The Village has released recordings from the May 27th Village Board meeting. While we have not had the opportunity to review all of the recordings, we have reviewed those related to the Longmeadow Parkway project.
Much of the discussion centered on the current, and somewhat heated, opposition to the Longmeadow Parkway project, and the position of the Village Board back in 2006 when they approved the “Resolution Supporting A Bridge Study Corridor and Project in Dundee Township for Construction of the Longmeadow Parkway (Bolz Road) Bridge, and Route 62 Traffic Corridor Study from Route 59 to Route 31.” A copy of that resolution can be viewed here.
Twelve residents took the opportunity to make public comments, and many of those related to the Village’s current position regarding Longmeadow Parkway, and what measures might be taken to prevent the project from feeding four lanes of traffic into the Village of Barrington Hills on Algonquin Road. One commenter stated the following:
“I know a lot of people who supported the resolution back in 2006 were doing so because they thought it was a deal they had to make to save the Duda property. Be that as it may, the Duda property is sold. It is safe. It is no longer a consideration. So we no longer have to worry about are we giving up, you know, north of Spring Creek in return for this, so I don’t think it’s a needed thing anymore as far as that goes.”
Her full comments can be heard here.
Later in the meeting, during the Board’s discussion of the “Longmeadow Parkway Phase II Review,” Trustee Fritz Gohl seemed to corroborate the speaker’s comments when he stated:
“Well, ah, back up a little bit, eh, let you know where I was in ’06, ah, I voted yes for this [Resolution]. The reason why I voted yes for this is because we were doing an agreement with Algonquin. Algonquin wanted this [Longmeadow Parkway] bridge, and we basically went around, and my opinion at the time why I voted this way was that we were agreeing with Algonquin ‘cause Algonquin was helping us with the Duda situation, which somebody brought up earlier.”
Trustee Gohl’s remarks, followed by some very revealing dialog that ensued, can be heard here.
Minutes from the March 27, 2006, Village Board meeting when the Longmeadow Resolution was approved reflect no discussion of any “agreement” with Algonquin “helping us” in return for supporting Longmeadow Parkway. Furthermore, according to the minutes, Trustee Gohl did not vote in favor of the resolution, and the Village President at that time suggested, “an ad hoc committee of residents may be formed in the future regarding this project.” No such committee was ever formed according to records.
A copy of the minutes from that meeting can be viewed here.
While it is unknown who on the Village Board at that time was actually aware of the undocumented agreement with Algonquin (presumably not to annex the Duda property), it is clearly evident that the public was not made aware of it, and now, we as residents must pay the price again, as we have been for other “legacy” matters.
To access the menu of edited audio recordings from the meeting, click here.
A bit confused. . . .
Trustee Gohl says “we were doing a deal with Algonquin . . . “. Who is the “we” and why isn’t this agreement referenced in the LMP VBH resolution as part of the recital section explaining the rational behind VBH BOT approval of the LMP resolution? What was there to hide? Why did it take VBH BOT 9 years via Trustee Gohl to finally make this information public?
If the “we” refers to VBH BOT, this is nowhere reflected in VBH BOT minutes and it would be illegal for an “agreement” to be discussed and voted upon in executive session. So it behooves me to ask, “where” and with “whom” did this so-called agreement between “we” and “Algonquin” take place? What was the substance of these communications and do any communications or an agreement exist between Algonquin and “we” in writing via e-mail or other medium?
VBH BOT might want to consider listening to all executive session recordings dated at the time of the VBH LMP resolution to determine if any “OMA” violations occurred and if so, these recordings should be immediately made available to the public. Maybe link it to BHO.
As a resident who has been involved in VBH government for more than 10 years I was shocked by Gohl’s candid admission confirming this quid pro quo with Algonquin. The “we”, whoever they are, sold out the Central and Southern portiions (Kane and Cook) of VBH to preserve the NW side (McHenry) of VBH without any advanced notice, discussion or explanation to VBH residents.
Paraphrasing Desi Arnez in the I love Lucy show, “Fritz, you got some [more] splain’in to do”.
Absolutely STUNNING!
STOP! We must fight Longmeadow Parkway! Fritz, you have NOT kept us informed. Patti Meroni stated she was surprised to hear about LMP – that’s baloney Meroni!! President McLaughlin, you must weigh in with the State opposed to LMP in behalf of the Village residents. What will happen to Sutton, Bateman, Brinker as feeder roads?
Sinful that Fritz admits to a deal made with Algonquin made by Bob Abboud and prior administration with Algonquin trading LMP for not annexing Duda. Shameful that Harrington now opposes when he stated with Meroni can’t do anything about it last year. Where were you Harrington when this came up before? Sickening that our past political majority sold out the Village. We need to understand why!!!!!!!!!! And who benefited from this dreadful decision!!?? Kosin needs to come clean with the facts regardless of who or what is exposed.
Gohl’s comments needs public scrutiny and the President MUST ask him questions in the public and NOT let this go away.
Although I’m very pleased with the election of the new Trustees and President McLaughlin having an opportunity to mold our new political landscape, I’m not happy with what I term “the political insiders and clicks which appear to continue to be supported. One of the most interesting being the BACOG lease discussion. At nauseum over two consecutive meetings, a discussion was held regarding supporting a extended long-term lease with the village. The head of this committee receives an inappropriately high salary and I’m not sure why the village President continues to support this waste. Also, where was this organization during the Duda matter, they should have represented us and on Longmeadow. Agencies created with some sort of phantom mission statement shouldn’t be tolerated in this new era of transparency. Also, the salaries of all of our village employees need serious review.
Why hasn’t this been addressed? Yes, the old guard was bad, and their decisions, and policies so destructive to our community and our budget. If there is to be any real transparency, change, and budget overhauls. it shouldn’t mirror the past!
As a long-standing resident, I”m tired of paying high taxes for agencies and personnel who haven’t really demonstrated real change. I urge President McLaughlin not to take a casual attitude, because ultimately it will have some negative outcomes.
Agree with Milt. BACOG is no longer useful or relevant. Director is grossly overpaid and for what?? Such organizations need a sunset provision. BACOG office in the Barr Hills Village Hall is another expensive legacy fr B Abboud BACOG has an offer for space in downtown Barrington. Perhaps the Director would be more “visible” and accountable at this location. Village $ contribution.to BACOG could be better used for other Village expenses.
Yes, BACOG should be at least discussing what impact Longmeadow Parkway will have or could have on all of our communities short and long-term.
The Flashback posting from BHO regarding Longmeadow Parkway invites questions. All Barrington Hills’ residents should vehemently oppose this construction that will only exacerbate Algonquin traffic and eventually cut the Village in half with need for a 4 lane highway through the Village.
Now, fast forward to recent testimony during the Anderson II Text Amendment. There is appearance of a deal made between then President Bob Abboud and Algonquin to support Longmeadow Parkway in return that Algonquin would not annex the Duda property. Fritz Gohl’s own words suggests that happened.
JR Davis, the Chairman of Barrington Hills Farms which owns the Duda property, stated at the Anderson II public hearings that he intends to investigate annexation into Barrington Hills. Just fact, not any opinion, but wasn’t Mr. Davis also one of Bob Abboud’s and Save 5 Acres largest campaign contributors? A complaint of many residents is that the Abboud administration made this deal without public awareness.
Now Mr. Davis, Mr. Abboud and others are the loudest advocates of defending Anderson II which gives Barrington Farms large scale commercial rights. Unfortunately, Anderson II has consequences of promoting commercial boarding everywhere in the Village.
Our Village government must look into potential connections between all these issues that seem to be quite suspicious.