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Sarto personally attacked, questioned by police, over article (Corrected)

On Sunday, the Chicago Tribune published an article about President Sarto. Apparently it got at least one resident a bit out of hand after reading it, firing off an email to Sarto. [Update (6/27/07): The Daily Herald reports that the residents name was Richard Grass, not Green as was reported in the Courier News on Tuesday.) [links appear at the end of this post]

Allegedly Carpentersville resident Richard Grass read the article that appeared in the Tribune and sent an email to Sarto and more than a dozen others, calling Sarto “a low-life worm” and “sick in the head”.

The section of the article that was referred to is as follows:

Sarto and his wife, Cheryl, had settled here in 1996 because she wanted to live close to her father. When her father had a stroke, he moved into their five-bedroom house. Bill’s parents lived downstairs.

Then both of their fathers died within six months. Soon afterward, Cheryl was diagnosed with breast cancer. She and Bill divorced, largely, he says, because she didn’t want to put him through another illness. They remained good friends until she died on Jan. 1, 2005.

Grass allegedly wrote in response that Sarto “…needs a severe punch in the @#$%ing nose! … Not to mention a kick in the @#$%.”

Perhaps Sarto said some things he should not have, but Grass appears to have baited the situation. (UPDATE) In fact, I’ve seen some emails as well as comments on NWHerald.com that display the kind of crass language and lack of sense that is reported in this story. For him to call Sarto ‘a low-life’ is like the pot calling the kettle black. It is obvious that this was a personal attack against, and a threat to, Sarto, whom, the article states, lost his father and wife in the span of a few short years, and only a few years ago.

This kind of behavior is completely inappropriate!

As one who has been part of a long list of recipients on various emails between residents and Sarto, I must say that I think Sarto should take steps to filter those messages worthy of a reply from those that do not. This was one of those emails that did not deserve a reply, but the venomous nature of the statements is enough to elicit some form of reply from those who usually exercise the utmost restraint.

Grass should drop the complaint and apologize for his detestable actions. In fact, Grass’s inflammatory speech may not necessarily have First Amendment protections. Having not seen the actual email, I cannot be certain, but the nature of the limited information released, if it was not the worst of it, might lean that way.

Residents need to contact the Village Board only with appropriate communications on actionable Village business in which they can contribute information. Village Board members need only reply to these items and should seek to appropriately filter those emails requiring a response, or from whom they need more information.

Chicago Tribune: Village leader stands firm as debate rages
Daily Herald: Mayor in weekend email brouhaha
Courier News: Resident calls police on C’ville village president

Toll bridge proposed for Longmeadow

Leaders in Carpentersville, Algonquin, East and West Dundee, Barrington Hills, Gilberts, Hampshire, Huntley, Lake in the Hills and Sleepy Hollow are backing a plan for the Longmeadow Bridge and Parkway.

I don’t know that I’ve seen a project of this scope with this kind of cooperation, said Jan Carlson, chairman of the transportation committee.

The area is in severe need of another bridge crossing the Fox River in order to alleviate some of the traffic tie-ups at the bridges of Carpentersville, Algonquin and Dundee. Traffic coming from the north as well contributes to congestion in Algonquin and Fox River Grove (Rt 14).

However, the bridge is being pitched as a toll bridge.

The idea of a bridge at Longmeadow Parkway has been discussed for more than a decade. Officials fear the bridge will never be built unless a definite funding plan – such as a tollbooth – is found.

The tolls would be used for construction and maintenance of the bridges and would be removed once construction is paid off and a maintenance fund has been established.

Unfortunately, this is the same as was said about toll roads, such as Northwest Tollway, which makes me think that, unless specifics are provided for when this will be paid for and yearly reports are made available to the public regarding the progress toward such goal, this toll will never go away.

Years ago, something similar existed over the Rock River north of Rockford. The toll continued year after year until some bright citizen looked into the funds collected and found that such a goal had been achieved years earlier. A lawsuit resulted in a “reverse toll” being established, whereby for a specific period of time motorists were given $0.10 every time they crossed the bridge.

The reason why a toll bridge is unfortunate is that it will act as something of a deterrent to being fully utilized. Some people will be put off by having to pay a toll, and will continue to use the other bridges on a more regular basis, even if it means sitting idly and inhaling exhaust fumes.

If a toll is what it takes to get this bridge built, then so be it. But, it would be good if a larger portion of funding could be obtained from developers (i.e. home builders) in Hampshire, Gilberts, Huntley, Crystal Lake, Carpentersville and Algonquin, since more rooftops in this areas — not to mention commercial/retail development — are contributing significantly to the congestion. Such a plan would pay for the road faster — particularly as the area’s population continues to increase. It would also help establish the maintenance fund, and ensure greater usage in a shorter period of time, which would benefit all.

The Longmeadow Parkway, when complete, is to connect Huntley Rd on the West (just west of Randall Rd) with Algonquin Rd on the East (just east of Rt 25). An issue that needs to be considered on both the east and west sides, however, is that this 4 lane road will terminate at what are now two lane roads. If this remains, and this road is build, it will only contribute to the congestion, especially on Algonquin Rd-Rte 62 through Barrington Hills.

These issues need to be addressed now.

Get the rest of the story here. Or here.