Despite overwhelming public opinion against a fence and fees, the board without public input initiated a fence and fees, overturning 100 years of a free, open, and clear natural wonder that is the “crown jewel” of Wilmette.
The executive director recently resigned amid misconduct allegations resulting in a $5 million lawsuit alleging an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate and retaliation against the late HR investigator.
A longtime park district employee who admitted to viewing child erotica on district computers was subsequently allowed to respond to letters to Santa and volunteering at family park district events.
Delayed approval of meeting minutes, unlawful content discussed at closed-door meetings. The most egregious violation: the decision to add a fence the lakefront, conducted at an off-site, untelevised “COW” meeting with a vague agenda, ensuring the public would not take notice.
The current board quietly dissolved all committees, such as the lakefront, financial planning, and real estate committees, eliminating specialized oversight and opportunities for public transparency.
Unexplained $5.4 million surprise purchase of Beth Hillel with no plan for the property and without seeking community input about the purchase or how to pay for it.
Taxpayers are going to have to cover the $5 million dollar misconduct lawsuit plus legal costs, including the personal defense attorney fees for the now-resigned executive director.
The majority of senior management resigned in 2024 due to an apparently toxic work environment.
Hundreds of voters wrote to their elected park commissioners over the past year and instead of responding, commissioners enlisted the executive director to respond, a paid and unelected employee.
New Leadership for a Better Future
Meet Anastasia, Nancy, and Paul on Friday, March 21st, from 2-4 PM at the new Mazmez Middle Eastern Grill in downtown Wilmette. This is a great chance to meet the candidates and learn more about their vision for our parks.
“Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.”
Robert Frost
Mending Wall