Keller to seek re-election in West Dundee

After a decade at the helm, Larry Keller says he still has the energy and wisdom to continue as West Dundee's village president.

The 65-year-old leader said Wednesday he will seek a third full term as the village's chief executive. So far, no challengers have emerged to run against him in the April 7 election.

"I believe that West Dundee is a "we" organization and would like to continue to play my part in the leadership role of this community," said Keller, a retired high school electronics teacher. "People have encouraged me to continue."

Keller has led the village board since his appointment in October 1997, two months after then-Village President Cal Grafelman was killed in a car crash in Montana. Keller was elected to the position in 1999.

Before becoming village president, Keller served seven years as a village trustee and nine years on the village's plan commission.

In the last decade, he has overseen the construction of a $3.5 million Public Safety Center, the installation of streetlights along Route 72 through the heart of downtown and an expansion of the village's water and sewer infrastructure.

"It hasn't just been me," Keller said. "Village employees, trustees and commissioners all work together to come up with plans for the community."

That sense of teamwork makes Keller a great leader, said Trustee Norm Osth, who has served with Keller in various capacities for more than a decade.

"He is a great conciliator, he manages to bring people together," Osth said. "We do a lot of talking and he does a lot of listening. He wants to know what's going on out there."