In the paper that brings us Megabites, Ms. Goodhair, a listing of honor roll students and the infamous fixer, comes an editorial calling for a village official to step down.
The editorial in today's issue of The Buffalo Grove Countryside (http://www.pioneerlocal.com/buffalogrove/news/2116511,buffalo-grove-stoneedit-032510-s1.article ) is a stunning, as in surprising, chapter in the ongoing saga of Lisa Stone's tenure on the Buffalo Grove Village Board.
Quite simply, they want her gone.
This is not the first time I can recall Pioneer calling for a public official to hit the road. In the 1970s, the Highland Park News revealed that a candidate for City Council had misrepresented himself, accusations that lead to his withdrawal from the race.
I am sure there have been others. Perhaps the Berwyn paper called for Betty Maltese to take a hike. The feds did it first.
But this is Buffalo Grove -- our community -- served by our neighbors. A community which, despite what Ms. Stone says, is well run. It's not perfect. Nothing is. Sometimes emails go unanswered and sometimes phone calls are not returned as quickly as we like. All village officials, including Ms. Stone, make decisions they may regret. But they learn from experience.
Apparently, Ms. Stone has not. Her acrimonious delivery system wiped away any positive message she may have had.
For whatever reason, I find myself humming songs from the musical "Evita." Why? Perhaps because there's no doubt that if you equate the village with Argentina, Stone shows similarities to Eva Peron.
For whatever reason, I find myself humming songs from the musical "Evita." Why? Perhaps because there's no doubt that if you equate the village with Argentina, Stone shows similarities to Eva Peron.
Power hungry, bullylike, with visions of grandeur when none is there.
Don't cry for her, Argentina -- or Buffalo Grove -- Much like Eva Peron, our local Eva, to paraphrase the musical, "hasn't said much, but she's said it loud."
Loud is putting it mildly. Yes, we'll hear how she had the second highest vote total in the May election and yes, we'll hear about the Ethics Commission.
But will we hear about the censure, the fact that the Daily Herald's "investigation" of outgoing Village Manager Bill Brimm's performance found that she was the only one, after only a few months as a trustee, gave him zero ratings, and will we hear about how she won't follow the rules?
Probably not. The unfortunate reality is what we will hear are comments and questions of disbelief from our neighbors and friends, both in Buffalo Grove and out, about what is going on in Buffalo Grove.
I am surprised that The Countryside took the stand so soon -- less than a year since Stone was elected. It seems, however, that they don't see much hope for improvement and rather than go on with the same routine, think change is needed -- And the catalyst for that change is for Ms. Stone to step down.
What happens from here is anyone's guess, but a vote of no confidence by a paper published by one of the state's largest media groups is not encouraging.
While I take vehement exception to how Ms. Stone handles her role as a public official, she did, like it or not, do something not many residents are willing to do -- get involved. The fact that she took advantage of that opportunity is unfortunate. Her actions and comments put her in this position -- not Bill Brimm, not Elliott Hartstein and not the rest of the Village Board or Village Staff. Lisa Stone put herself in this position.
There's also recall. It would not surprise me if someone starts a recall effort. It would be yet another sad blemish on the village.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Who knows? If there is, let's hope for the sake of the village, its residents and business community, that it's the end of tunnel -- and not the train coming right at us.
Loud is putting it mildly. Yes, we'll hear how she had the second highest vote total in the May election and yes, we'll hear about the Ethics Commission.
But will we hear about the censure, the fact that the Daily Herald's "investigation" of outgoing Village Manager Bill Brimm's performance found that she was the only one, after only a few months as a trustee, gave him zero ratings, and will we hear about how she won't follow the rules?
Probably not. The unfortunate reality is what we will hear are comments and questions of disbelief from our neighbors and friends, both in Buffalo Grove and out, about what is going on in Buffalo Grove.
I am surprised that The Countryside took the stand so soon -- less than a year since Stone was elected. It seems, however, that they don't see much hope for improvement and rather than go on with the same routine, think change is needed -- And the catalyst for that change is for Ms. Stone to step down.
What happens from here is anyone's guess, but a vote of no confidence by a paper published by one of the state's largest media groups is not encouraging.
While I take vehement exception to how Ms. Stone handles her role as a public official, she did, like it or not, do something not many residents are willing to do -- get involved. The fact that she took advantage of that opportunity is unfortunate. Her actions and comments put her in this position -- not Bill Brimm, not Elliott Hartstein and not the rest of the Village Board or Village Staff. Lisa Stone put herself in this position.
There's also recall. It would not surprise me if someone starts a recall effort. It would be yet another sad blemish on the village.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Who knows? If there is, let's hope for the sake of the village, its residents and business community, that it's the end of tunnel -- and not the train coming right at us.
Well said, Stan. I guess that the old saying "What comes around goes around" really is true. Stone had the opportunity to do something positive for BG but blew it by putting her own wants and needs in front of the community's. The election clouded whatever good judgment she might have had, and she let the power go straight to her half-empty head.
ReplyDeleteStone is going to get what she deserves. She's been exposed for the inept narciscisstic fraud that she really is, and now the vultures are circling around her dying political career. It will undoubtedly be a slow and painful demise and she'll fight it to the end, but it will be fun to watch nonetheless. I know I'll savor every minute of it.
As you noted, she did have the opportunity. It will be interesting to watch what unfolds.
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