This is a great debate. It is always nice to have different opinions on any subject and while I totally agree with Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Nancy Rotering, I respect but strongly disagree with Mayoral Candidate and Councilwoman Terri Olian.
We need to balance our budget so expenses are equal to revenues. The economy has drastically attacked our revenues and while we hope things will improve we must be prepared for dealing with the worst.
As far as reserves, we are currently underfunded in our public safety pensions and our IMRF. While these are currently not within a danger zone in any evaluation, the reality exists and if we have a second wave of downslide in our economy it could become very problematic. Also, I think we need more $$$'s for sewers, streets, and buildins such as the library.
When I look at the reserve I see us using some of this funding to cover costs as a one time expense instead of covering normal capital and operations yearly expenses.

Nancy is right on target calling a spade a spade and that is why I am supporting her for Mayor and am ready to dig in on reducing the size of government, balancing a reduced budget, and taking the financial heat off our residents.

With all due respect to Nancy, I head the Business and Economic Development Commission in Highland Park, and she has never once attended one of our meetings, nor has she ever expressed any interest in what we are doing.
Terri has been an engaged liaison to our Commission and has attended several meetings outside of our regularly scheduled ones, to discuss development opportunities with brokers, property owners and tenants.
Economic development through cultivation and planning is key to increasing sales tax revenues - and that is exactly what Terri has been doing.
Marla Forbes

Marla, You know you are one of my favorite Chairman, Commissioners, and all around people. Terri is assigned BEDC, as I am SWALCO, Natural Resources, the Chamber, etc. Nancy is assigned Transportation, Historic Preservation, and Design Review. While all of us are committed to our Commissions, it is pretty uncommon for us to attend all Commission meetings. That does not mean we do not support and promote policies of the BEDC. I know Terri cares about the environment but can't recall her at a meeting. I guess I could have missed her there. Nancy has been very supportive of the BEDC, the Alliance, and the Chamber. Recently, Nancy and I stood side by side with Terri Olian in being sure the Alliance had the appoximate $50,000 in marketing funding that staff wanted to hold back. As far as economic development, we are all in support of intitiatives proposed by all our development commissions. Hopefully economics will continue to improve and the City Council will embrace programs and initiatives that will enhance development performace and revenues. Thank you Marla for doing a great job for all of us on the BEDC.

While both candidates are admirable in their talent and commitment to the city, I concluded that the emphasis on the business district was misguided long before either of them began running for mayor.

Highland Park needs to face financial reality: 1. It will never be 2006 again. The home equity loans and "wealth effect" from inflated home prices are gone and will not return. Neither will the shopping habits that accompanied them. 2. Property values are sinking and with them, property tax revenues. 3. Illinois is broke and will not be paying much of the money it owes the city. 4. Our negligence of pension obligations, combined with the market volatility may crush us.

No amount of eye-catching decoration or pleading with people is going to allow them to shop with an empty wallet. And certainly not to the levels needed to close the gap between expenditures and revenues. The business district cannot be the cornerstone of our plan to weather this storm.

A drop in the property taxes that are at levels which discourage new home buyers from coming to the community would be a great start. But there's a another hit to revenue. So, yeah, some REAL budget cuts might be the place to start. And in a down economy, it might not be a bad idea to consider a few retailers downtown who sell something a resident at the local median income level could responsibly afford to buy.

My hope is that there's a huge turnout for this election. HP voters need to OWN the consequences of this choice.

I love this election! This is an election with strong women mayoral candidates, a divisive referendum issue, pension spiking and local governmental agencies that have for the most part, ignored each other in the past.
All this is eliciting strong views and causing people to energize and get involved at levels we have not seen in a very long time. This is an election that allows the electorate to absorb, think, reflect and act on people and issues that will have a lasting effect on the future of our wonderful community. It is a pleasure to see so many bright people within our community getting involved and sharing their opinions. We have a rare opportunity to move forward responsibly in these new economic realities of 2011. We need that energy and commitment of shareholders within our community to move our community to a better future for all.
I only hope that the interaction will continue and that the governmental bodies will all work together for the social and financial benefit of Highland Park after April 5th.

