Wheeling residents paying the price
Wheeling residents paying the price
To the editor: Wheeling residents are paying the price for the arrogance, ignorance and personal agendas of their trustees and renegade village manager.
Wheeling just settled a needless lawsuit with the Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School for over $300,000, not to mention additional legal fees and administrative costs.
Arrogance combined with ignorance on the part of trustees Judy Abruscato, Dean Argiris, Ken Brady and Pat Horcher led to this completely avoidable situation. These four blindly followed village manager Mark Rooney as he pursued his personal agenda and vendetta against myself and former Chairman Kevin Dohm for bringing this debacle into public view.
These trustees have been quoted as being the "owners" of the airport. In reality, Wheeling and Prospect Heights share a custodial relationship overseeing the airport with neither municipality having any monetary investment in it.
So how did these trustees forget they "owned" the airport when they gave a special-use permit to the Montessori school in July 2006 at the end of a busy runway?
The airport directors became involved when the FAA threatened to cut off all future grants and funding if the school was built in the runway protection zone. Over six months, the airport board exhausted every option to reach a solution, with absolutely no offer of assistance from Wheeling trustees.
Left with no other choice the airport board voted to pursue closing of the runway, which would satisfy the FAA; the school could start construction; and Wheeling trustees could breathe a large sigh of relief not having to pay legal damages to the school.
Village manager Mark Rooney became enraged with the airport bringing the village's incompetence to the forefront. Rooney convinced Wheeling trustees that I must be removed from my position as airport director. My crime was that I demonstrated leadership and was looking out for fellow Wheeling residents. In contrast, Rooney, Abruscato, Argiris, Brady and Horcher were completely and grossly remiss in their responsibilities.
Citizens of Wheeling, you will pay the tab for the arrogance, ignorance and personal agendas of these trustees and manager. Remember this when these trustees come up for re-election.
Bob Dourlain
Wheeling