Endorsements: Rojo, Sholeen and Wondrasek for Barrington Village Board

Four talented, insightful and dedicated candidates seek three available seats on the Barrington Village Board in the April 1 election. It’s unfortunate that they cannot all serve, at least not immediately.

Two of the candidates are incumbents, and endorsing their continued service is an easy decision.

A retired bank executive, Todd Sholeen has a long resume of service to the village, including on the zoning board and plan commission in addition to his 10-year tenure on the village board. His financial background is a clear advantage for a village trustee, and contributes to a town that is financially healthy with a good balance of community services, while watching out for the concerns of taxpayers.

Two-term incumbent Jennifer Wondrasek comes to the board with the kind of direct, detailed analysis you would expect from someone with her background in engineering. She speaks authoritatively on the wide range of issues that the next board will confront, including the Route 14 underpass, upgrading infrastructure and economic development, and we find her description in her Daily Herald questionnaire that trustees must “come to the table well-informed and ready to listen” especially appropriate.

Choosing between the two newcomers is a much more difficult task. Both Lauren Klauer, a lifelong Barrington resident with a background in business and marketing, and Jesse Rojo, a former serviceman in the U.S. Army Reserves and now executive director of the Evanston Early Childhood Council, are thoughtful, articulate and, as Wondrasek might say, well-informed candidates. They understand and speak with nuanced detail on issues as diverse as park development and railroad traffic and safety, a particularly sensitive topic in Barrington.

A vote for either challenger is a vote for thoughtful engagement and collaborative management. For our part, we are swayed by an infectious enthusiasm we find in Rojo’s candidacy. That kind of personality could bring an important, positive spark to village discussions, so we’re recommending him along with Wondrasek and Sholeen for the three open seats available now, with the hope that regardless of who wins on April 1, they both will remain active in village leadership in the years ahead.