With one small click, Winnetkans have their say on the fate of village property. A Local Treasure is born.
The power of the Internet starts here. 
Recently the online partner to this column, www.makeitbetter.net, received an intriguing Local Treasure recommendation for Winnetkan Vicki Apatoff.
“Here is a citizen who has definitely done her part to ‘Make it Better,’” the nominator wrote. “When she learned that … the fate of the Winnetka Post Office property was (at issue) she did her homework, found the facts, and recently developed this website to keep Winnetka citizens informed so that they can cast a knowledgeable, honest vote as to the future of this Village.”
We were immediately referred to www.abetterwinnetka.org and a cause that gladdened our digital hearts. It was also nice to see yet another North Shore entity that understood the power of combining passionate, informed service with the accessibility of the Internet! With alacrity, we scheduled an interview with Apatoff at Caribou Coffee, which afforded us a good view of the two-acre parcel we discussed.
The fit, energetic, chestnut-haired Apatoff wears winter walking clothes and orders tea. “We have to think about what inspires people, what makes them happy, is good for their mental and physical well-being. What is going to make all of the community happy, not just private individuals?”
She speaks articulately and passionately about her project, rarely even pausing to sip her tea. “Does Winnetka need another Potbelly or a great public library?”
Apatoff cites the original Winnetka Master Plan, by renowned architect Edward H. Bennett, and two subsequent planning documents as precedent for her position. Thoughtful, committed Winnetkans have long believed that the site should be used for civic purposes, and the most pressing civic need is a new, expanded public library.
“Why should our school districts be the best in the country, but not our library? Public land should be used for public use,” she continues, her wide, direct, brown eyes sparkling. “A community of learners where all ages can meet — young families to senior citizens — will also be good for commerce.”
The post office site is in the heart of Winnetka’s retail district, abutting a well-used park. She quickly credits other Winnetkans for also working hard to advance this “civic use for civically owned property” position, including Suzanne Canfield, Katie Stevens and Edith “Edie” Howell. Apatoff also thanks a young Winnetka father, Tony Mars, for creating the abetterwinnetka.org Web site.
Winnetka Village President Ed Woodbury is charged to facilitate full public discourse of the issue, without advocating for any position. He explains by phone the recent history of the post office property debate. “In 1982 the village bought the property on which the post office sits, with the stated intention to make it a commercial development.”
Three years ago, he says, the village formed an ad-hoc committee to begin actively discussing what to do when the current post office lease expires. Woodbury continues, “The idea of moving the library to the site didn’t get legs until last spring.”
He also emphasized that the village council is a separate entity from the duly elected and separately funded library board.
“Whether we need a new library is for the library board to decide,” he explains. “Our board is happy to help that process in any way we can.”
To further explore the public view, makeitbetter.net turned it to you, the readers. We posted “How should Winnetka develop its Post Office property?” as our home page Hot Topic. Several responses did advocate for a 21st-century library. One entry even described that it should include “a mirror image of Moffat Mall in front of the Village Hall, Tudor with a glass gothic atrium that you can see through to Dwyer Park.”
But the diversity of other suggestions might indicate why it is difficult to build consensus around this centrally located property. Other comments included desires for eateries, a small hotel, a rec center for youth, more retail, no more retail and a reminder that any civic uses will be paid for by taxpayers.
Whatever the ultimate decision, Apatoff’s initiative, research and energy are a gift to the community that she loves. And her work has facilitated fuller and wiser public discourse.
Apatoff comes by her public service and organizational drive naturally. “I come from a long line of civic-minded family (members). My grandmother was a pioneer in special-education development in Lake County.”
Most importantly to makeitbetter.net though, Apatoff’s use of the Internet to advocate for a better Winnetka reflects a most effective, forward-thinking, 21st-century civic service. We are pleased to feature her as a Local Treasure.
If you know of and want to recommend other Local Treasures anywhere on the North Shore, please e-mail those nominations to: susan@makeitbetter.net.
Thank you!
