Endorsement: Saverino for Carol Stream village president

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

Two fixtures of Carol Stream government are facing off in a bid to serve as village president for the next four years.

Incumbent Frank Saverino is making a bid for a fifth term in a role he has held since 2007. Rick Gieser, a village board member since 2003, is back at a shot at village president after losing a challenge to Saverino 12 years ago.

Gieser, a publicist, has no strong complaints against Saverino's leadership, but says his love of the community and longtime service make this a good time to offer the voters a choice.

And he is a viable alternative. He has long years of service to the village where he was born and raised. His enthusiasm and love for the town are infectious. And, he is intimately conversant on the fiscal health of the city, while offering a thoughtful vision for its future, including an intriguing idea to develop one neighborhood into a historic district.

The question, though, is, after four prior terms, is Frank Saverino ino no longer a viable alternative? We're not there, yet. Saverino, who has said this will be his last term if he wins, shares Gieser's enthusiasm for the village, and can point to productive, well-managed village operations and a strong financial outlook ahead. He's an effective leader, working with a village board that is committed to maintaining a safe, comfortable quality of life in town.

He deserves another term. Gieser is a compelling candidate, and there will likely be further opportunities for him in the future. But for now, our support rests with the incumbent. Saverino is endorsed.