Why We Support Chris Rintz for Village President

As members of the 2012 Caucus Council, we are writing to express our support for Chris Rintz for Village President. 

*Chris' decades of experience with community revitalization, finance, funding, government regulations, environmental issues, and engineering provide him with an outstanding skill set for managing crucial Village issues such as storm water management. 

*Chris is dedicated to supporting our property values by updating Winnetka's commercial areas; providing a safer, more modern power distribution system; and encouraging well-designed, quality new homes that are in keeping with the their surroundings. 

*Chris has the vision necessary to move our community ahead in a positive manner. As Chris has stated, he is “….committed to respectful discussions, thoughtful deliberations, fact-based decision-making and sensible action.” Chris is dedicated to ending the divisiveness that has defined Winnetka politics in recent years. By not aligning himself with any special interest groups, we can be reassured that he is under no obligation or bias to any particular faction of our community. 

*Chris recognizes that residents lead busy lives and cannot easily attend Village Council meetings. He is committed to bringing Village Hall to the community by holding frequent meetings with residents. By getting out from behind the desk, Chris can more easily take the pulse of the community and hear our concerns and priorities. 

Much of the rhetoric surrounding this year's Village President election has focused on supporting the Caucus Council and their 2012 slate. However, the Caucus Council's Village President candidate was  slated by and voted on at the Town Hall meeting by about 7% of Winnetka's eligible voting population. No one is entitled to be the President of our Village based solely on that. 

Another frequently bandied but unsupportable accusation is that this election is “all about Affordable Housing.” Affordable Housing is an issue that has been solidly put to rest in our community, and Chris Rintz respects that decision. The opposition's constant raising of this issue in email blasts is a fear-based, emotional clarion call designed to bring anti-Affordable Housing voters to the polls. Chris has said on numerous occasions, and to the media, that he we will not bring Affordable Housing back to the table. That's the real FACT. 

It's time for us to focus on Winnetka's future, not the issues of the past. Chris Rintz has been clear about his plan for moving Winnetka forward in a civilized, fact-based manner that focuses on commonalities and respectful discussion. He has our vote. 

Marie DeLean, 2012 Caucus Council Communications Co-Chair, Executive Committee

Kenzie Doornweerd, 2012 Caucus Council, Schools Committee

Sue Connaughton, 2012 Caucus Council, Library Committee

Jenn Greenow, 2012 Caucus Council, Schools Committee