Endorsements: Garner, O'Brien and Ross for Gurnee village board

To borrow a term from our sports section, when it comes to having people who are willing and able to serve the community, Gurnee has a deep bench. Seven candidates are seeking three trustee seats on the village board, and none is easy to dismiss.

Among the field are three longtime incumbents: Gregory Garner and Cheryl Ross, each seeking fourth terms; and Michael Jacobs, who has served six years on the board.

An intriguing group of challengers includes real estate agent Quin O'Brien, client relations specialist Jamie Seaton, student Matthew Duray and Ryan Horath, who's been a voice in the push for Gurnee to do more about potential ethylene oxide emissions coming from a local manufacturing facility.

All of the candidates praise Gurnee as a great place to live and speak highly of village leaders. For the challengers, seeking office is more about getting involved than knocking an unqualified trustee off the village board.

Horath is knowledgeable and passionate about the ethylene oxide issue, but to us seemed less concerned with other matters in Gurnee. We admire Duray for his eagerness to serve at such a young age, but relative to his fellow candidates, his understanding of municipal government falls short. Seaton likewise is hampered by a lack of experience. We believe both she and Duray could be assets to the village and gain experience by serving on one of its advisory panels. We hope they consider it.

The incumbents are doing a good job, and we find little reason to criticize them in their work. However, there is always something to be said for adding new energy even to an operation that is functioning well. In that spirit, O'Brien won us over with his enthusiasm, creativity and, judging by his extensive volunteer efforts, a demonstrated willingness to put in the work needed to be an effective village trustee.

His fresh perspective, new ideas and zeal would be a welcome addition to village government.

We endorse Garner, O'Brien and Ross.