Last evening the Village Board spent time during executive session to discuss one last time whether to settle the suit filed against the Village by residents over the passage of the Commercial Horse Boarding Amendment earlier this year during their regular monthly meeting. Part of the settlement meant voiding the controversial amendment, which has come to be referred to as the “LeCompte/Anderson” or “Anderson II” amendment.
After each trustee was provided an opportunity to comment on their views on the matter, we’re told the Board voted to settle the suit. Four members voted in favor of settlement, two opposed and one trustee chose to abstain.
We’ll provide further detail on the meeting once Village Hall staff post the audio recordings to the Village website.
Now that Anderson II Horse Boarding legislation has been discarded on the ash heap of history where it belongs, it is time the Board focus on the possible “corruption” component of the commercial horse boarding fiasco by turning over the Schuman Letter and accompanying documents sounding in possible “pay to play” politics to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office for review, evaluation and prosecution if the facts warrant it. That is to say if this action has not already been taken by the Board.
What has been lost in the Anderson II – Boarding charade is former VBH President’s and “Save 5 Acre” majority Board’s misuse of taxpayer monies squandering $186,000.00 on attorney fees to Burke-Warren to close Oakwood Farm commercial boarding operations which former VBH President and VBH Board successfully did at both the trial and appelllate court level, only to change their mind (without public hearing or notice to residents) in the dark of night through a .40 cent (postage) letter prepared by former VBH President pretending to be building inspector Don Schuman.
The Schuman Letter without legal authority rendered Oakwood Farm magically home occupation compliant 34 days after 3 illegal campaign donations of $5,000 each by LeCompte to Save 5 Acre [former] Trustees Messer, Meroni and Selman. The irony, the statements contained in the Schuman Letter are in direct contravention of an Appellate Court ruling requested by former VBH President and his “Save 5 Acre” majority Board in a lawsuit VBH initiated against Oakwood Farm.
This Board is obligated to account to taxpayers for the Schuman Letter by either standing behind it as a legitimate village document or disavowing it at public meeting then pursuing all available legal claims against those responsible in an attempt at making taxpayers whole, including possible RICO action.
I implore this Board not to do what former VBH “Save 5 Acre” Board chose to do; and that is turn a blind eye and act as if this elephant in the room does not exist!
Let’s not only “Remember the Horse”; but the VBH taxpayer as well!
This matter is close to coming full circle. We still need the closure that only a jury can bring.
Further, restitution for the village monies recklessly wasted, must be ajucated in a fair and just way to compensate the tax paying property owners of Barrington Hills.
Then the circle will in fact, be complete.
Thank you Mr. Stieper for all that you do!
Hear Him, Hear Him !!
If a citizen steals, the police investigate.
If a politician commits a crime, who investigates? Or do we look the other way?
Thieves who get away with stealing, steal more.
Politicians who commit crimes and go unchecked, keep running for office.
Beware!
am I reading too much into this or is the new “Polo Field” at Sutton Road going to be squeezed in during the abatement of Horse-Boarding/Commercial Operations rules….?
Don’t believe “Polo Field” build comes under the Text Amendment. Special Use permit granted, but prohibited from commercial operation. Anyone seeing the property questions that sincerity. If abused, will be interesting to see how the Village reacts.
This will be a repeat of the LeCompt fiasco!
Think “ground hogs day” all over again.
Only the lawyers gain from these situations.