Endorsements: Hood, Thorstenson and Balmes for Gurnee village board
When Gurnee voters go to the polls on April 4, they'll find four village board incumbents on the ballot, with just three open seats. That's because Trustee Karen Thorstenson was appointed in 2015 to fill two years of a four-year term, and another candidate is running solo to finish the balance. A bit confusing, perhaps, but what's clear is the vast amount of experience and knowledge Thorstenson and fellow incumbents Thomas Hood, Jeanne Balmes and Don Wilson bring to the table.
Hood, an articulate attorney and lifelong Gurnee resident, earned our strong endorsement in the past and continues to do so. He understands the difficulties of competing with nearby Wisconsin for development and advocates a measured, case-by-case approach to financial incentives. He also initiated a program to recognize successful businesses in town. Thorstenson, while newer to the board, boasts an impressive pre-board resume of project management experience and civic involvement. We agree with her desire to attract entertainment-related businesses and sports venues that could offset Great America's short season. We would like to see her continue as a trustee and she too receives our support. So does Balmes, whose 16 years on the board and institutional knowledge are assets. She has deep ties to the community and her passion for residents comes through.
In the past, we have applauded Don Wilson's willingness to question the status quo, and we endorsed him in his last bid for office. He calls himself a “hands on guy,” but his interpretation of that mission has come under fire with regard to his dealings with panhandlers in Gurnee. He dismisses the majority of them as “scam artists” who turn down offers of help, create a danger on busy intersections and scare residents. But posting belittling videos of them on Facebook is not the way to deal with the problem, and we share Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik's contention that “shaming and humiliating” panhandlers on social media is unbecoming of a trustee.
We endorse Hood, Thorstenson and Balmes.