Melchert backs Bormann in Bartlett; candidates consider U-46 break

Less than a week before the April 7 election, Bartlett Village President Catherine Melchert has endorsed Sherry Bormann as her successor.

A one-page letter signed by Melchert touts Bormann's communication skills and six years as a village trustee as reason voters should back her. Melchert's retiring after 16 years as village president.

Melchert questioned if Bormann's opponent, Michael Kelly, could devote enough time to the village given his duties to his law practice.

Bormann, 62, recently retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, where she oversaw consumer complaints. Melchert said Bormann's retirement gives her more time to devote to the village, especially with regional issues including the Canadian National Railroad Co. deal that's poised to bring more freight traffic into town.

"Mr. Kelly has a full-time job and a family and many other activities that he's involved in and I think that would probably inhibit his ability to be involved in the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Northwest Municipal Conference," Melchert said.

Kelly, 53, said electing Bormann would be a continuation of Melchert's leadership. He said he's been able to juggle his work as Hanover Township supervisor with his other responsibilities, and noted his law office is close to village hall.

"I don't think there's any rule that says you need to be retired and living on a government pension to run a town," Kelly said.

Kelly also noted he's been endorsed by three area Republican officials: State Sen. John Millner, State Rep. Randy Ramey and Cook County Commissioner Timothy Schneider.

Bormann said she's honored to have Melchert's support, noting the increased tax revenues and economic expansion on the west side that happened during Melchert's tenure.

Disconnecting Bartlett from the much-maligned Elgin Area High School Unit District 46 stood as one of Melchert's top goals, and Bormann, a former teacher, said improving education for the village remained her priority, along with improving the economy.

Bormann and Kelly both said they'd prefer the large school system to break up into smaller parts. The political foes agree that any chance for disconnection hinges on Springfield lawmakers, and the current political climate doesn't bode well for any law changes.

But Kelly said the village's priority shouldn't be to spend money on lobbyists to push disconnection. Village officials should instead focus on sewer and stormwater problems within Bartlett, as well as ensuring the village's finances remain healthy, Kelly said.

Bormann said it hasn't cost the village much to investigate disconnection. She added the village needs lobbyists not only to help on school district issues but to help secure money for the infrastructure improvements Kelly references.

A recent report released by the Illinois Campaign for Finance Reform reveals the village paid Cullen & Associates $52,000 last year for lobbyist services and almost $68,000 in 2007.

Bormann said she's willing to give new U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres a chance, and that disconnection isn't that only solution to the problem.