Endorsement: Branding for Lake Zurich mayor

Three candidates are on the April 9 ballot for mayor in Lake Zurich, where a key issue is the need to jump start the long-stalled downtown redevelopment plan. Incumbent Suzanne Branding, a business owner, is challenged by Trustee Thomas Poynton, a retired sales and marketing professional, and Realtor Mary Black. They all bring passion and ideas for voters to consider, and they hold similar views on many issues. That’s especially true of Poynton and Branding, who agree on the need to hire an economic development coordinator and to make the village more business friendly. We endorse Branding, who already has overseen many important accomplishments, including attracting new businesses to the village. The stalled downtown is a concern, and we hope her idea to focus on re-purposing some buildings will be a catalyst. Poynton is a strong candidate who wants to create an economic development advisory board to assist the coordinator and compile an inventory of village-owned property downtown to market to developers. Black, a political newcomer, believes aesthetic changes and events will boost interest and knowledge about downtown and its potential. But Branding can point to notable achievements as mayor and has earned another term to move her ideas forward.