How to keep Lake Zurich functioning

For many years I have been involved with Lake Zurich politics having served with a number of school and village board members, leaving the village board in April 2010. The evaluation of candidates I’ve seen seems to be based on their individual credentials. Often little thought is given to social skills. Can they work together, can they compromise, can they show respect for each other? In the past we’ve had village and township boards that were nonfunctional embarrassments.

I would like to share my endorsements. The township is a no-brainer. Ela First is the best township board I’ve ever seen.

The Lake Zurich election is another story. First, few people know the good job Suzanne Branding has done. She has smoothed the waters, kept people on task and defused potential blowups on a divided board. The Lake Zurich board could have been one of those nonfunctional jokes if it weren’t for her. To get something going in Lake Zurich, she needs team support.

I’ve met most, if not all the candidates, read about them, and worked with Trustee Tom Poynton and Jeff Halen. I can’t support Poynton. He doesn’t have the skill to work well with others and his emotional nature gets him in trouble when he speaks first and thinks later. I can’t support trustee Halen. He’s a nice person, but, while he asks many questions at meetings, they are the same questions asked and answered earlier. He he can’t make decisions and he would continue to be an impediment to progress.

Trustee candidates Helmut Gerlach, Ildiko Schultz, Debra Vander Weit and Todd Minden have the credentials. They have what it takes to be a team that will work together for a common purpose. My hope and vote are for a United Lake Zurich team led by Suzanne Branding.

Jim Johnson

Lake Zurich