Our community would be so fortunate to have Kim Stone represent us on the HP City Council. She is bright, thoughtful and hard working. Her character is impeccable, and she is devoted to HP. Her valuable business skills and experience, added to her environmental and health advocacy, make her uniquely qualified.

I'm excited to support Alyssa Knobel for City Council. She's bright, creative, and passionate about keeping HP a great place to live and work.

I will vote for any candidate who will end the ridiculous law that every house sale has to be approved by the Historic Commission.

House sales are never approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.

Well, I'm on the commission so I'd be happy to discuss any house that's come before our commission. We have no power to 'block' the sale of any property. I don't know what property you're referring to.

I am thrilled that Kim Stone is running. She's bright, involved, and impeccably ethical. She is engaged and concerned about all aspects of Highland Park and also has a special interest in environmental issues.

I would be happy to explain the HPC (Historic Preservation Commission) process to you, but perhaps this is a bit too public. Would you prefer I e-mail you directly? From your brief comment I can see there is confusion about how the process works and the what our goals are as a commission (which are on the city website). The demolition delay is not unusual and follows the Illinois state laws on preservation. I know from your comment which property you're referencing and there are many facts that I believe you may be unaware of.
Our commission must follow the Illinois laws. We can't and don't hold up any sale of any property. We do encourage homeowners to find sensitive buyers. If the sale of a property is delayed due to our process you should know that is never our intention.

Incidentally, have you seen the house or been inside it? An elevator already exists in the house.

I don't have a city e-mail address. You can e-mail Andy Cross in the Community Development Office at
across@cityhpil.com

Andy can forward your e-mail to me and I can respond to you. I'll let Andy know that you may be contacting him. Andy could also probably give you info on this house, but I'd be happy to do so and he's pretty busy.

Or you can post your e-mail here for me and I can respond directly to you.

LT

The Highland Park Preservation Commission's job is to help protect HP's great architectural history, what may differentiate us from other peer communities. Just because someone is willing and able to throw lots of money at a home, does not justify destroying an architectural work that pre-existed their ownership, and would outlast all of us if demolition were not allowed. Someone may wish to put their self-serving wishes ahead of cherishing that history. Should Mr. T have been allowed to tear down those trees? After all, they were on his property. Of course not. Ownership comes with certain limitations and responsibilities.
The house they want to destroy is magnificent, built during a different time - this could never be duplicated and is not deserving of destruction. This individual wishes to build a house - fine, but that does not justify destroying this specific house. The house does meet the criteria of a historic landmark house and in fact, has been on Architectural tours. It was never officially allowed to be put on the Register only because the previous long term owners chose to remain more understated. Besides, No one would ever believed anyone would ever consider demolishing this house!
Entitlement should not trump architectural legacy.

To have so little regard for what makes our community unique and it's history is sad. Freedom is not a justification for destruction - it is a lame excuse. there is no hardship that mandates destroying history. Immoral is believing that money justifies any self-serving need..

The house is architecturally & historically significant. That's why there was a delay put in the demolition.

Your opinion is disappointing. Do you believe that this individual needs to destroy this specific location and there is no where else he can accomplish his goals? That the Firemen and builders are really being cheated financially unless he gets his way? Build a house is fine. But there is no need to build it in this specific location. I am not the selfish one because I wish to preserve beauty that preexisted me and my children. And if you had pride in this community you should too.
Do you say you are proud to live in Highland Park because there are many rich people living here, or because of the unique beauty and it's history?

Personally I am pleased to hear that such a situation is being thoroughly consider. I have always been dismayed at the seeming ease with which buildings get demolished in this and other communities and often to be replace with some fright of a construction which makes ua all shudder. If there is a disabled child involved it would seem a good idea to start from sratch but perhaps somewhere else?

Does anyone who's running live West of Skokie Highway?

She has my vote

Actually I would like to meet her

She really is a dynamic and accessible leader, who will be a voice for the whole city. Her website is www.friendsofalyssaknobel.com - If you get in touch with her on her contact form I'm sure she'll get back to you.

