Brainerd effort had its chance

I read with great interest the discussion regarding the referendum for saving the Brainerd Building. To be clear, the only reason the village got involved with the saving of the Brainerd facility was to facilitate the agreement between the Brainerd Foundation and District 128.

From the beginning, I was a strong supporter for saving this facility. However, I was also extremely clear that this effort was to be by the foundation. In no way was the agreement with District 128 signed with the intention of the village being responsible for operating or maintaining this facility. There was never to be a referendum for the residents of Libertyville to repair or operate this facility.

If the residents wanted to save this building, they would do so with their own donations to the foundation. They were never to be forced to pay for this facility once again through a tax increase.

Since the original agreement was made, the foundation was not able to raise the funds as required by the agreement. Instead of complying with the agreement, an extension was given. The interesting part of this extension is that it was granted while the mayor who was and still is according to state records, the registered agent for the Brainerd Foundation.

If you take away the fact that the foundation still can't raise the funds and that the gymnasium is being torn down regardless, what is left is a huge conflict of interest and a lot of questionable ethics.

We have already paid for this building several times over. The foundation had their chance to save it with private dollars and failed miserably. I urge residents to vote no on the referendum and prevent another unnecessary tax increase.

Jeffrey Harger

Libertyville