Island Lake candidates talk about town's top issues
While some of the candidates running for seats on Island Lake's village board cite the economy as the town's top issue, others say the local political strife is paramount.
Seven candidates are seeking three seats on the village board. All have 4-year terms.
Six candidates will appear on the April 7 ballot: Connie Mascillino, Donna O'Malley, Don Verciglio, Gregory Kachka, Laura Rabattini and Dwaine Schaal. The seventh candidate, David Meeks, is running a write-in campaign.
Only Mascillino and Verciglio are incumbents.
The candidates spoke about the issues facing Island Lake and other topics in questionnaires for the Daily Herald and interviews.
Mascillino, who was appointed to the board last year to fill a vacancy, said the recession's impact on village tax revenue is the community's biggest issue.
"It is essential we continue to operate the village with a balanced budget while providing quality services to our residents," she said.
Officials should address the economic downturn by pursuing state grants, she said.
O'Malley, who owns a dental laboratory and is running on a slate with Mascillino and Verciglio, also cited the economy as the town's big concern. She, too, said village leaders need to get more grant money.
Like his slate mates, Verciglio, a trustee since 2007, said the economy is Island Lake's top issue. Officials need to stick to a balanced budget, he said.
Meeks, a small-business owner running as an independent, criticized the village's board's notorious squabbling.
"The political circus needs to stop," he said. "This not only affects the reputation of our village but makes Island Lake a not-so-appealing place to live or establish a business."
Kachka, a foe of the current village board and administration, criticized what he called poor communication in the village.
"Business is done behind closed doors," said Kachka, a veteran who gained notoriety last year after two village officials claimed he made a threatening gesture during a meeting. Criminal charges eventually were dismissed.
If elected, Kachka said he'd like to hear from residents before he votes on issues.
"I want to see the door open to the boardroom so everyone has a say," he said.
Kachka is running on a slate with Rabattini and Schaal.
Rabattini, an administrative project manager who's gained local attention for blogging about Island Lake politics, sees the economy and the village's political problems as key issues.
Egos are preventing sound decisions by village officials, she said and the result is "a hostile and divided community."
Like Rabattini, Schaal saw two primary problems in town. The board must meet its financial needs and gain the respect and confidence of residents, said Schaal, who owns a contracting business.