The question is not how, but why?

( c) 2010

Perhaps the most telling statement that has appeared in media reports about the unexpected resignation of Village Manager Bill Brimm comes from the lead in Steve Zalusky's article in the Feb. 24 Daily Herald.

How do you replace 32 years of experience? The question is why do you replace 32 years of experience?

The answer is simple. The Village Board tried to maintain its professional mode of operation when dealing with Lisa Stone. Granted the exchanges may have been acrimonious, but the other trustees and village staff, handled things with a sense of decorum and professionalism. They seemed tolerant, more at some times than other, to deal with her "learning curve" and her arrogance, disrespect, and self-centered rhetoric.

While they board tried, Lisa Stone did not, has not and probably will not.

That's why you need to replace 32 years. Sure, Bill Brimm is not pointing the finger at Stone, he has too much class and dignity to do that.

Stone does not.

It's a sad day for the village when you walk into the municipal offices of another community -- not even adjacent to Buffalo Grove, and the village officials there are shaking their heads.

One told me flat out that Bill Brimm is an outstanding professional. He paused and shook his head and said -- and to think you have three more years.

That's the image of Buffalo Grove these days. Fortunately, unlike Ms. Stone, most people who deal with the village are aware of its excellent reputation as a well-run community.

Bill Brimm did not create it -- he preserved it as a community of integrity and lately, fiscal responsibility.

But Lisa Stone doesn't see that.

No, Lisa doesn't. She's too busy campaigning for the next election at taxpayer's expense. How?

While she rants about what the village needs, she trips over her own arrogance.

Let's see -- maybe we could save money here, or there, she says.

But wait, it's OK for her to tie up village staff with long-winded phone calls, voluminous e-mails and late-night rants -- that doesn't cost anything because, after all, it's for Lisa.

Greed and arrogance.

I'm sure Ms. Stone is really proud of herself because she thinks she forced Bill Brimm out.

What an accomplishment.

Yes, Ms. Stone is full of accomplishments -- let's see what are they? Bringing fame to the village? Like the captain of the Exxon Valdez.

Ms. Stone needs to explain herself. Why, Lisa, do you vote against the minutes every meeting?

Probably because Village Clerk Jan Sirabian doesn't bold face her name and make her look like the queen she thinks she is. What does Sirabian know -- she's only been doing the minutes since 1979. But wait, she does not do what little Lisa wants Lisa will have a tantrum.

What Stone needs to do is learn more about principles and operation of village government. She also needs to learn to think -- and think for herself. All you have to do is watch a vote -- Everyone seems well prepared. Stoney? She needs an explanation as to what she's voting on. Watch the video of the Feb. 22 meeting -- after weeks of hearings about eSkape, Stone wasn't clear.

It's interesting, however, to see that when a vote comes up about operational matters, Lisa Stone has nothing to say. Afterall, there's no glory there.

I hope Lisa was paying attention when Beverly Sussman announced the free health clinic this Saturday.

Maybe Stoney will attend.

Maybe she'll be surprised to learn that she may have some medical issues.

No heart and no spine, let alone some questionable neurological functions.