Schueppert a smart, thoughtful manager

George Schueppert first came to my attention when, in 2000, he organized and led a group of about 50 people to report on financial and communication matters in Barrington Unit School District 220, with an eye to moving toward more successful referendum outcomes than the district was experiencing. The result was a 650-page report, widely lauded as concise, insightful and relevant to the moment.

Soon after that, I met him when he joined me on the Barrington Hills Zoning Board of Appeals. George brought much to the ZBA as he was an accomplished listener, possessed of great intelligence, and one who responded rather than reacted to matters before the Board. Many of us encouraged George to run for the board of trustees four years ago.

Following election, he has been the liaison between the ZBA, where I serve as chairman, and the board of trustees. We have appreciated his wisdom and ability to articulate the matters that are brought before the ZBA.

The Village of Barrington Hills now, more than ever, is encountering many complex issues, ranging from finance to land use. These issues must be addressed without introducing divisiveness by the dialogue, which has often not been the case in recent times.

I commend the current village president for bringing to the fore, in the spirit of an entrepreneur, a number of initiatives that had to be addressed by village leaders in a proactive rather than reactive manner. I believe it now imperative that the reins be passed from the control-oriented view of the entrepreneur to professional management.

George Schueppert is the consummate professional that can lead the Village of Barrington Hills with a management style of respectful discourse and consensus building that is so necessary in this challenging environment.

Jonathan J. Knight

Barrington Hills