I am really pleased that Kim Stone is running. I met her when our kids were classmates in preschool-she is dedicated to making Highland Park a healthier more sustainable commuinity. She is forward-thinking and will be a great addition to the city council.

I cannot imagine a better candidate to take one of the available seats than Alyssa! She eats, breathes and sleeps this city. She understands the connection between all city entities from the parks to the schools and sees the big picture. She is organized, talented, compassionate, tenacious and generous of both her time and spirit. Please cast one of your votes for her!

Does Alyssa send her kids to the HP schools? I want members on my city council to have kids in our public schools.

No she doesn't

But I hope she will change that when she wins, it would allow people ago are on the fence to vote for her. And I figure you knew that when you asked the question....lets be fair here, there is no need for "plants" on the message board.

That should have said "allow people who"

That should have said "allow people who"

I just want to talk on my cell phone, and not have to worry about the police.

Hi Ravinia Resident --
I worked with Alyssa on the District 112 Strategic Plan Curriculum a few years back. Alyssa has an excellent understanding of our schools and was very involved in researching best practices and other curriculum areas we were given to look into on our committee. I know she continues to be committed to staying on top of both Dist. 112 & Dist. 113 issues, just as all of our City Council Members are, whether they have children in the schools or not. We are also fortunate to have elected excellent School Boards who are charged with being responsive to us on school-related issues. I feel very confident that Alyssa would be happy to talk to you about your concerns if you contact her.

I know Alyssa and her family. She was extremely helpful in sending me in the right direction when I needed help finding special services for my own child as she had been down the same road. I appreciate that she puts family first and our city right there with them. Leave her children out of this. Her commitment to our community is apparent in everything she does. I appreciate that she has the support and endorsement of members of 112, 113 and the Park District too. She works well with people, listens and knows how to get things done. Plain and simple. There is no place for nonsense in this election.

Thanks Beth. And HB1130, no "nonsense" intended. I find Alyssa's work in HP to be commendable. According to Beth's response, Alyssa is involved in our schools and understanding the issues involved. I just want to be accurately informed before I vote. No "plant". No "nonsense"

There are some elected official who make choices about their children's education that require they looks elsewhere. Let's face it, our one-illustrious schools are no longer competitive and are struggling to education our best and brightest while trying to figure out how to education those in most need without losing children in the shuffle. Alyssa in the candidate who not only understands all of that, but also understands how the city factors into the whole Highland Park equation, schools and parks included. I would submit that before anyone harkens down the road of character assignation based on a parent's very personal very real right of choice for a child's education, that we all understand Alyssa is qualified to run for city council. Were she running for school board, I could understand someone's questioning school choice, but even then, I feel having to go down the road of educating oneself on what is best for a child's education makes that person an even BETTER candidate for any public office, especially school board. But we are discussing city council candidates on this forum. Alyssa is qualified beyond measure. Period, end of story.

Am I the only one who thinks that a current Mayor and sitting City Council members should not be endorsing candidates, but rather should maintain a posture of neutrality? Our last Mayor sent letters to everyone in the community. I thought it was in bad taste. It doesn't feel right.

Alyssa Knobel is chairman of the Bedc and since then numerous stores have closed up that is not a good record to run on

I'm going to be voting for Carolyn Cerf. She has lived in Highland Park her whole life. She wants to see new businesses come to the city and likes supporting current businesses already in Highland Park.

I’m using my vote to ask Carolyn Cerf to serve us for the next city council term.
She values how our many neighborhoods blend together to form a strong and progressive city.
Her activities at the grass roots level in many local organizations is evidence that she is not only capable but committed to seeing the city grow as a community for everyone. With this interaction with members of the community and the talent to analyze details to see the big picture she will be a good fit with the current council going forward.

While Alyssa lives west of Skokie she supports opening up the red oak area to through traffic. This includes opening the light at lake cook and Ridge. That is not a position of support for the home owners and children of the red oak community.