Two will challenge three incumbents in Barrington

Barrington's three village trustees whose terms are expiring won't get a free ride to re-election April 7.

Unlike Village President Karen Darch, who has no opponent in her re-election bid, the trustees are being challenged by two independent candidates who believe they have new skills and viewpoints to share.

Peter Douglas and Glenn Strebel aren't running together, but they're jockeying for two of the three available seats along with the united team of incumbents Elizabeth Jones Raseman, Tim Roberts and Steve Miller.

All five candidates agree that addressing Canadian National's use of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern railroad and inspiring renewed economic growth are Barrington's top concerns.

Douglas agrees with the position the village has taken to fight in court the increase in freight train traffic. But Strebel does not.

Strebel believes that with the same money the village is spending on a costly lawsuit, it should instead acknowledge that part of the fight is over and start paying for the sound barriers and crossing improvements it needs.

But Raseman and her fellow trustees argue the cost of litigation won't even approach the minimum $40 million the village believes each of three rail crossings require to be safe.

That amount can only come from outside, she said, and will come only if the village continues to make its voice heard.

"It's not time to settle. It's still time to fight," Raseman said.

The incumbents say the lawsuit won't go on for years but will run along a well-defined timeline ending this summer.

While Douglas fully agrees with this approach, he said what differentiates him is a desire to make the process of locating a business or improving a home in Barrington more streamlined and inviting.

Douglas doesn't want to get rid of the historic home district or downtown zoning standards but believes a change in tone could prompt more people to participate.

While acknowledging that this is a goal the incumbents would say they share, Douglas believes he's more driven to get things done instead of standing by a record of past accomplishments.

Though Douglas believes close supporters of the incumbents will vote for them again, he's hoping more people will see a value in getting some new blood on the board.

Strebel also wants see greater change downtown by easing up on architectural and zoning restrictions. He doesn't want to lose Barrington's character but believes some compromise would make it easier for new businesses to open.

A recently retired Barrington Fire Department lieutenant, Strebel is critical of last year's village employee layoffs.

Roberts said tough but necessary decisions were needed last year for the good of Barrington. Strebel's criticism, Roberts said, reinforces his suspicion that Strebel will be a voice for village employees rather than taxpayers and residents - an argument Strebel rejects.

As for downtown development, Miller said the village is always open to new ideas as long as they're better than a tall rectangle. But he said economic growth is as well maintained as the current economy allows, as a simple drive through the downtown or along Route 14 would demonstrate.