Ex-candidate to run for Stone's seat in Buffalo Grove

In 2009, Andrew Stein ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Buffalo Grove village board, losing to, among others, Lisa Stone.

But Stein may get that board seat after all.

Stein, a member of the village's zoning board of appeals and active local volunteer, has announced he will run for in the April 5 election for the seat left empty by Stone's historic recall earlier this month.

If elected, Stein will fill out the remaining two years of Stone's term and then, if he wants to remain on the board, have to seek re-election in 2013. In a statement announcing his intentions, Stein said he will “take challenges ‘head on' and not be afraid to work for necessary changes.” He added that he believes “we need leaders who will speak up to say when it's time to rethink a course of action.

“Above all, we need leaders who have the willingness and ability to not only work within our own community, but who will reach out to work with leaders in other communities on matters of common interest,” he said.

Stein has served on the zoning board since 2005. Before that, he worked with the village on matters relating to the annexation of his subdivision, Columbian Gardens, an area that came into focus when the village approved a nearby off-track betting facility.

Stein serves as an elected precinct committeeman in Lake County and a commissioner in the Ridgeville Park District in Evanston. He's volunteered

for the Vernon Township Food Pantry, the Cub Scout Program in Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 and the local Buddy Baseball program.

A resident of the community for more than 23 years, Stein is married and has two children.

Stein's announcement comes a day after current Trustee Jeffrey Braiman said he would be running for village president in the April 5 election. Current Village President Elliott Hartstein has not decided whether he will seek re-election.

Besides Stone's former seat and the village president's post, village voters also will elect three trustees and a village clerk in the spring election.