Good men must not do nothing
I cannot describe the disappointment I feel regarding the lack of leadership and integrity of the Carpentersville Village Board.
Trustee Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski recently made a motion that the board discuss whether Trustee Paul Humpfer should remain on the board, given his recent convicted on four counts of beating his wife.
No trustee was willing to second the motion and no discussion was allowed on the matter.
The board has now officially condoned this convicted wife beater remain on the board without so much as a censure. The trustees hid behind the fact that "this was only a misdemeanor," as many trustees described the situation.
Would any business allow a senior manager of their company to remain in his position if convicted of such a crime?
Would Wal-Mart, Target or Proctor & Gamble allow a person of this character to remain on their boards of directors?
These trustees have made every issue into a "if I lose, you win" situation. Neither of the two sides will work together for fear of losing.
The one that actually loses is Carpentersville. There are many difficult issues that confront Carpentersville. There are 150 vacant homes partially caused by the mortgage crisis and exacerbated by the board's implied hostility toward Hispanics. Route 25 is becoming an empty retail corridor.
The village needs leadership and a colossal improvement in the faith in their leaders.
What surprises me is that the citizens of Carpentersville are not showing their outrage or concern.
Does this mean that they are apathetic or are they so disgusted that they do not get involved?
Some might wonder what they can do. Attend board meetings, call trustees and write one's thoughts to the newspapers.
Edmund Burke stated, "the surest way for tyranny to prevail is for good men to do nothing".
Tom Roeser
Carpentersville