Endorsement: Our choices for Kane County Board seats
District 4
Democrat Mavis Bates, who won the March primary, takes on Republican Tracy Miller to represent the western portion of Aurora.
Miller, a CPA, recognizes the financial challenges ahead and is campaigning on ensuring tax dollars are invested wisely and keeping a freeze on property taxes. She began in public service by volunteering as an election judge and then became a precinct committeeman.
Bates, who is dedicated to environmental causes, is on the Fox Valley Park District board, and said if elected she would reconsider her park board seat.
Miller is endorsed.
District 10
Republican David J. Brown, a Batavia alderman for 22 years, and Democrat Mary Kay Crantz are seeking their first terms on the Kane County Board.
Brown was strong on safety issues and land planning issues in Batavia.
Crantz, running for public office for the first time, said instead of talking about problems she wanted to work to make positive changes.
Brown has experience that can't be overlooked. He is endorsed.
District 12
Kenneth C. Shepro of Wayne, the former Kane County Board attorney, is as in-the-know about what the board does and how it operates as just about anyone.
He has 30 years' experience in local government - including 20 years with the county's regional planning committee - making him the overwhelming choice. Democrat Ruth Kuzmanic, a recently retired teacher, is a first-time candidate.
Shepro is endorsed.
District 14
Republican Mark Davoust of St. Charles is challenged by William K. Bachman, an accountant and system engineer in the transportation sector.
Bachman says constituent engagement is lacking and the board should consider hiring a county administrator. Funding for that position, he said, could come from reducing the size of the board. Bachman, though, faces an uphill battle in taking on an incumbent rife with experience and know-how.
Elected in 2004, Davoust has always kept an eye on fiscal restraint, preached (and practiced) spending efficiencies, and has been a stalwart when it comes to maintaining open space.
Davoust is endorsed.
District 16
Incumbent Republican Mike Kenyon is challenged by Megan Larson.
While Larson's platform on the county needing more transparency and better technology is noble, Kenyon brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge to all things county-related. His is a voice that is strong and recognizable for the rural and farming communities and he's focused on the board working together, regardless of party.
Kenyon is endorsed.
District 18
Democrat challenger Sandy Kaczmarski says the board needs new voices, civility and transparency.
She says one way to offset a budget deficit is for the board to reverse its decision and allow marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas.
Incumbent Republican Drew Frasz, was instrumental in unclogging the roadblock created by his own party that led to the building of a long overdue coroner's office on the judicial center complex that's set for spring occupancy.
Frasz, going on his 13th year as a board member, said he would support a reduction in the number of county board members to no fewer than 18.
Frasz is endorsed.
District 20
Newcomers Cherryl Fritz Strathmann and Lucio Estrada are vying for the seat that covers much of Elgin.
Strathmann, a Democrat, has a strong track record of involvement in community functions, including having served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Elgin Area School District U-46. Her longevity in the district can't go unnoticed.
Estrada, a lifelong Elgin resident, is running for the first time for public office. He doesn't oppose marijuana dispensaries, says the county should sell unused property to address budget shortfalls, and favors a sales tax holiday to promote local businesses and to encourage people to shop locally.
Strathmann is endorsed.
District 22
Incumbent Doug Scheflow has a formidable opponent in Democrat Vern Tepe, a man we endorsed in the primary for his work with Elgin Township and his advocacy for mental health initiatives.
Scheflow has been a solid board member who doesn't get caught up when left vs. right politics arise.
His website touts "Your Independent Conservative Voice." The evenhanded Scheflow, a board member for eight years, says his spending priorities "will always be public health and public safety," and says doing more with less is what the county needs in a challenging budget year.
Scheflow is endorsed.
District 24
When we endorsed him in 2016, we said Democrat Jarett Sanchez offers a fresh perspective in the 24th District.
He won that race with nearly 65 percent of the vote, and our faith in him continues.
Sanchez, who is on eight board committees, works well with others with a centrist's approach in sharing input and ideas.
He said the board's No. 1 focus is handling dire budgetary circumstances.
He's opposed by Carpentersville Trustee Roberta "Bobbie" Andresen, who said her spending priorities will always be the sheriff's office, fire districts and health department.
Sanchez is endorsed.