Andrew: That extra money would well be put to use to upgrade our Police Department many of those officers who came to the city council meeting pleading for more officers

Rotering is dead wrong on the budget and the use of reserves as she has been on so many issues where she knowingly will mislead the public for a vote including :her incorrect math on pensions(i.e.the total estimated cost for a proposal to include car allowances in pensions for senior staff- which she agreed to along with the Council - which was scrapped due to lack of public support- where she is still publicly asserting the total cost would of been 500,000 to 600,000k when the actual estimated cost was 62,500-I did not go Stanford or Northwestern, but I did go to U. of C. and a total cost of 2500 for all of the senior staff times 25 years is 62,500- so maybe she missed that class in business school- this was a blatant attempt to capitalize on the Park District situation and the public should know that this person will embellish and mislead the public for political gain); and her representation that the purchase of the HP Theatre displaced the proposed addition to the Library. The Theatre was purchased with $750K in remaining TIF or downtown redevelopment funds- the balance of a little over $1.0 mm was borrowed from the general fund excess balance. The estimated cost of the Library addition was $7.0mm and on top of this the Library Board voted to not move forward. Again this is misleading the public with faulty math.
So I would start with a lack of credibility with any numbers given what is described above-more to come.

Rotering and her sponsor and ally Steve Mandel are completely misguided on the budget and use of reserves, and in my opinion, because of their vote against using reserves in the last budget, may have very well jeapordized public safety. For the first time in my 16 years on the Council we saw police officers come in worried about having enough back up and building inspectors concerned about the wisdom of contracting out this service.

In 2008 the Country lost 2.8% of it's GDP which led to biggest drop in sales and income taxes since the Great Depression. In anticipation of such a possibility the City Council under my leadership and the continued leadership of Councilman Kirsch established a standing fund balance policy with a range of 25% to 33%. This is well above the 10% recommended by finance officers around the nation. This policy is, in part, a reason we have a Aaa rating, which allows us to save millions dollars a year. more to come

With respect to deficits and use of reserves, Rotering and her sponsor and chief on the City Council Steve Mandel do not understand a couple of things. First when you have sales tax as a 39% source of revenue in the general fundin a bad economy ofcourse you are going to have an imbalance. Couple that with a property tax levy that has by design been kept to a minimum to enable the schools to have access to their only source of revenue and you are going to futher constrain the budget.
With a record drop in GDP since 2008 and

Anyway fund balances are used for the following in this order of priority:
1)Revenue stanilization during economic downturns
2)tax relief during the same
3)One time capital expenditures and or contributions to long term obligations such as healthcare to the extent funding policy is met- in HP's case 25% to 33% of expenditures- so this means in excess of 25% or 33% depending on our fiscal outlook(3 to 5 years)
4) unexpected natuaral disasters(though these are often reimbursed for by other levels of government or through P&C insurance) however you may want this for initial clean up until claims are settled.
As I mentioned above our policy is above what most finance professionals recommend which is 10%.
We rely on the sales tax for 39% of our general fund and this went down 10% with the economy(it was 20% nationally). We also cap our property tax- even though we are not legally bound to do so- because we try to support our schools who rely on the prop. tax as a single revenue source.
Every major state and city in the country as well as many highly rated suburbs have used planned fund balance draws over the past few years due to economic conditions for budget stabilization and or property tax relief. There are two choices when you sit on an excessive the fund balance cut spending or raise taxes- we have done both. However, if we followed informed fiscal policy we could of minimized both. If the quality of services drops thank Rotering and Mandel

Well, there you have it. Reasons to keep on raising taxes and fees. Councilman Nancy Rotering, Scott Levenfeld, and myself have been in the minority on the budget votes and that is why we have had 3 years in a row of expenses exceeding revenues. The minority on the City Council beleives we need to live within our means and not justify increased fees and taxes but rather work on solutions to reduce government and costs.
Not one person on this City Council will jeopordize the public safety of our community. That being said pension costs and salaries must be kept within our means as well.
Many people in this community are being financially stressed to a point of bankruptcy, losing their homes, and not being able to afford basic needs. I believe it is encumbent upon us to reduce the tax and fee burden on our residents and businesses. By providing leadership in these areas and reducing costs to our residents, we will be providing support for our property values and continued economic vitality for Highland Park. While Mike Belsky and I have worked hand in hand on many things in the past to create a climate of stability and growth, our beliefs and opinions on the formula for success on this community's future is different. As I have gained knowledge and expierience along side all of my fellow Council members, Nancy Rotering has also shown me her strength , knowledge and expertise in finance and wisdom in the budget process. I look forwar to her as Mayor of Highland Park.

