Endorsement: Kumar, Kozar and Tucker for Villa Park village board

Six candidates are running for three seats on the Villa Park village board.

With current board members Bob Wagner and Nick Cuzzone running for the open village president seat, the next board will feature at least two new members.

Incumbent Cheryl Tucker is joined by newcomers Marc Bregman, Jack Corkery, Matthew D'Alessandro, Jack Kozar and Deepasriya Kumar.

All candidates agree that the village could be doing more to attract new businesses to town and compete with neighboring communities.

All of them say they would like to update ordinances and codes to make it easier for people to do business in the village.

Kumar, a professor-lecturer at Northwestern University, wants to see the village create a community plan with long-term and short-term goals that can be measured.

Kozar, who co-owns Fuel and Crème, a bar and ice cream shop in the village, has previously expressed frustration to the board with some the village's current ordinances and codes.

The village, which currently prohibits anyone from holding a liquor license serving on the board, is taking a wait-and-see approach with Kozar's candidacy.

Kozar has vowed to recuse himself from votes and debate regarding liquor licenses. We hope the board changes its rules so that he can serve.

Bregman, Corkery, and Alessandro are also strong challengers who would bring fresh ideas and energy to the board.

Tucker's experience on the board would be helpful with several new faces guaranteed to join it.

Kumar, Kozar and Tucker are endorsed.