Sugar Grove trustees see growth ahead

SUGAR GROVE – Looking to help shape the changes coming to their community are the three incumbent village trustees in Sugar Grove who won re-election in a five-way race.

Rick Montalto was the top vote getter at 498 to 493 for Sean Herron, 474 for Ted Koch, 391 for Karen McCannon and 390 for Alison Squires, according to unofficial results.

Numerous projects are in the works, said Montalto, 62, who thanked residents for their support in the race.

"We're working diligently to connect all the neighborhoods with bike trails, to bring new businesses into town … and working hard get the Route 47 and I-88 interchange," he said. "We're looking at bringing fiber optic more into the community to speed up internet access for residents, negotiating a new garbage contract that will increase services and decrease the monthly bill. We're working hard on a project right now to finish water looping from Settlers Ridge to Prestbury, which uses our water. The whole town will be looped with water [for] better pressure and better quality."

Herron, 39, said campaigning as an incumbent this time around meant he could help constituents who raised questions and issues.

"People bring up their concerns, and I'm able to … work with some of those right away," he said. "This time I covered every neighborhood once and five a second time. I tried to get a chance to talk to as many people as possible."

He said it makes residents feel the village is listening to them.

"It's always an issue with communication," he said. "With any government body, during campaign season, it gives people a chance to really be heard."

He said the village will continue to diversify its tax base, and he looks forward to the Settlers Ridge development moving ahead. He anticipates new businesses will locate in the area circling the planned new interchange at I-88 and Route 47.

"It's an honor and humbling to be re-elected," Herron said. "It's more difficult to be re-elected. You're expected to know more, and you are more accountable. It was nice – with the current political climate nationally – that [in] our small town race … we all got along."

At 34, Squires said she was the youngest candidate and learned a lot about the campaign process, which she described as fun. Other than being elected a convention delegate, this was her first bid for elected office.

"I knocked on a lot of doors," Squires said. "I think I could run for office again. … I'm going to keep going to the board meetings."

McCannon, 73, said she felt she would be a good voice for senior citizens and for people with disabilities.

"Everybody thought I was crazy doing this, especially my children," said the former citizen of the year. "I learned a lot. I had highs and lows. I would do it again. It's an experience I think everybody should do – get out there and make a difference."

McCannon has spearheaded numerous community projects, but this was her first run for elected office.

"I'm in a motorized wheelchair," McCannon said. "That doesn't shut my voice off. It doesn't mean I can't have a voice for people. I will continue to go to board meetings and township meetings."

On the Kane County Chronicle election questionnaire, Koch, 41, stated: "I want to continue to work toward lower taxes and be an advocate for seniors in Sugar Grove. I also want to finish the work we started in Settlers Ridge and Mallard Point."