Last Friday, the Daily Herald published its endorsements for Village trustee candidates with this simple, yet all too candid, introduction:
“Barrington Hills may be best known for its rolling hills, five-acre minimum lots and equestrian-friendly atmosphere, but in recent years it’s also gained a reputation as a community whose leaders are often at odds with their neighbors, their residents and one another.”
If this frank assessment of our community comes as a shock to anyone, then they are woefully uninformed. Given the many stories published about our Village, it’s highly likely some residents friends, family or coworkers know of our acrimonious reputation, but they are likely too considerate to bring it up in polite conversation.
Now that our Village has this reputation (or as President Abboud refers to it, “branding”), what can be done to return to the good standing we once enjoyed? The answer isn’t simple.
Two years ago, the Abboud-supported Save 5 Acres candidates Meroni, Messer and Selman pledged to “Heal the rift“ in our Village, according to an interview published by the Daily Herald soon after their election to office. All three winning trustees agreed with Skip Gianopulos, the fourth elected trustee, who stated, “We have some healing to do in the village. It’s a great place. We all love it and we want to protect it.”
Obviously nothing has changed in two years. If anything, things have gotten worse, as evidence by Trustee Messer’s verbal assault on Trustee Gianopulos at a recent board meeting—with great irony, of course, given the subject of the meeting was rules for civility in public comment (see More village board meeting drama).
The current Abboud candidates running as Save 5 Acres 2.0 promise, “Continuing to improve communication with residents.” One of those candidates stated, “My observation is that there is a great deal of misunderstanding and myth regarding how the village is being run.” We agree, but if President Abboud is reelected, these myths, acrimony, and bad publicity will continue.
The reality is that President Abboud is responsible for encouraging an environment of animosity and for the resulting reputation we have gained among other communities and in the press. Trustees who’ve failed to address his authoritarian “home rule” bravado are also culpable. But in the end, the ultimate responsibility lies with the residents who have voted Bob Abboud twice into office.
The April 9 village presidential election decision must go to the candidate best suited to restoring our reputation. The candidate best suited to restore peace to Barrington Hills. It must be a candidate who is willing to take positive steps to unify us as a community, and to heal the rift between residents and Village government. Who will that be? Hint: it’s not Bob Abboud.
– The Observer
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