Letters to the Editor: Residents Voice Support for Mayoral Candidates

'A person of integrity'

I am writing a letter of endorsement in favor of the candidacy of for Mayor of Highland Park. As a long time Highland Park resident I feel that Nancy, with her common sense, education and her background experience presents the perfect package for our government at this moment. 

There is no denying the upcoming challenges which face our government on the local level and that it requires a person who can handle and balance both community needs and the diversity of community wants. Nancy is a person of integrity and practical financial experience who is committed to serve, and yet has the ability to say no when necessary and pressured. She has proven this in her current term on our city council. I encourage everyone to find our more about Nancy as we go forward in our election season, and vote for a person who can play a great leadership role, as well as  connect with other governmental bodies to make Highland Park’s future more secure and government more responsive and accountable.

Susan R. Levy, Ph.D.

'Good for all of us'

We support for Mayor of Highland Park because she will bring the type of leadership that Highland Park needs at this time.

We have worked with Terri on community activities and we have observed her in other public situations. She has been an innovator and a tireless worker who follows through on her commitments as a Council Person and on countless other school and community organizations. She is effective because she is an excellent listener and understands the importance of consensus building and compromise in decision-making. Terri also brings compassion and civility to the way in which she interacts with all of us.

Highland Park is blessed with many resources, but even Highland Park residents have suffered during the past several years of economic recession. Government leadership has had to and will continue to need to make some hard decisions. We have seen at the national and state government levels how hard decisions have been made in a mean spirit with adversarial behaviors.  We believe that, as Mayor, Terri Olian will lead Highland Park city government in making those tough decisions in the proper manner for the good of all of us.

Wendy and Bill Lipsman

A 'forward thinking' leader

We are writing to support for Mayor, a forward thinking and natural leader for Highland Park. In today’s sluggish economy our City will continue to be challenged in providing quality service to the community while still maintaining a balanced budget. Recently, the City Council worked tirelessly to make responsible tradeoffs between community services and revenue, but ultimately failed and was not able to make the tough decisions necessary without either using reserve funds or . This is unacceptable. It is clear that we need a leader with extremely strong financial and critical thinking skills that will bring fresh ideas and a watchdog mentality to the office of Mayor. Nancy Rotering is that person.  

Nancy’s unique background, consisting of strong business and legal work experience, coupled with a high caliber education and years of community involvement, has prepared her extremely well for this role. Through her diligence and hard work during budget meetings over the last year, it is obvious that she will challenge the status quo, ask the hard questions of city staff, generate new ideas and just fight for what is right for our city. 

We have personally known Nancy for years, and have seen her involvement in so many areas of our community. We know that not only does she have the skills required, but also the integrity, intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and commitment to make Highland Park the best managed city it can be. Please join us in supporting Nancy Rotering for Highland Park Mayor.

Jeff and Amy Bloom

Receptive to new ideas

actively engages community members to step outside their comfort zone and achieve what seems impossible. She believes in the residents of Highland Park and motivates them to rise to the challenges of continued growth, change, and betterment.

The first time I saw Terri Olian was in 2006 at the Healthy Highland Park Kids Bike/Run Event. She was highly visible, accessible, and supportive of the participants, volunteers, parents, and staff. At the time I remember thinking, this was someone that I would like to know.

In 2007, our paths crossed when I volunteered to assist with the Initiative, chaired by Terri. During one of the first meetings, she turned to me and softly whispered, “What do you think?” I learned very quickly that Terri really did want my opinion, and the opinion of others. It is Terri’s collaborative leadership style and receptiveness to new ideas and perspectives that has helped her become popular amongst constituents and respected by her peers.

Terri is a life-long advocate of education and literacy programs. She assisted me in amending a city ordinance that allowed “at-risk” readers at Highland Park schools and libraries to participate in the  children-reading-to-dogs program. Four years later, over 1500 children have participated in these programs.

Terri Olian continues to exemplify the qualities of integrity, knowledge, fairness, trust, caring and respect. I support Terri Olian for Mayor and implore you to vote for her.

Carole Yuster