Cecille, Patterson, Brogan in Streamwood

Daily Herald Editorial Board

Streamwood officials are very proud of the town’s balanced budget and conservative fiscal policies, including its healthy reserve fund. But not all agree on how to spend — or if to spend — those reserves.

But that’s the kind of debate that is good for a village board and one we hope Streamwood has more often.

To that end, we endorse longtime incumbent James Cecille, who is hoping to be elected to a seventh four-year term. We like Cecille’s independence and believe he brings a needed check and balance to the board. His experience should not be lost.

We also endorse incumbent Guy Patterson, who is a member of the board majority and is seeking his second term. He’s done a strong job and also deserves re-election.

For the final slot, there are two good choices. Richard Brogan is a Streamwood park commissioner (he’ll resign if he wins) and a police officer in another community who has a long list of civic accomplishments. Mary Thon, a student adviser and teacher at Keller Graduate School in Schaumburg, has served for 10 years as president of her condominium board. Both have solid ideas, but we give a slight edge to Brogan, despite some qualms on how independent he might be once elected.