Strong candidates make choice easy for Arlington library

Three seats are up for election on the Arlington Heights Memorial Library board. For the two 6-year terms, incumbent Kerry Pearson, 57, a lawyer is seeking re-election; also running are Frank J. Biga III, 37, a high-school teacher, and Charles Drost, 31, a banking executive.

Biga strongly contends residents are upset about a lack of library safety and about inadequate Internet filters.

We understand some may be concerned after an after-hours stabbing outside the library late last year, but it is a public place and we are satisfied staff and trustees are responding as best they can. We've seen no evidence of the public outcry Biga describes. He also suggests the library sponsor reading competitions for children, while Drost would like to see the library host financial literacy programs. Pearson has done a good job leading the finance committee and is among the incumbents who approved no levy increase this year. Pearson and Drost are the best choices for the 6-year terms.

For the other seat, Deborah A. Nelson, 41, seeks election to a 2-year term after being appointed. Also running is Dawn E. Walter, 45, a part-time school and scout instructor.

Nelson is strongly endorsed as a meticulous trustee who also voted for the zero levy.

Walter demonstrated poor judgment by making a baseless claim about her opponent without having researched it. She also declined to submit to an endorsement interview, despite being offered a variety of times and dates.