Transparency and Openness. Above all, residents deserve transparency and openness in the conduct of Village affairs. There is no room for backroom government. A true leader does not complain about the “burden” of compliance with sunshine laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act. Our leaders must ensure that Village Board meetings remain open at all costs. Executive sessions cannot be abused or overused. Board meetings cannot be run inefficiently, into the wee hours of the night, discouraging citizen participation. Public comment cannot be limited and (thus) stifled, or relegated to the end of marathon sessions which only diehard residents can endure. And, of course, our leaders must ensure that board and committee meetings are broadcast, so that our widespread residents can hear and see the actions of their elected officials—whether they are two or two thousand miles away from Village Hall.
Diversity. We are a community of diverse countryside and other pursuits. To be sure, horses and equestrian activities are important and unique to our community. But they are not everything. Our leaders must strive to ensure diversity in representation on Village committees and appointments. We do not need to be “branded” as an equestrian community or otherwise. Branding only blocks diversity, and our leaders must be committed to diversity.
Financial Discipline and Limited Government. “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” No, thank you. Our leaders must focus on financial discipline and its corollary, limited government. We can no longer tolerate frivolous spending on presidential portraits or excessive spending on legal fees. New leaders must end and radically slash this type of irresponsible spending of our tax dollars. And rather than look for opportunities to pass new laws (e.g., impotent lighting ordinances, contractor licensing measures, or bicycle riding restrictions), a new generation of leaders must strive to limit unneeded regulations and the intrusion of government into our lives.
Honesty. We deserve nothing less than total honesty from our leaders. When laws are broken, they must be enforced—not excused by disingenuous arguments. Honest leadership means avoiding favoritism, or even the appearance of favoritism. Honest leadership demands adherence to rules that ensure fairness in elections, including campaign finance laws. And, of course, honest leaders must scrupulously promote the best interests of the village as a whole—they must not elevate their own interests, or those of friends, above those of the community at large.
Peace. Sadly, controversy reigns in our Village. It is time for mature, honest leadership that will end controversy, rather than encourage and promote division. In simple terms, we need leaders that can restore peace to Barrington Hills.
These, respectfully, are characteristics that form the profile of leadership that Barrington Hills deserves. It is, of course, difficult to argue with these criteria—transparency, diversity, discipline, honesty, and peace. But ask yourselves whether our current administration possesses some, or even any, of these traits. Then ask if it’s time for a change. We believe it is.
– The Observer