Algonquin candidates debate east vs. west split

The challengers running for trustee in Algonquin say the village has paid too much attention to economic development on west side — to the detriment of the east side — but two incumbents running for re-election disagree.

Trustees Jim Steigert, John Spella and Deborah Sosine are running for re-election. They are being challenged by Ken Fishleigh, the owner of Nero’s Pizza and Pub, and Michael Stratejcruk, a former volunteer firefighter who retired due to medical issues.

In the last couple of years, the village’s economic development commission has tried very hard to lure more businesses, including at least two grocery stores, to the east side of Algonquin, Steigert said during a recent editorial board interview with the Daily Herald.

“On the east side you don’t have the demographics for a lot of things like that,” Steigert said.

Sosine pointed out that many downtown buildings are subject to historic commission regulations, and that the village’s five-year road plan includes plenty of projects on the east side.

Fishleigh contended that businesses along Randall Road get “special privileges,” but Sosine and Steigert denied that.

“Randall Road takes care of itself,” Steigert said. “The developers are there because they see an opportunity for themselves.”

The village imposes too many building regulations, and should ease up on its aesthetic requirements to allow more businesses to thrive, Fishleigh says. “The economy doesn’t justify those high standards anymore.”

Stratejcruk said that the village’s ordinances are too intrusive, and business owners should be allowed more freedom of choice to pick business signs, for example.

On the other hand, Steigert said, he believes that strict standards work in favor of the village and protect business owners’ investments.

All the candidates agreed that traffic along Route 31 is a major problem, and a source of frustration for east-side residents.

The state’s plan to build a bypass to take through-traffic around the intersection of Routes 31 and 62 will make the area more pedestrian-friendly, Steigert said.

Stratejcruk said that another bridge over the Fox River is sorely needed to alleviate the congestion. “Once traffic is on both sides of Algonquin, where do you go?” he said.

Sosine agreed, saying that she is a “strong proponent” of the Longmeadow Parkway bridge, an as-yet unfunded Kane County project to build a four-lane road, including a bridge over the Fox River, from Huntley Road east through Algonquin and Carpentersville.

Spella did not attend the editorial board interview and did not respond to requests for comment.