Highland Park City Council Elections-Has 'Trumpism' Invaded?

A point of personal privilege, given that I have been a resident of Highland Park a year shy of half a century. I have also served as a public servant in city affairs during my residency as well as having advised Members of Congress on federal legislation during my 52-year legal career, so I know a thing or two about those seeking a vote for public office. Despite experiencing multiple unlawful power grabs and certainly conflicts of interest by the current president and his administration, I am sensing the same type of maneuvering by one of the candidates running for Highland Park's ruling body and seeking our vote next month, Kim Stone. I cite two examples. The first is her out-in-the-open conflict of interest about which I have read regarding a construction project, colloquially called the "pavergate" controversy, costing city taxpayers into the six figures. It is not the amount that should rankle us, but because the city expenditure is one she voted for as a member of the city council, all to heighten the value of her residential property! Evidently, she either did not know about the doctrine of recusal (a pol backs out of a decision-making process where the subject directly impacts that person) or she just does not care. But those of us she comes to for our vote do care!

Then, there was the year-long brouhaha over amending the city's liquor license ordinance which she opposed, based on claims of ethical impropriety by another of her peers on the council dais who then was led into a forced resignation. It was only after a public referendum by over 80% of the voters last November who told Stone to amend the ordinance but then would not do so for months---until it was clear that the person whose seat she was after and, again, who was the one forced out with her vote as part of a majority vote, could no longer seek it this election cycle. This type of political maneuvering us Highland Park voters do not need either.

We may not have been able to prevent what we see occurring in our federal government, but we can surely prevent the same type of power grab and self-interest tactics taking hold in our hometown, thus, Kim Stone is no longer worthy of our vote. A fresh approach to ensuring integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct is needed for our community going forward. And there is a very worthy and suitable alternative, Jon Center. Besides his own Vitae, he comes from incredibly good stock. I should know, since I grew up as school-age kids with his parents when they were not even "an item" together.