Business climate debated in Libertyville

Incumbents in the race for three spots on the Libertyville village board say experience is needed in a tough economic time, but challengers contend changes are in order.

With sales tax dropping, keeping and attracting businesses is on everyone's to-do lists. How to do that has become an issue for challengers, who contend village review processes and attitudes aren't always conducive to that mission.

In the first contested race for trustee in several years, incumbents Luke Lukens, Bob Peron and Barry Reszel are facing competition from James "Jay" Justice, Todd Gaines and Richard Moras.

Reszel, a stay-at-home dad and part-time writer, was appointed last summer to fill a vacancy. Lukens, a business executive is seeking a third term and Peron, an architect, a second term as trustee.

Justice, a retired longtime executive at Advocate Condell Medical Center; Moras, a business development executive; and, Gaines, a small-business owner, are not officially registered as such but are running together informally.

Moras said he decided to run after hearing reports of frustration and anger on the part of some business owners.

"People feel there's a better way of accomplishing the same goals," he said. "I don't think there's a deficit of intelligence or a deficit of caring. I think there needs to be fresh perspective."

Gaines said his chief issue is filling vacancies.

"I would like to be part of a board that has open communication and is open to any ideas or suggestions that might increase business," he said.

Justice, who previously served on the village's zoning board of appeals and plan commission, said the attitude of regulators is not conducive to business.

"I guarantee you, go to the plan commission today and you'll be berated. We're here to assist people. We're not here as an obstacle."

Person and Lukens both served on the plan commission before joining the village board. They say that opinion is unfounded and agree that if an applicant follows the guidelines, the process is neither long nor onerous.

"Our process is more than reasonable," Peron said.

"Those people who didn't get what they wanted or tried to shortcut the issue complain about it," Lukens charged. "The businesses that come in and have done their homework ... they get through this very quickly."

Peron added the process involves public forums that are not well attended.

"If somebody thinks they've been treated badly, we want to know about it. We're not getting a lot of input," he said.

Reszel said the village hires professionals, such as economic development coordinator Heather Rowe, to make business contacts.

"That's a philosophical issue generally the board of trustees doesn't deal with," he said. "The job of the trustees is to pay the bills and ask tough questions and be prepared."

He added that if elected, he wants to break down barriers, "real or perceived," between village government and residents and businesses.