Endorsements: Marquardt, Oppenheim, Brown for Vernon Hills village board

With a balanced budget, a AAA bond rating, well-funded pensions and significant reserves, Vernon Hills may be the financial envy of Lake County.

That's an important point for voters to consider in deciding which candidates they want to fill three, 4-year trustee seats on the village board in the April 2 election. Incumbents Michael Marquardt, David Oppenheim and Karimar "Kari" Brown and first-time candidate Stacey Pristas are on the ballot.

For many years the village has been a shopping mecca that generates enough sales tax revenue to fund a strong bottom line without the need for a local property tax.

That doesn't happen by accident, and the village board and staff have seized opportunities to enhance the retail base, help create amenities in town such as the Aspen Drive Library and reacted to shifts in shopping trends.

Examples of that balance can be seen in Mellody Farm, a new retail/residential concept that opened last year at Milwaukee Avenue and Route 60, and in the board addressing ongoing concerns over changes to ensure the future viability and vitality of aging Hawthorn Mall.

We recommend Marquardt, Oppenheim and Brown for re-election for their work on a board that has worked well together to maintain and build that financial stability. Marquardt, who works in Hawthorn Woods public works department, is the senior member of the three, having served since 2004. His focus has been the village's infrastructure.

Oppenheim, is a pediatrician elected to a two-year term in 2017, and Brown, a business owner appointed to fill a vacancy six months ago, have proved to be prepared and engaged trustees.

Oppenheim was the driving force behind two recent new ordinances - increasing the age requirement to buy tobacco products in the village to 21 and preventing dog and cat sales at pet stores in Vernon Hills.

Pristas, a regional real estate property manager, is passionate about wanting to join the board after serving in volunteer positions with a park district committee and other organizations.

We urge her to stay involved in the village but see no reason to change the board makeup at this time.