Our picks for Lake County Board seats
District 1
Republican Linda J. Pedersen is endorsed over Democrat Peter V. Grant. Both are newcomers to replace incumbent Judy Martini, who is not seeking re-election. Pedersen and Grant each cite property taxes and roads as key issues, but lack specific plans. Grant has no government experience, which he says gives him a fresh approach. Pedersen is an administrative aide for State Rep. Jo Ann Osmond and an Antioch Township trustee (she says she will resign that seat if elected), likely an edge in being effective for the district.
District 2
Republican incumbent Randall E. Whitmore is endorsed over Democrat Diane Hewitt and Independent candidate Tyler S. Crittenden. Whitmore is considered a solid, thoughtful county board member and prides himself as a financial watchdog and an advocate for taxpayers. He is one of the most active board members in working to bring much-needed economic development to the county.
District 6
Democratic challenger Melinda G. Bush is endorsed over Republican incumbent Larry Leafblad. Bush counts traffic, economic development and affordable housing as her focus if elected. She believes the county board has not done enough to plan for, attract and keep job-producing businesses. She thinks Lake County Partners is a good idea, but underfunded. Leafblad continues to champion open space, but his main focus is property tax accountability, an area where the board has limited influence.
District 11
Democratic challenger Pat T. Carey is endorsed over Republican incumbent Terese C. Douglass. Both candidates have loads of government experience in Grayslake. Douglass has been active in the tax assessment process in response to citizen complaints about its fairness, and calls for an audit on its operation. Carey brings a professional background in business and economic development that could be valuable in addressing one of the county's biggest issues: attracting and retaining business. She also wants to bring a strong focus to integrate green technology and practices to all aspects of county government.
District 16
Republican incumbent Robert E. Powers is endorsed over Democrat Terry F. Wilke. Powers' resume sports lots of local and regional government experience and community involvement, and he cites his efforts to create a new Winchester House in Libertyville and affordable housing as two main areas of focus during his second county board term. It's time for Powers to use his experience and involvement to step up and be more vocal and take on board leadership roles.
District 17
Republican incumbent Stevenson Mountsier is endorsed over Democrat Denise M. Rotheimer. Mountsier, who has served on the county board since 1996, has broad experience, including elected positions on the Barrington Unit District 220 school board and Cuba Township board. He has a reputation as a thoughtful board member, who is watchful of the taxpayers' money. His key issues are transportation for seniors and the disabled, including borderless transportation programs in the suburbs.
District 20
Republican incumbent David B. Stolman is endorsed over Democrat Davita G. Siegel. Stolman brings a huge edge in experience, leadership and accomplishments to his district. He is a county board member since 1992, and has led many countywide initiatives, including transportation and forest preserve improvements. He favors incentives to attract new business, but cites the need to first address roads and affordable housing to foster economic development. He favors the Route 53 extension.