Editorial wrong, unfair to village
I object to the Daily Herald’s reference to Buffalo Grove in the editorial on Aug. 8 regarding housing for the disabled. Whether intended or not, the editorial cast our village in a negative light that is contrary to our history and current position on the disabled. I would like the newspaper and your readership to understand and appreciate our actions vis-Ã -vis the disabled.
The village of Buffalo Grove was one of the first, if not the first municipality, in the Chicago metropolitan area to create a Blue Ribbon Committee and shortly thereafter in 1991 a standing Residents with Disability Commission. That commission, I am proud to say, is one of the most active commissions contained within the village structure and is responsible for a great many improvements for the lifestyle of our disabled residents.
The members of that committee have work diligently with the police department, fire department, building department, art festival and Buffalo Grove Days Committee to ensure the needs of not only our residents with disabilities, but those who reside outside our community, are met.
The comments in the editorial are not only an affront to the village but particularly to the members of the committee who have worked tirelessly over the past 22 years to protect the rights of the disabled.
In addition to the efforts of our Residents with Disability Commission, the village in the early 1990s was one of the first to create an ordinance allowing group homes for the disabled within our community. I believe our record relating to our disabled community is second to none, and the comments and inferences contained within your editorial are unfair and blatantly false.
Jeffrey S. Braiman
Village president
Buffalo Grove