A couple of quick clarifications: According to the Caucus, 27% of Winnetka households took the survey and 67% of those voted against affordable housing; Jan Bawden is a Plan Commissioner and former Caucus Village Committee Chair, not a Caucus Chair. Former Caucus Chairs who spoke were Joni Johnson (also a Plan Commissioner) and Harold Nations. Thank you - Jan Bawden.

Conversations have been suspended ... but the issue is far from "dead."

Thank you trustees for passing the Winnetka-ized Property Maint. Code -- 6-0! (I'm surprised this wasn't part of this article...).

It's common-sense and will protect downtown businesses and renters. Kudos to the brave renters that came forward to speak.....even though WHOA blasted their photos and details of their personal lives via e-mail. You were brave and you made change happen!

When new members of the Council disregard Attorney Janega's comments or actually berate her, that suggests to me there is a urgent need for training in appropriate behavior as a council member.

Over some years as a member of both the Plan Commisssion and the ZBA I have seen Ms. Janega in action. Her legal knowledge in municipal affairs and her abiltity to explain obtuse legal matters in plainn english are both excellant.

John Thomas, Ash St., Winnetka

I totally concur with John Thomas' comment. Ms. Janega has not only been "berated" by some of the Trustees, but also had her comments at Village Council meetings "cut and pasted" to distort what she actually said. As an attorney trained at a top-notch law school, I think the Council is very lucky to have someone as capable as Ms. Janega on the payroll.

I should add that the "attacks" on Ms. Janega have been disseminated on WHOA's email blasts. Similarly, Pres. Tucker's and Trustee Rintz's comments have been distorted through "cut and pasting" on the WHOA email blasts. But, amazingly, some Trustees still post emails on the WHOA "blog" commending WHOA for doing such a great job!!

I felt so bad for Surrosh at the village meeting last Spring. Poor thing had to wait two hours to tell the Trustrees about her horrible rental situation. It must have been exhausting for her to have to hold that expensive lap top w/ internet satellite connect card in one hand and a large Louis Vuitton Monogram satchel in the other. Oh the terrible trials one must endure these days.

"Winnetka" must be ashamed of his/her comment or she would not post it anonymously. Just as it has unfairly attacked Ms. Janega, Pres. Tucker and others, WHOA has similarly attempted to ridcule Ms. Surrosh on its website. I have been tempted to offer my services to Ms. Surrosh free of charge to file a defamation action against WHOA. Hey "Winnetka"--if you stand behind your comments, post your name as the rest of us do. Don't hide behind anonymity.

Thank you, Joni - well said!
(I have to post anonymously for work reasons, but I'm a resident of Winnetka).

27% of Winnetka residents filled out the Caucus Survey - that’s huge. According to statistics, only 12% of Cook County showed up at the last general election. Hats off to Winnetka residents for their record breaking participation. For those who think the Caucus poll is unimportant, waiting till March 20, 2012 when there will be two Affordable Housing referendum questions on the ballot. We are predicting a big turnout and landslide results. Perhaps that will end the debate for once and for all.

As per poor pitiful Surrosh Shakir and her “terrible” landord disputes - perhaps I should distribute the letter I received from Gail Schechter where she admits Ms. Shakir was counseled by Interfaith. Surrosh appeared at four Village Council meetings along with her mentor Advocacy Specialist Brendan Saunders. The last three times she appeared her message was ridiculous, namely - she setted her disputes without the help of a “necessary” Property Maintenance Code but she can’t discuss the terms because of a gag order. For someone who is under a gag order, she sure does a lot of talking.

Brendan Saunders, by the way, is the fellow who has told the Council multiple sad stories - including a real tear jerker last Tuesday. Poor him. He is getting married and can't afford to live in Winnetka. Perhaps he should ask Gail Schechter for a raise since Interfaith has lots of tax payer funds this year via multiple generous grants from HUD. Or perhaps he sould buy a condo - some have sold recently for under $100,000.

No wonder Village Council Meetings go on and on, For instance, Tuesday's Meeting broke up around 1 AM. That's why WHOA sends out little movies. Sitting thru those long meetings is torture. Anyone who doesn't like the birdseye views we send out is wecomed to watch the long versions at this site. Help yourself. Carry Buck
http://winn-media.com/videos/

Carry, you left the meeting well before 1 a.m. And the only thing that's "torture" is reading these horrible personal attacks. I thought the point of a forum was to debate an ISSUE with facts and stats, not dig as low as picking apart the people. Real people. You and your Research Chief had plenty of chances to talk to Surrosh that night....ask her and her boyfriend if some of the things you've accused her of are true. But you didn't. You must be scared to do that.

She was brave and fought this battle to the end. She made change happen...the property mtn. code passed 6-0. Homeowners can relax and go on living....nothing in their world will be different. But renters like Surrosh and so many others (that feared the shameful witness intimidation tactics of WHOA)...they have more help when health/safety issues aren't addressed.

Are you also going to criticize the nun that spoke? I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you did. But again -- do wish you and Winnetka (who is still hiding behind her screen name when everyone in town knows who she is) would stop with the public and personal attacks on Surrosh and Brendan.....two really nice, really smart, really brave young people.

