Campton Hills legal fees rising

The Campton Hills village board's unanimous vote to appeal Judge Colwell's findings on the disconnection of five areas comes as no surprise. Their position, as stated by Trustee Al Lenkaitis, is a bit inconsistent. He is quoted a saying "democracy should represent everybody and not just the ones who have a means to an end." He also feels 51 percent of property owners have too much power over the remaining residents.

The village was voted in by 26.3 percent of all registered voters, winning by 341 votes on a poor voter turnout of 49 percent. The village will argue they had a 53 percent majority, but the difference was 341 votes. We who voted against the incorporation have been told to live with the majority and stop fighting the village.

We who wish to disconnect must have a real majority in each area, requiring signatures from 51 percent of the electors who live in the proposed areas. Many of the disconnect petitions have 70 percent or better, with one petition being 100 percent. These people followed due process under the law and both sides presented evidence and testimony. The judge presented a ruling on the five cases, stating village had not presented evidence that these disconnects would harm the village.

The appeals will mean more legal fees for the village. Perhaps the village should reserve some of the funds intended for this purpose and buy a dictionary to look up the true meanings of majority and democracy. We would all be a lot better off.

Rich Seehafer

St. Charles