Homer Glen’s trustee candidates on the lookout for one of many three 4 -year -old mandates agree that preserving the 143rd highway and stopping Will County from widening it to 5 lanes is among the important priorities.
The historic operator Rose Reyters is the one trustee on the lookout for re -election and is reached by six different candidates: Ruben Pazminino, Richard Modelski, Michael Lepore, Nicholas Muller, Kevin Koukol and John Hayes.
The resident Heidi Pacella, faraway from the vote for the usage of the nickname “Hadley” in his petitions of appointment in opposition to the state electoral code, is mounting a writing marketing campaign.
With the exception of Reynder and Pazmino, who was a trustee from 2019 to 2023, the candidates are new in native politics.
Reynder, Lepore and Muller are operating collectively and are supported by the mayor of Homer Glen Christina Neitzke-Troike.
Opponent highway undertaking
Numerous candidates have stated that the Will County Division of Transports undertaking to broaden the 143rd Street to 5 -sided State/Lemont Road to Bell Road is among the many most pressing considerations of the residents. Residents concern that their land is taken to increase the highway and the village is encouraging the residents to oppose an account in Springfield to authorize the county to make use of fast grip powers.
“If you wish to be a part of the answer, you have to be concerned,” stated Koukol, residing since 2009 whose home is situated on the 143rd highway.
Koukol stated he would use his expertise by working for the Illinois tollway for 26 years to assist compromise with the County of Will County. He stated {that a} proposal so as to add a central lane might assist resolve among the highway issues, however 5 lanes are usually not assured.
Will County Board Members final yr requested his transport division to review a Lane Center choice after the protests of the residents of Homer Glen, however the decision was vesselized, resulting in disputes.
“There are many individuals with numerous at stake,” stated Koukol, including that he staged explosions of data to residents to attempt to struggle the fast account in Springfield.
Photo candidate
Rose Reynder
Lepore, who additionally lives off the 143rd highway, stated that the enlargement undertaking just isn’t essential and appreciates the agricultural environment of the village. When they knock on the doorways, he stated that few residents help the enlargement of the 143rd highway.
“The site visitors movement doesn’t assure this enlargement,” stated Lepore.
Muller stated it is vital to not have a “overcoming” that crosses a quiet a part of town.
Reynders stated that the 143rd highway doesn’t have to be one other 159th highway, an essential highway by town not too long ago expanded by the Department of Transport of the Illinois.
“Because destroying ecosystems alongside the 143rd highway when the 159th Street is already expanded and underutilized,” stated Reynder. “That’s why individuals stay right here.
Concerns concerning the water price
The candidates for the workplace additionally wish to work on choices with the Illinois American Water, the non-public water supplier to about 6,000 homes, to alleviate the burden of residents.
“Every yr, the price goes up and up and is turning into inaccessible for individuals,” stated Reynder.
He stated that the village officers are working with their state legislators on the matter.
Muller stated that attempting to scale back water payments must be top-of-the-line priorities within the recommendation. The residents have complained concerning the payments that may run upwards of $ 300 for a month.
“Every month, it’s a cost of the automotive to handle the faucet,” Muller stated. “He escaped arms.”
Lepore stated that the village is exclusive because it doesn’t have its water and sewer infrastructure. He stated the village is transferring in the correct path with the plans to construct its construction for waste water and water processing.
Reynders stated he was decisive in negotiating the property in 159th Street and Gougar Road that the village bought final yr for a waste water therapy system.
Having utilities within the space has a possible to stimulate improvement alongside the 159th Street, an essential industrial hall with free land and entry to the inter -355.
Controlled progress
Candidates agree with the agricultural facet of the village is essential.
Modelski, a 32 -year -old resident, stated he had witnessed the expansion of the village from effectively earlier than he’s included in 2001. Growth administration is essential, he stated.
He stated that the village is appropriate for corporations and will proceed to weigh any new firm utility on the deserves and whether it is constructive for the realm. He wish to see extra excessive -level eating places that appeal to individuals from different communities.
Lepore, whose background is in the actual property sector and in building, stated that the village ought to proceed the managed progress that is sensible. He stated he helps eating places, boutiques and household -oriented leisure.
Muller stated that developments must be character with an fascinating facet that’s completely different from different cities.
“I agree that we’d like a number of tax and extra industrial revenues, however on the identical time, we have to be extra selective than we stock,” Muller stated.
Reynder stated that he wish to appeal to medical buildings, workplace buildings and a lodge till 159th Street, noting the proximity to the Silver Cross hospital in New Lenox. This improvement wouldn’t have preferred faculties, he stated.
All candidates stated they have been in opposition to excessive density residential improvement.
Individual priorities
Koukol stated he wish to watch residential building codes to make them extra pleasant with the house owners of homes. He stated the village ought to examine cities for his or her greatest studying practices in an try and eradicate onerous guidelines.
Modelski, who has skilled a number of sports activities through the years, stated he would love the village so as to add out of doors ice skating and a hockey monitor to considered one of his parks. The monitor might be used for skating in line in the summertime.
Muller, a sergeant with the Oak forest police division, stated he was focused on public safety to make sure that the village stays a secure neighborhood.
As president of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Reynder stated he had centered on the rise in particular occasions, protecting the parks and bringing new providers within the final 4 years. Some outcomes embrace the updating of the Heritage Park normal plan, the replace of tennis courts and strolling paths and the creation of a non -profit basis during which corporations and residents can donate to the parks fund.
Reynders stated that within the 4 years he has been a trustee, the village had a surplus in his price range.
Reynters, proprietor of a restaurant, stated he had collaborated with Lepore and Muller as a result of they share the identical imaginative and prescient to return to the neighborhood. While as soon as he ran in opposition to Neitzke-Troike for the mayor, the 2 labored collectively and Reynder stated he wish to see the unit on the recommendation.
Put an finish to political fights
The candidates stated they wish to enhance the picture of the village and put an finish to the political fights that dominated town for years. The newcomers to the village coverage stated they have been focused on serving to others.
Modelski, whose household owns Modell Funeral Home by Homer Glen, stated that the residents trusted him throughout essentially the most troublesome moments of their life and needs to take care of that belief as a trustee. He stated the residents of Homer Glen make the village particular.
“I wish to be the voice of purpose,” stated Modelski. “I intend to vote for my conscience.”
Koukol stated that the village recommendation should discuss enterprise, do what’s greatest for residents “and put the drama apart”.
The residents are uninterested in arguing, stated Lepore.
“Even if I disagree with somebody, we are able to all the time work collectively on a typical objective,” stated Lepore. “I’m a relaxed and stage individual.”
Muller stated that the shortage of professionalism and fight was embarrassing.
“I actually suppose that considered one of our robust seeds whether or not we do not have adverse historical past,” he stated. “We don’t have anything to earn in the event you do not do the correct factor for residents.”
Pazmino and Hayes didn’t return messages on the lookout for feedback.
The Homer Glen Trustee Race initially began with 17 candidates on the lookout for three factors, however a number of petitions of appointment have been challenged after a resident believed that the big variety of paperwork had been made to deduct the system.
After a collection of auditions of the electoral council in November and December, eight candidates have been eliminated. Katie Surges and Kyle Surges later withdrawn their names.
Michelle Mullins is a contract journalist for the Daily Southtown.
