Posted in Agendas, Communications Committee, Zoning Board on February 18, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Audio Recordings, Barrington Hills Park District, Communications Committee, Financial Reports, Kane, Longmeadow Parkway, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Politics, Public Safety, Road construction, Village Board, Western Bypass, Zoning Board on February 3, 2014| 1 Comment »
The Village has released edited audio recordings from the January 27 Village Board meeting. To access the menu of the meeting’s topical audio recording segments, click here.
Two residents braved the sub-zero weather conditions that night in order to make public comment to the board. We highly recommend readers listen to both of these comment recordings.
We also encourage residents to listen to the Roads and Bridges report recording. Issues related to the statuses of the Longmeadow Parkway project and Algonquin Road improvements were discussed. A direct link to that recording can be accessed here.
The Administration discussion also proved interesting as it appears Trustees may no longer be authoring their own messages to residents in future Village newsletters. This topic preceded dialog of the apparent inability of the Communications Committee (nearly nine years after its creation) to relay timely information to residents beyond a woefully neglected information website and infrequent newsletters.
This rather awkward Village communications conundrum voiced by Trustees Selman and Meroni, liaisons to the Communications Committee, can be heard by clicking here.
Posted in Communications Committee, ePacket Agendas, Longmeadow Parkway, OMA, OP/Ed, Plan Commission, Road construction, VBHPD, Village Board, Well Water Quality, Zoning Board on February 1, 2014| 4 Comments »
Nearly two years ago, The Observer discontinued publishing links to the ePackets Village Board members have access to prior to monthly meetings. The ePackets made available to the public after meetings occurred at the time were, for the most part, barren of most all of what the board discussed (see “Improving Village communications with less effort”), so there seemed to be little point to continue to frustrate readers. However, things seem to have changed now for the better.
The board’s January 2014 ePacket agenda is now available, and it includes links to many documents never before available to residents without requesting them from Village Hall. A link to the document can be found here.
We applaud this change of policy, and would only hope that someday information like this will be available to the public prior to Village Board meetings. You never know, if residents have a better understanding of what’s actually going to be discussed, they may actually show up to meetings.
– The Observer
Posted in Audio Recordings, Board of Health, Communications Committee, Elections 2013, Finance Committee, FOIA, IAA, Land Use, Legal Committee, OMA, OP/Ed, Plan Commission, Politics, Riding Club Commission, Taxes, VBHPD, Village Board, Village Government on December 31, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The Observer takes a look back at the year gone by and presents our most frequently read editorials and news stories for 2013. Click on any title to read or revisit stories from this past year.
Editorials:
In May, the Observer anticipated the swearing-in of newly elected Village President Martin McLaughlin, and presented readers with a message of healing and reconciliation.
September Board recordings released and our observations
This was our most commented story of the year, and focused on the efforts of Trustee Patty Meroni to block the Inaugural Hills are Alive Fall Heritage Festival.
This editorial from August discussed the ongoing difficulties that Village Board member Karen Selman seems to have with her duties chairing the Finance Committee.
The IAA Battle: Why it was over before it began
After East Dundee approved the proposed IAA auto auction facility in July, the Observer reflected upon a multitude of reasons that Bob Abboud’s strategy was doomed to fail.
This editorial, leading up to the April Village Election, highlighted the financial issues which faced the Village, including exorbitant legal spending and high FOIA costs.
McLaughlin for Village President, Konicek Hannigan and Stieper for Trustee
This opinion piece featured The Observer’s endorsements for Village Board seats in the April 9 election.
News Stories:
McLaughlin Looks Ahead to Barrington Hills Presidency
The day after Martin J. McLaughlin’s surprise election victory over incumbent Robert G. Abboud, the Daily Herald interviewed the President-Elect, and discussed the challenges which lay ahead.
As was the case in 2012, the compilation of the results of this year’s annual resident survey was one of the Observer’s top five stories of the year.
