Candidates' reasons for seeking office run the gamut

There are dozens of local residents seeking election to village boards, township positions and other public offices. Some want change, others want to continue the work they have been doing. While those two reasons are the most common, there are almost as many reasons for entering an election as there are candidates.

Those who are challenging incumbents have watched as their village leaders bicker and attack one another in front of the video camera, or they have seen their village's finances continue to take a dive. Others may have been compelled to run because they disagreed with a board decision that will quite literally alter their backyards.

In Carpentersville, three people are vying for one village president seat, and seven others are competing for three trustee seats.

The contention in Carpentersville inspired Ed Ritter, a current trustee, to challenge incumbent Village President, Bill Sarto. Ritter says he will bring a different leadership style to the table, a style that is a polar opposite to his rival's.

On the other hand, Jim Krenz says the village needs a more business-friendly environment, one that encourages new businesses to establish themselves in Carpentersville.

Krenz, who owns a local business, says the village board and village staff are difficult to work with, forcing potential developers and their sales taxes, property taxes and overall business, elsewhere.

Conversely, Sarto, who is seeking a second term on the board, says the strong leadership he displays is what the village needs. The lack of strong leadership is what got Carpentersville into the mess in the first place.

For trustees, at least those challenging, the circus that is a village board meeting was a main reason for throwing their hat in the ring. They are tired of their village being known across the nation for all of the wrong reasons. They are tired of their village being considered the armpit of the Fox Valley. For challengers Kenneth Andresen, Debra Lowen, Joe Haimann, Bradford McFeggan and Patricia Schultz, it's time for change.

For incumbents Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski and Kay Teeter, they say they are the voice of reason on the board, that they stay above the fray.

In East Dundee, where it's increasingly difficult to find sources of revenue, open communication and a board that considers residents' concerns are key.

Jerald Bartels, a former village president, says the village board has been approving too many perks for itself while reducing services to the residents. He says the board, including incumbent Village President Dan O'Leary, is no longer working for the people.

And some trustee hopefuls agree. Challengers Kathy Kalish, Patrick Clarke and Paul Van Ostenbridge all cited negative experiences when dealing with the village staff or board, as reasons for running. Whether it was simply asking for information or reaching out to the village for help during a natural disaster, those candidates said they felt like they were dismissed by the board. Rob Gorman is the lone incumbent seeking another term.

Only trustee challenger Lael Miller said he was running because he felt it was his duty as a resident. Miller said he was seeking election to give back to the community. He had no personal issues with the board; Miller says he just wants to give back.