Walter:

Thank you for your comments. We moved here 7+ years ago from the city as my then 3 year old needed a more family oriented place to grow up. I am aware that there has been cooperation between the HP city and parks on several important community facilities and am a benefactor of same and agree that we while we can improve, there has been good cooperation in facilities, joint purchase of road salt et al.

My experience is in creating and running private and public companies so I tend to look at the world through a business perspective. I am specifically refering to the various entities camp programs, duplication of HR departments, staffing of Jr Police that help patrol the beaches and other areas that can reduce pubic costs and create efficiencies as well as economy of scale in purchasing et al.

Ed, our budget planning process works for the upcoming years. So in 2010 we worked on passing the 2011 budget. Therefore Ed, I was refering to the 2009, 2010, and 2011 budget. Also, so you know we can always amend our budgets during the year for needs that arise or savings that might occur. For example, this year we might spend more on salt than originally planned, or for reductions it might cost us less for a street we are repaving. Bottom line as far as my premise is that we should plan for revenues equaling expendutures and throught working with other governments on shared services we can reduce overall costs. While the entire Council pushed for this in recent years, I know Nancy Rotering is willing to push much harder on this front and I am actually hopeful to reducing our budget further. I hope that answers your question.

As far as the 2.5% property tax increase, we can always reach into your pockets to make up the difference... While I did consider the CPI, which was about .9% for a increase in the levy, I felt with the needs of the schools and the presure on home values, NO Property Tax increase was a prudent choice. I think both candidates agreed on that point if I am not mistaken.

Anyone seeking accurate data is welcome to call the City of Highland Park and speak to the finance department for this level of detail, the city website has all the summary information. I suggest calling Elizabeth at 847.926.1021.

The so-called "debate" over deficit spending was an object lesson in the need for financial literacy in municipal government. Nancy has it. Terri doesn't.

A budget deficit results when expenses exceed income for a given period of time, such as a year. Reserves are neither expenses nor income. Rather, reserves are an asset. Typically reserves are used for capital expenditures, extraordinary items or very rarely, operating costs. Persistent and repeated use of reserves as a replacement for income is a one-way ticket to insolvency. Nancy is trying to stop this financial suicide. Terri is apparently willing to let it continue.

We need a mayor with business savvy, familiarity with finances and an auditor's objective view of our city's budget. We need Nancy Rodkin Rotering.

William G. Schur

Tripp:

My concern about Terri does not concern civility. It has to do with her expansive, interventionist view of city government. Her ardent enthusiasm for the reckless, unnecessary and costly acquisition of the Highland Park Theater is a prime example of this misguided "vision." Reserves, whether over-funded or under-funded, are not an instrument for implementing social policy. As for Miles Zaremski, his preference for scattershot "red herrings" detracts from the level of discourse on these pages.

Terri may not be Mike Belsky, but they both advocate activist government, which I find to be a political anathema.

William G. Schur

Dear all: I did not know I had become so popular given the use of my name, above.

However, to Mr. Greenberg, I note your comment about asking Ms. Rotering about health benefits. You evidently did not read the article referenced in my only comment to this article, above. Again, please do so, and then you would find all such information is already in the public forum.

As to Mr. Shur, we do not not know one another, but I would appreciate it if you could be more specific to your reference about my "preference for scattershot " 'red herrings' ". I am one for facts, not fiction or generalities, so I would ask you to be specific with what I have said in these "pages" that cause you to say they are red herrings. Thank you.

Miles:

Health insurance benefits for City Council members is an issue unrelated to accounting concepts. Hence it is a "red herring" used by you to deflect my point that Terri Olean misunderstands the budget process. We can have a separate discussion of the health insurance issue if you wish. Similarly, sales tax figures from automobile dealers are unrelated to the definition of a budget deficit. You should avoid ad hominem attacks and stick to one issue at a time.

Nancy's strength is her ability to focus on one issue at a time, with great clarity. That is why, among other reasons, I am voting for her.

