Editor’s note: This Reader Forum article was written by Patrick Patt of Lake Forest. Reader Forum articles represent the writers’ opinions and not necessarily those of GazeboNews. We encourage you to comment on this article, but please include your full name per the GazeboNews comments policy.

By Patrick Patt, independent candidate for District 67 School Board Election

I’d like to congratulate my caucus-endorsed opponents in the Lake Forest District 67 School Board Election. With over 40 years of experience in education I know that your service will come with many challenges and I wish you the best in responding to the needs of our community.

My campaign for a seat on the board has given me an opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who care deeply about the education of our children. I was fortunate to receive your encouragement, your support and your good wishes throughout this campaign and for that I am most grateful.

I also listened to your concerns and I share your desire for a better electoral process.

The value of a caucus system lies in having citizens involved in the process of screening, interviewing, and vetting candidates for office. However, by endorsing only the same number of candidates as the number of vacancies, a community’s opportunity for choice is negated.

Unless someone is able to self-fund a campaign, as I did, a resident who runs as an independent candidate must solicit funds to reach voters — which raises the question of money influencing decisions.

The goal of any democracy is to offer its citizens the opportunity for choice and I would ask the Lake Forest Caucus to cast a wider net in its review process.

Endorsing several more candidates for office would encourage discussion and debate among those endorsed — giving voters a clear understanding of the issues and insight about the candidates who had the best ideas to meet the needs of that office.

I must express my deep and abiding gratitude to everyone who voted for me and especially to the wonderful people I met at Cherokee School yesterday. Standing outside in the cold and rain for 12 hours was made much easier by the warm, friendly and supportive comments I received from election day voters. I was especially gratified when I learned that the Cherokee precincts gave me the highest vote total of any of the candidates.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my wonderful wife who supported my campaign in countless ways, to my two adult children who worked so tirelessly and diligently on my campaign, and to my delightful grandson who lifted my spirits yesterday as he does every day that I share with him. I could not have run this race without all of them.

Any finally, I know that many of you supported my campaign quietly. It is my hope that residents of our community can express their support for an independent candidate without concern that doing so could result in a negative personal outcome.

An open and transparent climate is what we all need and what so many of us are striving to achieve.

Gratefully,

Patrick Patt