Hills are Alive Heritage Festival draws big crowd
The first-ever Hills Are Alive Fall Heritage Festival drew a large crowd of over 800 residents, who enjoyed many activities at the Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center.
AG’s office reviews ex-mayor’s Barrington Hills appointments
Shortly before leaving office, and with little if any prior notice, the former Village President made over thirty nominations or renominations to nearly every Village non-elected board, commission and committee.
Ex-Barrington Hills mayor admits talking to ComEd about auto auction plan
Former Village President Robert Abboud admitted in July that he had contacted ComEd president and CEO Anne Pramaggiore and had urged her to deny Insurance Auto Auctions’ request to allow access to their East Dundee business using a ComEd easement.
– The Observer
Posted in 220, 300, Barrington Hills Park District, BCFPD, Communications Committee, Elections 2013, Land Disconnection, OP/Ed, Public Safety, Resident Surveys, School Districts, Taxes, VBHPD, Village Board, Village Code, Village Government on December 7, 2013| 1 Comment »
Earlier this week, The Observer published the results of the Barrington Hills 2013 Resident Survey. A copy of our report can be downloaded here.
As was the case with the 2012 Survey, resident participation percentages categorized by county in this year’s survey were very close to those in recent elections.
With regard to elections, a high percentage of respondents indicated that they had voted in the April Village election, and two-thirds believed that the primary reason for the outcome was not a particular issue, but simply was that new leadership was needed. Accordingly, three-quarters of those surveyed said that they feel comfortable contacting the Village President or any Trustee with questions and concerns. This contrasts sharply with last year’s result, when only 43% felt that their elected officials were approachable.
This year’s survey included questions concerning a number of long-standing Village issues and how residents preferred to deal with them. On the whole, most residents voiced a preference for solutions with a lower cost burden to taxpayers, whether it would involve out-sourcing 911 call dispatch or settling the Sears litigation.
It is interesting to note that significant percentages of respondents (ranging from 16-22%) selected “no opinion” to answer many of these issue-based questions. We can assume that the reason for this is lack of familiarity with the topics owing in part, once again, to the poor flow of communications out of Village Hall.
Despite the existence of a Communications Committee (the only Village committee or commission overseen by two trustees — Selman and Meroni), three Village websites, a Village Facebook page, Twitter and a “semi-regular” newsletter, residents are still not getting enough information about the important matters facing our Board of Trustees. The Observer has written about these communications failures (see Monkeying around with Village communications, Lessons to be learned from effective communications and #Please stop) and will continue to do so until the flow of information improves.
The 2013 survey also asked several questions about the Barrington Hills Park District. Although just 40% of survey participants currently utilize any Park District facilities, a definitive 89% of all who answered felt that trainers and non-residents should be charged to use our district amenities.
Resident sentiments were not so clear on the two questions related to village roadways. When asked about any perceived change in road safety since two cyclist ordinances were enacted, 56% noted no change and 28% felt some improvements had been made. On the subject of the 25 mile-per-hour speed limit on village roads, responses were nearly equally divided, with 42% wanting to maintain the uniform limit, while 41% feeling that the limit should be raised on some roads.
Opinions were also mixed when it came to two issues directly affecting the northwest portion of the Village in McHenry County. On the topic of re-annexation of the “Duda” property as lots less than 5 acres, 50% of all participants supported re-annexation, even if it meant smaller lot sizes, while 41% were in opposition. On the issue of assisting village homes currently assigned to School District 300 to join District 220, 49% were against it, 29% in favor, and 23% expressed no opinion.
Lastly, two topics received the most overwhelming positive responses — both garnering 87% approval: strong interest in town hall meetings and continuation of an annual village gathering like the successful “Hills Are Alive” event held in October. These attitudes were perhaps the most significant and encouraging findings in this year’s survey. Residents now seem to be more willing and open to interacting with their elected representatives, and in enjoying each other’s company in a relaxed setting.
