The sensible choice for Lake Barrington

Finally, I found an honest and pragmatic endorsement from a paper that I trust. As a resident of the Village of Lake Barrington, I would like to commend the Daily Herald for its endorsement of Kevin Richardson for village president. I support trustee candidates Christopher Mitchell and Paul Struck as well and look forward to their leadership.

In these turbulent times, your endorsement will help assure us that those who lead us have a long-range plan that makes sense. In a challenging economic environment, why would we want to take the risk of some undefined change? My retirement package, standard of living and home value have all "changed". I am not willing to risk the change that a few vocal critics propose when I see the obvious benefits of clear-minded leadership.

I am proud that Lake Barrington was one of the first municipalities in the state to enact an open space initiative. That is good for my property value. We are proud of the Lake Barrington Field House and all it has brought to our community. I also am proud that our community has increased its budget reserve some 40 percent over the past four years.

Instead of reaction, we need a leadership team of methodical, thoughtful and, dare I say, politically-savvy individuals. Who are we kidding -- nothing is changing in Washington or Springfield. As a former political policymaker, I know all too well that nothing will get done without a leader that knows the system.

That's why I'm urging my neighbors to vote for Kevin Richardson on April 7.

Beth Lewis

Lake Barrington