In 2017, the Hazel Crest Village Board presented a referendum asking for two consecutive two-year terms for our elected Village Board officials. The residents voted in favor of this.
In 2019, the same Hazel Crest Village Board presented a referendum asking for four four-year terms for our elected Village Board. Residents voted a resounding no.
Today, five years later, the same Village Board has the audacity to now present a binding referendum asking for five four-year terms, or a 20-year term limit.
In attempting to manipulate our vote, they’ve channeled their energy toward defending this referendum in every way possible.
Why didn’t they channel this same energy toward providing information and seeking our engagement when they took out a $10 million bond to renovate the Village Hall; or when they named the Village Hall the Vernard Alsberry Municipal Center; or when they annexed the Calumet Country Club property and, after the mayor received a $10,000 contribution to his campaign and entertained plans to turn the property into a truck storage from which 240 trucks will be entering or leaving per day.
One can only wonder why they’re overwhelming us with information and seeking our engagement on a term-limit referendum, after denying our input on actions that were far more consequential.
Term limits for our elected leadership is critical and eight years is a reasonable term limit for any elected official. After all, not even the president of the United States serves more than two terms. I will be voting no to the referendum.
Mary Griffin, Hazel Crest
