Endorsement: Byrne for Vernon Hills president

Two candidates are running for Vernon Hills village president, and the decision for voters is a fairly easy one. We endorse incumbent Roger Byrne.

Byrne has effectively led the village since 1993 and has lived in Vernon Hills since 1977. He served as a village trustee for six years before becoming village president. That solid experience and a strong sense of what the village is all about makes him the better choice over challenger Donald Kathan.

Kathan is an economic developer and the Gregg's Landing HOA president. He's campaigning on the notion that the village could use a fresh voice and fresh ideas to build on what's been established and move the village forward.

Byrne has done a successful job establishing the village and moving it forward. He has brought more retail and entertainment options to the village, all the while listening to residents' concerns and acting on them.

Kathan seems worried about transparency in general, the village's finances and wasteful spending. But Vernon Hills has an impressive AAA bond rating and money in the bank. A survey of residents last year showed that a majority of them were pleased with their town and its leadership.

We understand Kathan's desire to have a fresh voice leading Vernon Hills. New and fresh can be good, but in this case, experience and effectiveness make more sense in a town that is running very well. Byrne deserves four more years to finish what he started 24 years ago.