Candidacies are conflicts of interest

Candidacies are conflicts of interest

Carpentersville has made important progress in recent years. There is a spirit of genuine cooperation on the board of trustees. The village has maintained a conservative budget, costs have been trimmed, and taxes have been stabilized.

Development and permitting processes have been streamlined; building codes have been reviewed and revised. Construction begins this spring on a major renovation of Carpenter Park, and further improvements are planned for the river front and Old Town. New businesses and opportunities will emerge on Route 25 and Route 31, generating significant new tax revenue for the village.

To continue this success, it is imperative that we retain that spirit of cooperation, and avoid the acrimony and infighting that once characterized Carpentersville politics. For that reason, I urge voters to retain Don Burroway and Paul Humpfer on the board of trustees. Both have made solid contributions and have maintained civil and constructive discourse. Jeff Sabbe, a local businessman, reflects those same values and also has my endorsement.

This election is critical. Some of the opposing candidates have an agenda that is not consistent with good governance. Conflicts of interest are not tolerated in municipal government, with one major exception. Firefighters may be elected to the board of trustees and must participate in negotiating their own contracts, pensions and work rules. If elected, they do not even have the option of recusing themselves from such negotiations. One of the opposing candidates is a firefighter - another is the wife of a firefighter. Although I have great respect for all public safety employees, it is not appropriate for them to be elected to a position where they can influence their own compensation.

Please vote on Tuesday, April 7 to continue Carpentersville's progress.

William S. Hicks

Carpentersville

Business Development Commission