Endorsements: Kunze, Mahony, Treiber and Sauder for East Dundee village board
This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
East Dundee trustees recently made a major decision in allowing the Elgin Mall to relocate to the site of the shuttered Dominick's grocery store at the River Valley Square shopping center.
The next major decision will be made by voters on April 4.
Four-year seats: Kunze, Mahony, Treiber
Five candidates are running for three 4-year seats on the village board: incumbents Scott Kunze, Kathleen Mahony and Richard Treiber III and challengers Ryan Gumma and Daniel Pearson.
Being able to make state-mandated pension contributions is the most pressing concern for Mahony. A former member of the planning and zoning commission, Mahony had been an appointed trustee in three different mayoral administrations before she was elected to a full term four years ago. She has mastered the "learning curve," as she termed it, to work effectively with varied personalities.
As a Hoffman Estates fire battalion chief and an East Dundee fire commissioner, Pearson, too, is familiar with the pension obligation. He would issue bonds to create more parking in village's thriving downtown entertainment district, which in turn would bring in more tax revenue from visitors. Pearson opposed the approval of the Elgin Mall, likening it to a flea market, and would rather see a grocery store in that space.
Treiber echoes the desire for a grocery store and cast the lone vote against the permit for the Elgin Mall. He'll be just 28 on Election Day but already has nearly two years of trustee experience, having been appointed to the board in the wake of Jeff Lynam's election as village president in 2021, Treiber lists a water system upgrade and a downtown parking garage as the village's most critical infrastructure needs.
According to Gumma, the lack of parking downtown is "scaring potential customers away." Gumma, who owns Ideal Amusements Inc., also favors more events and amenities on the riverfront.
That's a position shared by Kunze, who is seeking a second term and says being a board member is a "tightrope of standing up for what you believe in and allowing others to have their voice heard as well."
We endorsed Mahony four years ago and do so again. Kunze and Treiber also are endorsed.
Two-year seat: Sauder
Political newcomer Shanna McKee is challenging incumbent Andrew Sauder for the 2-year term.
McKee, the founder of McKee Theory, is a data analytics expert with a creative side. She's aligned with Gumma, Treiber and Pearson.
Sauder, the art director for Rule29 production company, also serves on the village arts council created in 2022.
Both are enthusiastic about the downtown entertainment district and community events.
We are impressed with McKee and would like to see her stay involved through one of the village's commissions. But the nod narrowly goes to Sauder.