For Bartlett village president: Kelly will bring fresh ideas

A new village president will be elected by voters in Bartlett on April 7 with the retirement of Catherine Melchert after 16 years in the job. Luckily, there are two strong candidates to choose from and both are refreshingly running strong campaigns without resorting to negative tactics.

One one side is six-year Trustee Sherry Bormann, 62, who represents in many ways the status quo in Bartlett government. Bormann, lists economic expansion as her top priority while also recognizing that the village needs to control costs in these trying times. She also has been a strong proponent of the village disannexing from Elgin Area District U-46. While that movement has been stymied in Springfield, she says she would "monitor the legislative climate for any new opportunities to resurrect the effort."

Michael Kelly, 53, has been Hanover Township supervisor for 12 years. He also served for many years on the Bartlett Library District board. His priorities include revitalizing the downtown area, improving the infrastructure of the community, especially as it relates to current flooding woes, and to keep a tight rein on spending while delivering necessary services. His approach would be to listen more to the community - both residents and business owners. He believes that is lacking currently, especially as it relates to the downtown business district.

We think both candidates could step in and do a fine job, but our nod goes to Kelly, who can bring some fresh ideas and approaches to the village. The community would also benefit by Bormann, who has two years left in her trustee term, remaining on the board and working side-by-side with the new administration.