Bender for Fox Lake mayor

Fox Lake, like many other towns, is facing a tough road with many businesses closing down. Unlike other towns, though, the exodus started before the recent economic downturn.

The financial hurdles facing Fox Lake are big, especially after losing a $1.3 million contract with Grayslake for the town's 911 center, and the town needs a mayor with strong business sense. For that reason, Ed Bender is endorsed over incumbent Cynthia Irwin.

Bender, a trustee, has an impressive business resume: He was a vice president with WW Grainger for 36 years and has attended DePaul, Stanford and Harvard. In addition to the strong business contacts he already has, Bender is working with state leaders to develop new ones to help build Fox Lake into a tourist destination. He knows the first step is improving the town's appearance.

Irwin, though well-intentioned, doesn't have the complex skills needed to lead Fox Lake into a healthier future. The town's financial future needs more than tattoo parlors and Irwin's hope that with "any luck" the federal stimulus package will offer a solution.

A third candidate, Alberta Meyer, chose not to participate in the endorsement process. Meyer has a long history with the village, having served as trustee from 1987 to 1999 and worked in the recorder of deeds office for six years, but she hasn't run a very active campaign and was noted for absenteeism as a trustee. Fox Lake needs a strong, aggressive leader and Bender will fill that role admirably.

With eight candidates for three trustee seats, Fox Lake residents are facing a tough decision. Incumbents Carol Ulasy and Noel Working are facing off against newcomers Kevin Burt, Val Griseta, John Mumford, Donald Schmit, Donald Otway and Harry Schippers Jr. Ulasy, Griseta and Burt are endorsed. While Fox Lake is still at the same crossroads with its shaky financial future as it was four years ago and is in dire need of fresh voices on the board, incumbent Ulasy is a smart leader who is hungry to move forward and work with any board member. Burt and Griseta would both bring much-needed business sense, planning and vision to Fox Lake. Mumford, Schmit and Otway are also strong candidates who would serve the board well, but Burt and Griseta are more aggressive and have the tenacity to speak up and push, prod and propel the board into much-needed action. Noel Working chose not to participate in the endorsement process and, therefore, is ineligible for endorsement.