Mary Lou Wehrli’s path to a second term on the DuPage County Forest Preserve District Board is clearer after staving off an election challenge from Carl Schultz, a former forest preserve commissioner from the 5th district.
Wehrli, a Naperville Republican who knocked Schultz off the forest preserve board of commissioners four years ago, garnered 54.95 percent of the vote, or 10,947 votes. Schultz, of Aurora, earned 45.05 percent of the vote, or 8,975 votes, according to unofficial results from the DuPage County Election Commission.
On Wednesday Wehrli said she was grateful to voters for giving her another chance to serve on the board and work to protect the natural resources in DuPage County. With the support she received over the veteran Schultz, Wehrli said she is happy to provide a fresh voice as an advocate for the preserve’s resources and for her district.
District 5 of the DuPage County Forest Preserve includes parts of Aurora, Naperville, Woodridge, Lisle and Warrenville.
There is currently no Democrat set to oppose her in November so Wehrli has a clear path to a second term as of now. If re-elected, Wehrli said she looks forward to focusing on the strategic and master plans for forest preserve, which would include an asset management plan.
She also said she wants the commissioners to be proactive in setting up a plan to manage assets such as the Greene Barn and the Willowbrook wildlife facilities. Commissioners need to come together to ensure responsible spending and establish a plan that “hopefully comes with lower taxes,” she said.
One project Wehrli looks forward to seeing is the reconstruction of the McDonald Bridge in District 5, which will turn the bridge into a two-lane alley.
Wehrli also praised Schultz for his service to the forest preserve.
“Carl is committed to open spaces and the natural resources, and I hope he remains involved in the work,” Wehrli said.
Calls to Schultz were not returned.
Alex Keown is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
More Top Picks Slipper