Unity Party wins for Bloomingdale board

Incumbent Bloomingdale village trustee Jeffrey Dolce lost his seat Tuesday to newcomer Michael Hovde, according to unofficial vote totals.

With all 23 precincts reporting, counts show Hovde earned 828 votes, while Dolce took 772. Hovde ran on a Unity Party slate with incumbents Robert Czernek, who had 890 votes, and James King, with 846 votes. The party candidates will fill the three available board seats.

Hovde said he believes voters connected with his Bloomingdale roots.

“I guess people respected that I had a long history with Bloomingdale, that I grew up here,” he said. “This also shows people support us. Frankly, there is not a huge difference between us and Jeff, but people responded better to our message.”

Hovde said he is eager to dive into upcoming budget talks. He has voiced concern about Bloomingdale’s decision to raise phone and gas taxes and suggested measures like switching to online payment for water bills to cut postage and paper costs.

Czernek said he was proud to be the lone vote against Bloomingdale’s telecommunications and motor fuel tax increases.

King said the quality of life and retail base in Bloomingdale remain in good shape, despite recent revenue declines and cost-cutting measures like early retirement.