Request for Comment: Board of Trustees

On Thursday, January 31, I sent an email to President Sarto and the Board of Trustees seeking comment on recent events related to the improper meetings being held by Trustees Sigwalt and Humpfer. I share it here as a matter of disclosure, and another invitation for a reply to this situation from our elected officials, since there has not been a reply as of yet.

Do they consider this to be a serious matter? Or, do they think it will be something that will just “blow over”? Will they discuss this issue amongst the Board members in Executive Session and appropriately discipline the trustees involved? Will they provide any comments to a public that is troubled by the revelation of these events? Or, are they awaiting the outcome of an investigation before taking any action or speaking out publicly against this?

At some point in the near future, people will become more impatient and consider their silence indicative of acceptance of this questionable behavior.

Greetings President Sarto and Members of the Board of Trustees,

I am sure you are, no doubt, aware of the recent information reported on Carpentersville Action Network blog regarding meetings conducted by some trustees outside the knowledge of many, which include some members of Village staff and the general public.

As I have in the past, I am writing to, once again, offer you the opportunity to provide comment and explanation to the public on the events that have taken place. If you would like to respond, yet would prefer that your response not be posted on the blog, I will respect such requests. However, I would like to hear thoughts and comments from each of you on your position related to this serious matter.

That said, although this should come as no surprise to any of you, I would like to express my extreme disappointment and dissatisfaction with the events that have transpired over the past few years, and especially those which have recently come to light. While the response to a complaint did not currently merit further investigation, it seems that many questionable events took place which I believe the Board should take some action on. At the very least, I believe it would be helpful for the Board to discuss — in Executive Session — the possibility of censuring Trustees Humpfer and Sigwalt for irresponsible actions that have created and expanded a general mistrust of Village government. Further, I would like to request that, in any proclamation of censure, the Board also seek to ensure that meetings of these types are ended.

It is unfortunate that these deceptive and embarrassing actions needed to be made more widely known in order for admissions to be made. I would have liked for there to have been more participation by members of the Board in answering earlier inquiries. Perhaps doing so could have helped to avoid such embarrassment for Carpentersville.

I must admit that I sometimes hold regret for the blog, particularly when I see Carpentersville related searches returning results from my blog that are none-too-flattering. However, I do believe that it is sometimes necessary to take a few steps back to clear obstacles so that progressing forward will not be impeded. That is the hope that I hold out for everyone in the Village.

While the blog has been an outlet for my own critical opinions, which have extended to each of you at one point or another, I believe my direct correspondence with each of you has always been respectful and courteous. As such, I hope you will afford me the courtesy of a reply.

Sincerely,

Chrysippus

It is my sincere hope that the Board of Trustees will do the right thing.

Be informed when casting your vote

Tomorrow is primary election day in Illinois; also known as Super Tuesday across the country because there are 24 states holding primaries or caucuses on that day. (Incidentally it is also “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras.)

With news that there will be groups like Fox Valley Citizens for Legal Immigration, among others, who will be watching the polls, there may be some information you should know so that you are not intimidated or prevented from casting a ballot.

The first thing to keep in mind that all who come to a polling place on Tuesday must be allowed to cast a vote provided they can give reasonable proof to an official Election Judge that they are eligible and registered to vote.

If an Election Judge cannot locate your name among registered voters, but you can provide identification that could be used as proof of voter eligibility, you can vote via a Provisional Ballot. This is allowable, even in the case where a “poll watcher” has challenged your eligibility.

Election judges are officers of the Circuit Court and have legal authority to conduct the election in the polling place. All judges have equal responsibility and authority.

“Pollwatchers” are not Election Judges.

By majority decision, the judges have the sole power to allow or disallow a challenge to a voter, to cause removal of unauthorized pollwatchers and to limit the number of pollwatchers in the polling place.

So, some information you may want to know about “Pollwatchers” …

Only one pollwatcher each from any “Qualified Citizen Group”, “State Civic Organization” or “Political Party” (or two representing any “Candidate”) may be present at any polling place. They must have registered at least 40 days in advance with the proper election authority.

Within guidelines provided by law, Election Judges may limit the number of pollwatchers if a polling place becomes overcrowded.

Pollwatchers are not allowed to touch any supplies or materials and at no time may pollwatchers be so close to the judges that they interfere with the orderly conduct of the election.

Pollwatchers are really there to observe the Election Judges follow proper procedures when a voter’s registration cannot be validated. They are not to do the work of the Election Judges by seeking to determine voter eligibility themselves.

Some reasons for challenging include the following:

• The voter no longer resides at the address at which he/she is registered.
• The person attempting to vote is not the same person registered.
• The person attempting to vote has already voted.
• The person attempting to vote is not registered to vote.

Election Judges will determine your eligibility to vote at the table.

If you have any problems, you may report them to the Kane County clerk: (630) 232-5990 or if you suspect irregularities, contact the state’s attorney at (630) 208-5328.

If you have witnessed actual or attempted acts of discrimination or intimidation in the
voting process, you may report this to the Civil Rights Division of the United States
Department of Justice at 1-800-253-3931.