Longtime resident, college professor joins Buffalo Grove board race

Longtime Buffalo Grove resident and college professor Gary Midkiff announced Monday he is running for a seat on the village board.

Midkiff, who's lived in the village for 32 of the last 35 years, said his vision for Buffalo Grove includes something he calls “servant leadership” that would involve him hosting regular public forums at Buffalo Grove schools, “where all community members can express their views.”

“I am concerned about polarization and incivility in our political process,” Midkiff, 64, said. “I want to promote dialogue and discourse and accept all points of view.”

He also opposes development of the Land and Lakes landfill site, saying the village should concentrate on improving its existing developments including the Town Center shopping center rather than developing in a “dangerous area.”

“I'm not convinced that it's safe,” he added.

Midkiff teaches master's and undergraduate business students, and also adult learners in American history, for six Chicago area colleges. He said he currently is teaching a program entitled “The Four Years That Changed America” for the College of Lake County's Discovery program.

Among his other priorities would be to increase “green” transportation options in the village and attract more cultural events.

“Buffalo Grove needs to actively partner with surrounding communities to achieve improvement in the scope of bus and rail options for local residents who want to live a more green lifestyle and reduce reliance on their automobiles,” he said.

He said he embraces fiscal conservatism, calling upon the village to adopt zero-based budgeting and not be satisfied with a 4.6-percent reduction in the 2011 budget.

Midkiff said he has two adult children, both of whom graduated from Buffalo Grove High School and four grandchildren. He and his wife live with a son who is a high school senior.

Midkiff previously served on the Wauconda Community Unit District 188 school board, but resigned in April after 13 months on the job after moving out of the district.

His announcement comes amid of flurry of recent election related activity in Buffalo Grove, capped by Sunday's news that Village President Elliott Hartstein will not be seeking re-election.