Campaign has its own 'F bomb'

In his first inaugural address, Franklin D. Roosevelt told Americans “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

According to an analysis by the U.S. National Records and Archives, the speech “is particularly memorable for its attack on the psychology of the Great Depression.”

Ah, psychology – as in mind games.

While Buffalo Grove is not facing a crisis the magnitude of the Great Depression, campaigning for Village Board seats has degenerated to acrid and personal attacks which brings us to that word brought to you by the letter F.

Fear.

Fear can be a great motivator if not intimidator.

It’s role in a political campaign, at any level, is questionable.

In what appears to be a flurry of activity by Village Board trustee candidates Rachel Hausman Masse, Larry Steingold and Tim Kobler, fear has apparently become a key element. Two recently mailed flyers have targeted Village Board President candidate Mike Terson, which seems a bit odd because that’s not who they are running against. The three are supporting Terson’s opponent, incumbent Village Board President Beverly Sussman.

The first of the flyers targets questionable contributions to Terson’s campaign by Chuck Malk of CRM Properties and by Butera Center Management, which, according to the Daily Herald Town Center developer.., is a “Hoffman Estates-based company described on the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce website as owner of the Chase Plaza shopping center at the corner of Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights roads.” Malk’s firm proposed a mega retail development in 2012 when Terson was a village trustee. Malk’s donation was for $5,000; Butera’s was for $1,000.

This image used in a campaign flyer by Rachel Hausman Masse, Lawrence Steingold and Tim Kobler depicts possible flooding in Buffalo Grove.  The image is of flooding in Houston, Texas

The Herald’s story details the nature of the donations, the background and responses by both Terson and Sussman. The ensuing flyer, which apparently was not sent to all residents, made for interesting reading. It’s likely that people who read it wondered what Terson was thinking. The flyer touts that Hausman Masse, Steingold and Kobler will fight Terson’s plan to “pave over Buffalo Grove Golf Course and spend $90 million of our tax dollars to eliminate the community’s vital green and open  spaces.” Typical campaign rhetoric.

The second flyer, which like the first appeared to have limited circulation, again targets Terson and not the other trustee candidates, screamed a headline “Flooding alert!” followed by “Mike Terson’s plan for Buffalo Grove.” This ran under a picture of what gives the connotation of massive flooding in Buffalo Grove. The back of the flyer includes panic-themed copy that Hausman Masse, Steingold and Kobler understand flooding.

Apparently, they don’t. Despite inferences by some folks on social media that they remember flooding like that, the truth is that flooding pictured never occurred in Buffalo Grove. The northwest suburbs endured torrential rains in the early 1980s, but not to the magnitude shown in the flyer.

That picture was not taken in Buffalo Grove. Or anywhere else in the northwest suburbs.  Or anywhere else in Cook County, or for that matter, in Illinois.

That picture is of storm water in Houston after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

So, what does that image invoke? Fear. And this is what will happen if the golf course is paved over. So, they say. While there are no plans to develop the golf course, it makes for good reading and scare tactics.

While flooding, not matter where it is at can be horrific, the flooding shown in the flyer was from one of the strongest storms to ever hit Texas, let alone Houston. Not Buffalo Grove.

While it’s clear the flyer was sent out by Hausman Masse, Steingold and Kobler, questions were raised as to who else, if anyone, was involved.

The first finger was pointed at State Rep. Daniel Didech (R-59) because the flyers came shortly after many voters received a letter from Didech supporting Hausman Masse, Steingold and Kobler. It was sent out by “Friends of Rachel, Tim and Larry.”

There’s nothing wrong with a public figure or official endorsing candidates. Didech has endorsed Sussman as have former Lake County Board officials Sidney Mathias and David Stolman along with former Buffalo Grove Village Board president Elliott Hartstein. As if anyone cares.

Didech seems to have drawn the most fire because of his recent election to the state house in November.

In Facebook conversations with Didech, he confirmed that he is supporting Sussman and the Hausman Masse-Steingold-Kobler slate and has personally made a “small contribution” to the campaign.

In the scope of things, it’s no big deal who supports the slate.

Interestingly enough, Didech’s letter appeared to go to most residents while the panic-loaded flyers did not. It’s easy to have conjecture as the where they were sent, especially given the strength Sussman had four years ago in the areas with proximity to the golf course.

Does history repeat itself? Possibly. If it does, then the question is why didn’t Sussman take the lead on the flyers instead of three first-time candidates whose involvement in the village has been limited?

