Winnetka residents are wondering who is behind an anonymous email campaign by YourWinnetka.org, which touches on hot-button issues such as stormwater and the One Winnetka development.
DailyNorthShore.com was wondering the same thing and contacted YourWinnetka through an email form on its website asking who was behind the group. In an email response, YourWinnetka did not identify itself, instead said the group was in the process of putting together a press release.
The group’s website states “YourWinnetka was started by a bunch of Winnetkaans who wanted to make better decisions. To get smart and stay smart about Village issues. We got two Trustees elected and now we’re watching.” But the site does not identify anyone affiliated with the group by name. Likewise, the YourWinnetka’s Facebook page does not identify who is behind the group.
YourWinnetka first appeared on the scene during the campaign season earlier this year, throwing its support behind Winnetka Caucus-backed candidates Louise Holland, Chris Rintz and Penny Lanphier. Rintz and Lanphier were elected and currently serve as village trustees.
Since then, YourWinnetka has sent emails expressing views on issues such as stormwater and One Winnetka that have left residents wondering who is behind the organization. Winnetka resident Dale Wyant received emails from YourWinnetka and noticed that the group listed the caucus post office box 311 as its address. Wyant served as treasurer and on the schools committee at the caucus and was familiar with the address. She contacted the caucus a couple of weeks ago, noting the group’s post office box but has not heard back. Wyant also contacted YourWinnetka asking who is behind the group but was not told.
Subsequently, in a September 8 email, Wyant noticed that YourWinnetka had changed its address to a different post office box, P.O. Box 892. When she went to the post office, Wyant was told that there is no such box. “It upsets me that an anonymous group is allowed to do this,” she said.
The email seems to have gone to many local email addresses.
Anyone who hasn’t receiving emails from YourWinnetka can view them on the group’s website under “spot checks.”
DailyNorthShore.com contacted the caucus, which did not comment at the time of our deadline. This article will be updated as soon as more information is available.
