Inverness rivals differ on role of village president

Pursuing a fourth term, Inverness Village President Jack Tatooles sees himself steering a ship still on course.

And he wants to stay that course to see through the implementation of a new police department and massive road repair program.

But rival Nanci Staten Robinson faults the village for what she sees as a lack of openness in decision-making. She believes she's the self-starter who can open new channels of communication between village hall and residents.

The very projects Tatooles touts as boons for the village are those for which Robinson says the public's input has been largely overlooked.

"I am very well versed in people, and from my perspective, the people of Inverness have been neglected," Robinson said.

Though she had not attended any village board meetings as of last week, Robinson said her conclusions are based on having lived in the village for 23 years and on the number of residents and homeowner associations she said have urged her to bring change to the village government.

The race for the three available village trustee seats is uncontested. Robinson thinks she could lead a board that's been closely in step with Tatooles' vision for Inverness.

Though she said she's a "believer in controversy," Robinson said she doesn't think her relationship with trustees and village staff would necessarily be contentious, and wants to reach out to them this month.

Robinson also said she doesn't necessarily disagree with the village's decisions to start its own police department and to borrow $9.5 million for roads projects. But she still questions the process that led to those decisions based on the little she says has been shared with the public.

She admits she's still researching the decision to break off police service from Barrington.

"I do think it's going to be a costly venture," she said of the new police department. "I do think it's going to be more expensive."

But Tatooles insists the village will save $1.3 million over five years by starting its own police force, rather than contracting with Barrington again. And that's even after Barrington's price dropped $1.5 million from its initial offer.

The Inverness department will be staffed by fit, disciplined and experienced officers in their 50s, Tatooles said.

Some of the cost savings comes from the fact that these officers are drawing pensions from other departments from which they've retired, and Inverness won't have to pay into new pension funds for them, he said.

The village is providing a deferred compensation package for the officers, but that's less expensive for Inverness taxpayers than the traditional pensions would be.

The police staffing Barrington required for its businesses and schools was never needed in the bedroom community of Inverness, Tatooles said.

"They're an aircraft carrier and we just need a speedboat right now," he joked.

He added that the decision to embark on a comprehensive, $9.5 million road repair program was just as well thought out - based on the village's current ability to borrow money through its excellent bond rating and to contract work at a lower cost during this recession.