Endorsement: Steffen, Warren, Moeller for Elgin council

Ten people are vying for three seats on the council this year, every one of them passionate about his or her candidacy and the city itself. It's a shame there aren't more seats open.

Michael Curtin could have been a one-issue candidate — he was inspired to run after his home flooded and he didn't get the answers he wanted. But he has a good, analytical mind and might make a good councilman some day.

Limo driver Tom McCarthy seems to have the ear of everyone in town. We'd like him to get more involved in a neighborhood group or a city commission. Tish Powell and Toby Shaw are both calming influences with potential.

But incumbents John Steffen and Mike Warren both deserve a second term. They have proven track records of service and leadership.

Anna Moeller also is deserving. The Elgin City Council can be an intimidating body, but Moeller, who is executive director of the McHenry County Council of Governments, will have a short learning curve and will not rely on others to tell her how to think. She, too, is endorsed.

Mike Robins, Manfred Czymmek and Shane Nowak are also running.