64th District candidates find common ground on Randall Road expansion
The two men running for the 64th District State House seat say that a McHenry County proposal to raze 26 homes in Lake in the Hills won't happen on their watch.
Republican State Rep. Mike Tryon and Democratic challenger Robert Kaempfe say that, if elected, they will not support a McHenry County Division of Transportation plan that would level homes to expand Randall Road.
"There is no way I would be in favor of taking somebody's house," Kaempfe said. "A home is practically all people have, it's the most important thing to anybody."
Tryon reiterated the stance he took nearly two weeks ago at a community meeting organized by residents who oppose the plan.
"You can't change the character of the community," Tryon said.
The Crystal Lake Republican, and former chairman of the McHenry County Board, said it is "highly unlikely" county leaders will move forward with a plan residents and the village roundly have condemned.
"I think they got that one off the table," said Tryon, who is running for his third two-year term.
About 40 Lake in the Hills residents already have come out against the proposal, which would tear down 26 houses on Patton Avenue, Miller Road and Clayton Marsh Drive.
It is just one of four options the division of transportation is mulling over when it comes to widening Randall Road from four lanes to six. The agency is slated to make a final recommendation in the spring.
Earlier this month, Lake in the Hills trustees passed a resolution supporting what's known as Plan A, which they say is the least invasive of the four options. The plan that calls for leveling the homes is Plan C.
Village President Ed Plaza has pledged to block Plan C by withholding a portion of park land the county would need to make it happen.
Plaza this week said he respects Tryon because he took the time to speak with him about the issue and made his opinions known in a timely fashion.
He accused Kaempfe of bandwagon jumping.
"Walk the walk, don't talk the talk," Plaza said. "His opinion would be more valid if I could have a conversation with the man."
Kaempfe, of Crystal Lake, said he would be willing to meet with Plaza on the issue, but took exception to his remarks.
"Nobody is going to tell me my opinion is going to be 'more valid,' that's the bottom line," Kaempfe said. "Why didn't he call me?"
The 64th District includes Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Crystal Lake and portions of Cary and Fox River Grove.