Endorsement: Deyne, Hopkins and Suwanski for Bartlett village board
This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
Bartlett village board incumbents Ray Deyne, Adam J. Hopkins and Renee Suwanski point with pride to recent growth, including bringing an Aldi store to town and the success of the Brewster Creek TIF district. Challenger Khurram Syed praises the village's progress as well.
Where the four candidates vying for three seats diverge is on the village's path forward.
Syed wants a department store in town as well as a hospital within the village's borders. But elected officials must balance wish lists with practicality, and his goals - while ambitious - should be tempered with a more realistic approach.
The incumbents have that, as well as the experience and a familiarity with the issues that Syed lacks. We believe he has a lot to offer Bartlett, but Deyne, Hopkins and Suwanski make a far stronger case to remain on the board.
Their experience and grasp of the issues will be sorely needed as the village grapples with the traffic and safety fallout from a possible railroad merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern, as well as work on the new wastewater treatment facility and residential water line replacement. Together, the incumbents have seen Bartlett through years of challenges and progress, and they are best equipped to lead to the village past the pandemic and into the future.
Deyne, Hopkins and Suwanski are endorsed.