Letters to the Editor: Residents Voice Support for Candidates

Olian's accomplishments 'too numerous to list'

I wholeheartedly encourage readers to vote for my mom, , for Mayor of Highland Park.

My mom’s accomplishments are too numerous to list. She is a founding Board member and past-Interim Director of the Downtown Business Alliance. She initiated Highland Park C.A.R.E.S and the city’s pill and drug disposal program. My mom is responsible for the conversation that led to the “Know Your City’s Finances” page on the city website, helping all residents see where their tax money is being spent. And the list goes on, and on, and on.

But the most important reasons I think you should vote for my mom are not programs that she has initiated or committees on which she has served. You should vote for my mom because she is the exact type of leader that Highland Park needs: all the qualities that have made her the world’s best mother will make her the world’s best mayor.

No one cares more about ensuring that people are happy than my mom. She makes time to listen to every single person’s thoughts, even though it means she is always awake later than I, a college student, am. My mom won’t forget when you voice a complaint or a suggestion; she will see that it becomes reality. And she will follow up with you immediately to see how everything has turned out.

No one works better with others than my mom. I have seen, time and again, how she is a force of inspiration for all who are fortunate enough to know her. As mayor, my mom will make sure that our city government is not a bastion of splintered factions and controversy, but rather a forum for people to work together to improve our city.

Finally, no one is more proactive than my mom. She sees needs and works to fulfill them: via her work on the Board of Community Partners for Affordable Housing, my mom helps those who want to live in our wonderful community; via her integral role in establishing a volunteer work program for students with disabilities, students who have in many ways been given up on are told that they are an integral part of our city. At this time in our city’s development, we need a leader who strives not to maintain the status quo but instead to revamp Highland Park to be the best city possible.

I could go on for pages about how wonderful my mom is and how blessed I am to be her daughter. To put it briefly, though, the citizens of Highland Park deserve a chance to have my mom as their “mother”—so vote for Terri Olian for Mayor.

Alix Olian

Rotering has 'priorities in order'

As a CPA, I support for our next mayor in that she is addressing the “Nuts and Bolts” issues of  running a city. These are not the times to talk about the “feel good issues” that candidates love to pander to. While she doesn't ignore these issues, she has priorities in order.

These are tough times. We live in a city with property taxes that are out of kilter with surrounding communities and which are already a negative factor when considering a community in which to live. We should applaud that Nancy recently voted against the new city budget and the reasons why (visit www.friendsofnancy.com to read her blasts and find out why in detail). The fact that you and I own a money losing movie theater (bought with grandiose plans that never materialized at an outrageous price of $2.1 million at a time when no one was buying real estate) is an example of what should not be happening and with which Nancy is the only candidate who agrees. We need more of this.  Nancy has been there and done that in her work and in her community service, now we need her as our next Mayor.

Sybil P. Winer

Olian 'takes initiative'

We have known and worked with for over 20 years and have always been impressed with her acumen, her resourcefulness, her leadership and her availability. When we contact the City Council with a question, a request or a concern, Terri always is the first to respond, to find and implement a solution and to follow-up with us to make certain our concerns were addressed. 

She always takes the initiative to conceive new ideas and then works to put them into effect and stays the course to see they are successful…whether it be an elementary school-based, volunteer program to get students involved in solving the needs of the community (a program that she started over 15 years ago and still is in existence), creating a way for downtown Highland Park to be a go-to venue at night or getting a traffic stop sign at a corner 10 years after it was approved.  

Terri has had a depth of experience in a variety of community-based positions and boards that is unmatched by her opponent as well as a commitment to doing what is best for our entire Highland Park population. Just as important, Terri is a good listener who is accessible and eager, willing and able to do her best for her constituents no matter what the issue.  

We strongly support Terri’s candidacy for Mayor of Highland Park and urge everyone to cast their vote for her. 

Barbara Winer Donald Rubin

Rotering has 'stellar' credentials

personifies the phrase "perfecting the world," for she embodies this philosophy in everything she does for our great community of Highland Park. 

