On her new Facebook page , Elaine Ramesh asks residents to re-elect her as Trustee of the Village of Barrington Hills. When one seeks re-election to a position previously held, we think it appropriate to ask “is past behavior a predictor of future performance”?
Dr. Ramesh (PhD Organic Chemistry) certainly possesses impressive academic credentials, including a law degree. It is surprising however, given her background, that her approach to government has been less than cerebral. In fact, it is just the opposite:
- Longmeadow Parkway (LMP): In the Winter 2013 issue of the Village Newsletter, Ramesh wrote “Over the past few years, I have represented the Village in Kane County for planning-related events such as the Kane County 2040 Plan and the Longmeadow Parkway project.” Former Village President Bob Abboud vigorously supported the LMP without input from Village residents and with disregard for the impact on Autumn Trail property owners. It seems that Ramesh agreed, being the only person from Barrington Hills directly involved in the process, and not once voicing her opposition to the ill-conceived Toll Bridge project which is now moving along at breakneck speed.
- Barrington Honor Ride & Run: At the June 2012 Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Ramesh voiced her non-support of Barrington Honor Ride and Run, an annual charity bike ride that raises money for veterans who suffered grievous injuries in service to our country. Part of the 30-mile course for the ride runs through Barrington Hills for about ninety minutes on a Sunday morning, and thus needed approval by the Village Board. The majority of the Board reluctantly approved the event, but limited the registration to 150 to 200 participants. One of Ramesh’s reasons for non-support was that the ride would inconvenience residents and would be dangerous for the participants. She also cited potential “rudeness” by participants, which then-President Abboud promptly confirmed. The “rudeness” was anecdotal and unconfirmed by other residents. Ironically, Elaine pushed for unlimited use of the polo field at Oakwood Farm for weekday practices and for the LeCompte Kalaway Cup Polo Matches, an annual event that brings over 2,000 attendees to the Village, the vast majority of them who are non-residents. It seems that horses are more important to her than honoring and helping our men and women who have bravely served our country.
- Riding Club of Barrington Hills: For some reason, Dr. Ramesh is not promoting her association with the Riding Club, having been a member for well over a decade and despite having served as its President in 2015. Judging from her Facebook page, Ramesh’s only recreational interests would seen to be jogging, spending time with her dog and cat and volunteering with the Girl Scouts.
We believe Dr. Ramesh has a hidden agenda to serve only the equestrian community rather than the best interests of all residents and is inextricably tied to the failed policies and disastrous agenda of former Village President Bob Abboud.
So, is her past behavior indicative of future performance? We’ll leave that for the voters to decide.
Note the official seal of the village on the commendation award. No horse. Same as the one being used today. Yet some in the community will once again reach for straws and lodge criticism of McLaughlin and Konicek while also exploiting a dear resident who left us too early, claiming the seal has been changed to eliminate the horse. Horsefeathers.
LYRICS TO “HER WORDS OF SILENCE”
Hello Lainey ole “Save 5 Acres” friend
I bring this truth to you again
In 2010 when reality came creeping
Upon informed residents while you were sleeping
the corruption of 2011 planted in my brain
It still remains
And all the while, you remained Silent
Inexplicable votes you were not alone
Voting in unison with Abboud who set the tone
Cast by you below the halo of a village lamp
Contrary to rights of residents protesting often in the cold and damp
When my eyes were faced with a political fight
Between wrong and right
And where were you; you were silent
And during this political fight I saw
One definite “quid pro quo” and maybe more
Residents rudely treated while speaking
Trustees’ spending money without thinking
Writing letters to Trustees in an attempt to share
You did not care
To disturb your silence
Fools your “Save 5 Acres” friends we all know,
Silence by you allowed their corruption to grow
Hear my words this time which might reach you
Focus this time so that I might teach you
That my words are no longer silent raindrops which fell
It is time for you to tell
By breaking your walls of silence
In landslide numbers residents voted and conveyed
That the “Save 5 Acres” name would have to be remade
In 2013 Knoop sent out his warning
That “Save Open Spaces” was then forming
And their words
Like graffiti written on public bathroom stalls
Said nothing at all
And all the while you were silent