Campton Hills municipal endorsements

When Campton Hills residents go to the polls Feb. 5, they will formally choose their first elected village officials. Those currently serving the fledgling village were appointed by a judge after 55 percent of voters approved incorporation last April.

Since then, the village has spent a good deal of time and money fighting those subdivisions wanting to leave the new government entity and those who would undo the incorporation vote. In fact, this election involves yet another face-off between those who helped create the community and those who wish its extinction.

Though we did not recommend incorporation, we always supported the right to self-determination. Thus, we find those unwilling now to accept the results of the vote to be more obstructive than anything else. In addition, because they ran as an impenetrable slate, refused to participate in any discussions or submit answers to our questions, we simply couldn't consider endorsing them.

Incorporation leader Patsy Smith is the appointed village president and the only candidate still standing after a prospective opponent was tossed from the ballot. She would have been our choice even had her opponent been allowed on the ballot.

Clerk candidate Karen Dowd is endorsed over anti-incorporation opponent Carolyn Higgins to replace appointed clerk Becky Lambe, who did not seek election.

Thirteen candidates are seeking six trustee seats. After the election, three of the winners will be awarded 4-year terms and three will be awarded 2-year terms. Thereafter, all trustees will serve for 4 years.

For us, there are seven viable candidates from which voters must choose six. Three of those -- James Kopec, Mike Millette and Al Lenkaitis Jr. were appointed by the judge post-referendum and we see no reasons to disagree with his choices. They are endorsed.

For the final three seats, Susan George gets the nod because her particular skill -- communication -- is one this board desperately needs. John Strauss gets the nod because of familiarity with rural issues. The differences between Gary Moore and Laura Andersen are minimal and either would serve well. We give the nod to Moore because he's the only candidate who wasn't active in the incorporation effort who nevertheless wants to see the voters' will executed well.

The other six candidates, Richard Seehafer, William Brown, William Lundborg, Frederick Robinson, Susan Secondi and Marty White would dissolve the village voters created and did not participate in interviews.

Among those who ran under the anti-incorporation banner, only Seehafer had the courtesy to explain the decision not to participate in the elective process. He also understood why that made endorsement impossible for us.