Endorsement: Walter for Elburn village president

Current Elburn board members David Gualdoni and Jeffrey D. Walter as well as candidate Chris Mondi are running for village president.

Gualdoni, a public works worker, has served on the village board since 2011. Walter, a director of solutions delivery, has served on the village board since 2009. Mondi, a laborer, seeks his first elected office.

As with so many municipalities, Elburn is faced with the reality of maintaining service levels for residents in a time of financial uncertainty. Walter navigated belt tightening as chairman of the village finance committee through turbulent times in the wake of the recent severe downturn, and so his leadership could serve the community well as the board looks to maintain service levels and grow responsibly in coming years.

Walter calls the village budget "bare bones." Gualdoni calls it "healthy and balanced" Mondi says he would look at, among other things, combining village administrator and finance director positions as a means of tightening the budget.

Walter says he's running to try to advance his vision for Elburn's future, and he cites improving parks through commercial partnerships as a goal (an idea Gualdoni supports, as well). Gualdoni also highlights improving communication and relieving turbulence between the board and village president as his motivation to run. Mondi cites a need for change and the need for new ideas.

All three candidates acknowledge a need for clearer standards in village employee performance reviews. For example, some performance reviews are given only upon reappointment to a position that may last the mayor's whole term. Gualdoni and Mondi, both former employees of the village, said such lack of oversight has resulted in some village employees performing below their expected capacity. Walter said he views annual performance reviews as a preferred standard.

Walter is a curious listener, he has the demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with the board about his initiatives, and he has forward-looking vision. He is up to the task, and he gets our endorsement.