Byrne wins seventh term as Vernon Hills mayor
Voters in Vernon Hills again went with experience Tuesday electing Roger Byrne to a seventh term as mayor.
With all 16 precincts reporting, Byrne outlasted challenger Don Kathan 1,597 to 1,211, according to unofficial results.
Byrne and incumbent trustees for the first time in many years faced an organized challenge from a slate of candidates. The Fresh Start slate led by Kathan said leadership had become entrenched and change was needed.
Voters rejected that observation, instead re-electing Byrne as the perceived architect of a number of successes during his tenure as mayor, which began in 1993.
At 67, Byrne, an insurance agent, said he still had the energy and passion to serve but this term likely would be his last.
He pointed to his involvement during his tenure in negotiations that resulted in the CDW, Mariano's and other businesses coming to town. He also stressed the village's top bond rating, in addition to actions to fill vacant spaces and maintain the village's vast commercial base as a key source of revenue.
However, the talks that led to construction of Vernon Hills High School and Aspen Drive library as well as the transformation of the former Nike missile base into a regional sports complex have been among his proudest achievements.
"It gave the whole town a sense of identity," he said of the high school. "It had the effect of bringing the town together."
The campaign, however, had incumbents less confident than in the past as Byrne and others knocked on doors.
Whether a $42 million referendum question on the ballot from Hawthorn District 73 influenced the turnout and outcome is unknown.
Kathan, 58, works for the U.S. Department of Commerce in economic development for the six-state region. As president of the Gregg's Landing North homeowners association, he appeared before the village board on several issues, mainly involving development of adjacent commercial areas.
Kathan and running mates said they wanted to build on what's already been accomplished, but called for more transparency in village dealings with developers. Byrne during the campaign rejected that notion saying proposals are thoroughly examined in ways that include public input.
Several slate members live in the Gregg's Landing subdivision, where residents have had issues with a planned Menards home improvement store and other developments and at one point sued the village.