Buffalo Grove resident starts drive to recall Trustee Lisa Stone

In Buffalo Grove, it is officially recall season.

The first pitch, as it were, was thrown out by resident David Wells. He filed an intent to circulate recall petitions with the village clerk Thursday morning, the first day residents were allowed to do so.

The object of the petition is controversial Trustee Lisa Stone, who has said all along that she was the poster child for the recall ordinance when it was recently adopted.

Wells issued a news release Thursday announcing his move. The contact on the news release was Adam Moodhe, who worked closely with Michael Terson last year in his unsuccessful campaign for trustee. Last year, Moodhe filed an unsuccessful complaint with the state election board against Stone, claiming Stone had not properly disclosed campaign finance information.

In his statement, Wells said, "Due to Trustee Lisa Stone's disregard of the Village of Buffalo Grove Code of Conduct Ordinance and her own public statements that she will break the rules if she feels the need, there is a loss of confidence in the methods and ability of Trustee Stone to effectively govern or represent the residents of Buffalo Grove."

In response, Lisa Stone issued a statement saying:

"When it comes to the health, safety and welfare of the community, I'm willing to speak out and that's clearly not very popular or acceptable with our current leaders. I stand up for the people in this community and now those people will have to decide if they want my representation. I definitely challenge the establishment, but do so for the betterment of our citizens and our society."

Wells, who works in Naperville as a research chemist, has lived in Buffalo Grove for 15 years. He said Friday he has at times agreed with Stone's positions, but reached a turning point during the recent controversy over the Land & Lakes transfer station and composting facility.

Stone was reprimanded by the village board for pursuing action against Land & Lakes as an individual while giving the impression she was acting in her official capacity. She responded that she didn't believe she broke the rules, but also said, "If I have to break the rules to do what's right, I will."

Wells said he is working with a group of people to circulate petitions.

Under the recall ordinance, there's a 10-day period to file a notice of intent to recall with the village clerk. Beginning April 26, Wells can begin circulating petitions and has 90 days to obtain at least 1,000 signatures to put recall on the November ballot.

After the petition is filed, objections can be made in writing for five business days. They will be reviewed by the local electoral board, whose ruling can be appealed in court.

If the petition passes muster and the referendum is held, a majority vote removes a trustee and a replacement is named in the manner provided by law for filling a vacancy.