Neighbors tussle in Mettawa election

They live in the same neighborhood on Mettawa's east side, but Larry Falbe and Amy Sue Weiland are on different sides in an unusual election season in the tiny rural village.

As in the race for mayor and four-year trustee, a board decision to sell to Costco property at the southwest corner of Route 60 and the Tri-State Tollway, has galvanized opinion. Falbe and Weiland are running for an unexpired two-year term.

Challengers say residents need to be a bigger part of future decisions. Incumbents say information always has been available on issues, but there was little public interest.

Falbe, an environmental attorney, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board about a year ago. He voted against the sale to Costco - an issue that mobilized opposition to incumbents for one of the few times in village history - but rejected an invitation to join the opposition Mettawa Transparency Party. Weiland, who runs an Internet-based business for pet owners, was selected to fill that ballot spot.

In a letter to residents, Falbe said he voted against Costco because he didn't think the village board did a good enough job of building consensus before approving it. He said the village needs to move on and supports the Costco development as a source of $1 million a year. That income gives the village its best chance for future financial stability and the money to protect open space, continue municipal property tax rebates, and other matters, he contends.

He also chided opponents as inexperienced and focused on one-issue, while his running mates have the leadership to move the village forward. He said "everything done with Costco was done at the board level," but nobody was there to ask questions as the matter unfolded.

"It is really important to have a lot of community involvement," he said. "A lot of people complain about government but don't take the time to show up."

Weiland said residents weren't aware of Costco until trees were cleared from the property.

"Everybody feels left out of the loop. Everybody has something to hide," she charged. She shares the opinion of running mates that the village has been secretive, and details of village purchases of land assembled for Costco were questionable.

"I don't want this to be contentious. The truth is I wasn't 100 percent against Costco. I don't like to be lied to," Weiland said.

Better management would "secure our financial future" and allow the village to preserve its environment, she said. She suggests current contracts be reviewed and a "fair bidding process" be developed. Village supply costs and legal fees also should be examined, she said.

"I believe we need to know exactly where our village stands financially before deciding what projects we should take on," she contends.

Falbe said the village board relies on volunteer efforts and is trying to decrease expenses. He said the "Costco dividend" is essential to protect and enhance the village and would be the last commercial development except in already designated areas.