Time for a truce in Campton Hills
There's nothing in legislation governing new villages that says residents have to be concerned about how those outside of the village view their words and actions.
And that is good news for residents of the newly formed village of Campton Hills. Anyone who has watched the roller coaster ride that was the creation of the new village and then the backlash that is a movement to dissolve the village would certainly feel that this is a village divided with no intention of resting peacefully.
With the fear of a new village costing far more than expected fueling their engines, those who are seeking to dissolve the village have so far been unsuccessful in placing that question on the February election ballot. But they have candidates lined up for the village board in hopes of tipping the scales and discussions toward getting out from under what they believe will be an avalanche of new taxes.
The pro-village sector points to state law, noting that no new tax can be instituted without a referendum being approved by village residents. In short, if village residents want new services, they first have the option of whether to approve new taxes to fund them. Those who sought incorporation as a village also like the defense mechanism it represents against a growing Elgin to the east.
Campton Hills is a rural village, but in an area boasting a population of more than 14,000, meaning its future will play a big role in many Tri-Cities issues regarding transportation, roads, police and fire. At this time, it is more important for us to see Campton Hills residents call a truce and bring the issues that divide them to a public discussion format with the intent of solving them together -- as opposed to embracing the us vs. them attitude that has plagued Campton for the past three decades.
Most recently, neither side acknowledges the other unless in a negative manner. No matter how things shake out in this western Kane region in the next several months, if the current mindset carries over, not much good will come of any decisions.
A small village represents grass-roots government, a place where issues of major concern should be openly discussed. But we would agree that when it manifests itself in what appears to be a cesspool of mean-spirited, back-stabbing politics, one can only surmise that Campton Hills has somehow lost its way already and fallen into a trap more common in big city politics.
Since the first "city folks" began moving into subdivisions on Campton land sold by farmers to developers some 30 years ago, there has been an ideological clash and underlying mistrust of the motives of elected officials and self-appointed watchdog groups. Despite that, much progress and many good things have happened in Campton Township. But it's time for the residents of Campton Hills to save themselves -- from themselves.