25 Candidates Appeal to Voters at Beth El Forum

Nearly 200 people came to hear 25 of the 28 candidates in the April 5 municipal elections make their pitch at a candidates’ forum Sunday at in Highland Park. 

Candidates for mayor, City Council and Park District commission as well as those for District 112 and 113 school boards spoke to the crowd. They also had tables with information and took time afterward to meet with voters. 

Those who turned out left better informed and closer to making a decision. Some candidates may have even swayed a voter or two to their side. Others, like Sheldon Langer, just wanted to “put a face to the yard signs.” 

“People have to be informed,” Langer said. He does not want to see candidates elected to office “because they have the resources to buy more yard signs.” 

Sulie Holt, a member of the , shares Langer’s point of view. She claims the school board caucuses—there is a District 113 Caucus as well—help alleviate the situation. 

The District 112 Caucus consists of 60 citizens who interview all the school board candidates and then endorse those they consider the most qualified, Holt said. 

“Lawn signs don’t tell you anything but a name,” she said. “We have to listen to everyone [in detail] to participate. We must be at all the meetings.”

Holt thinks the caucus system provides a filter for the community. 

Ray Lewis was eager to hear mayoral candidates and . Each spoke four minutes to sway voters to their side. Lewis is a little closer to making a decision after hearing them. 

“I was disappointed I didn’t hear more of their platforms,” he said. “I like to hear their accomplishments and what they stand for on issues. Only one [told me that].”

Like Lewis, Andrea Saffir drew nearer to making a choice about mayor but still wants to know more. She is leaning to vote for one of the candidates but kept the name to herself. 

“I was more impressed with one but I’m not fully [sure]," said Saffir. “They’re both good speakers. [Now] I know what their credentials are.” 

Steve Wilneff has been active in numerous local campaigns over the years. Though he has a high opinion of Olian and Rotering, his company FSI Direct is sending mailers out for Olian. He supports Olian because he wants to see both remain in local government. 

“Since we have three experienced councilmen leaving we need experienced people,” Wilneff said. “We can keep both [Rotering and Olian] by electing Terri mayor.” 

Wilneff was referring to the fact as well as Councilmen Scott Levenfeld and Larry Silberman are leaving office at the end of their term in April. Olian’s term also expires after the election while Rotering has two more years to serve. 

All five candidates for city council——have not served before. A trio will be elected to join the seven-member council. If Rotering wins, she will appoint her replacement, making it four new lawmakers. 

Holt remains undecided about her choice for mayor after the speeches. But she rejects Wilneff’s argument for casting a vote for Olian. 

“It’s true,” Holt said, “(But) I don’t think it’s a reason to make a decision on who is going to be mayor. They will both do a wonderful job.” 

Holt arrived at the forum committed to voting for Blumberg and Frank for City Council. She added Naftzger to her list—each voter gets up to three choices—after hearing his speech. 

“He has the experience for the job,” said Holt, who also liked Naftzger’s knowledge of the . 

Clara Berman is another undecided mayoral voter who found the forum helpful, as she is having difficulty making a decision between two qualified candidates who she knows well. 

“I’m interested to hear more about what [Rotering] does pro bono,” said Berman, who supports the need for legal representation for the disenfranchised. 

Olian’s ties to the Jewish community and work helping start  have drawn Berman drawn to Olian’s candidacy. 

“I’ve known her from Jewish community events and I like what she’s done with Late Nite Highland Park,” Berman said. “My daughter got to perform [at a Late Nite event]. She was so excited.”

The three candidates who did not attend were park district candidates and and District 113 school board candidate Mark Mulert. Barbieri and Mulert both had supporters bring materials about their campaign to the event.