Endorsement: Brittin for East Dundee president

East Dundee voters will be choosing a new leader in the April 1 election. Village President Jeff Lynam has decided to step aside after serving for 18 years with the village board, including four as president.

But it won’t be an easy choice, as two strong candidates, Daniel Pearson and Sarah Brittin, vie to take the helm.

Pearson, a former U.S. Marine and retired battalion chief of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department, serves as a fire commissioner for the East Dundee Fire Department. Brittin, who works as a senior editorial analyst for a publishing house, has served on the East Dundee Village Board for four years.

There are a lot of issues currently facing East Dundee residents, such as downtown parking problems and infrastructure, and both candidates have their eyes on the future.

Pearson has said he is focused on eliminating wasteful spending and obtaining the funding necessary to improve the village. Brittin said addressing the lead service lines issue is important as road work projects begin.

The future of the Haeger Pottery site is an ongoing issue. Brittin said it is important to get a successful process before beginning to finalize a plan of where it will eventually end up. Pearson also expressed a need to study the effect on traffic and roads before the board can make a decision on the location.

Pearson has a history of leadership that would be beneficial to the village and he has expressed a desire to have a long-term impact on East Dundee.

Brittin has shown the communication skills necessary to listen to residents. Her experience on the village board and the work she has done over the past term will keep the village on track for decisions already part of a strategic plan. This gives her an edge.

We endorse Brittin for East Dundee president.