Concerns raised, but no one responding

Serious concerns have been raised about our water supply by Former Buffalo Grove Trustee Lisa Stone (my wife) and her coalition. Documents disclosed that industrial and domestic wastewater was being treated and discharged next to groundwater wells. A report falsely identified that the Pekara Subdivision had been converted to municipal water around 2001, when in fact the Pekara Subdivision is still on groundwater.

Given that, what protections do those wells have given that critical decisions were based on the false notion that nobody was drinking the water from the wells? Why does an address on Krause Drive not exist in Buffalo Grove, 60089, yet that is the address registered with the IEPA as the wastewater treatment facility and the groundwater wells? Various maps appear to be inconsistent in their identification of bodies of water. Many more questions exist.

Although I would expect that these concerns and questions would be addressed by our elected officials and government directors, I have not heard a sound. Instead, some have criticized the form with which the information was delivered, yet no one has focused on the substance of the message. Few have the integrity and courage to fight for what’s right and spend their time investigating issues strictly for the public good.

Those who devote their time and endless energy to “the cause” are to be valued and cherished by the community at large as they are the only ones who, at great sacrifice of both time and expense, try to protect the health and safety of us all. Yet, instead we dismiss many activists as fanatic, that is until the truth is exposed. But that truth may never be discovered unless the public demands it.

The citizens of our community hold the key to unlock the answers. Lisa and her coalition have the courage to ask the tough questions and challenge our elected officials. She has blazed the trail for us to follow. We now must demand the answers. So far, all I’ve heard are screams of silence. And that silence is dangerous. It is time to step up and make our voices heard.

Gary P. Stone

Buffalo Grove