Endorsement: Brady, Papantos, Waller for Wheeling village board
Accusations in one village race have a tendency to spill over onto others. That's the case in the Wheeling village board election, where one newcomer and three incumbents are vying for three seats.
Challenger Donald Lee Waller, an attorney and management consultant, has harsh words for sitting trustees who failed to question Village President Dean Argiris' use of the village purchase card. Waller argues that it's time for some new blood, and we agree. His business and legal background should serve him well on the board and he earns our endorsement. If Waller were to be elected, we hope he continues to voice concerns and pushes for further reform.
Incumbents Ken Brady, Mary Krueger and Mary Papantos stand behind Argiris, but they do all support changes that followed the accusations against the village president. That's the first step, but more may be needed to clarify policies, set spending guidelines and prevent abuse. Of the three incumbents, we think Brady and Papantos are best equipped to take on that challenge.
Papantos, a 2016 appointee who grew up in Wheeling, is still new enough to the board to provide a fresh perspective. She has a strong grasp on the issues while demonstrating a willingness to hear new ideas and perspectives. We appreciate her continued evaluation of Wheeling's costly membership in the Chicago North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, and her push for more family entertainment areas within the village.
Brady's 12 years on the board and 18 years on the plan commission offer up institutional knowledge as Wheeling addresses the need for more firefighter-paramedics, movement on the Wheeling Town Center and continuing traffic issues. As a 50-year resident of Wheeling and a retired construction manager, he can provide important input on ongoing and future development projects. He's proud of Wheeling's progress in recent years, and he embraces the village's diversity.
We endorse incumbents Brady and Papantos and newcomer Waller.