Warren school board candidates offer views on farmland

All but one candidate running for a board position at Warren Township High School has weighed in on what should be done with 100 acres of farmland near Gurnee Mills that was purchased last year.

Voters will pick from six candidates pursuing three 4-year board seats at Gurnee-based Warren District 121 in the April 5 election. Incumbents Michael Munda, David Grum and Richard Conley are on the ballot with newcomers Tony Bennett, Barb Conway and Mark Lund.

Grum was the lone candidate who didn’t participate in a Daily Herald editorial endorsement interview or provide detailed answers about issues on a questionnaire. The rest of the candidates gave their views on the vacant 100 acres purchased last August near Stearns School Road and Mill Creek Drive.

A District 121 board majority agreed to borrow about $8 million to buy the farmland. Officials said having the land would allow for proper planning. Proponents said Warren one day may need the whole 100 acres for the high school’s needs, decide to sell half to developers or create athletic fields that potentially could be available to the community at large. An estimated $1 million in roadwork would be necessary to access the land.

Conley, a ComEd safety professional elected in 2007, said he’d rather sell the land or lease it instead of spending to develop the site. Conley and Warren board member Jeanette Thommes were the dissenters in a 5-2 vote to buy the land.

“There are fields currently provided by Gurnee Park District and Warren Township (government) that should meet the community’s needs,” Conley said. “We have no money to spend on fields at this time, and I don’t believe the taxpayers would or should support millions in expenses for the benefit of very few residents.”

Munda, who voted for the purchase, said it isn’t economically feasible to proceed with developing the 100 acres at this time.

“The stakeholders in our community and the economy will drive this conversation when the time is appropriate,” said Munda, a principal for the Lake County Regional Office of Education’s alternative program who was appointed to the District 121 board in 2009.

Bennett, a real-estate appraiser, said the purchase was a mistake and everything should be done in an effort to sell the 100 acres and not develop it for fields or other uses.

Lund, who’s in sales, said he also disagreed with the land buy and said District 121’s elected officials must do what’s best for the entire community.

“What is to be done with this land is a topic that must be discussed with the community and other entities of government involved,” Lund said.

Conway said she’s unsure whether there is enough money to develop the 100 acres right now.

While he didn’t address specific issues, Grum, elected in 2007, provided his top three campaign issues. In order, they are “our kids,” “the budget” and “our teachers and employees.”

District 121 includes Gurnee, Park City, Old Mill Creek, Wadsworth and unincorporated areas known as Gages Lake, Wildwood, Druce Lake, Millburn and Grandwood Park.