Endorsements: Dianis, Glogowski, Smith for Algonquin board

Four years ago, we endorsed a trio of longtime incumbents - Brian Dianis, Jerry Glogowski and Robert Smith - for re-election, saying they had a real chance to reshape and redefine Algonquin's downtown to make it both a gathering place for residents and a destination for out-of-towners.

Now, they are being challenged by three people - Laura Brehmer, Janis Jasper and Greg Ligman - who were initially motivated to get involved in politics by opposition to the long-controversial Longmeadow Parkway project.

The incumbents are all strong supporters of the project, and the challengers recognize that the future of it is no longer within the village's purview. To their credit, in interviews and questionnaires the challengers demonstrate broad interest in village issues and do not come across as one-issue candidates.

At the same time, the incumbents did what appeared to be needed last time around.

Working with various interested parties and outside consultants, the village has developed and approved a $30 million plan to rebuild the downtown infrastructure, replace bridges, widen walkways, update outdoor gathering spaces, add decorative features and make the downtown more pedestrian friendly. The village this year is planning $6.3 million in water, sewer and utility work as the first phase.

The incumbents have done a responsible job of fiscally managing village affairs, have worked to serve the village as a whole and have the knowledge of the village that comes with experience and deep involvement in local civic organizations.

Brehmer and Ligman do raise questions about the cost of the downtown project and suggest moving ahead with it more slowly. These are concerns the board would be well advised to consider as it moves ahead with addressing the downtown, and the overall issue of business vacancies on Randall Road and on the east side of town.

Ligman points also to the challenges posed by online shopping and suggests less pursuit of retail. But there are limits to what government can do - in the end, free enterprise will determine winners and losers.

The challengers also speak of more communication and transparency, including Brehmer's suggestion that village board meetings be streamed and posted online. There's always room for more transparency and communication, and these are important goals, but there's no evidence that the incumbents are isolated from or avoiding public input.

So, we endorse Brian Dianis, Jerry Glogowski and Robert Smith as the right individuals to see the downtown rebuilding program just getting under way through to its next stages.