Six candidates vie for 3 board seats in Hebron
By BRIAN SLUPSKI - bslupski@nwherald.com
HEBRON – Six candidates are squaring off for three Village Board seats in the April 7 election.
The trustee candidates include three incumbents and three challengers. The village government is facing several challenges, including a budget that has to be trimmed by at least $70,000, which is a sizable amount given the fact the budget is only about $1.2 million.
Incumbent Susan Ritzert said solving the budget issue without raising taxes was a top priority for the village. She said that, given the state of the economy, a tax increase was not a realistic option.
“With so many people out of work, how are they supposed to pay more taxes?” Ritzert said.
Ritzert, a retired medical office manager, said the key for Hebron was to reduce spending while still looking for opportunities to upgrade the village’s infrastructure.
Jim Kastner first was appointed to the board 12 years ago; he has been elected to the board twice since that appointment. Kastner is the planning and zoning administrator for Woodstock.
Kastner said his professional experience was an asset to the village on land planning and zoning issues. The village is “walking a tightrope” when it comes to the village’s budget, he said.
“The question is, ‘How do we maintain services without creating an excessive tax burden on residents?’ ” Kastner said, noting a revenue decline brought on by fewer fees for things such as building permits.
Kastner said that in the past four years, the board had accomplished a number of things, including the conversion of an old fire station into the village hall. Also, a wastewater treatment plant opened in December 2007.
The burden of paying for the new plant falls largely to developers and newer homeowners. Homes built after May 1, 2006, pay a higher rate to pay for the plant.
Kastner said the plant was built with an eye toward future growth. The plant has a capacity to serve a community roughly double the size of Hebron.
Incumbent Matt Appner also has been on the Village Board for 12 years. Appner is a carpenter who works for Affina in McHenry. Appner also cited the village’s budget as the board’s biggest priority. Appner said poor cable service had been an issue in Hebron for the past 10 years. He said he’d like to see a new cable service brought into Hebron, although that has been difficult to accomplish.
“Everybody we talk to says that Hebron is not big enough for them to come out,” Appner said.
During his time on the board, Appner has overseen efforts to replace sidewalk throughout the village. He also was involved in the conversion of the fire station into the new village hall.
“I just want the voters to pick whoever they think is the best person for the seat,” Appner said.
Jerome L. Bough is among the three challengers. Bough is a retired homebuilder and carpenter. He also is chairman of the village’s planning and zoning committee.
Bough said he favored responsible, smart growth for Hebron, adding that as the village adds homes and businesses, the tax burden will be spread out and lessened on current residents.
Bough supports the use of tax incentives and abatements to attract and keep businesses.
Challenger David Heber is a delivery driver for Lowe’s. Heber said he frequently attended Village Board meetings and decided that he wanted to become more involved.
Heber’s top priority is to make Hebron a vibrant community with new local businesses and community activities and services.
“What I would suggest is that we give business some type of local tax break,” Heber said.
Heber said that, although he had lived in Hebron for about two years, he was a lifelong McHenry County resident.
“I’m willing to take on any changes that residents give me,” Heber said.
The sixth candidate, Michael Stecher, could not be reached for comment.
