UPDATED: Greable's Absence Causes Cancellation of Winnetka Political Forum

Updated 12 p.m.: 

Gene Greable explained Wednesday why he does not intend to participate in the League of Women Voters candidate forum.

"My qualifications to serve as President and my long and active record of leadership are very well known," Greable said. "My resume speaks for itself. The Winnetka Caucus Council interviewed us both at length and then selected me."

Greable noted that any debate should have happened at the Town Meeting when Greable's nomination was ratified. Greable stated that there was no opposition from Rintz or his supporters who "could and should have appeared to challenge my nomination and qualifications in the proper forum."

"He did not do so, when he could have debated this specific issue with me at the critical time and in the most appropriate place, when 600 of his fellow Winnetkans were present and would have given him and his supporters a full and fair hearing,' Graebel said. "Accordingly, I declined the LWV invitation."

Original Story

The League of Women Voters has cancelled its Winnetka Village President candidate forum because one of the candidates, Caucus-slated candidate Gene Greable, has declined to participate. 

"He did not [offer a reason why]" said Gwen Trindl, Voter Service Chairman for the League.. "And I did take the liberty of asking him twice at which time he continued to decline." 

Nancy Marcus, the co-leader of the League of Women Voters, said that the event is now cancelled because, according to the organization's policy, the organization cannot host a forum with only one candidate, in order to maintain a non-partisan position. 

"We don't make endorsements and we don't support candidates," she said. "The only thing we can do is tell you to vote. Voting is very important — we don't care who you vote for, as long as you vote."

Independent candidate Chris Rintz, the only other candidate in the race for Village President, was willing to participate in the forum. He said he was disappointed that it wasn't going to happen. 

"I just think that the village could have benefited from it," Rintz said. "It was such a surprise to me. I've known Gene for many years and I haven't been able to sort out what the thought process was. Whatever it is, I'm sure he has a good reason." 

Rintz noted that, although the League of Women Voters' forum is off, he hopes to have another opportunity for the two candidates for discuss their views for the Village. 

"We're just disappointed that they didn't do this," Marcus said. "We thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for the community to hear about both candidates in one forum on the issues. ... It would have been an interesting afternoon." 

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