Prospect Heights mayoral race features three familiar candidates

The race for mayor of Prospect Heights is now a three-way contest, featuring incumbent Dolores “Dolly” Vole and two candidates who campaigned for her office in each of the two previous elections.

Nicholas “Nick” Helmer said he will be more critical of Vole in the 2011 campaign because failing to speak out hurt him when he unsuccessfully ran against her two years ago. And he started Monday by blaming Vole for city financial problems that led to 30 days of unpaid time off for all employees and the recent layoffs of six police officers.

Kurt U. Giehler, who sought the office against two other candidates in 2007, described himself as best qualified to wisely spend the $15 million bond issue for street repairs that voters approved in November.

As an architect and former developer, Giehler said he has had experience in the construction of roads and parking lots. He also favors cutting back on all but essential city services.

“What do residents want: Good roads, police and flooding mitigation in flood plain areas. That's it,” he said.

Vole defended her record Monday, saying what's happening today is the result of previous administrations failing to face up to financial issues. For example, she said, police are working under contracts that expired in 2008.

Vole, who was elected in 2009 to fill the two years remaining on former Mayor Rodney Pace's term, said more time is needed to fulfill “the vision that I have to stabilize the city.”

That vision includes a “unified community where everybody can work together,” said Vole, a real estate broker and property manager.

Helmer, a developer, said more aggressive searching for grants would help the city's financial situation, as would better economic development and Tax Increment Financing districts. He blamed Vole that a Meijer store and Sarpino's did not move to the city and said he could do a better job dealing with unions than the incumbent.

Vole said tax incentives to draw businesses like Meijer are fine, but new companies must pay some taxes to cover the city services they receive. She also said it was City Council's decision that staff, not her, dealt with the police union after an arbitrator ruled the city could not impose furloughs on officers.

The city has applied for every grant that officials have heard of and just got $100,000 for the new water main on Camp McDonald Road, Vole added.

Giehler, who is active in the Wheeling Township Republican Party and the Northwest Tax Watch, said his plan for economic development is “creating the environment where businesses want to come to town.” He opposes offering incentives.

“The best thing you can do in a village is streamline the process,” he said. “Don't hold potential businesses hostage, and the last thing you want to do is pick favorites.”

Besides the a mayor, Prospect Heights residents will elect five city aldermen, a treasurer and a clerk in the April 5 election.