Incorporation not a benefit to residents

As an unhappy resident of the new Village of Campton Hills, I'm writing to express my hopes that you will fully inform your public and our residents of the efforts of the "Free us from Campton Hills" group.

Messages from this group, formed in response to strong frustrations with our current village board, deserve to be heard.

More than a year ago, I wrote to the Kane County Board asking them to look carefully at the proposed budget for the village before they voted to allow a referendum to be placed on the April 2006 ballot.

At that time, I had carefully reviewed all materials from the "pro" and "con" camps and could see no benefit to the residents of my subdivision, the Moraines of Campton, to be included in the then-proposed Village. Seven months later, I can still see no benefits for us. I see only another layer of officials to contact for some (but not all) issues -- and the potential for tax increases to fund services (previously provided by other taxing bodies) to be provided by the new village.

I realize that property taxes cannot be increased without a referendum. However, I am very much aware that many other "taxes" such as village vehicle stickers, are under no such protection.

Unfortunately, the Kane County Board agreed to the referendum (as we now know, under sketchy and incorrect figures in the proposed budget for items such as police protection), and the April referendum passed by a very slim margin, leaving those of us who have no desire to be art of a village with few options.

Fortunately, my subdivision has the legal option (which we are pursuing) to "disconnect." Other dissatisfied residents have no such option since they are andlocked. As a result, the "Free us" group formed.

Please continue to cover their activities and publish letters such as mine. In seven months, the new village officials have done nothing to convince us that another layer of government is a benefit!

Susan Barr Strasser

Campton Hills