Meet the Independent Candidates for New Trier Board

ORG, a grass-roots citizens' group supporting the independent New Trier School Board slate, will host a "Meet the Candidates" Open House from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 19 at the Wilmette Golf Club, Lake Ave. & Harms Rd.  All District residents are welcome, according to the event organizers.

The three independent Board contenders, Patrick O'Donoghue, Northfield; and Gregory J. Robitaille and Dr. Joel Goldhar both from Winnetka, are running in the April 5 election with backing from Fiscal Responsibility for New Trier, a party headed by retired New Trier Principal Wes Baumann.  Baumann also was active in last year's effort that helped defeat the District's $174 million building tax referendum.  The newly formed independent candidate support group is drawing backing from many of the same voters who opposed the referendum.

ORG, which represents the first initials of the candidates' last names, has established a web site, www.Newtrier.org, which provides background on the candidates and their positions on issues they consider important to the School District's future.  Additional information about the March 19 "Meet the Candidates" event also is available on the web site.