Business experience, integrity for county board

No matter what side of the political fence you find yourself, we can all agree on the character traits needed in any successful public official elected to represent us and ensure our tax dollars are used wisely: honesty, integrity, fiscal responsibility, and an unswerving commitment to the public he or she is elected to serve. We are fortunate to have a candidate for Lake County Board who fits the bill: Rick Lesser.

Rick is not a career politician, but he is a career public servant, having served as unpaid Trustee for the Village of Lake Bluff for eight years, President of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Club, Lake County Bar Association, Lake County Bar Foundation, Lake County Estate Planning Council, and Deerfield Optimist Club.

What’s particularly impressive: As a committed public servant, Rick has announced that he will not accept a government pension if elected to the Lake County Board. In his announcement, Rick said, “This position is supposed to be a service to the public, not a moneymaking opportunity for politicians.” Who can argue with that?

As a successful business owner, Rick has applied sound business principles to every decision he has made, and the residents he has represented have benefited. During his time on the Village of Lake Bluff Board, Rick championed the rights of homeowners and families and firmly opposed property tax increases. He promoted a partnership between the Village and Lake Bluff retailers which has resulted in a booming downtown Lake Bluff with terrific restaurants and shops and 100 percent occupancy. Few suburbs can say the same.

Why should we care about the Lake County Board? Because approximately 15 percent of our tax dollars are controlled by the Lake County Board. Rick will be a strong financial steward of our tax dollars, and advocate for the rights of residents and businesses so that our communities can thrive and flourish.

I am honored to endorse Rick Lesser for Lake County Board, 13th District, and encourage other residents who value honesty, integrity, fiscal responsibility and civic duty to support his candidacy.

Catherine Driscoll

Lake Bluff