LET THE SPIN BEGIN

The question: Should the Village of Winnetka implement the portion of the Village's Stormwater Management Program that includes building a tunnel under Willow Road to discharge stormwater into Lake Michigan, at an estimated project cost exceeding $30 million (plus substantial financing costs)?  NO: 1,704 = 54.5%  Yes: 1,424 = 45.5%.* 

The Spin:  "It's not a mandate I recognize." declared the current Village President after the March 18th stormwater tunnel referendum vote.  http://winnetka.suntimes.com/news/willow-WTK-03202014:article

"The problem with this referendum is it doesn't tell us why people voted yes or no. So it's hard to know what it says." exclaimed Trustee-elect Fessler who publicly pledged to "...leave [her] agenda at the door and serve the will of the people of Winnetka."  http://www.winnetkacurrent.com/village/willow-road-tunnel-voted-down

"It was a lousy turnout." pronounced Trustee Kates, adding that "There was no participation in all of the years we have been working on this."
http://winnetka.suntimes.com/news/willow-WTK-03202014:article

Below is a sampling of voters' comments from emails circulated from previous referenda when the majority vote thought the Council would go against the result (it didn't): 

"I would think the Trustees are honor-bound, if not even bound by law, to follow the referendum results."

"The people of Winnetka are not stupid."

"I take issue with any council in the village of Winnetka that disregards a voter approved decision."

"Maybe the Council is confused. They do not own the Village. They serve it. This must be stopped now or the manipulation will continue. This is an outrage."

"Wow! I thought we lived in a democracy."

Sound familiar, "lousy" uninvolved voters?  Watch the March 20, 2014 Council meeting for wise words from a resident/corporate attorney regarding how the Council, as a fiduciary body, should respond to the referendum results.  Listen also to the thoughtful comments from Trustees McCrary and Braun. http://winn-media.com/videos/2014/03/21/03-20-14/

The Council would be wise to remember, despite one Trustee's outburst at the meeting (the same one passing out "Vote Yes to the Tunnel" propaganda before the vote) that it has a fiduciary duty to all Winnetka residents, regardless of campaign promises to certain folks.  We all agree that further stormwater mitigation must take place, but the public outcry is a FACT.  The means, methodology and process (or lack thereof) that this Council has undertaken so far regarding stormwater mitigation is flawed and needs repair.

Meanwhile, as the spin begins, all property owners in Winnetka will start paying on a 30-year, No. 1 stormwater assessment this July.
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Author's Note: Despite being singled-out and targeted with a bogus petition challenge to bump her off the ballot (See earlier blog posts: "Brand New Year Same Old Shenanigans" and "Winnetka's 'Lousy' Voters Are Hookwinked" Ms. Gabrovska is commended for congratulating the winners at their victory party March 18th.  What a breath of fresh air, and great example of true community spirit!

*Numbers are updated to reflect the Certified Referendum Election results.  3,230 total ballots were cast. The turnout of eligible voters on the referendum was 35.8%.