Officially Endorsed by The Daily Herald
OMG - Exciting News! Carina has officially been endorsed by the Daily Herald in her race for Arlington Heights Village Trustee!
This endorsement is an incredible honor and a testament to Carina’s deep experience and dedication to the issues that matter most to our community. The Daily Herald recognized her unmatched expertise in affordable housing, stating:
“Santa Maria brings a singular level of experience with affordable housing issues that are likely to continue to percolate in Arlington Heights.”
As a social worker, nonprofit CEO, and community advocate, Carina has spent her career ensuring that families have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. She understands that smart, inclusive growth strengthens Arlington Heights, and she is ready to bring her leadership and vision to the Village Board.
With just weeks until Election Day, now is the time to show your support! Share this post, tell your neighbors, and most importantly—vote for Carina Santa Maria for Village Trustee!
See the full press release here!
“Arlington Heights is on the cusp of a period of decision making that is both dynamic and delicate.
A new village president will be elected April 1 to lead the village at this crucial time, and working with this leader will be a substantially reconstituted village board. Four of the board’s eight seats are open. Only one among them is an incumbent, so nearly half the board is guaranteed to be newcomers to the team. Depending on what happens with the board and the village president elections, that proportion could rise to fully half.
The coming board, then, needs to be prepared and determined to press hard toward a Bears decision involving Arlington Park that keeps taxpayers' interests at heart but recognizes the transformative opportunity that is within reach and is ready to seize it. Then, it will face a host of additional consequential issues ranging from major development projects to infrastructure and affordable housing.
In such a circumstance, settling on incumbent Jim Bertucci is an easy and wise decision. Seeking his second term on the board, Bertucci brings a solid business-oriented background as an investment adviser and financial consultant, firm-but-cooperative demeanor and obvious intimate familiarity with everything facing the board. Furthermore, his service to the village prior to becoming a trustee has been long and deep, including stints as president of the Chamber of Commerce, the library board, Rotary Club and Crime Stoppers and as vice president of the historical society and Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.
That range of leadership roles is a real advantage during a time of significant turnover.
Among the remaining seven candidates, service and leadership remain common themes. Martin Bauer is an actuary and insurance executive. Colin Gilbert is an attorney and former owner of Tuscan Wine Shop who also has led the Chamber of Commerce in addition to a wide range of volunteer activities. Carina Santa Maria, is a CEO social worker and housing activist. Anargyros Karafotias is a restaurant owner and a member of a pro-Bears activist group. Bill Manganaro is a one-time firefighter and EMT who used an engineering degree and MBA to build a successful career in health care. Michele Hunter is an attorney and former legislative candidate. Greg Zyck is COO for a tax service company and trustee on the Arlington Heights Library Board.
Every one of the candidates has insightful and well-detailed ideas about a wide range of issues facing the village. The combination that most appeals to us is Gilbert, Karafotias, and Santa Maria. Karafotias is particularly knowledgeable and experienced both with the inner workings of the village through his business and with the Bears project through his strong advocacy of luring the team to the village. Santa Maria brings a singular level of experience with affordable housing issues that are likely to continue to percolate in Arlington Heights. And Gilbert’s legal background and deep familiarity with the board and various issues provides a strong foundation that will be important not just in routine matters but also in complex issues that could emerge with the Bears proposal.
To a certain degree, any mix of the impressive newcomers offers promise for the important decisions that lie ahead. In our thinking, the diverse strengths of Karafotias, Gilbert and Santa Maria in addition to Bertucci’s depth of experience presents an especially strong team for the challenging months and years ahead.”
Be a part of the change you want to see in our community.
Support our campaign for a better Arlington Heights by contributing a donation below.
Checks can also be made payable to Citizens for Carina and mailed to:
2363 E. Bradshire court, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
