Sharing experiences helps leaders get ideas

I read recently that Lake County Circuit Clerk Keith Brin is being criticized in the media for travel to various conferences on best governance practices and the use of technology in the courts. I cannot speak to how much was spent but can speak to the value of such visits.

As mayor of Highland Park, I was a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Northwest Municipal Conference. Each government, and we know there are many in the United States, experiments with public policy, ultimately leading to best practices. Many programs in Highland Park that we initiated while I served in office from 2003 to 2011, were adapted from other places.

For example, the Community Emergency Response Team, Healthy Highland Park and the Environmental Sustainability Plan were all modeled on the work of other cities.

My exposure to these ideas happened because I attended presentations at the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

I was also asked to present at some of these conferences on our best practices particularly on affordable housing.

The implication that Circuit Clerk Brin's travel to conferences appears to be some sort of boondoggle is mistaken. Clerk Brin has implemented technological changes and improved efficiency in the office as indicated by lower costs.

If these ideas came from elsewhere, then his travel is money well spent.

Michael D. Belsky

Highland Park