Candidate Questions for HP City Council

January 19, 2025

HP Forward recently sent questionnaires to the April City Council election candidates who have agreed to participate in our interview and endorsement program. It is our intention to review the answers received and then conduct short interviews. The interviews will be conducted by Irwin Bernstein, Chris Falcon, and Faye Rosenberg. Written answers received will be published on the HP Forward website.

The note asked for the following:

Please provide short answers to the following questions and be prepared to discuss the following topics. The questions and your replies will be posted on the HPForward.org website for the entire community to see.

The note asked for the following:

Please provide short answers to the following questions and be prepared to discuss the following topics. The questions and your replies will be posted on the HPForward.org website for the entire community to see.

1. Highland Park Forward believes the council should be made up of a diverse group of individuals representing the different communities and interests of the city’s residents with each bringing a unique set of expertise/skills to the council. Why are you seeking a position on the Council and what unique attributes, experience and skills would enhance your electability and improve the work of the council?

2. HP Forward believes a community and its leaders must always be considering changes to address shifts in its residents’ wishes and needs, and to keep up with surrounding communities. What improvements and changes would you work for in city government and in the community at large?

3. HP Forward is dedicated to ensuring a more vibrant and thriving local business community, providing an attractive destination for its residents and visitors and a solid tax base to help reduce tax burdens on homeowners. How do you believe the city is currently meeting this mission and what would you do differently? Please share any specific plans.

4. HP Forward is also seeking a more open, inclusive, and transparent local government. To help us understand your views on these important goals please reply to the following:

a. Explain your understanding of the role of the city council in interacting with the community, the different commissions, and with city staff while setting city policy and operating plans.

b. Highland Park Forward began during the recent Liquor License debate. We believe a council member should always do what they believe is right for the community, even if the decision is unpopular. We also believe the community is entitled to an explanation of decisions made by a council member. Please explain your views on the liquor license law and how you reached your decision.

c. Using the recent conflict over the liquor license laws as an example, what was done correctly by the council and what changes, if any, do you believe are appropriate for the council to consider when dealing with public policy issues going forward.

5. Please also provide a short closing statement as to any other matter that you feel is important for the community to focus on and why you deserve HP Forward’s endorsement.

These questions are designed to clarify your positions for us and for the community. We will not engage you in a debate. To further our understanding, we may ask follow-up questions to your answers during our interviews.

Thank you for your interest in serving our community!