Not only are Nancy's academic credentials stellar (BA in Economics from Stanford, an MBA from Northwestern, and a JD from the University of Chicago), it is how she has actuated her knowledge and experience (i.e. attorney with McDermott, Will and Emery, Treasurer's Staff at General Motors, Legislative Aide to State Rep. Karen May) into action through her years of committed involvement for the betterment of Highland Park (HP Plan Commission, District 112 Environmental Education Program Founder, Braeside PTO Co-President, Ravinia Festival Women's Board).

As a Councilman last year, Nancy was not deterred from being a lone voice in the Highland Park City Council, voting for what she fiscally knew represented the best interests for the residents, relative to the infrastructure of the city and for a balanced budget.  Nancy also brings a unique perspective in her collaborative efforts in working with other local city governmental bodies for the enhancement of the varying involvements of those who live in Highland Park.

Join me as I cast my vote for Nancy Rotering for Mayor of Highland Park, whose noteworthy qualities combine with compassion, honesty and sensitivity for the citizens of Highland Park.

Barbara Borden

Olian has 'significant experience'

I am writing this letter to confirm my support for and my belief that she is the best candidate to lead the City of Highland Park as its next Mayor. I have known Terri for 20 years in a variety of contexts. 

First, I have known Terri as a bright, dedicated and thoughtful member of the District 112 School Board and the City Council.  Terri’s skills as an effective leader on both these bodies have resulted in numerous important and successful policies and actions. Just one example is Terri’s creative role in creating Late Night HP. This program has increased the vibrancy and visibility of our downtown, provided financial benefits to the downtown restaurants and retail businesses and has given both the young and not so young members of our community a safe and fun place to go.

Second, in my capacity as a member and chairperson of both the Housing Commission and the Plan Commission, I have worked directly with Terri on various task forces and committees.  There is no one who comes to a meeting more prepared than Terri. Terri listens to and considers opposing views and is able to resolve differences in a creative way that successfully addresses the concerns of all parties. There is no negativism or mean spiritedness in her approach. 

Lastly, I have known Terri in her roles as a parent and a friend, at which both she excels. She possesses all the personal qualities and characteristics that our community values. There are very many people, like myself, who are thrilled to have such an accomplished friend who contributes so much to her family, her friends and her community.

Terri’s significant experience, her understanding of the economic issues we face and her demonstrated abilities to address the concerns of all of our citizens make her the most qualified person to lead Highland Park during these challenging times.

I am proud to support Terri’s candidacy and am grateful to her for all she has done and will continue to do to serve our community. 

Merle Teitelbaum Cowin

Narrod's background 'invaluable' to District 113

I am not someone who usually writes letters to the editor, and I rarely ask others to support a particular political candidate. However, there is someone who deserves your vote and I am proud to ask you to support Steven Narrod for District 113. I have long been a proponent of education and I believe that the School Board elections are a key to the success of the entire community. I have been a friend of the Narrod family for years and I know that Steven would make an excellent contribution to the School Board. Even though the Narrod children have grown up and are leading lives outside of District 113, Steven wants to continue to contribute to the schools.  Steven has a background in business that would be invaluable to the School District.

Amy Lynn Strege

Park District needs 'new leadership'

With an annual budget of $20 million and 70+ full-time employees who run a golf course, recreation center, public beaches, hundreds of acres of parks and an aquatic facility, the HP Park District Board has been an under-the-radar political entity for many voters.  But all that changed this past summer when it was in the spotlight for its off-the-charts spending spree.

This highlights the need for new leadership; we are supporting Forest Barbieri for Park Board Commissioner – 6 year term.

Forest is a successful entrepreneur and has started-up and run many USA and International Companies, from small private to large public companies.  This gives him expertise in management and business dealings. His entrepreneurial spirit will bring a welcome emphasis on creative ideas.

Forest is a passionate, tenacious, and effective leader. His motives for running are not self-serving; he is committed to Highland Park and its future. Forest will be mindful of taxpayers and regain the public trust that was lost.

Please join us in supporting Forest Barbieri for Park Board Commissioner.

Paul and Michele Wartell