Endorsements: Richmond, Guess and Kolodziej for South Elgin village trustee

The three trustees running for re-election in South Elgin can boast nearly 50 years of service on the village board.

Incumbents Scott Richmond, Lisa Guess and Mike Kolodziej are challenged by Shane Hamilton and Bill DiFulvio on the April 2 ballot.

The current board has taken the village through a period of diverse industrial and residential growth with three residential developments recently breaking ground.

Richmond, Guess and Kolodziej have been involved in bringing the growth to the village while keeping the budget and property taxes in check. A referendum, unanimously passed by the South Elgin board, will ask residents on April 2 to approve an increase in the village's sales tax.

Kolodziej, who has been on the board since 1999, has worked to bring affordable housing with a balance of industry to the village. He said now is the time for South Elgin to take advantage of opportunities and redevelop some of the older structures because one of the TIF districts is set to expire.

Guess has lived in South Elgin since 1969. She said multiple industrial and residential developments are good for the village, but she is also looking to expand parks and green space. Guess leads the way in pushing for paths and sidewalks that would bridge the new developments on the East Side for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Richmond has pushed for commercial development in the downtown area. He has been instrumental in bringing industry to the village and can take credit for some of the town's growth.

The growth, however, has taken a toll on the roads and all three incumbents are focused on South Elgin's infrastructure. Maintaining and repairing the streets without raising property taxes will be a challenge.

Richmond, Guess and Kolodziej have the experience, knowledge and a good working relationship with their fellow trustees to get this done. They get our endorsement.