Endorsements: Deyne, Gabrenya, Hopkins for Bartlett village board

Six candidates are running for three trustee seats on the village board in Bartlett in the April 2 election,

All seem genuinely interested in the welfare of the village, but the incumbents offer the best credentials and vision for the future.

We endorse Ray Deyne, Kristina Gabrenya and Adam Hopkins. Their service to the community extends beyond their current terms on the board.

Deyne served on the plan commission for 34 years before winning election to the village board four years ago.

In addition, he's held leadership positions with the Bartlett Jaycees, the Bartlett Learning Center Golf Outing and the Hanover Township Foundation and has been active with the Rotary Club and the Historical Society.

Appointed to the village board two years ago, Gabrenya has been active with the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and the park district.

Hopkins, first elected in 2015, has been active with the Knights of Columbus.

Economic development is one of Bartlett's major challenges, as it is for so many communities, and Deyne, Gabreyna and Hopkins have the experience to help encourage and direct that growth.

Gabrenya chairs the Community and Economic Development Committee; Deyne, the Finance Committee; and Hopkin, the Building and Zoning Committee.

Their experience and grasp of the issues trumps the resumes of the other candidates on the ballot - accountant and real estate broker Balwinder Chhokar; postal worker Columbus Montgomery, a past Bartlett Idol contestant and winner; and Guy Papa, a police officer in another suburb.

They're all enthusiastic, but we encourage them to seek appointment to some of the village commissions and committees to gain experience and insights into Bartlett's village government.