Buffalo Grove trustees move forward after contentious campaign

The race for seats on the Buffalo Grove village board is normally quiet, even when it is contested.

This year proved exceptional, not only in the number of candidates - six running for three seats - but in the unusually nasty tone.

Now that the dust has settled somewhat, it remains to be seen whether some of the residual hostility will rise to the surface, particularly between trustees who supported Joanne Johnson, who did not get elected, and Lisa Stone, who did.

The often combative tone of the campaign was particularly evident in the waning weeks of the campaign,

A campaign flier from Johnson's campaign led to an article in the Daily Herald. The article said Johnson's flier, which mentioned positive comments about her in the newspaper's endorsement, was misleading because the Herald had not endorsed Johnson.

Following the article, Buffalo Grove voters received robocalls stating the Herald had "blasted" Johnson for saying she had been endorsed by the Herald - which the fliers did not say - while adding, "We can't afford any more politicians that will do anything to win an election."

The call went on to say that Johnson "lied to you in her campaign fliers. Vote no on Joanne Johnson."

Stone vehemently denied having anything to do with the robocalls.

"I absolutely had nothing to do with those calls, and I only heard of them from people that got them," she said. "I didn't personally get one. Whoever did that I would like to know. I truly have no idea who did it and I am curious myself."

Stone said she was not sure if the calls, which she said "were certainly harsh," were made because of attacks against her in the campaign, but added, "When they find out whoever made those calls, they will realize it had nothing to do with me."

Nonetheless, Stone said that in the interest of governing Buffalo Grove, the trustees need to move forward in a spirit of cooperation. With that in mind, she said she is extending her hand to the other trustees.

Whether that hand will be accepted is another matter. The board includes trustees, such as Jeffrey Braiman, who worked with Johnson's husband, Charles, when he was on the board, and were friends with the couple.

It also includes DeAnn Glover, who initially endorsed Stone but, in a letter to the Pioneer Press, removed her endorsement, writing that, during one candidates' forum, "While most candidates had a definite idea of the real issues facing Buffalo Grove now and in the future, Lisa Stone focused on negative questions that are unrelated to the critical problems we face, and issues that are outside the role of the village board."

When asked about the future of the board, Braiman said: "The board has always tried to work together and forge relationships, even with people with whom we didn't necessarily see eye to eye."

Trustees have always aimed at what was in the best interest of the village, he added.

"I am hopeful that will be the overriding concern of everybody on the board," he said. "And if it is, then we'll figure out a way to make it right for the village. I don't know if Lisa has any personal agendas. I haven't talked to her about that. I know nobody else on the board has any personal agendas. Their only interest is moving forward and doing what is in the village's best interest. I hope and I expect that will be her position, too."

Braiman's sentiments were echoed by fellow Trustee Jeffrey Berman. He said trustees have often differed in perspective, philosophy or approach to particular issues.

"But, as a group, I believe the trustees over the years have shared a consistent priority and unity of purpose - first and foremost to serve our residents, to work together, to find solutions and to enhance our community," Berman said.

As a result, board members were able to find common ground and work together to advance the village's interest.

"There is no reason I know of why that cannot continue," Berman said.

Trustee Steve Trilling said he intends to work with all of the trustees.

"It doesn't mean that I go into this with any preconceived notions about the way someone is going to act or vote or represent the village," he said.