Letter to the Editor: Sorting Out District 65 Race

Dear Lake Bluff neighbors, 

The School Caucus has endorsed a great slate of candidates for the District 65 board.  Current School Board President Brady is not among them. 

The three SmartChoices candidates have gone negative.  In campaign literature disseminated on March 17th, unendorsed incumbent candidate MJ Brady had this to say about the Caucus slate: 

“Are they motivated by what is best for our children or what profits them personally? Do they actually work to make things better, do they have specific plans for improvement or are they simply naysayers who in knee jerk fashion turn their sour outlook on the efforts of those committed to helping?” 

I have had a son and a daughter through the Lake Bluff schools in the ‘80s and have a grandson finishing LBES this year.  What “profits me personally” is a sound school system, always available, that prepares its students well. 

And since the Lake Bluff schools will have a $16 million budget this year whether I have family attending or not, I would like to know the money is not squandered on the passionate indulgences of transient board members.  I’m in it for the long haul. 

Regarding the Caucus itself, the SmartChoices head continues, “Maybe the naysayers are surprised as they‘ve had so little contact with school governance.  Or maybe they are feigning shock to create a campaign issue.  Either way the school board candidates they endorse have no business serving in matters they so little understand.” 

The school board candidates of the Lake Bluff School Caucus include Christine Letchinger and John Marozsan, both current teachers.  Both of Richard Hegg’s parents and his sister are teachers.  Julie Gottshall has two children attending now; one at LBES and one at LBMS.  Are these the people who “have no business serving in matters they so little understand”? 

The SmartChoices trio want their message broadcast throughout District 65 because they think their message is appealing.  As a Caucus supporter, I would like it broadcast because I think it makes the SmartChoices trio so unappealing.  So we agree that it should be broadcast.  It may be found at: 

http://65.pxxq.com/MJBemail.html 

Naturally, two weeks of outrage followed.  At last, Ms. Brady has responded.  But all she had to say on this matter was, “My detractors continue to rake me over the internet coals…I’m glad to suffer their slings and arrows as I understand what leadership requires.” 

Well.  I have a different of what leadership should sound like.  I will vote for the Caucus slate: 

Chris Letchinger, Richard Hegg, John Marozsan and Julie Gottshall. 

Most sincerely, 

Don Russ, Lake Bluff School Caucus member

(I joined Lake Bluff School Caucus after the candidates were chosen