William G. Schur

Mr. Shur,

I just noted a couple of typos in my message back to you (timed at 6:43pm). Please excuse them.

Tripp:

even Mayor Belsky admits that the City borrowed a million dollars from general revenues to buy the theater. You fo not mention the on-going administrative and mainenance costs incurred by the City to sustain the facility. We may never know the true cost to the City in owning the theater.
Your notion of ancillary benefits to the community derived from ownership of the theater is a delusion. My wife and I went there tonight to see movie. The parking lot was empty. Inside, we were among 15 people watching "Adjustment Bureau." I asked the ticket taker and the popcorn gal how business had been. They both laughed.

Sorry, Tripp. We were "ripped off" by the purchase of this white elephant.

If you don't believe me, take your family to the movies there and see for yourself.

Nancy will end this madness.

Bill Schur

Tripp:

Please excuse some typos. As corrected:

Even Mayor Belsky ...

My wife and I went there tonight to see a movie...

You do not mention the on-going administrative and maintenace costs...

So what your saying Ed is that both of Rotering's endorsers on the council Steve and Scott voted to purchase the theatre?

Don't blame Nancy by association. The only mayoral candidate who voted for this whi

Don't blame Nancy by association. The only mayoral candidate who voted to acquire this costly white elephant is Terri Olian. She still thinks it was a great idea. The voters I've spoken to don't agree.

Nancy will get Highland Park out of the neighborhood movie house business. She needs all our votes to get our city back on a sound fiscal track.

William G. Schur

Mike Belsky sure throws around some big numbers. "Industry multipliers" may look good on paper but has anyone actually studied the current multiplier effect of operating the theater? Your theoretical numbers may sound large, but I've not noticed hordes of diners streaming from restaurants into the Highland Park Theater. I've seen a deserted parking lot, a crowd which numbered less than 20 inside and a candy and popcorn stand selling the odd diet coke and medium container of stale popcorn. The theater is dirty, dark and no longer shows the creative films we used to see there. As for "break even" operations, what does it cost the City to maintain the building, monitor the operator and study the current and future use of the facility?

What are you going to do with this "dead teddy bear," Mike? You're competing with Renaissance Place (unsuccessfully) for the best films and patrons, while carrying a funeral parlor-like facility. Let's see the past six months worth of profit and loss statements for this theater. It might be very enlightening. If you think the Theater is on the same level of Port Clinton Square for economic activity, you have a different set of eyes than do I.

What is the current market value of this "asset," Mike? With or without the parking, I'd like to know who is interested in buying this gem, and at what price.

Vote for Nancy. She'll help us dump this albatross.

William G. Schur

Mr Schur, it's easy politics to say that only one mayoral candidate voted to buy the theatre - only one was an elected official at the time. Your question on current market value seems to say that you would be happiest to have the city dump the theater regardless of price instead of obtaining the highest value at the right time. How much is it costing each of us to operate the theater right now? I think over 2.5 years, it is about 39 cents per resident, after $66 per resident to buy it (which Mayor Belsky points out was funded from a variety of sources). In both cases it seems hard to get worked up over, and I am certain that at the right time, the city will exit this investment. But I think most voters would rather we do so prudently rather than pursue a political fire sale.

The theater was bought at the top of the real estate bubble, based upon a vision of an elaborate development at the end of Central Avenue. The ensuing recession has destroyed that illusion. The City borrowed a million dollars from general funds to buy a vision as well as real estate. We are paying on that debt service, as well as for consulting fees, in addition to the hidden costs of maintenance, overseeing the operator and marketing the property. This property, which Mayor Belsky concedes is at best beak-even, has no present value for the City. It is a liability because it drains our resources. Nancy has asked for operating figures but has never received them.

Holding on to a bad investment indefinetly while waiting for lightning to strike is a bad strategy. Opportunity costs mandate that investors exit a bad deal when it is revealed to be such. Nancy would like to explore alternatives but waiting for some kind of "destination resort" is not one of them.

William Schur

Karen, I am a freelance opinion writer, not a journalist. If this was a newspaper you'd only find me on the editorial pages, not writing the news.

Karen,

I would have to say that responsible unbiased journalism died decades ago with all of the corporate buyouts/mergers/consolidation of newspapers and television stations. They now mostly serve their corporate masters agenda. And cable "news", don't even get me started.....

