Support those who will preserve village

Election Day approaches. The issues surrounding candidates running for Campton village trustees become clearer. The candidates for Campton will continue the process of self determination for our area. The 'Free Us' candidates want to 'dissolve the village and go back to the way it was.

I asked myself, "Do I want to go back to the way it was"? How was it? In the 8 years I lived here, my property taxes have increased 50 percent. Traffic is heavier. I saw local developers partner with adjoining cities to annex more land and add denser development, causing more crowding to our schools and roads. If "going back to the way it was" means the developers, county, and adjoining cities can resume ignoring us and maximizing their profits at the expense of our lifestyle and tax bills, no thanks.

In a recent editorial letter, someone asked what we have with the village that we didn't already have? My answer is "control." This country was founded on the principle of self-determination. So was the village. I don't understand why some of my neighbors think others will do a better job administering the area than those that live here. Why not work together to protect the area, instead of giving control back to those who were destroying it?

We who live here should decide what happens in our area. If we don't like things, we should go to the village meetings and say so. But electing a slate of candidates whose stated purpose is to destroy the village means we give away control, and others will quickly destroy what remains of our rural lifestyle while we watch helplessly. That's what a return to 'the way it was' will bring us.

The developers and surrounding cities anxiously await our decision. Vote for the Candidates for Campton.

Bill Bauman

Campton Hills