Mayors face challenges in Lindenhurst, Buffalo Grove, N. Barrington
The first day of filing to run for the top elected post in seven Lake County communities ended with races set in just three towns.
Incumbent village presidents filed for re-election in Lindenhurst, Buffalo Grove, North Barrington and Volo, while Third Lake, Tower Lakes and Lincolnshire so far are without candidates for that office.
Seats on municipal boards are among those up for contest in the April 2 consolidated election. Township, park, library, school and fire district board seats also will be on the ballot. The filing period runs through 5 p.m. Dec. 17.
So far, the only challenges to incumbent village presidents are in Lindenhurst, Buffalo Grove and North Barrington.
In Lindenhurst, Dominic Marturano will be seeking a second 4-year term as mayor. Marturano, who was a village trustee for eight years before taking the top spot in 2015, is running with three incumbent trustees and the village clerk as the Lindenhurst Best Choice slate.
Marturano said the issues and goals in the village are the same as most municipalities: attract additional commercial development and continue improving core services provided by the village.
His slate is being opposed by Ryan Brandes for mayor and three first-time trustee candidates running as Lindenhurst United for Change. Brandes ran as an independent for village trustee in 2017, finishing last by 19 votes among four candidates for three seats.
"It empowered me to keep going," he said of the close race. Brandes said he has kept involved in the community and serves on the village environmental and festival advisory groups. He believes he can have a greater impact on policies and practices by being on the village board.
Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman filed for re-election when the village clerk's office opened Monday morning, giving her the top spot on the ballot. Former village trustee Mike Terson filed nominating papers later in the day to challenge Sussman.
North Barrington Village President Albert R. Pino's re-election bid is being challenged by Eleanor Sweet McDonnell, who earlier this year lost in the Republican primary for the 17th District seat of the Lake County Board.
In Volo, Stephen Henley, the second mayor in the village's history, filed to run for a second term. As of Monday he had no opposition.
Lincolnshire Mayor Liz Brandt took out petitions and gathered signatures for a re-election bid, but she did not file Monday. She said she is dealing with some family matters and while she's likely to run for a second term as mayor, she has not made a final decision.
Brandt said she hadn't heard of any potential challengers.
"It is a big job. It is volunteer and you're not getting paid," said Brandt, whose focus has been on economic development and keeping the village solid financially.
She said there are two pending major development proposals on the largely residential east side of town she would like to see through.
"We want to make sure that development is done well and protects the neighboring residents," she said. "They are huge issues that affect the future of Lincolnshire."
In Third Lake, the question will be whether anyone wants to replace three-term Village President Gary Beggan, who's not seeking re-election. As of Monday, no candidate had filed for the seat.
The same was true in Tower Lakes, though incumbent Village President David Parro has picked up a petition packet, indicating a possible re-election bid.
• Daily Herald staff writer Eric Peterson contributed to this report.