“ If Trustee Smith really wanted this kind of information from me, all he had to do is ask.” Michael Gorman

Fair enough. The Riverside Party has repeatedly asked the following questions of Mr. Gorman and received no response. We believe they are fair questions and that the residents of Riverside deserve honest, non-evasive answers.

1. The RCA claims it can “control spending and improve how Riverside provides services”. (Letter to the Editor, Landmark, 3 Sept 2008) How? Mr. Gorman served on the Long Term Finance Committee and had unlimited access to the Village’s financial records.

What costs would you cut?

How will you improve service levels if you cut personnel?

Do you favor spending Village reserves to balance its operational budget? If so, how will you provide for capital expenditures and how will you pay for expenses such as the gypsy moth infestation and the looming threat of the emerald ash borer that threaten our forests?

2. The RCA was silent during this year’s budget discussions even though its candidates were repeatedly asked for input. Why did you remain silent? What is your opinion of the 2009 budget and what would you have done differently?

3. The RCA claims it can “Lower Taxes” (R CA Flyer, 31 January 2009). How?

4. The RCA claims that it supports our Parks and Recreation Department. However, its candidates have long records of opposition to the Parks and Recreation Department, and have decried public use of the parks for recreation. The RCA’s most vocal supporters want to eliminate the Parks and Recreation Department, and oppose any government funding for recreational programs, deriding them as “frivolous.” Which is it?

Are you in favor of government support for the Parks and Recreation Department?

Do you support public active recreational use of our parks?

5. The RCA says that its entire slate needs to be elected to implement its agenda and that it will block vote to do so. If so,

What is the role of the existing trustees? Are they irrelevant?

What happens if one of the RCA candidates disagrees with Mr. Gorman?

What happens if your whole slate doesn’t get elected?

6. The RCA opposed funding for a second detective (which would have brought what is supposed to be a 21 officer Police Department to 20 officers). And yet it claims it will maintain, “and where possible,” enhance public safety levels. How?

7. The RCA has criticized the community-based caucus process for choosing The Riverside Party candidates, calling it “a closed process.” (Landmark, 11 February 2009) How were the RCA candidates chosen?

8. You claim that The Riverside Party is “led by a Trustee who has pledged to continue the policies of the current Village Board.” No such pledge has ever been made by any sitting Trustee, much less Mr. Smith. On what do you base this allegation?

9. The RCA says that it is going to “ debunk the rumors and non-truths being spread by our opponents,” and that “Riverside deserves a discussion of issues, not dissemination of innuendo.” What are you talking about?