For Island Lake board: Morris, Fox, Murvine

The race for three available seats on the Island Lake village board is split between two slates, but the best option for voters is to navigate between the two groups to pick the best individual candidates. And clearly the strongest three candidates are Thea J. Morris, Shannon L. Fox and Allen Murvine.

Morris, a psychology consultant, and Fox, a pharmacy technician, have been following village business for some time and their interest shows.

They're well-versed in the issues and challenges facing the village, and they exhibit the kind of stalwart independence that suggests they really can steer clear of the bitter political divisions that have plagued this board. Murvine, a computer technician who heads up major group projects, is obviously newer to the politics of Island Lake, but he demonstrates a sincere interest in addressing the town's most urgent problems and will be a quick study in learning the ins and outs of local government.

Candidates Charles Cermak, Mary Forner Piekarski and Joseph Ptak also have shown sincere interest in local affairs, but they don't bring the practical business experience that strengthens the case for Murvine nor even remotely the intimate familiarity with issues such as budget and village management that Morris and Fox demonstrate. Morris, Fox and Murvine are endorsed.