Our editorial on the 2012 Survey (2012 Survey Reflections ) noted some political climate issues in the Village during the past president’s regime and exhorted our readers to help restore a more harmonious atmosphere by voting for new leadership and direction. In that editorial, we hoped for a “return to the laughing and smiling faces we had once upon a time.”
Last April, political change did occur in our village, and attitudes and optimism seem to be returning to Barrington Hills. Anyone who attended “The Hills Are Alive” festival witnessed this for themselves. Our Village has made progress, thanks to the involvement of our residents, and will continue to make strides if we stay politically active and aware.
– The Observer
Posted in BACOG, Communications Committee, Land Use, Newsletter, OP/Ed, Plan Commission, Village Board, Village Government, Zoning Board on July 26, 2013| 1 Comment »
Thirty-five years ago Jimmy Carter was President of the United States. The Bee Gees, Debby Boone and the Commodores dominated the “Top Ten Billboard” recordings, and moviegoers went to theaters to see the three highest grossing movies that year – Grease, Superman and Animal House. 1978 also witnessed the first female President of Barrington Hills, Barbara Hansen.
The Observer recently discovered a copy of a Village newsletter from July of 1978. Reading it brought back memories such as no need for an area code when giving one’s phone number or how the then proposed Poplar Creek Music Theater development was being contested by BACOG, Barrington Hills and South Barrington.
While simple in format, we have to say that the author(s) did an exceptional job of communicating relevant news to residents.
To view a snapshot in time of our Village news from 35 years ago, simply click here.
– The Observer
Posted in Communications Committee, Community Alerts, OP/Ed, Village Board on July 24, 2013| 3 Comments »
A reader of the Observer has brought to our attention a matter we believe must be addressed immediately – “Tweets” emanating from Village Hall via our government’s Twitter account.
Less than two weeks ago, a tweet was sent to 521 followers of the Village Twitter account informing them there was still time left to get a free “Slurpee” at 7-Eleven. The message posed the thought-provoking question – “What’s your favorite flavor?”
Yesterday was “National Hot Dog Day,” and this clearly warranted another proclamation by the Village of Barrington Hills.
Here are screen captures of both tweets mentioned:
Free 7-Eleven Slurpee
National Hot Dog Day
The Observer believes whomever is authoring these messages has good intentions. But perhaps that rare enthusiasm found among our Village staff should be channeled elsewhere where it’s truly needed.
Undoubtedly with all the issues facing our Village these days, this is very minor, so some may wonder why The Observer bothers to raise this one. The answer is that messages of this type reflect not only on our Village staff and elected officials, but more importantly, its residents.
The Observer will be publishing an in-depth opinion piece on the sad state of communications emanating from Village hall in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, however, we implore Trustees Meroni and Selman, both of whom liaise with the Communications Committee, to provide more oversight over Twitter communications in order to prevent further embarrassment to residents and ultimately themselves.
– The Observer
Posted in Communications Committee, Elections 2013, Finance Committee, Heritage and Environs Committee, Legal Committee, OMA, Plan Commission, Riding Club Commission, Village Government, Zoning Board on July 12, 2013| 4 Comments »
The Illinois attorney general’s Public Access Bureau is reviewing a complaint that former Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud’s 35 proposed committee appointments made after he lost the April 9 election were not adequately identified on a meeting agenda.
As such, the review is looking into whether the action constitutes a violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said. She would not speculate on the time frame of the review or what action would be appropriate if it determined a violation had occurred.
Abboud said he was following the advice of the village attorney that sufficient notice on the agenda did not necessarily have to include names.
Read more here.
Posted in Communications Committee, Heritage and Environs Committee, Legal Committee, Minutes, OMA, Plan Commission, Riding Club Commission, Village Board, Village President, Zoning Board on May 25, 2013| 4 Comments »
A copy of the approved April 22 Village Board meeting minutes can be downloaded here.
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