Endorsement: Ragucci for Oakbrook Terrace village president

Oakbrook Terrace's Tony Ragucci is seeking a third term as village president and is being challenged for the leadership of the village by planning and zoning commission Chairman Arnold Noble.

Noble, who was appointed to his position by Ragucci, feels he can better represent the village. Among his concerns, he believes the village police chief's salary is too high. If elected, he would like to let the chief go and promote a current sergeant to to the top spot at a lower salary. Ragucci disagrees and says his top officers are paid similarly to those in neighboring cities.

Oakbrook Terrace's new red-light camera is another topic on which the candidates differ. Ragucci says the camera is there for safety and is justified. Noble feels the light is there simply to generate revenue and not for safety.

Ragucci has guided Oakbrook Terrace through the tough recession, and the village has continued to have steady business growth. Noble has sketched ideas in broad strokes but we are not convinced his plans are solid. We are concerned that Mayor Ragucci declined to complete a questionnaire or make time in his schedule for an endorsement interview with his opponent, but we feel he is the better of the two to lead Oakbrook Terrace for the next four years.