Hi readers,
Please remember to keep your comments civil and on-topic. This discussion board is a tool to foster thoughtful, critical and effective debate about issues that pertain to our community. Let's make that happen.
Thank you,
Carrie

Thanks Carrie. Gee, now there is something suspect about being a "wealthier" resident? Do you want to see the letter Gail sent to me per Surrosh Shakir? Carry

Ms. Buck -
What people want is #1. for you to stop trashing our neighbors and good people that work here OR #2 for you to stop the "teasing" and show evidence or proof of your absurd allegations....like Surrosh doesn't even live in Winnetka, someone else is paying her rent, etc. ?!? You are fixated on one single person out of many that spoke up for PMC. It doesn't even seem like it's about an issue at all... more it's you vs. her and you vs. Gail. It's childish and sad and undoubtedly hurtful to them.

I wonder if people also want to know that you, Carry Buck, were an Interfaith donor for many years....back when you were a humble renter. What changed? When did the heart grow cold?

Huh? There you guys go again. Talk about personal attacks! Yes, I likely sent IHCNS a check. There propaganda is really good. I know better now.

Not at all, t was a personal compliment about your generous donations to a good cause.

"THERE" propaganda?
http://www.theretheyretheir.com/

Ms. Schecter, no offense, but this is just too much information and facts and real data!!! I think WHOA and Winnetka would rather take pot-shots about the handbag that a renter was carrying.

separately, I don't understand Kates at all. Wasn't it strange that Kates voted FOR the amendments, then voted against the resolution with amendments?

3. Trustee Kates referred to listings of condos for $80,000 in Winnetka. He did not indicate if these were short sales, which they likely were. I could not find any even close to this price doing research in the Tribune's classified section or the leading real estate web sites. Read my fellow Patch blogger Paul Gorney's caution on short sales: http://winnetka.patch.com/blog_posts/wilmette-winnetka-and-kenilworth-foreclosed-homes-are-they-worth-the-trouble

More on inclusionary zoning and Highland Park -- Patch did a very thorough job covering that presentation in Winnetka (and I was there, so I know this is an accurate report): http://highlandpark.patch.com/articles/highland-park-offers-winnetka-affordable-housing-tips

Several trustees, including Mr. Kates, correctly pointed out that inclusionary zoning is of limited benefit as an affordable housing generator in a built-out community precisely because it depends on piggy-backing on new construction. For communities like Highland Park, Winnetka, and others that are built out on the North Shore, the benefit to having such a policy in place is that it plans for the future, and it guarantees uniform requirements. This is a relief to developers who only want to know the groundrules, and it's efficient for the municipality because it precludes deal-making. It is inevitable that there will be development opportunities in the high-density districts of Winnetka. The Village should plan now for the future.

When Gail Schecter, on behalf of IHCNS, publicly states verbally and in print that "One person's nefarious manipulation is another's sound public policy. In short, we interfere with the market to promote a concept of the common good", it doesn't take much of a leap to speculate on whether their activities include sponsoring a "poser" in an effort to manipulate public policy in Winnetka, such as the enactment of a IPMC.

Ann Dillon

As everyone knows, you are the supposed "brains" behind WHOA/Carry Buck's bark. But to admit that the BEST YOU'VE GOT TO HURL is "a leap to speculate" just states you have no proof of anything nefarious about this girl, never have and never will. Otherwise, the REAL press would have been all over a story of a "poser." No one believes this conspiracy theory b.s.

This girl does not deserve WHOA's cyber-bullying. It's clear from the pics you've posted that you've invaded her FB "privacy." Please stop.

With you niward! Also, these unfounded WHOA accusations and distractions (from conversation, real information, etc.) have to stop. I'm embarrassed to be a Winnetka homeowner when I read them.

Isn't it fun when the WHOA cyberbullies come out into the open, instead of remaining in their carefully manipulated/controlled blog, which claims to "never" censor any comments, and purports to publish ALL those unsolicited "thank yous" from ALL those different (unknown) people?

It's awesome to see people, all 8 of them, coming out on this blog, in support of housing subsidies, aka housing entitlements, aka affordable housing, aka redistribution of other people's money. I just love limousine liberals. Those cute, self righteous, adorable hypocrites. Now if I had a million tax payer dollars awarded to me...er... I mean my non-profit, what would I do? Maybe I could pave the driveway(it looks like a dump), I could hire a "civil rights" attorney to sue a mostly wh ite, affluent town. I could hire a bunch of testers and release them on all the unsuspecting property owners & real esate agents in town, whose tax dollars paid for the cool million I got er my non-profit. I could by some Clairol or Just for Men- really either would be fine. I could finally afford to live in Winnetka(but I hear the taxes are super high, so that would suck-the taxes I mean.) I could march in the town parades with a big float that says "Join HUD Scouts today" it really pays-Like 1 Million dollars!! I could send thank you notes made from recycled organic free range cotton to the local public schools that told kids,during a school assembly, to encourage their parents to support affordable housing at the village meetings.(cause when you can't get normal adults to support your cause, kids are a great alternative, because they don't know any better.) I could go to Neiman Marcus and buy expensive colonge/parfum. Paying for things is way easier and more fun using other people's money.

