Endorsements: Kanakaris, Leopold, Hoeft for Huntley village board
With the recently completed full interchange at Route 47 and Interstate 90, all four candidates for three 4-year terms on the Huntley village board agree that Huntley is ready for new development to go along with Centegra Hospital and Weber Grill distribution plant acquisitions.
Attracting new businesses to the Route 47 corridor and growing the village's tax base are important issues for incumbents Niko Kanakaris and Harry Leopold along with challengers Darci Chandler and Tim Hoeft.
Chandler, an 11-year Huntley resident, is a newcomer to the political scene. Hoeft is a member of the village's planing commission and a former member of the zoning board.
Hoeft says Huntley needs to be a place to live, work and play. He thinks residents would appreciate having a movie theater in town.
Chandler would like to see a video arcade and a bowling alley, too.
Kanakaris says the village could increase incentives to companies that relocate to Huntley. He cited the 50 percent sales tax rebate to Wal-Mart as an example.
Leopold, a 12-year member of the village board says the time is right for a special census to see if Huntley's population has reached 25,000 so the village can have home-rule authority. That would give the board increased taxing and lawmaking abilities.
With Amtrak service set to resume in the fall, the candidates agree that getting Metra train service would be a logical step to increase business expansion.
The Daily Herald endorses Leopold, Kanakaris and Hoeft for their extensive background and knowledge of village issues, yet we encourage Chandler to expand her involvement in village government.