Endorsements: Henley, Porter, Buschick for Volo village board

The race for village board in Volo features three sitting trustees and a political newcomer. Trustees Stephen Henley and Carol Porter are running for re-election, along with former Trustee Bruce Buschick, who served from 2007 to 2011 and was appointed in January to fill a vacancy. Challenger Cathy Wimer works with supply chains and logistics. Henley, Porter and Buschick are aligned politically and share a top priority of bringing Lake Michigan water to the village. Wimer’s top campaign issue is lowering taxes — an understandable aim given the current economy — but the current village board has demonstrated fiscal restraint. It has not taken advantage of its home-rule power to raise taxes, and the village contracts out for services to keep its payroll lean. Hooking up to Lake Michigan water would require issuing bonds but would also help attract commercial development and lessen the burden on residential taxpayers. We endorse Buschick, Henley and Porter but encourage Wimer to pursue civic involvement on a village commission.