Resolving a few issues

Monday's Village Board meeting has come and gone.

Thankfully.

The first meeting after the election had all the anticipation of a Brett Favre interview -- no one knew for sure what was going to transpire and how.

It was a crap shoot as to which would draw more attention -- the reprimand of Village President Elliott Hartstein for his election night mockery of embattled (and now recalled) trustee Lisa Stone or whether Stone would attend the meeting.

In the end, both came off as about as exciting as a Favre interview.

The reprimand of Hartstein was expected and given what transpired on election night, appropriate.  Prior to the introduction of the resolution Hartstein read his statement of apology to the village, the village board and to Stone.

Trustee Steve Trilling read the ordinance and to no surprise, it was adopted 4-0. Stone, who was in attendance, but not on the dais and trustee De Ann Glover, who is recovering from surgery, did not vote.

Discussion surrounding the resolution was limited, with the exception of two residents, one who pointed out that trustees Jeff Berman and Jeff Braiman were not laughing at Hartstein's shenanigans and were in fact "appalled" by what they say.  Resident Frank Sears lashed out at the Board, Hartstein in particular, for the whole episode.

It's the stuff we've heard and read about since election night -- with one twist.

Sears referred to Hartstein's parody a "burlesque."   That does not conjure up the best images.  When I think of burlesque, I think of Sally Rand, Gypsy Rose Lee and Miss Nitro (who I once saw).  Not the village board.  That image is, well, not pleasant.

Aside from the two resident comments, there was, as noted, little discussion.  One thing that sparked my curiosity was the lack of a "request" for the resolution.  Typically, when resolutions are posted as part of the online agenda, the cover screen indicates who requested it and who entered it.  The reprimand was entered by Village Manager Dane Bragg, but not requested by anyone.   Interesting.

As for Stone, yes, she made an appearance.  Once again she chided the board for not televising the IEPA hearing into the  L & L landfill.  The Board did, however, announce at the meeting that CDs of hearing are available from Village Hall, thanks in part to resident Mike Feldman who volunteered his services to video the hearing which, when all was said and done, did not reveal any drastically new information.  The actual hearing took less than 45 minutes.

Stone video portions of the meeting have been uploaded to YouTube (search Trustee Lisa Stone) if you want to view the hearing.  But why "Trustee Lisa Stone"?  She made it clear that it was not "Village Board Trustee Lisa Stone" -- just Trustee Lisa Stone.  She also said she now has an email account by the same name (TrusteeLisaStone@AOL.com) and she will provide information to residents.

But Trustee Lisa Stone?  Once the results of the election results of Nov. 2 are certified she will no longer be a village trustee. It's obvious she is trying to maintain some kind of status as a public figure -- as if she is in a campaign (wink, wink).  She does, however, run the risk (do 'ya think?) of being seen as misrepresenting herself as an active trustee.

I did one thing interesting about her appearance.  It's not that she continued her assault on the Board regarding L & L -- it's just that for someone who has charged the Board with all kinds of wrongdoings, you would think she would take an interest in village business.

Like the proposed budget that was discussed Monday night.

But Stone wasn't around for it -- She left after the reprimand.

Draw your own conclusions.