Antioch trustees need to shape up
Setting aside my personal opinion of any of the current members of the board of trustees of the village of Antioch, I would like to point out that none of the Antioch village trustees were elected by anything near a majority of the registered voters residing in the village. The closest any candidate came was just slightly over 20 percent of total voter registration.
Looking at the results from another perspective, it means that 80 of voters were either not impressed enough with you to vote, or they simply didn't like the candidates.
This is hardly a mandate. It's not even an endorsement.
Over the last few months, the board of trustees has spent more time on the business of acrimony and reprisal than they have on the business of governing the village. This in itself is bad enough but the whole pathetic tale has been played out in the press to the detriment of the village and the amusement of Lake County.
Every politician, understandably, has his or her own agenda; otherwise they would never have entered politics in the first place, but somewhere on that agenda is usually a line or two regarding the common good. Based on what I have seen and heard, I don't think the common good made the cut, and frankly, neither did common sense. If you pull your opponent down in the dirt with you, you both get up covered in mud.
There are important issues facing Antioch. it is growing at a phenomenal rate and will continue to do so. Trustees need not only to deal with current issues but they must also shape the future. They must not let their petty and insignificant turf wars endanger the continued quality of life in this community. Remember, continued growth means new voters with no ties to any of the board members. Their assessment of trustees and the job they are doing will not be based on past relationships but on the benefits, that as a group, trustees pass on to them now.
Go ahead and disagree, trustees, but do it with at least a semblance of dignity. Get your act together.
Behave like adults. Treat each other with respect. Follow the rules. Use common sense.
Compromise when necessary. Be gracious in victory. Lead by example. Focus on governing this village for the common good.
George B. Close
Antioch