Business an issue in Libertyville mayor race

Local attorney Terry Weppler is a familiar presence at Libertyville village board meetings, often ready in the audience to answer questions about organizations or clients he represents.

He now wants to switch positions and is challenging incumbent Mayor Jeff Harger on a topic they both are closely involved with: business. And in the first contested mayoral race in the village in 20 years, Weppler has come out swinging.

In what he described as a well-attended fundraiser last week at Mickey Finn's Brewery, Weppler pounded Harger's relationships with business owners and others.

"The mayor must have an 'open door policy' that is more than mere buzz words," he told the crowd. "Some local development has occurred despite Mayor Harger's actions, not because of it."

Harger, who has made economic development a cornerstone of his tenure, bristled at that suggestion.

"That's offensive," he said. "I meet with anybody, any time, any place, if I'm available. I've never told anybody I can't meet with them. Not once."

A meeting Wednesday morning with shop owners to discuss a village-sponsored promotional event was an example of his commitment to helping business, Harger said.

For example, in his time as mayor the village has hired an economic development coordinator, established business districts as incentives to auto dealers and seen development in the northwest part of town and elsewhere, Harger said.

Weppler described the village staff as "excellent" to work with, adding he wasn't characterizing Harger as anti-business. Instead, some procedures should be streamlined and the staff allowed to do its job, he said.

Standard requirements for business signs not in shopping centers, for example, could eliminate a required hearing by the appearance review commission, saving time for the staff and applicants, Weppler said.

He said the plan commission and village board "micromanage" issues that result in unnecessary delays for some projects.

Weppler also says the mayor must work cooperatively with volunteer groups that attract business to town and make certain events happen.

Harger countered that if a development proposal is well structured, "then there are no issues." That applies to other matters as well, he added.

"He (Weppler) doesn't feel we work well with the organizations he's involved with," Harger said. "The budgets are too tight. We're not going to cut police and firemen to have events."