Politics & Government
Crystal Lake Voters To Pick Mayor, City Council Members Tuesday
There are three candidates vying for the mayoral seat. Long-time Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley died unexpectedly last spring.
CRYSTAL LAKE AND CARY, IL — After Crystal Lake's longest-serving mayor died unexpectedly last year, residents will be tasked with picking a new leader for the city this election.
Aaron Shepley, who served as Crystal Lake's mayor for 21 years, died in his sleep at the age of 56 after biking 50 miles the day before, city council member Ellen Brady told the Chicago Tribune last spring. He said he felt a tightness in his chest before he went to sleep.
Former city council member Haig Haleblian was picked to step in as acting mayor and is now hoping to carry on Shepley's legacy. He said Shepley was "not only a friend but also a hero, and picked great leaders to help run Crystal Lake.
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"Two years ago, I would have never dreamed I would be a mayor, let alone run for the position. I used to tell Aaron 'when you go I go.' Sadly that statement took on an entirely new meaning last June. He went and I stayed," Haleblian wrote in his recent candidate profile on Patch. "Though Aaron was an attorney and I a businessman, our philosophies are pretty consistent in that we despise liars, trolls, and will always do what we feel is best for the community."
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Newcomers Donald Kountz, a retired senior director for Northrop Grumman, and Jim Sisto, a sales manager and business teacher for Columbia College, both believe Crystal Lake needs to focus on being a better partner with other communities in the area.
Kountz says renewed leadership is needed.
"Over the past four years, I have seen many examples in which the Mayor and City Council did not put in their due diligence or ably direct the city staff to work with and communicate with other local governments," he wrote in a recent candidate profile on Patch. "A vote for me is a vote for renewed leadership that looks out for the welfare and pocketbooks of all Crystal Lake residents and taxpayers."
As for priorities if elected, Haleblian, the owner of Exceed Floor and Home for the past 34 years, says moving on past the COVID-19 virus, business retention and staying focused on keeping Crystal Lake's tax rate among the lowest in McHenry County are top on his list.
While serving as acting mayor, he helped bring in a $600,000 state grant for struggling small businesses, cut the cost of liquor license fees and is working on creative initiatives to promote outdoor dining, he said.
"I'm laser focused on securing any and all state and federal monies to help Crystal Lake's small businesses. Small business is the lifeblood of any community. We all need to support them," said Haleblian, who served on the city council for three years before stepping in as acting mayor. Prior to that, he spent 30 years on Crystal Lake boards and commissions.
Kountz supports a local mask mandate. Wearing a mask, he says, is as easy as wearing a seatbelt.
"I would support a rigid mask mandate and would ease restrictions on the operation of non-essential businesses," he said. "For dining, since patrons can not wear masks the only alternative remains social distancing. That is why the quicker everyone in Crystal Lake can get vaccinated, the quicker restrictions can be lifted for these businesses."
Sisto is focused on preventing any tax hikes. He wants to see businesses and schools open as soon as safely possible and everyone in Crystal Lake get a COVID-19 vaccination in the coming weeks.
"I will try and help to make sure everyone in Crystal Lake that wants a vaccine will get one before summer," Sisto said.
Getting those shots into Crystal Lake residents' arms is also a top priority for Haleblian. He's been working with city and county leaders to open a mass vaccination site in Crystal Lake. Currently, the county is eyeing a space at Willow Creek Community Church in Crystal Lake to make that happen.
"As the largest community in McHenry County we deserve a site to administer the COVID vaccine," he said.
Another priority for Sisto is revitalization of the Route 14 corridor that "has been ignored for years." He also wants to see Downtown Crystal Lake survive and thrive.
Meanwhile, Kountz supports job growth and plans to advocate for seniors in town.
"I've been both a member and a leader of teams tasked with solving difficult and complex problems for over three decades. Trained as an electrical engineer, I bring these skills with me. I understand being elected carries with it responsibilities," he said. "That is why I pay attention to the details. I dig to find and anticipate the problems before they happen. I trust but verify to ensure the information is correct and complete so the job is done right."
Local elections are on April 6. Early voting is underway across McHenry County leading up to Election Day—more information on when and where you can vote is available here.
Here are the profiles submitted to Patch by all mayoral candidates running for the open seat:
Polls open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and close at 7 p.m.
Other Contested Races
Voters in Crystal Lake and Cary will also be asked to pick their choices for several other contested races, including the Crystal Lake City Council, Cary Village Board, and several local school district, township district, library district and park district boards.
Four candidates, including incumbents Mandy Montford, Ian Philpot and Cameron Hubbard and newcomer Robert Brechbiel, are running for three open seats on the Crystal Lake City Council this election. Here is a look at the profiles for candidates who submitted answers to Patch:
Four candidates are vying for three open seats on the Cary Village Board, including incumbents Jennifer Weinhammer and Jeffery Kraus; Duane (Rick) Dudek, a former Cary Village Board trustee and newcomer Rick Walrath.
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