Questions linger on drug rehab facility

I have attended the zoning hearing meetings regarding the Maxxam Partners' petition seeking a special-use permit from the Kane County Zoning Board of Appeals at the Glenwood School property.

I have grave questions about the process, the players, and apparent lack of transparency proposed to create a for-profit alcohol and drug rehab business which admittedly will not serve the vast majority of our Kane residents.

The hearings covered possible diminishing property values and inappropriate placement of a business not in line with the surrounding open space. Fire, security, real estate agents, assessor, traffic experts were paraded in and questioned by opposing attorneys as if they were at a Perry Mason trial.

But troubling questions still remain. The mysterious Florida-based petitioners were never brought forth to discuss the project so the community could learn of its plans.

I am also embarrassed that our own ex chief judge, F. Keith Brown, the petitioner's attorney, was obliged to publicly apologize several times for his comments that directly attacked or insulted the attendees and that he demonstrated threatening approaches to pursue a Federal Fair Housing Act action against the county if the ZBA decides to deny his request for a zoning change.

If this were truly a matter of fair housing abuse, I'd be the first to join in as I've advocated for the disabled for many years. But this isn't what it's about. Lack of transparency and not providing the public with ample information to determine the merits has not been forthright at these hearings.

I firmly believe that government is of the people, by the people, for the people. In our democracy elected representatives' jobs are to listen to their constituents. It is my hope that our voices have been heard and outside interests will be seriously questioned.

Darlene Bakk

Campton Hills