It is with great pleasure that we announce our pick for the 2012 Shining Star Award. This year, the award goes to Trustee Skip Gianopulos. There were many excellent candidates from which to select this year. Public officials. Private citizens. Community leaders. But our nod this year goes to Trustee Gianopulos for his dogged determination to bring transparency and fiscal discipline to Barrington Hills village governance, while at the same time urging openness and accommodation to diverse views.
As many readers know, Skip was elected to fill a two-year term as Village Trustee in April 2011. His term will end in 2013. Unfortunately, Skip has decided not to seek re-election. This is disappointing to many, but understandable given his professional, civic, charitable and other commitments. These are all qualities that made him an outstanding Trustee and a proper recipient of our Shining Star Award.
For his activities as a Trustee, Skip’s legacy and perhaps greatest achievement will be his ongoing fight and successes in bringing greater transparency to Village governance. A visible reminder of his efforts in this area is the installation of improved web-based audio recordings of Village Board meetings, making it practicable and feasible for residents literally to “stay tuned” to what is happening at Village Hall. While he did not act alone, Trustee Gianopulos was a primary supporter of this improved audio access. Unfortunately for Village residents, Skip’s efforts to install live web-based video streaming of Village Board meetings were rebuffed by other board members, purportedly on phony cost grounds. Perhaps that will come in the future.
Also unrivaled are Trustee Gianopulos’s efforts to bring diversity of views and opinions to Village Board discussions, and to expose the influence of special interests in Village Board decision making. For this, we commend Skip’s courage and determination.
Beyond his Village Hall duties, Skip has given back to the community in many ways. He has been involved with the Barrington Area Community Foundation, Barrington Area Development Council, among other civic and charitable pursuits. Skip can be especially proud (and we commend him) for his central involvement in Gigi’s Playhouse, an organization of Down syndrome awareness centers.
Our congratulations and thanks go out to Trustee Skip Gianopulos—a brave advocate for much needed transparency and diversity in Barrington Hills village government.
– The Observer
A perfect job in picking the perfect recipient for the 2012 Shining Star Award. Congratulations Mr. Gianopulos for your two years of service. Sitting on a board that did not have the commitment of putting the citizens of Barrington Hills first and foremost was difficult. We appreciate the long hours and time you spent doing your best under tenuous circumstances. Thanks Skip!
Well put Monty, couldn’t agree more. Thanks Skip!!!
Congratulations Skip! Much deserved!
Skip: Congratulations! You are a shining star in my book too. Steve
Skip;
You were a breath of fresh air working with people that didn’t give a damn about this village or its future! Wish you had stayed a few years longer.
Men of character and competence are a rare comodity, especially in the public sector. I am thankful for the efforts of Skip Gianopulos to be such a man in the marketplace. Your good work and faithful example will reap ongoing benefits as your influence will continue long after your term expires. Well done good and faithful servant. Great success and congratulations on being a worthy recipient of this award.
We ditto every word…………..best to you Skip – job well done.
Thank you Skip!
Thank you, You made a father and mother very proud of their son. Mom and Dad