Endorsements: Heer, Lang, Vogel for Wheeling trustee

By The Daily Herald Editorial Board

The village of Wheeling has been taking some positive steps. A developer has been found for the Wickes site, several new businesses are coming to town, including the Fresh Farms grocery, and there are exciting possibilities ahead.

We like the current mix of trustees, since their disagreements create healthy debate but don’t cause paralysis. Robert Heer, first elected in 1995, is an experienced, valuable member of the board. Ray Lang and David Vogel were both appointed by Village President Judy Abruscato in 2009. Lang quickly found his own voice — on Prairie Park and other issues — and his years on the zoning board and plan commission speak to his civic commitment. Vogel, Abruscato’s former campaign manager, has excellent financial credentials and community involvement, but we’d prefer he speak up more.

Candidate Mary Papantos has strong opinions on village expenses she considers unnecessary and would have preferred that Wheeling not invest village money in real estate like the Wickes property. We wish she had run for the vacant two-year seat.