And the Patch...I think is just a glorified collection of blogs organized by community and doesn't have anything to do with real journalism.

Unfortunately we have to sift through all the propaganda and spin to make the best informed decision we can.

No, Lee, I'm not a baker. I'm a trial lawyer trained to analyze facts, test evidence and argue a case for my client. I'm most definetly an advocate for Nancy, who is the most qualified and knowledgeable candidate for mayor. I'm repeatedly astonished by the Alice in Wonderland Olian campaign, where deficits are surpluses, balance sheets are transformed into profit and loss statements, a decrepit failing movie house is a municipal treasure and anyone who disagrees with their candidate may be villified or accused of lying. You used the phrase "Rotering lies.". Lawyers don't make defamatory accusations.

William G. Schur

Any details, Lee? I thought not. You are characteristic of the Olian campaign. As Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5, "'tis a tale told...full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.".

Vote for a new era in Highland Park. Vote for Nancy.

William G. Schur

William Schur:

I am sure you are a very good lawyer so let me ask you a simple question. Both Miles and Tip asked you questions about Roterings positions give us a straight answer, not her BS but the truth. Her personal health insurance and her position on Pensions??

Now after you last comment I'm not sure if you ever passed the bar. If you can read, and if you know how to get on Teri's page in facebook why not read "There's she goes again and There she goes again, Again! Why not come back and tell all of us what your comments are at that point

Sorry about the typo, Tripp not Tip!!

Lee:

Check with the Illinois Supreme Court. I've enjoyed the privilege of practicing law in Illinois since 1975. I am also admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, including its trial bar, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Terri's piece about bonded debt is partially accurate, but not completely so. Municipal bonds fall into two general categories: revenue bonds and general obligation bonds. Revenue bonds do not encumber the general revenues of a state or municipality, and are secured only by the revenue stream. General obligation bonds encumber the financial assets of the issuer. Revenue bonds carry a higher interest rate because in theory the risk is somewhat greater than with general obligation bonds. Terri lumps all "bonded debt" together. She does not distinguish between revenue bonds and general obligation bonds. I don't know whether there are outstanding general obligation bonds in Highland Park, nor do I know the terms of the various bonds which are outstanding. It would be incumbent upon Terri to provide us with such a breakdown if she is going to discuss this subject. Still, it is incorrect to assume that revenue bonds can be ignored in determining the debt situation in Highland Park. If any of those revenue bonds should default, Highland Park's credit rating would surely suffer.

William G. Schur

Miles:

There you go trotting out the same old canard on health insurance. You know full well that Nancy is the only member of City Council to contribute to her own premiums. As for Terri Olian, why hasn't she rushed to refund the premiums paid for her over the last six years? Why haven't you and others in her campaign demanded that Mayor Belsky forfeit his health care benefits? These benefits are an extravagance, in particular for those no longer on City Council. Nancy urged the City Council to revise this program to conform more to private-sector models. In contrast, Terri fought to keep health insurance benefits for all Council members until 2013. As they say in Texas, your attack on Nancy is "a dog that won't hunt."

William G. Schur

Bill: I am sure you are an attorney but you must think you are in court becuause all you do is try to defend your current client (NR) who is accused of avoiding the truth. I think this is one case you are close to losing!

FIAT DEALERSHIP ENTERS HP: While I was on the BEDC Commission the subject of Dan Fields moving his Volvo dealership out of HP was brought up. Unfortunately, for me, I chose at the time to leave BEDC and the Mayor appointed me to the new Intergovernmental Golf Advisory Committee which was run amazing well by Teri Olian. The committe has since disbanded, but thats another story. At the time I was on BEDC Jim Kirsch was the Council mentor and we were all concerned that HP would lose the tax basis of the Volvo dealership. After I left Terri Olian moved to BEDC and I see today that under her, Marla Forbes, and Richard Korengold's leadership, Dan Fields is replacing Volvo with a new Fiat dealership. That shows real leadership not the negativity coming from the Rotering camp

Joe: Probably the nicesest thing ever said by a Rotering supporter, but Joe there isn't a chance in this world I'll shut up till Nancy is elected. By the way, instead of Joe what is your real name you are hiding

Joe who?????????????????????????????????????

