Wauconda mayoral candidates discuss open government

With Illinois' unfortunate history of corruption, the need for more open government has become a clarion call for political watchdogs.

The Internet and other technological tools have made it easier for light to shine on government business. But Wauconda's four mayoral candidates differ on what steps should be taken - and whether any should be taken at all - to make their government dealings more transparent.

One said village board meetings should be televised on local cable, an idea that was criticized as too expensive by a different candidate. A third hopeful suggested using the mail to keep residents informed of future meeting topics, while the incumbent mayor said local residents don't seem to be interested in learning more about government actions.

Incumbent Salvatore Saccomanno will face three challengers in the April 7 election: Thomas F. Larkin, Roger Wojcicki and Mark Knigge. The seat carries a 4-year term.

The candidates spoke about open government last week in a group interview at the Daily Herald's Lake County bureau office.

Wojcicki, a project manager who narrowly lost a bid for the village board in 2007, said the weekly village board meetings should be broadcast on cable TV. People who don't go to meetings might watch them if beamed into their homes a few times throughout the week, he said.

Wojcicki also made a novel suggestion: If meetings are broadcast live, village officials should field phone calls from viewers at the end of the meeting.

"Communication is the key to everything," Wojcicki said. "It's better to have a more informed community."

Knigge, a retired researcher who's served on the village board since 2005, criticized the cable-TV concept, saying cable access is too expensive.

Rather than offering any ways to shine more light on the governing process, Knigge said the village should ask residents to fill out annual report cards that would be followed up with town hall meetings.

Focus groups and advisory groups also would get citizens more involved in village government and give them a sense of ownership, he said.

Saccomanno, who's finishing his first term, also opposed televising meetings.

"Cable TV is in the past," he said. "You sit there, just like a couch potato."

Saccomanno bemoaned the general lack of citizen attendance and board meetings.

"I want them there," he said. "But they don't want to come."

Agendas for board meetings already are posted on the village Web site, he said, and officials are investigating putting the supporting documents trustees review at meetings online, too.

"I want to put that out there," he said.

Larkin, a retired police officer and former school board member, said digital documents don't help someone who doesn't have computer access. He suggested mailing meeting agendas to residents in the same envelope as their water bills.