WINNETKA'S MINORITY RULE

Abraham Lincoln defined democratic government as "government of the people, by the people, and for the people." Winnetka had been known for its grassroots participatory government, cultivating generations of non-partisan, non-agenda local officials.  The majority ruled. Majority rule is an essential, fundamental principle in democratic societies. At the state level, gerrymandering of voting districts and lack of term limits for career politicians have blocked the basic functioning of government of the people, by the people and for the people. There is overwhelming support for taking redistricting out of politicians' hands, and limiting terms for elected office. The goal is to put government back in the hands of the people. At the local level, we need to do the same.

In Winnetka, where the majority once ruled, the minority now dictates. In the past, non-binding referendums were honored. A $5.5 million commercial streetscape infrastructure project did not go forward because a majority of voters on a non-binding referendum said "NO." Affordable housing initiatives were not implemented because a majority of voters on a non-binding referendum said "NO."  Can you imagine the outrage had the Village Council ignored the majority of the voters and committed the community to long-term financial obligations for a streetscape program, or implemented the recommended affordable housing initiatives? Read the 2012 email above from one who celebrated the majority rule on a previous referendum, but is now deafeningly silent on the tunnel referendum where a majority said "NO."

A dangerous new precedent has been established by our politicians on the Village Council: ignore non-binding referendum results. Half of the bonds for the not-regulatory-approved tunnel have been issued and your payment on the tunnel begins this July despite the clear opposition of the majority vote. (See also, MyHomeTown's The Downfall of Camelot, http://winnetka.patch.com/groups/myhometown/p/33100040) After declaring that the community supported the tunnel, then vigorously campaigning against the referendum, Council members must now try to justify the continued use of home rule power to defy the majority vote - power to commit property owners to pay $70 million in long-term tunnel costs without voter approval - power to ignore the fundamental democratic principle of majority rule.

Hear a voice of the majority rule: 

"It appalls a taxpayer to read that the Winnetka Village Council, in direct opposition to the result of the March referendum, has chosen to ignore the opinions of the majority of voters. In approving the $34.5 million tunnel plan, the Council has displayed real hubris..." http://www.winnetkacurrent.com/letters-editor/letter-editor-council-shouldn%E2%80%99t-have-approved-...

Let's put Winnetka government back in the hands of the people.

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