Sussman apologizes for remarks, so Buffalo Grove village board doesn't censure her

Faced with a resolution censuring her for election night comments to the press, Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman apologized for those remarks at Monday's village board meeting.

As a result, the board withdrew the censure resolution.

The statements for which she faced reprimand 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.

Sussman apologized to both Terson and Braiman.

Both were on hand for pre-meeting ceremonies honoring Trustee Jeffrey Berman on his retirement from the board.

Terson said Sussman emailed him, expressing the desire to get together. He said the two will probably get together in the next couple of weeks.

Braiman said she has not contacted him.

Several residents showed up to support Sussman. They included members of the Spirit of Buffalo Grove group that opposed development of the golf course. They applauded after Trustee Lester Ottenheimer III made the motion to withdraw the resolution, it was seconded and the board voted in favor.

Shortly after the beginning of the meeting, Sussman delivered her apology in the form of a statement.

"Buffalo Grove has just come through one of the most contentious elections in recent history," she said. "Things were said and done by candidates and their supporters that, I think, surprised and disappointed our residents.

"While candidates are free to engage in such activities, elected officials are not, no matter how severe the provocation and even if the elected official honestly believes that a statement or statements are untrue."

"Not only did I disappoint many in the community, I disappointed myself as well," she said, "because I allowed myself to respond when I as an elected official should have remained silent, regardless of whether I felt provoked or not."

She also apologized to the village board and staff members and residents, and then looked ahead.

"There is a lot of exciting work yet to be done to continue to move Buffalo Grove forward," she said. "And I believe that it will take all of us to accomplish that. I ask that we all move forward and work together to make Buffalo Grove a great place to live, work and raise a family."

Her apology was greeted with applause.