Part 3: Turelli, Through her own Actions, Discredits her Candidacy

Part 3 of a three-part series: Read Part 1, Part 2
 

Over the past several weeks, I have observed two happenings that appear to represent panic issuing from Lauren Turelli's campaign for the Republican nomination in the 58th State Rep race. 
 
1. Turelli was a no-show in Highland Park on Feb. 26 at a scheduled League of Women Voters Candidates' Forum where she was scheduled to debate Mark Neerhof. As a no-show and since candidates aren't allowed to debate with themselves, Neerhof was allowed to introduce himself and spoke briefly about his candidacy, addressing three top issues tailor-made for Springfield which are resulting in financial havoc in Illinois:  Medicaid Reform; Pension reform, and Repeal of the personal and corporate income tax increases in 2011 to keep companies and Illinoisans from leaving the state because of the high tax burdens placed upon them.
 
Only after Neerhof finished his solo presentation did Turelli phone in to tell moderator Valerie Krejcie that she was dealing with a family emergency.
 
2.  A despicable Turelli mailer arrived in the mail last week with an unflattering photo of Mark Neerhof, paid for by Turelli for Tomorrow, accusing Neerhof of wanting more spending, more debt, and more regulation, without any words or quotes on either side of the mailer to back up what were blatantly false accusations.   
 
But by far the most egregious act is one that the Lake Forest resident brought upon herself. She describes her educational background as a recipient of master's degree in philosophy, international relations from the University of Cambridge in England. Turelli's current LinkedIn profile, her own website  and her Facebook page likewise include the same reference to the Cambridge University degree. http://laurenturelli.com/
 
The following link displays a letter received back from the University of Cambridge Academic Division upon an inquiry made about Turelli's Cambridge University credentials. The returned letter response indicated that although Turelli matriculated in the October term of 1993 at Clare Hall and studied toward the master's degree of philosophy in international relations, she was unsuccessful in her studies and withdrew in February of 1995 without gaining any qualifications from Cambridge University. http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2012/02/turellis-confusing-education-history.html
 
Curious as to whether candidate Turelli claimed the Cambridge University degree on an application form she must have submitted for an appointment to the Lake Forest Parks and Rec Board -- a mayoral appointed position -- I submitted a FOIA request to Lake Forest City Hall on Feb. 23. Upon receipt of Turelli's application form within five days in response to my FOIA request, her application date was Sept. 10, 2007, 9:32:15 p.m. Cambridge University - England; M.Phil., International Relations was listed under the heading of Education on her application form. 
 
As a District 58 constituent and voter, you will have to decide whether Turelli Turelli is worthy of the office she seeks. Why did Turelli feel the need to fabricate her education background by citing a degree obtained from Cambridge University in England?
 
Neerhof, a Lake Forest resident, is an obstetrician with the NorthShore University Health System and an associate professor at the University of Chicago Medical School. In addition, he is an executive board member and founder of the Illinois chapter of Docs4PatientCare, a national organization of doctors committed to patient freedom and repealing Obama's health care program (ObamaCare). Appointed by Neerhof, Arie Friedman now serves as president of the state chapter. 
 
Friedman, who lives in Highland Park, is an outstanding pediatrician who also served his country. This link depicts Friedman as a young Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. The photo was taken just prior to his deployment aboard the USS Cosen as a helicopter pilot in 1991. http://www.friedmanforsenate.com/   
 
Friedman, appointed by Neerhof, now serves as president of the state chapter of Docs4PatientCare.
 
Both Neerhof and Friedman have no need to run. It isn't power or money that they seek as both are very successful doctors in their own fields.
 
What drives Neerhof and Friedman to seek office is their love of county and state. They deplore what is happening financially and policy-wise to both entities. 
 
Being successful in their chosen medical fields, both doctors believe that now is the time to give something back and to make a difference by serving as legislators in the Illinois General Assembly to set in motion a change in the direction of state government.
 
As physicians and legislators, Medicaid Reform would be on the front burner of Friedman and Neerhof. Their experience and knowledge regarding our state's fastest growing expenditure, health care, is urgently needed. Currently there is not a single physician in the General Assembly; despite this, the legislature routinely makes far-reaching health care decisions.   
 
As stated in Part 1, last year's appropriations for Medicaid by the General Assembly fell $1.9 billion sort of what Medicaid actually cost. llinois is the only state that intentionally kicks its current medicaid bills into future fiscal years.  
 
I have made up my mind. Without question, Friedman and Neerhof are the type of principled candidates running for office whose presence as candidates are rare occurrences. 
 
What about you?