A park board race isn`t usually the highlight of a local election.
But a highly competitive contest has shaped up in Palatine, with eight people vying for two spots on the often low-profile board.
The race is the talk of the town, with candidates circulating a flurry of literature and signs. Yet the name of Robert Schultz, who is seeking re-election to another six-year term, is the only one that will actually appear on the ballot.
The other seven candidates are running write-in campaigns.
And even more write-ins can still slip into the race if they file the necessary papers with the county by 5 p.m. Monday.
The write-in candidates include Jay Cozza, an investment broker and president of the Palatine Jaycees; Sheila O`Connell, owner of a maid service and a member of three local support groups for divorced, widowed or separated people; Carol Tesmer, a retired physical education teacher and captain of Palatine Township`s 52nd Precinct; Michael Cutler, an accounting manager and board member of the Palatine North Little League; Peter Larsen, regional manager for an international moving company; Dick Semelsberger, a retired phone company manager; and Leo Kinsch, owner of a local florist shop.
