Gurnee trustee tired of anti-veterans tag

Saying she's been unfairly portrayed as unsympathetic to war veterans, Gurnee Trustee Jeanne Balmes is accusing village board colleague Kirk Morris of wanting to plan Heroes of Freedom Memorial Park for political gain.

Balmes' comments at a Dec. 21 village board meeting came before she and four other trustees voted in favor of allowing Morris' foundation - named for his late Marine son who died serving in Iraq in 2004 - to be the project's official developer.

Morris wasn't a trustee when village officials asked him to lead the memorial effort in 2005. Since then, he made an unsuccessful run in the 8th Congressional District's Republican primary in 2008 and became a Gurnee trustee in 2009.

At last week's meeting, Balmes said while she sympathizes with Morris losing his son in the Iraq war, she believes he's using the visible Heroes of Freedom effort as a way to further his political ambitions.

"This has become a personal game for Mr. Morris," Balmes said.

Morris recused himself from discussing or voting on the deal between the village and his foundation on the evening Balmes spoke out. He has not returned messages seeking a response to Balmes' accusations.

Under the agreement, the Pfc. Geoffrey Morris Memorial Foundation must raise private money and ensure the project's completion by Dec. 31, 2014.

Sparking the deal was a controversy that developed in October, when Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik doubted the foundation could complete the memorial because there's little to show for a nearly five-year effort. She had considered appointing a committee to be in charge of the memorial's development.

Considering the partially constructed memorial is on public property that could have been placed on the tax rolls if it had been sold, Balmes said she's had the right to raise questions about the plans as a village trustee.

In 2007, Balmes requested the village board receive a separate ComEd bill for the memorial and not have it lumped in with electricity costs for other public structures. The memorial's monthly electric charge wasn't supposed to top $50.

Balmes reiterated her concern over the electric bill arose because officials were told no public money would be used for the memorial. She said her inquires led to unfair accusations against her stemming from Morris and his backers.

"Even my aunt asked me if I'm anti-veterans," said Balmes.

Although Gurnee village board members agreed to establish a memorial park in remembrance of U.S. military personnel who died in Iraq and Afghanistan in March 2005, Morris' foundation never was named in any documents until last week.

So far, Heroes of Freedom has nine flag poles representing every military branch and lights. A planned walkway, sculptures and a garden have yet to be built.