The Village has released edited audio recordings from the September 23 Village Board meeting. To access the menu of the meeting’s topical audio recording segments, click here.
Having thoroughly reviewed these recordings, The Observer strongly suggests readers listen to the “Administration” recording before any other. A direct link to that recording can be found here.
Most of the “discussion” centered on the upcoming “The Hills Are Alive Heritage Fest 2013” scheduled for Sunday October 13 from 12-5 PM at the Riding Center. For those unfamiliar with this event, it will be the first Village Hall-sponsored gathering for village residents in many years. There will be a variety of activities as well as food and drink for residents of all ages – even a “Chicken Beauty Contest.”
The few residents who witnessed the discussions first hand and those who’ve already listened to the recording might conclude that the preliminary talent trials for the chicken beauty contest began Monday night during the board meeting.
The dialogue regarding one of the first positive village events in years turned negative almost immediately with Patty Meroni leading the charge of her flock. Her objections to the upcoming event included what can only be described as clucking, hen-pecking or crowing about her “extensive” experience in planning such an event one time in the Village.
In this type of discussion, most people with experience offer solutions, not roadblocks. Sadly, from Trustee Meroni, there were no positives, only negatives from her or her herd of five on the board with very few, momentary exceptions.
Objections and concerns were raised about obtaining a liquor license, too many attendees, too few attendees, where the portable toilets were to be located, etc. Despite reassurances to the contrary, Meroni & Company persevered. Meroni’s endless list of protestations were reminiscent of Chicken Little – full of doom, gloom, and dire predictions of the imminent falling of the sky.
Our previous uses of the words “flock” and “herd” are appropriate and intentional. It does not take a fervent student of Barrington Hills politics in the last ten years to recognize what transpired Monday evening.
The choices of words and tactics by Ms. Meroni and some other “herd” board members Monday night would seem to suggest they continue to take direction from a former member of the Village Board who always seemed to encourage costly feuds both inside and outside of our borders.
If this is the case, then that is their misguided choice. However, we believe residents have had enough of such needless and unproductive distractions from a positive, forward course for our village.
– The Observer
