Letters to the Editor: Residents Voice Support for Candidates

Meyers will restore credibility to park district

As a nearly lifelong resident of Highland Park,  I know how important the park district is to the vibrancy of our community.  I was a day camp counselor at Sunset Woods Day Camp in the '70s, and my daughter has always attended park district camps. We use the ice rinks, the aqua park and everything in between.  The Park District of Highland Park is a first-rate park district and I am committed to do all I can to strengthen. it  That is why I urge all residents to support for the six-year term for Commissioner.  

I have known Scott and his family since shortly after they moved to Highland Park.  They are good people who love Highland Park, love the Park District of Highland Park and its beautiful parks and great programs.  When the pension scandal broke and others just screamed, Scott jumped on board and offered to help.  I was thrilled when he volunteered to serve on the Park Board and replace one of the Commissioners who had resigned.  Since then, he has been working hard for all of us to fix the pension problems and attempt to get some of our money back.  He has also helped reduce the tax burden on our commmunity by lowering the Park District's levy without cutting services or programs.  And he's doing great things to ensure that the Rosewood Beach project reflects the actual needs of the community as a whole.

Not only is Scott dedicated to getting the job done, he has the credentials and background to get it done right.  His impressive business and legal education combined with twenty years of experience as a practicing attorney ensures that he will be able to meet the needs of Highland Park in restoring credibility and respectability to the Park District, and he will make sure that these problems never happen again.

Please join me in voting for Scott Meyers for park board commissioner.

Amy Zisook

Meyers someone you can trust

Please join me in supporting for the six-year term for park board commissioner.

I first met Scott when our sons played Park District of Highland Park (PDHP) baseball and Falcons hockey together.  Scott has always been an involved parent volunteering to help out, solve problems, and make sure that things run smoothly and work correctly.  When we coached baseball together, he sincerely cared about the kids and the team, and he truly wanted to make a difference.

I also know Scott on a professional basis.  Scott is an excellent lawyer with tremendous business and legal skills.  Beyond that he is someone you can trust.  I was so impressed with Scott and his firm that I joined him last year as a law partner.

Given his dedication, commitment, and passion for this community, I was not at all surprised when he told me he wanted to serve on the Park Board.  And I could not be happier that he has volunteered to do so.

Since being appointed to the Park Board last November, Scott has been working relentlessly to solve the pension problems, reclaim our money, lower our taxes, improve Rosewood Beach, and restore the public’s trust in this important institution.  

Thus, I speak with actual knowledge when I tell you that Scott is the right candidate for this job.  I’m voting for him on April 5.  And I strongly encourage you to do so as well.

Michael Switzer

Young will make informed decisions

Please join me in voting for for Highland Park City Council. Lane's involvement in the Highland Park community spans regular attendance at District 113 school board meetings, park district board meetings and city council meetings, as well as serving on the Transportation Commission. He educates himself on local issues and makes informed decisions. He has a strong sense of civic duty to Highland Park, seeking positive avenues to contribute to the growth and development of the community. Lane is committed to the city in which he grew up and chose to return to live. He is open to ideas and thoughts from those he works with and the community. I believe he would be a valuable addition to our city council, as he is a man of integrity who works for the betterment of all Highland Parkers. Please vote for Lane Young on April 5.

Andi Zazove

Hymen will get the job done right

It is very encouraging at this juncture in our political and fiscal discourse to see the passion and involvement of so many citizens in the potential course being set by our High School District.  As a member of the Highland Park City Council, I always found it curious that the business of the council engendered such passion and emotion for a mere 10% component of the tax bill, and yet the schools never seemed to quite achieve the same interest and focus from taxpaying citizens who did not have children in the schools, notwithstanding their proportion of the tax burden. Clearly that has changed, and that is a change for the better, because nothing I can conceive of addressed by local government eclipses the importance of education and the proper resources allocated to our collective pursuit of the highest ideals, wishes and dreams for our children and grandchildren.

Over the portal to City Hall is the inscription, “the watchfulness of the citizen is the salvation of the community.”  How true that statement is, and even more so when we entrust the important decisions of the day to those amongst us who display the courage to stand up and answer the call to lead, to open themselves up to evaluation and interrogation, who put forth the untold hours in deep analysis, thoughtful listening and deliberation and studious examination of the issues we’ve entrusted them to resolve.

How lucky we are to have committed to that calling.  To be able to rely upon her deep understanding, her unwavering dedication and her unique and unrivaled qualifications to represent our interests and our best hopes for positive and productive outcomes in our high schools.

Debbie is trustworthy and responsible.  She is hard working and passionate.  She is studious and she is committed.  Debbie’s District 112 Board experience will not only prove invaluable on the District 113 Board, but is my fervent belief it is absolutely essential if we are to aspire to the best and most appropriate outcomes for all the stakeholders at the table… students, teachers, administrators and taxpayers.  I know Debbie will get the job done right, and that’s why she has my wholehearted support.  Please join me in voting for Debra Hymen, because the stakes are just too high to do otherwise.

Retiring Councilman Larry Silberman

Support District 113 caucus-endorsed candidates

For once, it doesn't much matter what school board candidates think or promise regarding a key issue like the District 113 tax referendum.  That’s because the referendum will be decided directly by the voters themselves.    

Whether the referendum passes or fails, we need the very best and brightest individuals on the school board to responsibly manage the District 113 educational system and resources -- whatever those resources will be. Board members will be tasked with implementing the voters’ decision -- no matter what the results will be.  That’s why voters must focus very clearly on the skill sets that future board members will bring to the table.   

The independent District 113 Caucus has four exceptional candidates -- , , and . Each has a strong financial background and a commitment to the educational system that has made both high schools some of the best in the state. Each has expressed a clear, thoughtful and comprehensive vision for both high schools. In addition, these endorsed candidates have demonstrated the temperament and level of professionalism that will be an asset to the Board.     

Since we are about to elect a majority of the board for the next four years, let’s steer clear of single issue candidates.

Mara Meyer, Jean Sogin, Stuart Senescu, Susan Bell, Linda Maiman Feinstein
District 113 Caucus Executive Board