Meet the Candidates: Glencoe Village Board and village president (uncontested)

Four candidates, three of whom are incumbents, are running to represent the Village of Glencoe.

Village President Howard Roin and Trustees Gary Ruben and Dudley Onderdonk are running for reelection, while Michael Rosenblat is a newcomer running for a seat on the Village Board. All four are endorsed by the Glencoe Caucus.

Below are basic profiles of the three candidates, each of whom submitted a digital form upon request from The Record. The order they are presented was selected at random.

These profiles are a layer of The Record’s election coverage and are meant to provide community members with basic information about those running for and taking public office. The Record will not conduct independent interviews for uncontested races.

VILLAGE PRESIDENT

Name: Howard Roin (incumbent, one term)

Professional experience: Lawyer

Community experience/involvement: Glencoe village trustee, Glencoe Village Caucus (two term), Glencoe Zoning Board (member then chair), Glencoe village president

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

I am seeking reelection to a second term as president to ensure that the Village maintains our infrastructure, efficiently provides Village services, and treats our residents with respect. The Village has a superb staff because Glencoe is a good place to work; in Glencoe the Public Safety officers are our friends, not adversaries; and in Glencoe we believe our mission is to help our residents. I want to keep all of that going. Finally, the Village faces long-term challenges, including a century-old water plant. I pledge that the Village will address these challenges with the thoughtfulness residents expect.

VILLAGE TRUSTEE

Name: Dudley Onderdonk (incumbent, one term)

Professional experience: Urban planning and management

Community experience/involvement: Past president of Glencoe Park District
• Current Glencoe village trustee
• Served on Glencoe Plan Commission, Sustainability Commission and Preservation Commission
• Current chair of Glencoe Tree Commission
• Active supporter of Friends of Green Bay Trail, Glencoe Family Service and Writers Theater
• 22-year resident of Glencoe

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

With my professional municipal planning and management experience and my prior community service, a second term will give me the opportunity to continue to make a contribution to the Village. I have the time, interest and background to address our local issues. Our mission is to deliver a high quality of life and support community needs through smart, efficient services. Now is the time to implement our Comprehensive and Strategic plans, which guide our budget. These goals are: reliable infrastructure, economic vitality, a resilient community and a workplace of excellence. Let’s make Glencoe the community of choice in the Chicago area.

VILLAGE TRUSTEE

Name: Gary Ruben (incumbent, one term)

Professional experience: Attorney with Goldberg Kohn Ltd. for 41 years

Community experience/involvement: I currently serve as a village trustee. Previously, I served as a member of the Glencoe School Board for eight years, the last five of which I was president of the board. During those eight years, I also served as the board’s representative on the Plan Commission.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

I would like to continue to serve as a village trustee to use my experience in village government to help guide our Village Board and our administration in working collaboratively and transparently to address the many challenges and opportunities that lie before us, and to ensure Glencoe continues to be a wonderful community in which to live and work. I want the disparate points of view of our residents and other stakeholders to be heard and bring people together to build consensus in moving our community forward.

VILLAGE TRUSTEE

Name: Michael Rosenblat

Professional experience: Army, assistant attorney general, lawyer

Community experience/involvement: I have extensive government experience, having served in the Army for over six years, which included a tour in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. I also worked as an assistant attorney general for the state of Illinois.

Why are you running for this public office?

Having lived in various locations throughout the United States and locally in Chicago, Evanston, and Wilmette, I am eager to actively participate in the community that I now call home. I believe in serving my country and community with an open mind and with no agenda other than serving the residents of Glencoe.

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