Mayors face challenge in Buffalo Grove, North Barrington and Lindenhurst
The last of day of filing to run for the top elected post in seven Lake County communities ended Monday with contested races set in just three towns - Buffalo Grove, Lindenhurst and North Barrington.
Incumbent village presidents in Volo, Lincolnshire and Tower Lakes are running unopposed, as is Third Lake village Trustee Bob Kowalke, the only candidate who filed to replace Gary Beggan, who is not seeking re-election.
Seats on municipal boards are among those up for contest in the April 2 consolidated election. Park, library, school and fire district board seats also will be on the ballot.
In Lindenhurst, incumbent Dominic Marturano, who served eight years as a village trustee before being elected to the top spot in 2015, says he and a slate of three incumbent trustees called Lindenhurst Best Choice want to continue the progress the board has made.
He said the board successfully brought Lake Michigan water to town and completed Beck Road resurfacing, two of the largest projects Lindenhurst has initiated. Both came in under budget, he noted.
The focus going forward will be on attracting and retaining commercial development and improving village streets, water and sewer infrastructure, and police services.
He is opposed for mayor by Ryan Brandes, who is running with three trustee candidates as Lindenhurst United for Change. Brandes, deputy director of the North Chicago Housing Authority, said he has held various government management posts and is versed in capital and needs planning.
"We need to make sure that village staff is using best practices in decision making and is provided the resources they need to grow the village and resources available to residents," he said.
Expanding the tax base is needed to offset fees and taxes, he said, and the village needs to "tap underutilized resources" for new commercial and retail opportunities.
In Buffalo Grove, Village President Beverly Sussman will be challenged by former village trustee Mike Terson.
In North Barrington, Village President Albert R. Pino will face Eleanor Sweet McDonnell, who earlier this year lost in the Republican primary for the 17th District seat of the Lake County Board.
Incumbent mayors running unopposed include David Parro in Tower Lakes.
In Lincolnshire, village President Liz Brandt is alone on the ballot for a second term. She was a village trustee from 2001 to 2015.
"I've been around for a long time. For the most part, people are pretty happy with what's been happening in Lincolnshire," she said.
She said continuing to attract sales-tax generating businesses and dealing with other proposals will be keys in her second term.
"We want to protect the overcrowding of our schools," she said. "It has to be smart development."
In Volo, Stephen Henley, the second mayor in the village's history, will be unopposed for a second term. He said completing work to deliver Lake Michigan water by summer or fall is a priority.