Endorsements: Reid, Klein, Krajecki, Mott for Hampshire village trustee

Hampshire may be on the verge of big changes - for the town itself and on the village board. It all depends on what the voters say.

Four seats on the board are up for election.

Seven candidates are running for three 4-year terms. On the ballot are newcomers Carl Palmisano, Ryan Krajecki, Christine Klein and incumbent Michael John Reid Jr. Write-in candidates are incumbents George Brust, Michael Armato and newcomer Don Edmonson.

Two newcomers are running for one unexpired two-year seat: Lionel Mott and Erik J. Robinson

Candidates still reflect on how the 2008 economic downturn hurt Hampshire's growth, and they say the new village board's job will be to regain the town's former commercial traction, perhaps with the help of a village administrator.

For the four-year term, Reid, Klein and Krajecki have specific plans and the enthusiasm to embrace Hampshire's traditions while preparing for the future. For the two-year term, both Robinson and Mott would make good trustees, however, Mott has more precise ideas of what Hampshire needs to do to move forward.

This is not to say that Palmisano, who is chairman of the Coon Creek Days; Armato and Brust cannot do a good job. They have deep experience, and Hampshire voters will have a tough choice to make. Yet, what Hampshire needs are creative, dynamic ideas to move forward, and the flexibility to make them.

Reid, Klein, Krajecki and Mott are the trustees best positioned for that assignment.