Letter to the Editor: Trustee Makes Public Apology

I ask that your publication will allow me to extend a public apology to both Jim Sayegh and the attendees of the Sept. 6 meeting.  

While I fully stand by my message, the manner that it was delivered was regrettable and unacceptable. After working four hours of a nearly five hour long meeting, and revisiting a subject that has been studied in minutiae on countless occasions (did I say 10 hours?), I simply lost my patience.

Earlier:

It is also regretful that the local bloggers have chosen to make this issue, as well as many others, about the people who are deliberating, on behalf of the community, rather than the issue itself.

If we are to guide the future of our wonderful village, we need to set these personal attacks aside and focus on what is best for Winnetka, rather than which individual supports a particular point of view.  

Some may embrace this activity as “part of the game," or derive some perverse gratification from such character assaults, but it is not an activity I will participate in again. We are 60093, not 606XX.

Mr. Sayegh often brings well developed ideas that are articulated with skill, and he should be commended for his willingness to participate in the village’s process. Clearly, his interests are narrowly focused on his business interests, but those experiences here in the village are an invaluable component to many conversations.  

Jim and I worked cooperatively and amicably, through staff, when he last appeared before the council to seek approval for a special use permit regarding the relocation of business within the overlay district. While politically charged, the conversation remained factual and civil, a vote was taken, and everyone moved on.

No attacks, no incriminations, just a healthy and respectful debate followed by a compromise solution. It is that sort of collaboration that is critical to well informed decision-making in the public realm, and will be an important part of the process as we consider the modernization of our aging commercial districts.

I am hoping that my fatigue-induced frustration will be viewed for what it was, and we resume an objective discussion  of the issues at hand, and put all the performance aside.  

Our community deserves intelligent and passionate debate – not a sideshow.

Christopher Rintz
Winnetka Village Trustee