Endorsements: LaMarca, Nowosielski, Wiedmeyer for Pingree Grove village board

Not all pain is bad. The village of Pingree Grove is going through some growing pains as the village continues to increase in size. The current growth has been well managed. The village budget is balanced this year and is projected to be balanced next year with over $100,000 in excess funds. Incumbents Steve Wiedmeyer and Ray LaMarca are part of the board responsible for this. Several other candidates are also running for one of three positions on the village board. Challengers Joseph Nowosielski and Richard Eckert have served on the Pingree Grove financial task force and also had a hand in guiding the board’s budget decisions. Issues such as a new public works building, attracting new businesses and managing growth will certainly be challenges for the board. Wiedmeyer, LaMarca and Nowosielski are best suited to address them. The remaining challengers — Lon Czarnecki, Bruce Barnes, Charles Pearson, Eckert and Patrick Whalen — all have a genuine interest in making Pingree Grove prosper. We encourage their continued involvement in village matters.