Batavia Park District race down one
There's one fewer candidate in the Batavia Park District election.
Jason Ott, a write-in for the 2-year vacancy seat, was disqualified by the Kane County clerk's office because Ott is not a registered voter in the district, which is required by state law. He also failed to specify on the application he filed with the county which term he was seeking: a 2-year or 6-year term.
Ott said Tuesday night he was "in the process" of transferring his voter registration from Huntington, Ind., where he registered in 2004 while attending college. As for failure to mark the term: "It was a silly clerical error."
It hasn't dissuaded him from running for public office again. "It's just a little hiccup. I'm a little bummed," he said.
His departure leaves Alan Leard, presently a commissioner, and Gary Foiles as write-in candidates for the 2-year term. The opening was created when Commissioner Phil Elfstrom resigned late last year after moving out of the district.
Commissioner John Tilmon remains as the sole seeker of the 6-year term.
Before the formal meeting Tuesday night, the park board held its first "Coffee Klatsch" for residents, but nobody came.
Board members intended to talk with people about the issue of building a recreation center.
The same matter will be discussed in a forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, as well as April 7 and April 30. All are at the Batavia Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St.
The almost-monthly klatches - there won't be one in April - are intended to give people a chance to informally discuss all park district matters, not just a recreation center, with board members.
In November 2008, voters overwhelmingly rejected a $36 million plan to build a recreation center and revamp the pool at Quarry Beach.
"One of the things we really took a face slap for what was perceived (as) we did not have enough feedback from the community," said Tilmon, who was not a board member at the time but did head a committee supporting the center. Tilmon was appointed to the board in December.
He noted that in online forums for local newspapers, people have criticized the district for mentioning "recreation center" again, saying, "What about 'No' don't you understand?" Leard called an anonymous comment that said the district was stupid and suggested board members be impeached "cowardly."
"What does 'No' mean? There's a lot we don't understand," Tilmon said, saying people may have voted against the proposal because of the faltering economy, dislike of the site, the scope of the plan, dislike of the facility design or a combination of reasons.