Exciting election season ahead for Buffalo Grove

Buffalo Grove residents can expect an active campaign for village offices in the new year, as at least four candidates are planning to run for three seats on the village board, while two candidates are vying for village president.

Former Trustee Michael Terson has announced he will challenge incumbent Village President Beverly Sussman.

And incumbents Eric Smith and David Weidenfeld said they will try to retain their trustee seats. While Jeffrey Berman, the board's senior trustee, recently announced he won't seek re-election, two other village residents have said they plan to run.

Carolyn Pinta, a Spanish teacher at Twin Groves Middle School, is best known for her and her daughter's effort to organize a pride parade, which will take place in the village next year. She has also been the chapter leader of the BG Moms Demand Action Group, which has been active on the issue of gun control in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting.

"I am looking for my first experience in some kind of governmental position close to home in the city I love," she said.

She said in the past year she has tried to step up to show herself as a leader.

"I have been teaching here 19 years. I am very invested in the community," she said. "I feel I can learn a whole lot from the folks on the board."

Also running for trustee is Buffalo Grove attorney Soojae Lee, who recently ran as a Republican against Democratic incumbent Terry Link for the 30th District Senate seat.

During his campaign against Link, he focused on such issues as reducing property taxes and the state income tax, attacking wasteful government spending and supporting term limits for legislators.

"I could probably bring some strong fiscal conservativeness to the board," said Lee, whose legal work involves such areas as real estate and contracts.

Candidate filing opens Monday, Dec. 10, and closes Monday, Dec. 17.