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Campton trustees censure village president in open space spat

Campton Hills trustees on Tuesday voted to override a veto by their village president and spend $6,000 to hire a law firm that would likely work with the Kane County Forest Preserve to maintain — and possibly take control of — some 270 acres of open space in the village's largest subdivision, Fox Mill.

“The whole purpose has been sit down with all parties,” said Trustee Jim McKelvie, declining to elaborate on the exact charge or task for the Palos Heights firm of Montana & Welch.

Trustees also voted unanimously to censure Village President Harry Blecker for explaining to the Daily Herald in late September why he wanted to veto hiring the firm, saying the Fox Mill homeowner's association was doing a good job maintaining the land and he didn't see the need to change it.

Trustees chided Blecker for speaking about a topic the board can discuss behind closed doors. Under state law, governmental bodies can meet in an executive session to discuss personnel matters, imminent or active litigation and collective bargaining.

“As a board, it's important that we have integrity. It's important to have trust,” McKelvie said.

But Blecker shot back, saying he promised constituents “trustworthy leadership” when he ran for board president, and litigation was far from imminent.

“I have a clear conscience knowing I did the right thing trying to be a good steward of (taxpayer dollars),” he said, adding the village has spent $50,000 on previous lawsuits involving Fox Mill. “I do have a personal agenda: That is to try to do the right thing for all residents of the village, not just a small section.”

When Fox Mill was developed decades ago, the open space was to be deeded and maintained by a governmental body, but the forest preserve passed on it at the time.

The homeowner's association, to which Fox Mill residents pay $1,200 a year in dues, has maintained the land since then. The village doesn't have a park district or recreation department to take over the land.

“It's public, open space. Every citizen in Kane County owns a piece of that,” said Trustee Laura Andersen. “It's a matter of maintenance versus ownership. Ownership is different. If we do not uphold public doctrine and our ordinances that have been established, what are we doing here?”

The board also adopted a policy not allowing trustees or village staff members to discuss closed session specifics without board approval.

Village attorney Julie Tappendorf said the censure against Blecker was “a statement. It doesn't have fines or penalties or removal from office.”

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Campton Hills president to veto board's push to control Fox Mill land

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