Lee:

We'll see who has the votes at the end of the campaign.

Bill

It would not be worth the time to answer you

Bill: Miles and I are waiting for your response to the above

And why would that be Karen whatever your name is. The only way he could answer is with more Rotering BS

Why is it Karen Blank that except for Bill, Rotering supporters never use last names, must be because you all are embarrassed of your candidate that you support

Miles:

I've been out ringing doorbells for Nancy today, so i'm only now reading your latest diatribe against her. I have been informed by Nancy that the actual cost of her annual premium is $21,000, of which she contributed $8,300. This contribution, according to her, is reflective of employer/employee contribution ratios. If you, as a sel-styled commentator on local affairs wish to question Nancy on this subject, her number is listed in the phone book. Assuming that your tone would be civil, you should do so. After all, she's your councilwoman.

William G. Schur

Hiding behind your anonymity makes you the jerk not me, I early voted for Olian the first day, what have you done for HP instead of walking around embarrased all day

Hiding behind your anonymity makes you the jerk not me, I early voted for Olian the first day, what have you done for HP instead of walking around embarrassed all day

Hey Karen

You and I could be really good friends as neither one us will give our last names. I also early voted, did you? You probably voted for Steve Mandel

You all should be ashamed of yourselves. Name calling and throwing insults? Is this the town that we live in, with the slogan, "Character Counts"? What a shame that a real discussion can't be had, instead of this immature bullying.

Am I missing something Karen, but didn't you start the un-pleasaet dialog

sorry for the spelling error

Mr. Shur, you calculated the amount of health care benefits that Ms. Rotering said is an extravagance that taxpayers should not pay. Because I note your calculations have (now) been (correctly) challenged by a Mr. Robertson in his follow-up comment to yours, Ms. Olian (rightly) exposing her opponent's misrepresentations on this score in two recent email messages per her website this past week, and I first broke the story in my 2-15 piece on triblocal.com, I will not "duel" you further on the numbers. But your comment is a classic case of, if you do not like the message, "shoot" the messenger. You did this by saying enough of my "canard", sarcastically saying my "latest diatribe", and then saying, "If you, as a "(sic) sel-styled commentator on local affairs". While your candidate is no doubt a fine mother, wife, friend, colleague and perhaps someone worthy of continued law practice, without telling the electorate everything on an issue (I use her statements on health care benefits being an extravagance that taxpayers should not pay for her---but she has NEVER said they will continue to do so---as but in microcosm of a general observation), she does not make the grade to lead the city as its next mayor. And, once more, your "throwing darts" at me does not improve this trait. You asked me to contact her; how about her contacting the voting public and tell them that they are still on the hook for an extravagance for her that tops out at potentially close to $100,000.00?

Miles:

Mr. Robertson corroborated my numbers, not yours. You reached a figure of 98k when the actual annual premium is 23K. Nancy contributes over a third of that herself. Nancy has always said that this insurance for former councilmen is an extravagance. Receipt of these benefits by present members is expensive, which is why she pays over a third of the premium herself. Terry fought to maintain benefits through 2013 so that councilmen not running for re-election this year would be covered. As for Terri forgoing her current salary, why did she not do in prior years? She and Terri are both entitled by law to healthcare benefits. Nancy pays for part of hers. No one else on the City Council does, nor does Mayor Belsky. In fact, according to Nancy, if she wins her heathcare benefits would actually diminsh by half of what she receives now. Nancy correctly calls benefits for former councilmen an extravagance. By your logic, how much has Terri cost the City by fighting to preserve those benefits for another two years?

I've been out telling every voter I can reach in Highland Park what is at stake in this election. We are fighting for fiscal responsibility, a focus on core city services, openness in government and respect for civic institutions such as the Highland Park Library. This election is about our future as a community. These are the principles for which Nancy and her ever-growing supporters are fighting.

William G. Schur

A few things since you've called me up here... You are comparing apples to oranges, first of all. The $23,000 is her annual premium, correct (a departure from your original number of $21,000). The $93,000+ figure is the total cost to taxpayers of the insurance benefit for the next two years on the council plus two years of post-term benefits (1:1 ratio of months). I used your numbers (albeit they, according to City HPIL, are incorrect) in an effort to show you how extravagant they really are. As to your question about Terri's benefits, I could ask the same of Nancy: why weren't her benefits paid before? Especially after how "extravagant" they were? Nancy called all benefits extravagant, not just those for former councilmen. Notice how I'm just passing along the facts. Thanks for the opportunity to do so, and hope this helps everyone out there make the right decision of for whom you will vote!

