TRANSPARENCY.  We’ve called for it, and are so grateful for the Lake Forest residents who created a place for fact-based information, free of agendas and partisanship: LakeForest4Transparency

To learn more, check out www.LF4Transparency.Com Or go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091269336030&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Below is the full text of Block the Box’s piece, published today on LF4Transparency.com:  

On Aug 25, 2021, Block the Box was born out of a need for our City leaders to respect the elevated building standards that are required to build in Lake Forest. Thousands of you signed a petition, hundreds wrote emails to the aldermen, and untold numbers of residents called into zoom meetings or attended dozens of in-person meetings.  With your support, BTB made an impact.  Nevertheless, many in current city leadership disregarded both the public outcry and the rules that shaped our town. 

This mayoral election calls into question whether we as a community want more of the same. 

The desire to endorse is measured by the fact that BTB’s laser focus is always on  transparency in the process, and the need for following the rules that have guided Lake Forest for decades. 

Our lens is development: zoning, density, and historic preservation are all vital components of Lake Forest’s renowned cityscape. Take a look around our town.  Parking lots, banks, empty or vacant spaces are ripe for development.  That shouldn’t be a chilling statement, but one that excites residents who look forward to a vibrant downtown.  But our City leaders’ willingness to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission’s rational rejection of the McKinley phase three condominium portends a future in which new buildings and/or repurposed buildings will not be held to the standards that have defined our nationally renowned architecture. 

Those involved with BTB see the April 4th mayoral vote as a mandate for civility, transparency, process and following the rules. The new mayor should be untethered by developers and be willing to invite residents into the process. The new mayor must be willing to share the Central Business District Committee’s finalized work with the greater community for feedback. The next mayor will be spearheading the new strategic and long range plans for Lake Forest. Do we want to continue with business as usual?  Or do we see this as an opportunity to steer our City, all 4 wards, in a way that we are all stewards for future generations? BTB expects community input on the WHAT, and enforcement of existing rules on the HOW.  And as always, design must lead. 

When you go to the polls April 4th, vote for the person that you believe will be the best candidate to uphold our commissions, to welcome participation, and to listen.  Vote for the candidate who will collaborate and model civility and respect. 

VOTE.