Endorsements: Johnson, Ottenheimer and Stein for Buffalo Grove trustee

Buffalo Grove voters will see some familiar names when they get their ballots for the April 6 election. Familiar because, at one time or another, they've already elected four of the five village trustee candidates to the panel.

This year's race features three incumbents — Joanne Johnson, Lester Ottenheimer III and Andrew Stein — along with former trustee Michael Terson and political newcomer Gowri Magati. Three board seats are at stake.

Magati's background in information technology and corporate experience could be a valuable addition to the board, and she would bring some needed diversity to village government. However, held up against her four opponents, Magati's lack of experience in the public sphere is glaring. In this race, against this field, it is a barrier too high to overcome. But we hope her desire to serve remains and she seeks appointment to any of the village's volunteer boards and commissions.

Of the remaining candidates, there is no “wrong” choice. All four are steeped in knowledge of village government, the town's strengths and its challenges. All four are sincere in their desire to help their hometown prosper. All four have proved themselves as able public servants.

Terson, who was on the losing end of a tight race for village president two years ago, brims with big ideas like a dining and entertainment district on the Buffalo Grove Golf Club property, and would bring outside-the-box thinking to the village board. A vote for him would not be misplaced.

But as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And Buffalo Grove isn't broke. The village is on solid financial ground — it received the highest possible “AAA” bond rating from Standard & Poor's last year — and the current board was able to embark on a much-needed $145 million infrastructure program in 2020 without hiking property taxes. And while it may be moving too slowly for some — Terson among them — real progress is being made on a renewal of the massive Lake-Cook Road corridor, including the long-struggling Town Center development.

The three incumbents all have played a role in these accomplishments and have earned additional terms. We endorse Johnson, Ottenheimer and Stein.