Lambert, Curtis and Guethle win North Aurora board

Lifelong resident Ryan Lambert emerged from a crowded field to win one of three seats on the North Aurora Village Board.

According to unofficial results, Lambert finished in the lead with 1,039 votes — or 21 percent of the total.

Another newcomer, Laura Curtis, took second with 976 votes and incumbent trustee Mark Guethle garnered 910 votes. The three will serve four-year terms.

“This was a tough challenge. There were a lot of very good people to choose from,” said Lambert. “It’s time for me to uphold my end of the deal.”

Six people ran for the three seats on the board.

Incumbent Robert Strusz fell short in his re-election bid with 789 votes, and Christopher Sparks and Ronald Lau finished with 268 and 233 votes, respectively.

During the campaign, five of the six candidates pegged business development in the village as their top issue.

Curtis listed taxes as her top issue, with the development being second. She could not immediately be reached for comment.

Lambert said his next step will be to get in tune with the village board and he pledged to work to bring new businesses to town, “while at the same time making sure we’re not ignoring existing businesses.”

Lambert, who also serves as the fire marshal and is a plan commission member, said he’s been involved in the village since he was 16.

“People saw that and backed me and saw I was there for the right reasons,” he said. “I’m shocked and I’m blessed.”