Bensenville candidates weigh in on annexation proposal

Two slates of candidates pursuing three available seats on the Bensenville village board have different views on a proposal to replace White Pines subdivision's aging water delivery system if the neighborhood is annexed.

The village made the offer several months ago to about 280 homeowners, but no decision has been made.

If the deal is approved, Bensenville will pursue a $7 million project to replace water mains in the neighborhood. Then a service area would be created to raise money from property owners to help pay for the water main project.

When asked about White Pines, candidates Frank DeSimone, Rosa M. Carmona and Agnieszka "Annie" Jaworska of the Residents' Voice Party issued a joint statement saying the condition of the water delivery system appears to be "critical."

"If that is true, it begs the question as to why this is a crisis today and not something that should have been maintained and addressed over the years," according to the statement.

Carmona, DeSimone and Jaworska are seeking three 4-year terms on the village board. They are facing incumbents JoEllen Ridder and Robert "Bob" Jarecki and newcomer Luis M. Tellez, who are running as part of the Changing Bensenville 4 the Better party.

Ridder said Bensenville hasn't neglected the White Pines water system. In fact, she said, the village spends about $20,000 a year repairing it.

"I think they (White Pines residents) all know and understand that their water system needs to be replaced," Ridder said during a Daily Herald endorsement interview. "There are pressure issues. It's very antiquated."

Ridder said the village is "hoping and willing" to work with White Pines residents to find a solution.

Jarecki said the annexation offer is an attempt to get the project done in a way that's mutually beneficial for White Pines and the village.

"This is probably the best foot we could put forward to try and get them to want to annex," he said.

An annexation of White Pines would increase the residential tax base for Bensenville, which lost hundreds of homes to O'Hare International Airport expansion.

Still, there is a vocal group of homeowners strongly opposed and they are trying to find ways to replace the water system and keep the subdivision unincorporated.

Carmona, DeSimone and Jaworska are calling for "a thorough, open and transparent assessment" of the water system's condition and "an audit of the financial situation." Then a list of options, including annexation, should be put on the table, they said.

"Decisions should not be rammed through until all this has been done - in the open and with public input," the candidates said. "Then the voters of White Pines can make an informed decision about their future."

Ridder, Jarecki and Tellez agree nothing should be forced on the residents.

"For me, it's not imposing something," Tellez said. "It's about collaboration and coming up with a solution that the residents of White Pines would be comfortable accepting."

Bensenville trustees must decide by May whether to pursue the water main replacement because the village is hoping to finalize a low-interest loan for the project.

In the meantime, Ridder said there's a possibility the White Pines residents will develop their own plan that doesn't involve the village.

"If they can come back with something that they're happy with," Ridder said, "that they feel is feasible - that they are going to be able to pay for - that's the goal here in the long run."