Endorsement Of Laura Saret: Letter

Written and submitted by Gwen Nyden

I am writing in support of Laura Saret's campaign for a seat on the Highland Park city council. As a colleague at Oakton Community College I have known Laura for more than 25 years. I served with Laura as an executive board member of the Oakton Community College Faculty Association and in that position had many opportunities to see her leadership skills in action.

As a leader Laura is a fighter, strongly committed to working tirelessly for the people whom she represents. I worked with Laura as she led two successive contract negotiations that resulted in improved benefits and salaries for the 155 full-time faculty in the collective bargaining unit. These negotiations involved countless hours of meetings, which Laura led while still teaching and carrying out other professional responsibilities. They also involved balancing the often conflicting interests of different faculty groups, as well as those of the administration that were sometimes at odds with those of the faculty; her negotiating skills resulted in a "win-win" outcome for all involved.

I believe that Laura would bring this same commitment and dedication to the Highland Park City Council. She will work hard, reaching out to different constituencies and giving her all to finding solutions to the problems facing the city. She is a proven leader who will get results.

Gwen Nyden