Endorsement: Weppler for Libertyville village president

The race for Libertyville village president is a rematch of the 2009 contest between Terry Weppler and Jeffrey Harger.

Eight years ago, Weppler was a village trustee who rode a message of dissatisfaction with the responsiveness of village officials to defeat Harger, the incumbent. It was the first contested mayoral race in Libertyville in 20 years.

Now, Harger is sounding a similar call in challenging Weppler, who was unopposed in 2013.

Harger says he's heard from residents who say they are not aware of certain issues and are upset about the location and density of some proposed housing developments being discussed. Weppler said public hearing turnout shows residents are engaged and the process is working.

The future of those proposals is undetermined, but what's clear is Libertyville has scored many successes under the Weppler-led village board.

He was at the helm during the recession that cut sales tax revenues. The village trimmed staff and expenses and imposed two utility taxes with sunset clauses to be revisited annually, and increased the village's telecommunications tax to boost revenues until the recovery began. The natural gas tax was reduced twice before being eliminated in 2013.

Better times have seen an explosion of new restaurants and businesses downtown. A second parking garage was built and a road improvement plan is in place. Next up is redeveloping the train station.

Notice provisions have been changed so residents are better aware of zoning issues, Weppler said. The village uses its website, Facebook and email blast among its communication tools, he added.

Harger and Weppler are local government veterans with extensive civic involvement. But board accomplishments in the past eight years earn Weppler another term. He is endorsed.