Not too much vinegar in Palatine mayor forum
Cooler heads prevailed at a Thursday night forum featuring Palatine's four normally feisty mayoral candidates.
Approximately 200 people came to Palatine High School's Altergott Auditorium to hear the slate field eight audience questions on topics ranging from diversity to recycling fees. The format didn't allow for debate, and with each candidate getting one uninterrupted minute to respond, the often contentious group many times offered similar answers.
On the topic of secession, incumbent Rita Mullins agreed with challengers Vito Manola, Warren Kostka and Jim Schwantz that now is not the time to try and break away from Cook County.
"It is a noble idea ... but until Springfield changes the law, it will be very, very difficult," Mullins said, referring to proposed legislation by state Rep. Suzie Bassi and state Sen. Matt Murphy that would make it easier to secede.
The event, which was sponsored by the Palatine Area League of Women Voters, then turned to attracting and retaining businesses.
Mullins cited the village's balanced budget, reserves, AA bond rating, TIF districts, program incentives and location as things Palatine is doing right. However, the remaining candidates all said the village needs to do more. Manola counted six empty storefronts in the plaza where he owns a small business and said he wants to be more proactive. Koskta, a ex-councilman, said the village can't make prospective businesses jump through hoops just to vote them down. Former Chicago Bear Schwantz said that instead of focusing on retailers, the village should first work on filling empty commercial and light industrial space.
"That's five days a week we have new blood coming to Palatine ... to shop at our stores, do their dry cleaning, eat at our restaurants, to bring new money in," Schwantz said.
From there, candidates gave their take on foreclosures in Palatine. Manola and Schwantz suggested bringing real estate and banking experts together, while Kostka recommended a hands-off approach.
"The best thing the village can do without creating more government would be to let the market adjust itself," Kostka said, also lauding a recent ordinance aimed at better maintaining vacant properties.
The final question asked candidates how they'd improve professionalism at village council meetings. Schwantz said he'd work to end the "infighting and attacks." Mullins and Kostka agreed meetings can get colorful, but said the council gets along overall. Manola cited his experience as a teacher and coach in bringing people together.
"You can't always agree with somebody but as long as you work with each other and respect each other, a good outcome will always come out," Manola said.
Another mayoral forum is set to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the Palatine Public Library.