April/May Flashbacks

Following are some of the articles published by The Observer for the months of April and May in recent years. These articles, gathered from various publications and editorials, are noteworthy for residents in that they remind us of where we’ve been as a community.

Too many signs – April 2015

There are too many signs in Barrington Hills.  Drive down most roads, and it will be obvious.  Too many election signs.  One next to the other and then another and another.  What’s worse than that?  There are too many “for sale” signs.  They signal a broad sense of dissatisfaction and a desire to get out.  This may or may not be true, but the signs say to the world and to us that we are in trouble.

The truth is that it has become far too noisy in Barrington Hills.  The noise comes not from the sounds of traffic or congestion but from one group of voices trying to drown out the other.  And we are all to blame, including this publication.

Read the original Observer opinion piece here.

Though not on ballot, McLaughlin big winner in Barrington Hills election – April 2015

A day after all three trustee candidates he supported won in Tuesday’s village board election, Barrington Hills Village President Martin McLaughlin said Wednesday he does not expect all of the issues that have divided the community the last two years to be resolved at the drop of a hat.

On Tuesday, Barrington Hills voters elected the slate of Brian Cecola, Bryan Croll and Michelle Maison to fill three trustee seats on the village board. A competing slate of McLaughlin critics — incumbents Karen Selman and Patti Meroni and challenger Mary Naumann — were defeated.

Read the original post with comments and a link to the full Daily Herald article here.

Barrington Hills board again refuses to pay attorney – April 2015

For perhaps the last time, the Barrington Hills board on Monday voted against paying the village attorney, which the board has refused to do for eight months now because of a dispute with Village President Martin McLaughlin.

Last August, McLaughlin appointed the law firm of Bond Dickson and Associates to serve as temporary village attorney after he asked its predecessor, the law offices of Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, to resign.

McLaughlin cited the Illinois attorney general office’s finding that the village violated the Open Meetings Act in April 2013 under the firm’s watch as one reason he asked for the resignation.

Read the original posting with comments here.

Barrington Hills village clerk remembered as dedicated public servant – April 2015

Dolores Trandel, who served as Barrington Hills’ village clerk from 2006 until her death earlier this month, was honored this week by village leaders who recalled her as a dedicated public official and important resource for residents.

Trandel, 63, died April 13 at her home in Cary.

“The passing of Dolores has left the village deeply saddened,” Village President Martin McLaughlin said. “She will be missed but not forgotten.”

Read the full article here.

Barrington Hills Man Awarded with Ellis Island Medal of Honor – May 2012

A Barrington Hills resident was one of 104 people to be recognized with the 2012 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

David Hirsch was given the honor this year by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, or NECO. The medals are presented to individuals who have made a significant difference from a humanitarian perspective.

The full Barrington Patch story can be viewed here, and it should be noted that David Hirsch’s spouse, Peggy, now serves at the Barrington Hills Village Treasurer. 

Village goats to help with lawn care at O’Hare – May 2013

As airplane travelers descend into Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, they will soon have more than just a skyline view to look forward to — a herd of goats will also be viewable from the window seat.

The city’s Department of Aviation is expected to announce Wednesday that it has awarded a contract to Central Commissary Holdings LLC — operator of Lincoln Park restaurant Butcher & The Burger — to bring about 25 goats onto airport property, helping the airport launch its pilot vegetation-management program.

Joseph Arnold, partner at Butcher & The Burger, said the goats now live on a farm in Barrington Hills and will make “the perfect lawn mowers” for the city’s largest airport.

The Chicago Tribune article can be viewed here.

The unwelcome return of underhanded Village politics – May 2014

Mark Twain once wrote, “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”  Twain was right, but in our case its half way or more around our Village.

Ever since an appellate court recently denied a request to reconsider their March 28 decision on a matter between two neighbors regarding one particular horse boarding business in the Village, unnecessary fear and propaganda has been spread throughout our community.

The original Observer editorial can be read here.

State comes through with Longmeadow Parkway funding – May 2015

Among the larger projects announced as part of Illinois’ annual highway improvement plan is Longmeadow Parkway, which will receive nearly $63 million from fiscal 2016 to 2019, said state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-St. Charles.

“We’ve been working on this before I was [Kane County Board] chairman,” said McConnaughay, who served as chairman before being elected a state senator in 2012. “Longmeadow Parkway was part of an environmental impact study … for multiple bridge crossings in Kane and Kendall counties.”

The full Kane County Chronicle article can be read here.