Longtime Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne facing reelection challenge
More often than not, Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne has run unopposed since taking office in 1993. But in April he and other longtime incumbents are being challenged by a slate of Fresh Start candidates.
The lineup and tone is different from past elections in which a candidate occasionally has surfaced to take on the powers that be. Mayoral candidate Don Kathan is leading the challenge and teaming with four candidates for trustee.
Here's an overview of the race, with information regarding the candidates coming from interviews, comments and questionnaires.
Kathan says he and his running mates have a better vision for the community that includes term limits and greater transparency. Communication is a priority, he said.
Residents "have a sense decisions often are made behind closed doors. They're not vetted. Residents' voices are not heard or listened to," Kathan contended.
Byrne, an insurance agent, dismisses that stance, saying proposals are thoroughly examined in a way that includes public input.
"We're holding these developers' feet to the fire," he said.
Byrne was elected trustee in 1987 but says he still has the passion and energy to serve, although if re-elected it likely will be his last term. He cites a range of achievements over the years, including the village's ample cash reserve, AAA bond rating and his role in talks leading to the construction of Vernon Hills High School, which opened in 1999.
"It truly gives Vernon Hills an identity," Byrne says. "We're not just a shopping center community."
Kathan said the slate wants to build on what's already been accomplished.
"It's easy to get into a mindset that doesn't readily solicit or absorb fresh ideas," says Kathan, who works for the U.S. Department of Commerce in economic development in the six-state region.
Kathan has dealt with the village board on several matters in recent years as president of the Gregg's Landing North homeowners association, which he says is the largest in Lake County.
Gregg's Landing is a sprawling collection of upscale neighborhoods that has become known in recent years for opposition to commercial development, including a Menards home improvement store, along Milwaukee Avenue to the east.
Some regard the slate, on which Gregg's Landing residents are well represented, as a reaction to those struggles.
"We're not a group of angry young men, we're a group of concerned residents," Kathan explained.
Byrne deflects criticism of the board's style of dealing with developers, saying all proposals include extensive community input and are revised or carry conditions to reflect local concerns.
"We meet with residents all the time. They're recognized. We listen to them," he said. That includes problem-solving meetings in addition to the public sessions, Byrne added.
"I'm comfortable with our transparency and interaction with our residents," he said.
Kathan contends there's more to it.
"Issues get tabled (by the board) and come back and suddenly life is wonderful. There's something in between," he said. "There's more to transparency than just holding an open meeting."