You took the right path, Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow's tax referendum passed thanks to 610 "yes" votes overcoming 588 "no" votes. Kudos goes to many for this narrow victory. Taxpayers bought in after understanding the increase was primarily due to a loss of revenue from utility taxes, income taxes and sales taxes.

Even many seniors, occupying a quarter of residences, understood efforts to control village operating costs.

Communication was key. The Daily Herald's "YES" endorsement acknowledging that the tax request "seemed reasonable" was helpful. The Village President, Stephan Pickett, arranged helpful postings to the Village website. The Village's Zoning Board Chairman, Jim Kruger, as a resident provided timely and well worded replies to some social media networking posts.

Village organizations, including the Service Club and the Bluffs Home Owners Association, helped get the message out to residents. Even the conservative political advocacy organization, Americans for Prosperity, changed their position from opposing prior referendums. The organization indicated they were opposing over 100 Illinois tax referendums but agreed to remain neutral and NOT campaign with a mailer and Robo calls against Sleepy Hollow's referendum.

Another resident, Karen Hale, provided multiple alerts via social media to residents on Election Day advocating residents allow sufficient time to cast their ballots. Almost 1,200 voters cast tax referendum ballots.

We also need to recognize a 22 vote victory or less than two percent margin was hardly a mandate for more property taxes. Resident need to stay engaged offering revenue and cost management ideas to the Finance Committee and Village Board.

As the Daily Herald's DuPage/Fox Valley News Director, Jim Davis, pointed out in a column, Sleepy Hollow's rural way of life was at a crossroads. The headless horseman, in spite of his handicap when reaching the proverbial crossroads, took the right path for the families of Sleepy Hollow. Thank you.

Mike Tennis

Sleepy Hollow