GOP primary battle shaping up on DuPage forest board
Carl Schultz says he's going to seek election next year to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District seat he once held for a decade.
The Aurora Republican's announcement sets up a March GOP primary rematch against Commissioner Mary Lou Wehrli, who won the general election in 2012 after beating Schultz in the primary.
Wehrli, a Naperville resident, represents District 5, which includes all or parts of Aurora, Lisle, Naperville and Warrenville.
Schultz, who held the District 5 seat from 2002 to 2012, said he decided to enter the primary because he's unhappy with the way Wehrli has served the district.
"In the last three years, the other forest preserve districts seem to be moving ahead, and District 5 appears to be going backward," said Schultz, adding that he's received an endorsement from forest preserve President Joe Cantore.
However, Wehrli says she's been a valuable contributor on the forest preserve board.
"The forest preserve district is making great strides in changing its culture and addressing what the citizens want out of a forest preserve," Wehrli said on Wednesday. "We've had a lot of successes that need to continue."
On Thursday, Wehrli formally announced that she's running for re-election. "The culture is shifting for the better, but there is still work to be done," she said in a statement.
A day earlier, Wehrli said she was "surprised" to learn Schultz is running again.
"I'm a believer that public service is a forward moving opportunity," Wehrli said. "You don't go back. You move on to the next thing ... and contribute in other ways."
Schultz, a horticulturist, said no one on the forest preserve board has a background in natural resource management. He said his skill would be a valuable addition to the panel.
"I have a lifelong commitment to drawing people closer to nature," he said.
If elected, Schultz said his focus as a commissioner would be to preserve and restore land within the district, especially in areas where there isn't a lot of open space.
"It's time for District 5 to have a voice again," he said. "I can be that voice."
So far during her first term, Wehrli says her District 5 accomplishments include a safe trail link between Jefferson and Ogden avenues, improved dog area at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, and land acquisitions expanding existing preserves.
She said she also voted to support online registration, an asset management plan, a merit-based salary program and the district's strategic plan.
Other positions up for election next year on the forest preserve board are the District 2 and District 4 seats. Commissioner Jeff Redick of Elmhurst represents District 2, and District 4 is represented by Commissioner Tim Whelan of Wheaton.