The Daily Herald Editorial Board
No matter what happens, the Roselle village board will have several new faces after the April election.
Incumbent Carrie Dahlstrom is not seeking re-election and current board members Wayne Domke and Andrew "Andy" Maglio are running for village president. Maglio's seat is up for re-election. If Domke loses, he would continue in his seat; if he wins, he would have the opportunity to appoint someone to fill it.
Six residents are running for three open seats on the board.
Incumbent Patrick Devitt is joined by challengers Terrell Barnes, Brian Boos, Christopher Gnutek, David Pileski and Heather Pransky.
Under the leadership of longtime Village President Gayle Smolinksi, Roselle has a strategic plan in place for the next two years to serve as a road map for the new board. Roselle also has a fully funded five-year capital plan.
The new board will also inherit a budget that is in the black.
The village is also coming out of a fight with ComEd over building high-voltage power lines along the revamped Elgin-O'Hare Expressway.
With a solid foundation in place, the new trustees will have time to learn on the job.
Devitt, who has served on the board since 2013, offers an experienced voice that a board filled with new faces will need.
He would also like to see more senior housing options in Roselle. He also would like to see the village provide more community events for its residents.
Barnes, who currently serves on the Roselle Public Library Board, has experience managing taxpayer money. Barnes wants to find ways to create more partnerships with other government bodies to share services and save money in the budget.
Pileski currently serves on the Roselle Zoning Board of Appeals. He wants to use technology to help residents participate in local government.
Boos would like to see the village look at public-private partnerships with internet service providers to bring cost-effective service to existing residents and help attract new businesses to the village.
Gnutek wants Roselle to put more money toward events that bring the community together.
Pransky would like to see a renewed commitment to community policing that includes active neighborhood watch programs.
We see Devitt, Barnes and Pileski as having the best combination of experience and vision and they are endorsed.
