Buffalo Grove trustees preparing to censure Sussman over postelection remarks
Buffalo Grove village trustees will consider a public censure of Village President Beverly Sussman next week over remarks she made after her narrow re-election April 2, trustees confirmed Wednesday.
The remarks harshly criticized the campaign of her opponent, former village Trustee Michael Terson, as well as discussion of the race over social media. Sussman also took aim at former Village President Jeffrey Braiman, who publicly endorsed Terson, saying Braiman has never gotten over her victory over him in the 2015 election.
"And his comments were disgusting and untrue," she said on election night.
Sussman on Wednesday said she was unaware of the potential censure but apologized for her comments.
"I represent the village of Buffalo Grove, all our residents and the board and the staff, and I must always be professional," she said. "I must always try to tie the community together.
"We all have to work together and there should be no negativity, but especially on election night. There was no place for that and it should not have happened. It did, and I apologize for that."
Trustee Joanne Johnson said the resolution is a reprimand for comments Sussman made to the media on election night regarding public officials and members of the community, particularly Terson and Braiman.
"Her remarks reflected poorly on the village and the people who supported her during the election," Johnson said. "I was surprised that our village president and the leader of our community would speak in such a manner and would not have been prepared on election night to handle any outcome."
She said Sussman could forestall the resolution if she publicly apologizes and takes responsibility for her remarks.
It would not be the first time village trustees have reprimanded a Buffalo Grove village president for postelection behavior. In 2010, the board reprimanded then-President Elliott Hartstein after he publicly mocked former Trustee Lisa Stone on the night voters recalled her from office.
Trustee Eric Smith said he believes Sussman owes a public apology, in addition to the one she offered board members last week.
"I responded to that and I told her I accept her apology, but I think the apology needs to be done to the residents," Smith said. "She needs to make it right. She needs to do that in all mediums."
Trustee Lester Openheimer III said Sussman's remarks violate village code.
"For us to sit by and do nothing would mean that we condone what she said," he said. "It's a shame. Nobody likes to do this. The board can't sit back and say, "It's OK. She can do that.' We can't condone that type of behavior."