For Warrenville council: Goodman, Krischel, Wilson

Warrenville voters will elect four aldermen April 2, including three in contested races.

Incumbent Stu Aschauer is running unopposed in Ward 1, but three other incumbents face challenges in their respective wards.

In Ward 4, incumbent Leah Goodman is being challenged by newcomer John Augustynowicz. Augustynowicz is a political consultant and former legislative assistant to state Rep. Jeanne Ives who serves as a Winfield Township committeeman and has a good grasp of the issues.

But Goodman, an attorney, is an exceptional candidate who spent six years on the city's planning and zoning commission before being elected to the council eight years ago. Her commitment to the city is obvious, from heading the city's finance and public safety committees to working with the park district to helping plan the Summer Daze festival. She says one of her main focuses in the coming year will be to revamp and modernize the city's website.

She is forward-looking, hardworking and well prepared. Goodman is endorsed.

In Ward 3, incumbent Michael Hoffmann is being challenged by Jeff Krischel. Hoffmann chose not to respond to the Daily Herald requests for information. Krischel, an IT professional and paid-on-call firefighter/EMT, demonstrates a sound grasp of the issues and a wide-range of interests, from improving the city's website to examining solar and other energy solutions to creating a bicycle-sharing program. We think he would bring a fresh perspective to the council. Krischel is endorsed.

In Ward 2, incumbent Robert Wilson is being challenged by Carl Voda, who did not respond to requests for information. Wilson is a 10-year veteran of the council who is an ordained deacon retired from a career in sales. We like his continued enthusiasm for the job, his interest in sustainable development and his willingness to push for a greater focus on solar power and renewable energy. Wilson is endorsed.