Barrington opposition slate faces removal from ballot
Three Barrington village trustee candidates touting a different vision for downtown redevelopment than the current board could be removed from the ballot because they did not file mandatory statements of economic interest.
A Barrington electoral board hearing on the objections against candidates James Magnanenzi, Michael Kozel and JoAnn Fletcher has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at village hall, 200 S. Hough St.
The objections were filed by Barrington resident John C. Sciaccotta Sr.
The electoral board will consist, by legal statute, of Village President Karen Darch, Village Clerk Adam Frazier and senior Trustee Beth Raseman — none of whom is running against any of the three challenged candidates in the April 9 election.
Magnanenzi declined to comment Monday, and neither Kozel nor Fletcher could be reached for comment.
The three were united in their criticism of the lack of apartments in the recently approved retail-office redevelopment project on the southwest corner of Main and Hough streets downtown.
They also accused current village officials of having no viable repayment plan for the tax increment financing district money that’s paying for public improvements as part of the redevelopment.
Officials say their repayment plan for the TIF district is sound, and that the Main-Hough project was proposed by developers knowledgeable of what the market would support.
The challenged candidates’ slate doesn’t include a candidate for village president. Darch is running unopposed.
She is running on an informal slate that includes Trustee Tim Roberts and residents Pete Douglas and Sue Padula, who also are seeking trustee positions. Frazier is running unopposed for clerk.
Even if the electoral board declared the nominating petitions of Magnanenzi, Kozel and Fletcher invalid, the three would still be able to file as write-in candidates if they choose.
Their removal from the ballot, however, for now would leave the Barrington village board race uncontested.