It's about money, but not money you think

Trying to keep up with the anti-incorporation folks is like watching a tennis match. Their story bounces around so much it is hard to keep up.

They said the village could raise our taxes. They found out they were wrong. They said the village was approved by a small group of residents. They found out they were wrong. They said the village officials were earning huge salaries. They found out they were wrong. They said the village couldn't hire police and operate on the budget. They are finding out they are wrong … again!

So now their story is the village will apply fees. Of course, they are the only ones saying that. Bet they're not right this time, either.

The most important thing they're wrong about is the need for the village. It isn't an unnecessary layer of government; it is the most important one. It the level at which we really have a say, and control over our future.

Without it, control reverts back to the county and its developer buddies, and whichever adjacent city wants a piece of us. Notice the anti-incorporation folks don't talk about that.

If you like increasing congestion, denser subdivisions, higher property taxes, and no voice in what happens in this area, by all means dissolve. Sit back and let others make the decisions for you. Don't like what happens? Oh, well, there's nothing we can do.

The very fact that we can have this debate demonstrates the value of local control. Give Campton Hills a fair chance. Talk to the village. Hear first-hand the value of a local government accountable to us. The county, developers and adjacent cities have not looked out for us in the past and they won't in the future.

This is about money. Do we control our area, or do others?

Bill Bauman

Campton Hills