One-time Arlington Heights trustee candidate’s appointment to panel draws dissent

While most Arlington Heights mayoral appointments to volunteer boards and commissions are rubber-stamped by the village board, one-time trustee candidate Martin Bauer’s nomination to the housing commission received some pushback Monday.

Board members voted 6-2 to confirm Mayor Jim Tinaglia’s selection of Bauer for an open seat on the housing panel, which manages the village’s $1.3 million affordable housing trust fund and suggests how community development block grant funds should be used, among other matters.

“No” votes are rare but not unprecedented. Then-Trustee Mary Beth Canty, who served on the village board from 2019 to 2023, voted against one of then-Mayor Tom Hayes’ nominees to the housing commission.

Bauer, who finished last in an eight-way race for four village board seats last year, has stayed involved by attending local meetings and events. He started coming to village board meetings four years ago as an early critic of possible public subsidies for the Bears’ redevelopment of Arlington Park.

Bauer — an actuary, insurance executive, landlord of three condominium units and PADS volunteer — recently met with Tinaglia to seek appointment to one of the village’s advisory boards. The plan commission was his top choice, but they eventually settled on the housing commission.

Trustee Carina Santa Maria, who with Bill Manganaro voted against the appointment, asked Bauer at the confirmation hearing Monday night what should be the government’s role in providing affordable housing.

Bauer said government should provide a “framework,” but there are other times where its role should be “to just stay out” and let market forces take over.

Santa Maria and Manganaro — as well as some other trustees who voted “yes” on the appointment — questioned if the housing commission was the best fit for Bauer.

“When it comes to housing, we have very fundamental differences,” Santa Maria said. “I don’t think that this is the right commission for you.”

But Bauer vowed to keep an open mind and ask good questions. He said he would have voted for the 2-story, 25-unit Grace Terrace permanent supportive housing development that finally earned the board’s approval last year. And he wants to see the village’s housing stock of smaller, older homes “perpetuated and not torn down.”

“Will I potentially challenge people? Yes, absolutely. I think that is the role,” he said. “I believe healthy debate will result in healthy, positive outcomes.”

Trustee Robin LaBedz, a former member of the housing commission, agreed.

“I’m not afraid of somebody willing to ask questions,” she said. “I think there is benefit to being able to have robust discussion.”

Bauer’s term expires April 30, 2027.