Endorsement: Johnson, Mayle for Schaumburg Park commissioner

Leaders in Schaumburg understood long ago that developing its own culture and offering hometown leisure venues are a big part of building a community.

The Schaumburg Park District is a reflection of that vision. It is an award-winning park district that offers a wide variety of amenities that respond to myriad interests and maintains plenty of green open space that adds to Schaumburg's ambience.

Three good candidates are running for two 4-year terms on the five member board.

One of them is David Johnson, an institution of sorts with the park district. He has helped oversee the growth of the parks since first becoming a member of the board in 1973. After close to five decades, he still brings enthusiasm to his public service. And of course, all that experience gives him great insight too. We are happy to endorse his candidacy for reelection.

For the other seat, we endorse Bernie Mayle Jr. He's a longtime volunteer with Schaumburg's Septemberfest and coached with the Schaumburg Athletic Association. He has not been a park board commissioner, but in many respects, he may as well have been. He's attended meetings regularly for the past six years, and that attention gives him a deep understanding of park issues that came across in our interview with him.

The third candidate, Jack Trudel, also is more than capable. He's been a trustee with the Schaumburg Park Foundation and he clearly is devoted to the park district. We regret that we cannot endorse him too.