees in high-demand career areas, such as nursing.

Powell said the experience of Anderson or other incumbents wouldn't help that pursuit or other initiatives, and he offers to bring a fresh perspective.

Howland backs limited bachelor's degree opportunities but says the top mission should be serving as a community college for two years. Griffin said he expects resistance from four-year schools. DeRuntz said he supports the four-year concept.

Volo

Village Trustee Stephen Henley is squaring off against first-time candidate Zachary Steffens to replace Russell. Henley says bringing Lake Michigan water to town is a top issue, while Steffens said a "correct perspective" is needed to entice business.

Though he is leaving the mayor post, Russell is one of four candidates running for three seats on the village board. He is joined on the ballot by incumbents Dustin Heuser, Michael Wagner and Kurt Johnson.

@dhmickzawislak

• Daily Herald staff writers Christopher Placek and Katlyn Smith contributed to this story.

Upper from left, Stanley Borys, Bill Jacob, and Stan Razny, and lower from left, Michael Sarlitto, Steve Sintetas and Charlie Wachs, are candidates for Long Grove Village Board.
Upper from left, Richard Anderson, Phillip DeRuntz, and William Griffin and lower from left, Amanda Howland and Timothy Powell, are candidates for College of Lake County trustee.
Joseph Coster, left, and Tim Howe, right, are candidates for a two-year term on the Wauconda Village Board.
Stephen R. Henley, left, and Zach Steffens, right, are candidates for Volo mayor.
Jeffrey Braiman, left, and Beverly Sussman, right, are candidates for Buffalo Grove mayor.
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