Lumpkins is best choice for Round Lake Heights mayor

Passions are running high in the race between incumbent Terrance Lumpkins and challenger Jeffrey Kissinger in the Round Lake Heights mayoral race. Kissinger is a dedicated opponent, full of energy and ideas. Lumpkins, who has been mayor since 1993, offers experience and deep community connections. Kissinger has run a muddling campaign that focuses on leveling attacks against Lumpkins. We looked into Kissinger's allegations and found little merit in them, other than flooding around the village hall, which Lumpkins has been addressing. Lumpkins, on the other hand, has a solid record in Round Lake Heights, having built the village's financial strength during his tenure so that today it has a surplus - no small feat for a town of 2,700 in this economic climate. Lumpkins is endorsed. While Kissinger's ideas for moving the village forward have some merit, now is not the time to invest in bells and whistles on its Web site, for example. Kissinger also lacks political experience and should focus future campaign efforts on his strengths, rather than what he doesn't like about his opponent. If re-elected, we encourage Lumpkins to open the lines of communication with the pocket of disgruntled residents in town and ensure there's true transparency in government.