Political disharmony tinges race for Oak Brook village board

On one hand, the residents of Oak Brook are extremely fortunate to have seven highly qualified candidates running for just three open seats on the village board.

The field features incumbents Jeffrey Kennedy and Robert "Bob" Sanford as well as former trustees Stelios Aktipis, Asif Yusuf and Elaine Zannis. Mark Moy boasts an impressive career in medicine and education; and Stanley Pruss has served 12 years on the Butler Elementary District 53 school board. Each is versed in village issues and challenges, though we'd like Moy to become more involved to deepen his knowledge before he holds office.

The number and quality of candidates is symptomatic, however, of continuing disharmony in Oak Brook government. Pruss, Kennedy and Sanford are endorsed by the Oak Brook Community Caucus. Meanwhile Aktipis, Zannis and Moy share a loose alliance in support of Village President John Craig, who has few allies on the current board. We believe incumbents Kennedy and Sanford are working well on commercial redevelopment and corporate recruiting - areas key to the financial health of a village that does not collect property taxes. Aktipis brings professional experience in commercial real estate to the board table. Kennedy, Sanford and Aktipis are endorsed.