Election 2013: Bob Saigh

Name: Bob Saigh 

Position sought: Hinsdale Board of Trustees     

Website: www.hinsdalecaucus.org

Years in Hinsdale: 20

Family: Wife Patricia; daughter Ashley Smith, 28; granddaughter Elise, 10.

Education: Bachelor's degree from Loyola University Chicago, M.S.C from Northwestern University.

Occupation: Semi-retired; career in journalism and communications/program management in government, educational and nonprofit sectors.

Previous elected offices: Trustee, Village of Hinsdale (current)

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: 

Village of Hinsdale trustee since 2009; previously served five years on Hinsdale Zoning Board of Appeals and five years on Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission; initial Board member, Hinsdale Public Library Foundation; 12-year Hinsdale Village Caucus participant (officer, section leader, area representative); involved in numerous village issues (development, historic preservation, central business district economic viability, education, etc.); career in journalism, government, educational and nonprofit sectors; 20-year Hinsdale resident.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

To follow-up on major programs and projects begun by the 2009-13 board, such as those involving village infrastructure and assets, capital programs, financial condition and direction, municipal organization, personnel, a welcoming residential and business environment, and access, accountability, fairness and responsiveness in dealing with residents, business persons and others in the public.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Two parts: 

1. Improve and expand upon the important work undertaken by the board in 2009-13 in order to further establish that work. 
2. Help ensure that leadership roles on the board are shared and that transitions on the board are conducted effectively to maintain continuity and performance.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I’m the oldest.  Also, I’m married to my wife, and they’re not.

What is your favorite thing about Hinsdale?

My house, friends and acquaintances, trees, parks, historic downtown, walk-to-everything and more.

What is your least favorite thing about Hinsdale?

The glaring failure to appreciate and preserve Hinsdale’s unique mix of historically significant architecture, from grand to modest examples, the loss of which has profoundly affected the community in numerous ways.  More than 30 percent of Hinsdale’s housing stock has been redeveloped (torn down) in the past 25 years.  If the village’s built environment is to be better protected, it’s largely up to individual property owners. 

Do you support continued exploration of a Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills police department merger? Why or why not?

Yes.  There are numerous sound practical reasons for supporting continued exploration of such a merger (see information www.villageofhinsdale.org).  However, if there are aspects to the merger that make it difficult or unattractive to do at this time, then I would regretfully support postponement of the effort.  I do believe that the time is right now for Hinsdale to seek such a merger.

Related pages:

• Election 2013: Hinsdale Board of Trustees
• Gerald Hughes
• Laura LaPlaca