49°
To the Editor:
I went to the recent Chamber of Commerce debate, and, like most people there, I had a good idea who would get my vote. But I wanted to see the mayoral candidates in person, side by side. I went in supporting Victoria Gearity and came out more sure than ever that she should be our next mayor. Here's why: When it comes to understanding the issues, it was a dead heat. Despite efforts to paint Gearity as inexperienced, she was as informed and articulate as her opponent. She had clearly been immersed in the issues well before becoming a trustee and has made good use of her time in office. (And it is worth remembering that she actually has more experience on the village board than her opponent did when he first ran for mayor so many years ago.) What was convincing about Gearity was how her collaborative style and personal outreach have made a difference in working with key partners, like local businesses and the schools. She spoke of what she learned by walking Main Street -- including being told she's the first elected official who ever entered shops to ask how things are going and what the village could do to help. She shared how her outreach to the schools helped bring school district concerns into the village planning process. Strong collaboration between the village and the schools is critically important and long overdue. She was frank about how current housing policies have our schools bursting at the seams and the need to evaluate proposed development in that light, and ensure that building codes are enforced. Bill Hanauer, on the other hand, persisted in his belief that more high-density housing is needed. I'm with those who think we should pause on that, look for proof of the theory from the developments already in play and focus instead on business development to fill the empty storefronts to broaden the tax base. That’s why I am voting for Victoria Gearity and hope that her overwhelming win in the Democratic primary is repeated in the general election on Nov. 4. Steve Wardwell
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