Friday, May 13, 2011
Two new members mark new start Thursday.
Lori Flores Weisskopf walked into the Park District of Highland Park board meeting Thursday night and accidentally sat down in the audience before she remembered that she now had a seat on the board. “The running joke is that I’ve always come to meetings anyway, now I just have a nicer chair,” Weisskopf said. Weisskopf, Brian Kaplan and Scott Meyers were sworn in as Park Board Commissioners at Thursday's meeting. They're the first members to be elected to the board since it came under fire last summer for approving contracts that spiked the pensions of some of its employees. The scandal led to the resignations of three board members, including former board president Lorry Werhane, who ran again and lost in the April 5 election. “This is …
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ed Brill reflects on what the newly elected officials will bring in tackling issues in Highland Park.
- OPINION
- Ed Brill
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011
It's time to take down the yard signs. At last. Congratulations to mayor-elect Nancy Rotering, councilmen-elect Paul Frank, David Naftzger and Tony Blumberg; Park District commissioners-elect Lori Flores Weisskopf, Brian Kaplan and Scott Meyers; new members of School District 112 and 113 boards; and to those that opposed the District 113 referendum. Your wins in Tuesday's election were hard-earned and demonstrate the best of democracy in action. As I said yesterday, I've found myself more invested in this race than any previous hometown election. I found many kindred spirits in the forums and coffees, people who wanted a better Highland Park. It was certainly a tough set of races, and now is the time for the winners to prove that they were…
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Patch's columnist guesses where some contenders will celebrate the end of a long campaign season.
It's been a long, intense campaign season, but it all comes down to Tuesday. Please make sure you vote--or none of the signs, letters or comments matter. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some 3000 people have already voted, demonstrating the intense interest this election has drawn around town. For the last six months, a few dozen of our neighbors have worked hard to win our votes. Running for office is not for the faint of heart. It's not just about wanting a job, it's about fundraising, advertising and kissing babies. There are command performances, pointed questions and unanticipated obstacles. Every word or action is analyzed, even in small local elections. I've learned a lot this election season. Having lived in Highland Park…
Monday, March 28, 2011
Three of the seven candidates for park board list their priorities for the park district.
- ELECTIONS
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Monday, March 28, 2011
Park district ripe with potential Last spring, while I was out walking with my son, he noticed some litter on the ground. He looked at me unhappily and said, “Dad, this is terrible. Someone should do something about this.” Sensing that this was a “parenting moment,” I responded, “Evan, when you see a problem that you can solve, don’t wait for someone else to do it. Take the initiative and do it yourself.” The next thing I knew, I was following my son with a wagon through our neighborhood collecting and sorting refuse. Later that summer, the pension scandal broke, and my family was sitting around the kitchen table when I said, “This is terrible. Someone should do something about this.” Evan looked at me, and with a wry smile, repeated back …
Friday, March 25, 2011
Deep affection for agency goes back to her childhood, prompting run for a four-year term seat.
- ELECTIONS
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Friday, March 25, 2011
Background: The oldest child of immigrant parents, my family settled in Highland Park for the education opportunities. I attended Green Bay Road School, Elm Place Middle School and Highland Park High School (HPHS). The first to graduate college in my family, I attended the University if Missouri. I have worked extensively in public relations with the Chicago Bulls and with Procter & Gamble in shareholder relations. As such, I understand the importance of good, honest communication. I am dedicated to bettering our community and am a District 112 Education Foundation trustee, its public relations chairwoman, on the Family Service Nuestro Center advisory council and funding team, Moraine Township Latino advisory committee and on the Park …
Learn where the 7 contenders stand on such issues as pension reform, Rosewood Beach and the Fort Sheridan preserves.
- ELECTIONS
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Friday, March 25, 2011
With the April 5 balloting quickly approaching and early voting already under way, Highland Park Patch brings you Q&A's with all seven Park District candidates vying for three seats: one six-year term and two four-year terms. The candidates were asked 11 questions on topics that ranged from last summer's pension scandal to what should be done with Rosewood Beach. Click on a name below to see how the hopeful responded, or click on "View Gallery" to the right to watch video of each candidate speaking at a recent candidate forum. Six-year term candidates: Forest Barbieri Scott Meyers Four-year term candidates: Brian Kaplan Ben Kutscheid Leo Vilker Lori Flores Weisskopf Lorry Werhane
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A former board president is among the 7 contenders making up the interesting field.
- OPINION
- Ed Brill
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Election Day is now less than two weeks away, which means it is time to finish deciding on which candidates to vote for in the five Highland Park citywide races. One contest I've paid little attention to is the Park District of Highland Park Board, where voters will fill two four-year-term vacancies and one six-year term. Today I sat down to find out more about these candidates and their positions, and I liked a lot of what I learned. There are five candidates for the four-year terms and two candidates for the six-year term. Some are incumbents of sorts, having been appointed as commissioners last fall, months after the pension spiking issues came to light. Others are simply passionate community members who want to help steer the Park …
Monday, January 31, 2011
Residents voice their support for one of seven park board candidates.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, January 31, 2011
Highland Park’s park district is the one of the crown jewels making Highland Park the attractive, family-oriented community it is today. The future leadership of the board managing our park district is one of most important decisions this April facing Highland Park residents. I’m supporting Lori Flores Weisskopf in her campaign to join the park district board and to insure that the board serves our communities needs going forward and continues to build value for Highland Park. Beyond Lori’s professional career in public relations for the Chicago Bulls, it is her can-do attitude and drive that will serve our community well with Lori on the board. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Lori on a broad variety of initiatives in our roles as …
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Candidates say board 'lacks credibility' after bonus improprieties.
Three of the five final candidates for the remaining Park District Board seat withdrew their applications Monday. Lori Flores Weisskopf, Lane Young and Greg Rosenbloom were among the five candidates interviewed last week to replace Lorry Werhane Jr., who resigned Oct. 14. Although each had different reasons for withdrawing, all three cited community-wide distrust of the park district as a contributing factor. "The board currently lacks credibility, and it might not be possible for them to regain that credibility in the next five months," Young said. "So being attached to that board could taint the person." The credibility gap began in August, when the Chicago Tribune revealed that the board had given sizable bonuses to Park District …
forest barbieri
10:39 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Congratulations to Lori, (the top vote recipient), Brian & Scott. We look forward to a transparent, active board that will enrich the community. Many challenges and opportunities are ahead and I am confident that we have great people that are up to the job. more ›