The following was posted yesterday to the Village website:
Tonight will be President Martin J. McLaughlin’s last Board of Trustees meeting. It is a special Board of Trustees meeting in that President McLaughlin will be handing over the gavel to President-Elect Brian D. Cecola.
President McLaughlin has accomplished much in his eight-year tenure as Village President, for which many are truly grateful: residents, staff, officials, neighboring municipalities…. the list goes on.
In his modest way, he set the course for Village financial responsibility, transparency in government, ensuring the protection of its residents through public safety and property protection initiatives, all while adding a sense of community to our Village.
He took pride in Barrington Hills and wanted everyone living in it and traversing through it to know how great our community is. He never missed an opportunity to share this in his conversations with governmental leaders at all levels, with prospective home buyers or with anyone who would listen.
“Marty” was always behind the scenes “getting things done.” He put his heart and soul into matters concerning the Village. No task was too small or too great—be it on a ladder hanging garland, using “Black Beauty” to help set up the Hills Are Alive Festival or answering the tough questions that only he could answer.
Marty isn’t far away and is still available to hear from our residents, but as a State Rep of the 52nd District. The President’s Farewell Letter was published in the last newsletter. If you missed it, follow this link: barringtonhills-il.gov/village-newsletter-winter-2021/
As a small token of appreciation, this Proclamation is a way to say #THANKYOU President McLaughlin for everything that you have done for all of us associated with the Village of Barrington Hills…for the stories, for the joviality, for getting involved, and for making those tough decisions.
We look forward to your continued success at a state level and the Baggo boards will be waiting for you at the next Hills Are Alive Festival!
Cake and coffee will be served in appreciation of President McLaughlin’s service at the conclusion of the special Board of Trustees meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM.
Click here to download the proclamation
Click here to view the Village posting
Marty is a breath of fresh air, a skilled and honest public official, and a good guy. We have appreciated his governance, and are pleased to see his colleagues continue at the helm of the VBH. He returned the Village to a sleepy, turmoil free state, unlike what he inherited. God willing, he will have the same effect in Springfield.
It has been my privilege to serve on the ZBA for an administration that placed the interests of the residents as a whole above all else. it was a very simple formula, adhere to the language of the Village Code. Having a front row seat, most of you will never know the level of chaos and waste by the prior administration Marty was able to correct saving VBH taxpayers millions of dollars. Marty’s greatest achievement, in my opinion, was settling the Sears lawsuit which had been going on for 18 years, 2 Million in legal fees with no end in sight, in which VBH taxpayers were paying the legal fees for both VBH and South Barrington representation. Marty brought the parties together in a backroom without counsel and settled the case within months of taking office.
Marty had no tolerance for those who did not adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially conflict of interest. For me personally, Marty allowed the ZBA to operate independently as required by the code never influencing any decision or vote. In toto, Marty made volunteering for VBH government fun again.
The next administration has big shoes to fill and I am confident they will rise to the challenge. Thanks again Marty for not only your service but for the many laughs and good times along the way.