Six seek three seats in Winfield

A crowded race in Winfield ensures that at least one new face will be elected to the village board in the spring.

Six candidates have emerged to compete for three trustee seats, but the only two incumbents in the race are Glenn VadeBonCoeur and Cliff Mortenson. The four other candidates are Erik Spande, Tim Allen, Tony Reyes and newcomer James Hughes.

“I would love to know that my town is being run flawlessly and stay home with my wife,” said Allen, who lost a bid to become a village trustee in 2009. “But just the state of affairs in Winfield has caused me to have to step up and throw my hat in the ring.”

Reyes, who had a failed bid to become village president in 2009, said he's seeking one of the at-large trustee seats because he's ”truly interested in helping the village.” He said his top priority will be to improve the village's “financial strength.”

“There are ways to do things and to live within your budget, just like a household,” the 57-year-old business owner said. “We also need to do the things that are necessary to get more revenue into the system.”

Allen long has argued that the village's financial position could be improved if it were to become more aggressive when it comes to attracting commercial development, especially along Roosevelt Road.

“We need to set a course to achieve sustainable revenues and not just come back to the people every time we need some money,” said Allen, a 39-year-old software entrepenuer. “I've got the management skills to see that through.”

Hughes agrees the village needs to improve its tax base. He is suggesting the village reach out to developers.

“We need to look at all the land in Winfield and how it's zoned,” the 43-year-old said, “and get that out to all the developers. We have property that's shovel ready. We need to be sure that's in front of the developers.”

Hughes, who serves on the Winfield Riverwalk Committee, said he also would like to see the village's website — and other methods to inform residents — improved.

“We have some communication out there,” Hughes said. “I think we could do better, and we can do more of it.”