Endorsements: Saccotelli, Grossi and Dante for Mount Prospect Village Board

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

Mount Prospect voters are in an enviable position choosing among four highly qualified candidates for three village board seats: All are experienced civic leaders with a strong grasp of the issues and backgrounds that would add value to the board should they be elected on April 4.

Current Trustee Colleen E. Saccotelli is seeking her third term, while former trustees Bill Grossi and Eleni Hatzis hope to return to the board after two years away. Joining them in the race is Vince Dante, an Elk Grove Township trustee. Each of the four offers professional experience that would benefit the board if elected. Saccotelli's background is in government administration, Grossi's is in finance and law, Hatzis has expertise in human resources and diversity, and Dante is a realtor and businessman.

When it comes to village issues, they all cite public safety and a rise in crime as key priorities for the board, and they agree on the need for improvements and a development push on Mount Prospect's south side.

Saccotelli is heavily involved in the community. She has been a moderate, measured voice on the village board. We believe she deserves another term.

Grossi, who left the board two years ago for an unsuccessful run for mayor, is a strong financial watchdog - both in his past trustee role and as a current member of the village's appointed finance commission. We would welcome his return to the village board.

That leaves Hatzis and Dante, and choosing between the two is difficult. We truly wish there were four seats open in this election. Of the candidates, however, Dante brings a fresh perspective to the board. We like his passion, shared by Grossi, for a village ethics ordinance.

It's an exciting time for the village with growth in the downtown and news that neighboring Arlington Heights could be the home of a future Bears stadium - a move that would surely impact Mount Prospect. Any of the four candidates would serve the village well, but Saccotelli, Grossi and Dante have our endorsement.