Island Lake board agrees to play nice

A resolution meant to foster positivity on the Island Lake village board didn't win unanimous agreement Thursday night, but most trustees voted to keep future discussions on the sunny side.

Trustee Deborah Herrmann put to a vote a resolution saying board members would use their best efforts to work in a positive manner, to avoid negative personal attacks and to stop rehashing matters which have previously been completed so that the business of the village can be discussed in a positive and productive manner.

Sometimes-contentious discussions at village meetings necessitated the agreement, some officials said.

"These meetings have gone very late and there's a lot of negative attacks," village attorney Scott Puma said. "I think this was just a kind of feel-good proposition to try and start again."

Trustee Frances Sadoski was not present, and Trustee John Ponio provided the only "no" vote on the resolution. Ponio explained he would not vote for the measure because he found it vague.

"When is somebody going to say what's positive and what's negative?" Ponio said. "It's just not enforceable, and I just don't agree with it."

Puma said though the resolution might not be enforceable; he has worked in communities where such a proposal led to increased goodwill.

"I think this is more a declaration of policy," Puma said. "Hopefully, if the board approves it, there will be some self-policing."

Mayor Tom Hyde said he strongly supported the resolution.

"I think the board is trying to make a step forward ... I applaud Trustee Herrmann," Hyde said to Ponio. "I'm sorry you don't agree with it."