Mundelein candidates talk about economy

Whereas some suburbs are slashing millions from budgets and laying off employees because of mounting economic troubles, candidates for the Mundelein village board don't think such drastic steps are needed in their town.

Even so, they say the economy is the biggest issue facing the board.

Four candidates are running for three seats with 4-year terms on the village board. Three are incumbents: Ray Semple, Jim Nutschnig and Steve "Chip" Cancelli. The fourth, Steve Lentz, is a political newcomer.

Semple and Lentz fielded questions about the economy in separate telephone interviews Wednesday. Cancelli and Nutschnig did not return interview requests.

Semple, 47, a trustee since 1995, said Mundelein is faring better than some neighboring communities because of where it gets its sales-tax revenue. Mundelein has many businesses, such as supermarkets and drugstores, that sell products everybody needs, regardless of the economy.

Some suburbs are suffering, he said, because they heavily rely on sales tax income from businesses affected by the economy, such as car dealers.

The village also is experiencing residential growth, thanks to the Del Webb seniors-only development on the town's west side, Semple said. Those homes create additional property-tax revenue.

"We're doing OK," he said. "(But) you'd have to be living under a rock not to see it's going to be a challenging year."

With that in mind, village leaders have been budgeting conservatively and have been trimming costs wherever possible, Semple said.

"Basically, if (we) don't have to spend it, we're not going to spend it," said Semple, a sales director and lifelong Mundelein resident.

Lentz, 46, an options-trading software educator, said the village should take advantage of unusually low oil and asphalt prices by seeking bids for road-improvement projects now.

To increase revenue, village leaders need to do more to attract high-profile businesses to town. Officials should approach more high-end retailers and try to persuade them to open shop in Mundelein, he said.

As an incentive, Lentz supports tax-sharing deals if they're financially warranted.

"I think you need to work with developers and retailers to make (deals) happen," said Lentz, who's lived in Mundelein since 1996. "But you certainly don't want to give away the farm."

Lentz also said village leaders should prepare a wish list to get money from the federal stimulus package.

"When the money does get handed out, it's going to go to those that asked," he said.

In addition to the candidates seeking 4-year terms in the April 7 election, one Mundelein trustee is the lone candidate for a 2-year term: Robin Meier, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last year.