Round Lake mayor candidates show their differences

Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes contends his challenger wants to take care of pals and represents a return to the village's old guard.

But James Dietz, who wants Gentes' job, says the mayor is wrong. Dietz said he would change the atmosphere in village government as mayor, so it supports local businesses and is friendlier toward residents.

Voters will decide who they want as Round Lake's mayor in the April 7 election.

Gentes and Dietz recently appeared together for a Daily Herald editorial board interview on a range of issues.

Dietz, 58, said his career as a land surveyor and his familiarity with infrastructure would serve the village well if he becomes mayor. He served on Round Lake's advisory planning and zoning board from 1987 to 1994, spending five years as chairman.

"My whole goal is to improve the village of Round Lake," Dietz said. "I have a long historical perspective of the village, but I also understand we're a growing village and an expanding village, and that we need to consider the needs of the entire village."

Dietz added he's heard from residents who claim they are afraid to speak out about problems in Round Lake. He said he would make village hall a more welcoming place.

Gentes, 49, who is seeking his third, four-year term as mayor, said his experience and leadership skills are reasons he should stay as Round Lake's top elected official. With nearly 17,000 residents now living in Round Lake, Gentes said the village has made great strides during his administration.

"Over the years, I have systematically rooted out a culture of ... 'Mayberryism,' " Gentes said. "I've modernized our police department, I've modernized all of our operations, I've modernized the financial systems. I've brought an enormous amount of information to the table and basically hired professionals to run the village."

Gentes later launched into an offensive against Dietz, and accused him of wanting to become mayor so he can direct more business to A-Tire County Service in Round Lake. He said Dietz is a symbol of "old-time politics" in Round Lake.

Dietz acknowledged his wife is a former A-Tire employee, but said he doesn't have an allegiance to the company and wouldn't steer more village business that way. Dietz said, unlike Gentes, he favors supporting all Round Lake businesses.

Gentes fronts the Round Lake United Party slate. Like his three trustee running-mates, Gentes said he'd support giving village-owned land for free to a developer in exchange for a major, tax-producing commercial or retail project.

Dietz headlines the United for Change slate. He was in agreement with his team that it would be a bad idea to give away village property to a developer because of the chance plans could go awry.