Endorsement: For Rolling Meadows council, Whitney and Vinezeano
Two aldermanic seats are up for election in Rolling Meadows, and we hope that no matter who wins, they will work to help temper the heavy politics that has afflicted city council deliberations in the recent past.
We are encouraged that each of the four candidates running in the April 6 election recognizes that the atmosphere could be improved and seems committed to changing the tone.
We also are encouraged that all four candidates are decent people with good intentions centered around the public welfare.
In the 1st Ward, newly appointed incumbent Karen McHale is running to retain her seat against David Whitney, who was a longtime member of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.
We like McHale and the fresh perspective she brings to city government. She wants to find ways to make residents of the 1st Ward feel a closer kinship with the rest of the community.
But it is hard to take a pass on Whitney's candidacy. He has a long history of service to Rolling Meadows, both on Planning and Zoning, but also working on the city's 4th of July Parade for more than two decades. He also is involved with Crime Stoppers, the Senior Center and youth sports,
Most importantly, Whitney is an exceedingly good person who works well with others, and we believe he will resist any urge to align with factions.
“I can be a major contributor in the future to help stabilize the council and add needed experience to what currently is a very inexperienced council,” Whitney says. “My knowledge of all aspects of city government, my experience on boards and commissions and my financial management experience position me to be a major contributor from the start.”
We agree and give Whitney our endorsement.
In the 4th Ward, voters have a tough choice between incumbent Jenifer Vinezeano and former Alderman Bradley Judd. Both are knowledgeable, experienced and responsive.
We like Judd and when he ran for a third term in 2017, we endorsed him against Joe Gallo, who not only won that race but then went on to be elected mayor two years ago.
Judd no doubt would serve ably again, but at a time when the city could benefit from improved council harmony, we think Vinezeano offers a better opportunity to achieve it.
A nurse who took on a leadership role in her profession's statewide organization, Vinezeano has grown into her aldermanic role in the two years since her appointment, and she exhibits both the aptitude for leadership and the commitment to service that are hallmarks of her professional life.
Voters would not go wrong with either candidate, but our endorsement goes to Vinezeano.