Lake County Gazette

In a passionate address to the Highland Park City Council during their September 11 meeting, resident Suzanne Wahl expressed her concerns about a planned poverty simulation event. Wahl criticized the event, stating that it made Highland Park a "global laughing stock" and referred to it as a "taxpayer-funded debacle".

Wahl highlighted the perceived disconnect between the poverty simulation event and the real struggles faced by many Highland Park residents in 2023. She criticized the event for forcing participants to make difficult choices that can negatively impact them and their families, stating that this is the reality for her family every day.

The resident also mentioned the financial burdens faced by Highland Park residents, such as increased costs of basic necessities like groceries, gas, and utilities. Wahl also mentioned the recent property tax assessments that many homeowners received, which showed significant increases in property values.

Wahl criticized the city council for their taxpayer-funded health insurance, stating that most residents do not have the same luxury. She mentioned the high premiums her family has to pay and the increase they experienced in September.

Furthermore, Wahl discussed the challenges faced by small businesses in Highland Park. She cited a survey that showed a decline in small business revenue, with 61% of businesses experiencing losses in August. Wahl mentioned a conversation with a small business owner who was informed by their landlord that the commercial occupancy rate is less than 65% with no growth since 2020.

In her address, Wahl called for a public apology from the city council to the residents and anyone offended by the poverty simulation event. She also demanded the immediate creation of a task force to bring business back to Highland Park and support existing businesses with their revenue growth and hiring needs. Wahl criticized the council for wasting taxpayer money on what she called a "virtue signaling poverty party", suggesting that they could have consulted residents for free instead.

The "Poverty Simulation" event, which aimed to promote poverty awareness, was initially promoted by the City of Highland Park but was later canceled due to overwhelming negative feedback on social media. The cancellation notice from the Alliance for Human Services stated that the event's purpose had been overshadowed by a wave of public misinformation. The event, owned and licensed by the Missouri Community Action Network, has been offered locally, nationally, and internationally since 2002 with the goal of promoting poverty awareness and inspiring local change.