Town Hall Meeting Features Riverwoods Board Trustee Candidates

RIVERWOODS, IL — With three Riverwoods Trustees positions open in the upcoming election, village officials are hosting a town hall-style meeting in early December to give local residents the opportunity to meet the candidates.

The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Village Hall and will feature the three candidates seeking election to the village board. Local residents Jeff Smith, Michael Clayton, and Rick Jamerson have been chosen by the Riverwoods Caucus nominating committee to seek the trustees spots.

During the meeting, additional nominations may be made from the floor by residents, village officials said. In a news release, committee members thanked local residents who submitted applications for the position and were interviewed.

The Riverwoods Caucus Party is a state-authorized and regulated candidate selection process designed to seek out, select and support individuals who agree to run for and, if elected, serve in positions on the village government.

Clayton is a current Trustee sitting on the board for over three years. Clayton said he is very appreciative of the Caucus’ nomination and looks forward to the possibility of being reelected for a second term as Trustee.

"It would be an honor to be able to continue to serve the community in this capacity, Clayton said. “ Riverwoods is a special place with a bright outlook, but we are also facing challenges that need to be addressed concerning development, population shifts, woodland protection, and maintaining our strong finances.

“I am particularly concerned with the impact of the widening of Deerfield Road. I believe that I have helped steer the Village through some tough economic times, led the reshaping of our financial operations, and contributed to the development of the Village’s image and long-term plans. I think I bring woodland values, a track record in community involvement, and skills and experience that can continue to help forge our future."

Jamerson is currently on his third term as a Trustee. He has had a significant hand in various aspects of the village including bringing the current Village Hall to fruition.

Jamerson feels it is an especially important time in the village's history for the community to participate in the local government and participation and volunteering is highly important and valuable which also takes significant dedication and time to be done and hopes for more community members to attend meetings and commit to serving the village in the capacities they can.

"I hope to be able to use the experience I have gained as a trustee to help the board make future decisions that benefit the residents of Riverwoods,” Jamerson said. “I have worked with the Building Department during my tenure to improve its efficiency and I acted as the owner's representative during the construction of the Village Hall.”

Smith grew up in Deerfield and said even back then he loved going to his friends’ homes in Riverwoods.

Smith and his wife, Coleen, have been Riverwoods residents for the past 28 years and raised their son exploring wooded lots, hiking, biking, and walking their dogs in Ryerson Woods.

"I loved and I continue to love the unique and natural environment of low-density, larger lots, unique homes and nature including oaks and the woodlands and wildlife including deer, toads, hawks, owls, birds, bats and coyotes," Smith said.

For the past eight years, Smith has been a Senior Principal with the human resource consultant Mercer (part of Marsh McLennan), which is the largest HR consulting and risk firm in the United States and globally, and previously worked as a senior vice president with Hewitt Associates and then Aon.

His career started with assessing risk for insurance companies and then modified to assessing risk for clients and developing strategies to manage that risk. Smith works with small to large and private and public, for-profit, and not-for-profit entities. He said he has a successful in assessing the situation, determining potential enhancements and modifications or alternate solutions that solve the objective including the pros and cons of each, using expert guidance and recommendations as needed, generating consensus, and implementing changes for improved services or efficiencies.

Smith believes he has a unique background that would bring a significant contribution to the Riverwoods Community and hold the values and understanding of the village's comprehensive plan.

"I believe what makes Riverwoods great is being unique, low density, and protecting the woodlands," Smith said. "That is why Coleen and I looked for a long time to find the right house in the right neighborhood in the right village and in the right natural environment. And that’s why I would like the opportunity to become a Trustee and help guide Riverwoods into the future."