Zoning, Economic Development, Taxes: Issues overshadow personalitites

I wouldn't presume to endorse a candidate in this Tuesday's election in this spot. For some of the candidates, especially the incumbents, voters minds have probably been made up since they first filed with the Board of Elections. For those candidates who are new on the local political scene, it's been a wait-and-see process. We have read about them in the Voter Supplement to the newspaper, read the letters of support and listened to them at two candidates forums. Some villagers will vote for their friends; others will vote for candidates who have a record of public service or other volunteerism. Those things are hard to ignore in a small town. Others will be more issue than personality oriented. That probably best describes my approach.

In the School Board contest, there are seven candidates for three seats. The issues are not so clearly defined and it is hard to judge which of the candidates who have not previously served in that position would perform the best. Some feel the curriculum has not been rigorous enough; others want to insure that the schools will remain strong in the arts. Most are concerned with the schools' performance on the State Report Card. The candidates are heavy on the promises and light on the specifics. That may just be the nature of the beast. It's a tough one to call, especially with the vote being spread among so many candidates. Six of the seven candidates are especially viable. Looking at their educational backgrounds may provide the best clue as to who will ask the hard questions at School Board meetings.

One incumbent Township Trustee candidate has been quoted as saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Voters have apparently agreed for a number of Township Trustee elections. Perhaps not as eloquent as we might have hoped for in the candidates forums, the current Trustees have no trouble communicating at their meetings. And I am sure the challenger is up to the job, as well. The question to ask here is, "What would a change in the makeup of the Trustees do for the Township?"

The election with the clearest choices is the one for Village Council. With four out of the five candidates for three seats being particularly viable, it is important that voters get out to the polls and make their vote count. Several of the candidates are calling the current village zoning laws "archaic" and vow to change them to provide for more density, especially to include clusters of affordable housing and industry in traditionally residential areas. Some of the candidates lean toward the business park approach that brought us the Center for Business and Education, while maintaining a strong downtown for retailers. And then there is the arts vs. infrastructure argument, where some candidates want to defer work on roads, sewers and water delivery for as long as possible in order to keep taxes down, while others argue that without those services it will be difficult to attract new businesses to town. I feel that it is important to have an ongoing dialogue about these issues, one that continues long after the election is over. If council is packed with members who are all of one mind, the conversation will be over.

I think it is best to forget such matters as who is your friend or who would win a popularity contest. Pay attention to what the candidates are saying and cast your vote for the one you think will best communicate your position on the issues in the council chambers.

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