Endorsement Of Scott Bush: Letter

Written and submitted by Katherine Marek.

As a 16-year Northbrook resident, I have become more involved in the workings of the Village as development continues to expand. I currently live behind a planned high-density development in the downtown, that if actually built, will be one of the most dense developments on the North Shore. Beginning September 2015, I sat through nine months of Plan Commission meetings with my neighbors and friends, and Village Board meetings that pertained to the development. It was an interesting process. Clearly, we did not all agree on what is best for the downtown area. One way to affect change is by voting. Therefore, going forward, I will vote for the person or people who share many of the same values and objectives. At the Plan Commission meetings I did not, however, feel as though the Plan Commissioner, Ms. Collison, who is now running for Trustee, had respect for me or for my neighbors. She seemed more concerned with the developer's acquiescence to her own ideas for the downtown. It is possible that she feels she has the best interests of the Village at heart, but there are certain skills required in a leadership role and respectful communication is of utmost importance in my view. Upon addressing the residents of my neighborhood, she implied that we have enjoyed our backyards way too long with the "limited use" of C-1 properties located behind us. She also implied that we were lucky that we didn't have a liquor store going in behind us. I beg to differ. These are our homes, and our lives that this development will hugely impact. Based on this experience, I am very concerned that my voice will not be heard if I were to vote for the Caucus in its entirety.

I don't have anything against attorneys, but I am very excited that there is a non-attorney candidate running for Village Trustee who currently holds a position working for the good of the people in Northbrook. I look forward to meeting Scott Bush on March 20th at the forum in our library and hearing from the candidates. Since I discovered Mr. Bush was running, I have been asking him questions regarding his views on development, traffic, schools, etc. and have appreciated his thoughtful responses. I absolutely think we need diversity on the Village Board and I appreciate Trustee Heller's endorsement. Scott Bush grew up in Northbrook, is raising his children in Northbrook, runs a business in our community, and as a member of the Fire Department, is helping people in need of assistance. Why wouldn't we want someone like that supporting our community as a Village Trustee?

The latest "endorsement" for the Caucus appears to have come from a "new" group, North Shore Moms for Change. It doesn't mention Northbrook in its name, so I'm not sure how they can endorse candidates if they are in fact covering the whole North Shore. The group does not have a Facebook page, nor have I been able to find any mention of the group through search engines on the internet. The endorsement was submitted by an attorney, Ms. Saperstein, and friend of Ms.Collison. If the letter had been a simple endorsement, I would not have felt the strong need to write my own letter. Regarding the candidates for Trustees, the endorsement letter ends with the line: "but they do need to debate issues with a level of respect that we have not seen from all the candidates thus far." Being that there is only the Caucus which they are endorsing, and one independent candidate, we certainly see where this person or group is pointing fingers. I have never seen Scott Bush post anything disrespectful, but I have seen him attacked on his own site and on a local app by supporters of a few on the Caucus. Maybe this new group should have reached out to Mr. Bush as well? A final question: If there are three vacancies on the Board, a Caucus of three and one independent candidate running for Trustee, what agenda does this Caucus and Village President have that would force them to campaign so hard against someone who appears to be exceptionally qualified for the position of Village Trustee?

I will be following my conscience. I will be voting for Scott Bush.

Sincerely,

Katherine Marek