Highway commish's name removed from Dundee Twp. garage

Dundee Township Highway Commissioner Larry Braasch says he did not want to offend anyone. And he didn't want to be compared to Rod Blagojevich or Richard Daley.

So the township official removed his name from a sign that had covered one side of the township's highway garage at the corner of Route 72 and Sleepy Hollow Road. The 14-inch-tall white block letters now identify the building ... only. Meanwhile, the 24 letters identifying the man in charge were taken down on Friday.

"I got lots of calls from people who said they thought it was great and I got some from people who said it was offensive," Braasch said of the sign that first appeared about a month ago. "I am not here to be offensive to anyone, I am just here to do my job."

Braasch was criticized for installing the letters just months before the April election, in which he is seeking another term as highway commissioner.

Initially, Braasch said the letters were installed so motorists or township residents could clearly distinguish between the township's highway garage and the West Dundee fire station next door.

Braasch said the lettering that remains on the building was paid for with taxpayers' money but that he paid for the letters that spelled out his name and title. He estimated each letter cost about $15.

"People thought I was being like the (former) governor, or the Chicago mayor," Braasch said. "They have their names all over."

His opponent, David Reece, an Algonquin Democrat, could not be reached for comment Monday.