Residents should know not only why the message was sent, but by whom, especially since communication and transparency have been frequently discussed during this campaign.

As FDR said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

That fear should not come from people seeking public office.

Meet the candidate: Lawrence Steingold

Editor's note --This is the NUMBER in a series of profiles of candidates for Buffalo Grove Village Board positions.  Candidates for Village Trustee will be featured first followed by candidates for Village President. All candidates received the same questionnaire.  Their answers appear verbatim without any added editorial comments or interpretation. This is done so readers can read direct answers from each candidate.  Profiles will be posted in alphabetical order.
  --- Stan Zoller

Candidate's name:

Lawrence Steingold

Candidate for:

Village Board Trustee

How long have you lived in Buffalo Grove? 

30 years

Please provide brief background information. 

I live in Buffalo Grove with my wife Eva, our three daughters, and dog Gizmo. I have a degree in Biochemistry (Indiana U.), master’s in chemistry (Washington U., in St. Louis), and Law Degree (Chicago Kent College of Law). I have been a practicing attorney for close to 16 years, Prior to law school, I was a nuclear chemist. Currently, as an attorney, I negotiate and deal with retail property development on a daily basis, including leases and build out of properties. In my free time, I tutor high school students in Chemistry, Physics, Math, Biology, ACT and SAT.

Have you served on a village committee or commission before? If yes, which one and how long did you serve? 

I have served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for about 2-3 years.

What other civic activities, if any, have you been involved with? 

I served on the Board of Directors for the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Board of Directors for JCYS. In addition, I was the past president of my local synagogue.

Why are you running for a Village Board position? 

I am running for Trustee to bring experience, knowledge, and direction to the Board. I have experience and direction on retail economic development. I believe that spending millions of dollars to redesign a flood plain does not make economic sense, so keep the golf course green. Finally, I have the legal experience and knowledge on how to effectuate the economic development the village needs.

In general, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Buffalo Grove? 

The most pressing issue currently is the village's future economic development. I anticipate the increase in tax revenue with help ease the property tax burden. The village has a plan but needs a trustee with experience and direction on how to place the plan in action. I believe my experience in retail development can help the village.

There has been considerable discussion for years about economic development in the village. What kind of economic development (retail, commercial, industrial) do you think should be a priority and why? 

The recent trend around the country is towards mixed use development. Mall foot traffic is substantially down for a number of reasons (internet sales and mixed-use developments). As an attorney, I work for retail development and negotiate against property management. I hope to bring experience, knowledge, and direction on dealing with the three vacant property sites to the Trustees.

Which business development plan do you think should be a priority? Lake-Cook Road corridor, Dundee Road, Milwaukee Avenue or the Prairie View concept? 

The initial focus should be the Lake-Cook Road corridor. This can set precedence for the remaining locations. We need to negotiate from the strongest position and use the momentum of one location to influence the others. Granted each location has its own issues, the overall direction of economic growth starts at the center of our village, Town Center.

How do you think the village should encourage redevelopment of existing retail areas that are struggling? 

As an attorney, I have knowledge of the legal resources available for redevelopment, including business district redevelopment laws. We should consider using the taxation power, and even eminent domain. When negotiating with property management and owners, the village must negotiate from a position of strength. Once you reduce your options, you negotiate from a weaker position.

Should the village limit development to preserve green space? 

I am against any development on the BG golf course. The cost to redirect the flood plain is too substantial. The potential benefit is minimal compared to the costs involved.

Some of our volunteer groups (commissions, committees) have seen shrinking membership. What would you do to engage the community on a broader scale? What would you do to encourage broader demographic participation? 

Inclusion and diversity is an absolute necessity for our village to run. I believe we should start with the high schools and become more cooperative with the schools and entice students and their families to become involved.

There is a proposal to add a "Community Engagement Director" to the village staff. Do you think it is needed? Explain why or why not. 

The village must consider the salary, description of job, and expected results. There is a purpose and benefit of a community engagement director but needs to be defined and within a reasonable budget.

Do you think the Village communicates well with residents? If not, how can it be improved? 

I believe we should have a broader use of social media can help communicate more information with residents.

Final thoughts -- Add any information or comments about your candidacy. 

I am running because, after 30 years, I want to see economic growth in our village. When I went to Stevenson ('92), Town Center was still Town Center. I am running to use my knowledge, experience, direction, and love for Buffalo Grove to build a community my children to call home.