I'm shocked, saddened and offended by the nasty, vicious, and unjustified comments by the WHOA supporters. No one deserves to be attacked in cyber-space. There is no reason to intentionally hurt other people. As adults, I would hope that people could discuss their views politely. I'm very grateful to Interfaith Housing Center for their good work, and believe that everyone benefits from a community that offers affordable housing. I'm not into debating... this is my conviction.

You know what? Even if the approach isn't very elegant, the ideas behind the post by Winnetka are right on target. If I were you and I really wanted to save my town from this affordable housing nonsense, then I would keep it at bay as long as possible. Obama, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and all their "progressive" minions are truly trying to change our lives and redistribute wealth. Make no mistake about it, it's the same old bleeding heart liberal crap that's destroyed and is destroying so many other towns across America. What these Marxists fail to explain, however, is that eventually you run out of other people's money. Then what? Furthermore, this regime demonizes wealth, working Americans. So how exactly does a free society function when everyone is poor? Well it doesn't. Again, I encourage you to dig your heals in and fend off liberal policies in your town as long as possible. Enjoy your Freedom as long as you can. P.S. And vote against obama in 2012.

Hi Everybody. WHOA was delighted with the amendments to the Kates Resolution that Trustee Greable introduced - and that later passed. All is well that ends well.

Oh, and for the record, Trustee Kates' resolution would not have "permanently" removed freedom with respect to affordable housing in any way shape or form - that is a myth. All Resolutions and Ordinances can be amended up the road. Including Trustee Greable's version.

So let's end this tedious discussion as the 2011 Caucus Platform Plank #5 suggested. Or let's not. Democracy rocks! God bless America - and especially our beautiful little home town of Winnetka.

We wish EVERYONE peace and joy during this holiday season. Amen. Carry Buck

I wonder why Gail Schecter and her associate Brendan Saunders who are funded by HUD and DO NOT live in Winnetka are allowed to give voice to Affordable Housing in Winnetka Village Meetings at all. They have come into this village and attacked residents, like those from WHOA, in a most unseemly manner. It must stop. It is creating ill-will, divisiveness and dissension.
They do not pay taxes. They do they live here and they should not be welcome into a Village Meeting nor should they be allowed to voice their agenda on behalf of their initiative to direct the policies and the taxes of a village they do not live in.
Community Organizers and Alinskyites are now more clearly understood to create havoc, and are but a scheme to blackmail others for funds, as seen in the Community Reinvestment Act, the CRA, which nearly brought down the economy of the USA with their fraudulent Fannie and Freddie loans. Those NINJA (no income, no jobs, no assets) loans were given to those who could not and did not make their payments on their homes. It was a scheme and Schecter's plan is of the same order.

There are very few Winnetka residents who were in favor of Affordable Housing. It was stunning to see the woman--Becky, who led the Winnetka commission on consideration for Affordable Housing, and her husband stand at a meeting stating they would like one of these subsidized properties for their retirement or for their children who at this time cannot afford to buy a home in Winnetka. If through these redistributive policies she hopes to achieve her dream of a subsidized retirement house ...it would be more honest to stand on a corner with a can and at least ask for our money rather than simply mandate it into our taxes through the Affordable Housing initiative.

Further, as Chris Rintz makes his living from building subsidized Affordable Housing he should not be in a position to vote for or against Affordable Housing in Winnetka as he is not an unbiased bystander nor a fair and balanced advocate for Winnetka but rather for himself and for his business. That alone should keep him from running for the only board position that sets Winnetka's agenda.

There are people that sat on the commission who invest and are invested in Affordable Housing projects. That should have barred them from vetting the Affordable Housing topic. I suggest future committees are more thoroughly investigated for those who have a personal agenda.

Taxes are already sky high. Those with a personal agenda who want to add to our already heavy tax burden and create dicussions to that end must be Winnetka residents. Because of the havoc and ill-will surrounding Affordable Housing the village discussion ignored many other topics concerning our village's future. We must concentrate future discussions on our budget, our schools, our employees and the general well being of Winnetka.

Please stop verbally attacking Gail Schechter, Becky, Chris Rintz and Brendon Saunders, and everyone else who believes in affordable housing. It is immature and nasty to act so rudely. These are wonderful people, who don't deserve your diatribe. It is NOT true that very few people support affordable housing. I'm a Winnetka resident in support of affordable housing. And I know plenty of others who feel the same way. What IS true is that the majority of people in Winnetka have not voted. Only 27%. More people who opposed affordable housing made it to the polls. But that doesn't mean we have to stop our discussion of an important issue. Why shouldn't Winnetka have affordable housing? We need diversity and options for single families and seniors. Besides that, we need to be able to have discussions without resorting to mud-slinging. Life is short. If you don't agree with someone, that's fine. But please turn off the verbal abuse. Is that possible?

They are scabs