Bryce:

Nancy "walked the talk". Only Nancy is paying premiums from her own pocket. If she loses the election she will continue to do so. Terri pushed to saddle the taxpayers by extending benefits through 2013 for all councilmen, including those leaving office. If Terri wins will she forgo her mayoral salary? Will she push again to extend healthcare coverage for present and former councilmen after 2013? Will she keep her salary and contribute to her own premiums as mayor? You and. Miles have beaten this issue to death. The point remains that only Nancy had ever paid any part if these premiums, including Mayor Belsky and Terri Olian. I will take leave of this discussion because the rain has ceased. I must resume ringing doorbells for Nancy.

William G. Schur

So what you are saying Miles is that your candidate feels the the taxpayers should be covering her health care expenses and her families with no regard to the taxpayer since she did not raise the issue but Nancy did?

Thanks for making William's point.

Again, thank you for reiterating that Nancy is the only council member to pay toward her health insurance benefits and that Nancy brought the issue to the forefront of the council and this campaign. Again, Nancy is clear on areas where the city budget can be trimmed and about finding solutions to trimming the budget. I commend Terri for the work she has done and in giving up her council salary. Giving up her health care benefits, as you continue to point out, would have been a much more meaningful contribution to help stop deficit spending and balance the budget. Perhaps you can try to write a convincing article to the council asking them to give up their benefits. I'm sure you'll be looking to continue writing some more once the election is over.

I'll take that as a compliment but no, I am not your representative, just an appreciative HP constituent of Nancy's and the important issues she continously brings to the forefront of the council and as you point out, this election. Please join me Miles in continuing to let everyone know that it is Nancy who identifies these issues and takes action to help solve them. And I look forward to Nancy's leadership in tackling these topics as Mayor with the 4 new council members and the 3 remaining councilmen.

Hey everyone, no matter who you support, early voting only goes until March 31st. Get out there and vote to give yourself a voice in HP!

Ed:

I think that is a POSITIVE discussion to have. It would be beneficial to all candidates instead of sniping at each other. What should Highland Park look like? How should it function?

It would be interesting to see ALL candidates weigh in on this.

I would love to see something positive come out of the Rotering camp!!!

Hi Lee. Have a great day! I'm enjoying the sunshine and enjoying keeping the light on the issues we HP'ers are concerned about in the most positive and joyful way I know how. You might want to review your previous "comments" and see if you can find some that are positive and friendly to share with us.

Karen, How about giving us your last name so we can see if you are really who you say you arn't. I would bet anything that you did not call city Hall because unless you are who you say you arn't they would never give out that inofrmation to a stranger.

Hi Lee -- Guess you don't know much about City Hall and government-- but they will tell you what you ask if it is public information. Try calling and asking. Here's the number - 847-432-0800. You should try backing up your comments with a little leg work. Again, have a great day! :)

Hi Again. Sorry for the delay in responding but I have been knocked-out by a nasty flu bug that is taking down my family one by one:( Imagine my suprise to come back to see my integrity and character being questioned because I choose to use my first name only (as do MANY PATCH and on-line users) on a public internet forum, which many internet experts advise people to do for a whole host of reasons. Perhaps Miles will write a piece about the pros/cons of using your full name that might convince me otherwise, but for now I am sticking with the advice I received when I went to an internet awareness program in our schools. It does not make my comments any less transparent than yours -- but perhaps more courteous than others! As I said earlier, I am not about name calling but like many on this site, trying to get involved in an exciting campaign and supporting the candidate that best alligns with my values and positive spirit.

Sorry you got the bug Karen, but there you go again just like your candidate skirting around the issue. you were asked point blank question by Miles and Tripp and just like your candidate no answers but a harang about not using your last name. Issues Karen, answer the questions asked

The question asked, Lee, that has yet to be responded to, is Walter's statement above that Terri DOES NOT TAKE either her health benefit nor her council salary.

