Two newcomers poised to join two incumbents on Arlington Heights board

Two newcomers are poised to join two incumbents on the Arlington Heights village board, according to unofficial election results.

With 60 of 60 precincts reporting, incumbent Robin LaBedz tallied 4,303 votes, followed by 4,191 for fellow incumbent John Scaletta, 4,174 for Mary Beth Canty and 4,149 for Tom Schwingbeck, results show.

The top four vote-getters will get spots on the board. Trailing them in fifth place was Laurie Taylor with 2,499 votes, according to the election returns.

During the campaign, the candidates touted their individual credentials and experience they would bring to the board in what was a congenial race. They also debated issues involving housing, the environment and downtown redevelopment.

LaBedz, appointed in 2013 and elected in 2015, voted against a 5-story downtown apartment building project, but said she tries to balance constituencies and collect information before making a decision.

Scaletta, on the board since 2007, said he's satisfied with the viability of the downtown but is not pleased that some development opportunities have been "at a standstill."

Canty, a management consultant, suggested downtown businesses stay open past 6 p.m. in an effort to improve the area.

Schwingbeck, a four-year zoning board of appeals member making his second run for the village board, wants to see areas in the downtown developed while also committing to collecting residents' feedback.

Taylor, president of the Northgate Civic Association, said she favored development on all sides of town to build up the village's "economic backbone."

Longtime incumbents Carol Blackwood, a board member since 2010, and Mike Sidor, on the board since 2011, didn't seek re-election after they decided to uphold self-imposed term limits of no more than two elected terms.