Endorsement: Lemke for St. Charles City Council, Ward 2

The race for a Ward 2 seat on the St. Charles City Council features a knowledgeable and involved former candidate for mayor challenging an incumbent with 16 years experience. Challenger Jake Wyatt hasn't just done his homework on the issues facing St. Charles, he has been an active follower of the city's business, and he speaks with insightful reasoning when he discusses issues from management of the Charlestowne Mall property to the city's handling of video gambling and liquor licenses. He would make a good alderman. But incumbent Art Lemke has been a good alderman since he was elected in 2013, and, beginning in 1993, he had served 12 years on the council prior to that. Lemke remains an engaged and independent alderman with deep insights into issues involving both the city as a whole and his ward in particular. He has served St. Charles well and deserves a return for another term.