If you'd like too hear specifics on what my candidate, Nancy Rotering, has to say, please visit friendsofnancy.com and you will be provided with plenty of insightful answers to the opportunities and challenges facing our community. If you are lucky, perhaps she'll be in your neighborhood today, where she's knocking on doors and answering HPer's questions in person. She has hosted over 30 coffees where she's had the opportunity to hear from individuals like myself who love this town and are positive. Thanks for the get-well wishes:)

The question asked was why did you give mis information about what you said you got from City Hall because they never would have given that out. Tell Nancy to skip my house because she would not like the questions I have about her morality in this campaign

FACT: Terri Olian returned her city salary last December with a check (gross dollars were $9500.00) that is posted on her website. She again has gone on record as returning this year's salary as well.

FACT: Terri Olian never said health benefits is an extravagance as part of her campaign platform

FACT: Terri Olian's ongoing current health benefits terminate forever come April 6, 2011.

FACT: Nancy Rotering has told voters that health benefits for those on the council are an extravagance that taxpayers should not have to pay and should thus be eliminated.

FACT: Taxpayers will spend well into five figures for Nancy Rotering's health benefits over the next 2 years, but she never volunteered this information to the voting public in Highland Park when she said such benefits were an extravagance.

FACT: Karen, despite your assertion in your comment and despite being asked thereafter, you have not told anyone the identity of the person who you spoke to at city hall who revealed data on health benefits to you.

FACT: City personnel CANNOT release data regarding health benefits absent a properly filed F.O.I.A. request.

There is a Talmudic phrase (shtika k'hodaah dami (transliterated) that means, silence itself is an affirmation. Karen's silence on not disclosing who she spoke to means she did not speak to anyone at city hall who disclosed health benefits information.

Mr. Rosenberg,

I agree with your just placed comment. Case closed.

The city's website has video of the 9/13/10 council discussion about health care benefits here:

http://cityhpil.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=8&clip_id=313

Here are some highlights:

51:06 Mayor Belsky recognizes Terri Olian for "pushing on the issue for this council to do something about it."

52:40 Terri Olian notes for clarity that some council members will receive benefits till 2013. She opted to return her 2010 salary to the city. Corporation council advised her there is no legal prohibition against voluntarily refusing a benefit or returning a benefit to the city.

54:20 Nancy Rotering notes that Section 30-115b, subsection 4 provides that "any member of this council who would be interested may CONTINUE to receive FREE health and dental benefits for themselves and for their family members for the period of time during which they have been sitting on this council. So in the case of a number of members of the group sitting with me tonight that would be 12 years, 16 years, 20 years of FREE health care benefits that they will CONTINUE to avail themselves of going forward starting in 2011. That being said, and because to me the end goal is reduce the financial burden on the taxpayers going forward now, I will be voting in favor of the ordinance, but not in favor of section sub 4 which permits current sitting members to use their accrued retiree benefits starting in 2011 or 2013 depending on when their terms come to a completion." [emphasis mine]

(Cont.)

55:20 Belsky asks for clarification on when or what Rotering wants. She wants council members to not have the option of free accrued benefits till they retire. Belsky agreed in pre-session, but majority did not.

57:50 Councilman Silberman commends both Olian and Rotering for "a courageous and selfless act" in conceding the most by voting for the amendment.

59:25 Councilman Levenfeld notes that Olian and Rotering's sacrifice in voting for the amendment is no greater than his own, since he is running for re-election in 2011.

1:01:05 Mayor Belsky notes that it was agreed in the pre-session that the [free] subsidy would stop in 2011 and be replaced at that time with a 100% premium. Also states that there was agreement on timing of when sitting members could tap into their free retirement benefits...."politics is like making sausage."

1:03:52 Citizen Stacy Cantor cuts to the chase asking how many council members have full time jobs, are self-employed, have ceded benefits from full time jobs to use city's FREE benefits. Notes that regular HP employees pay premiums for benefits. Asks the yearly cost of the benefits for current & past council members, mayors and their families. Demands that answers be published. "No other city on the North Shore other than Evanston awards its sitting city council and mayor health care benefits." Challenges all of them to waive their benefits or-- if they have no other insurance-- to at least pay the premiums.

I vote for Stacy.

David Schabes: Your youtube reference was not only hilarious but spot on. Thank you for injecting some needed humor during these heated debates.