Calling the move “shortsighted,” one Brookfield village trustee had some barbs to throw following the decision not to refill the void left by a former village planner — a void created amid harsh criticisms of officials, residents and the media.
Brookfield Village Manager Rick Ginex said the village planner position, left vacant by Meena Beyers as of April 15, will not yet be filled due to the economy.
“I’ve already told the board that I want to wait on filling that position for five to six months at least,” Ginex said. “I want to see where we’re at financially, and I really have some concerns with the state of Illinois.”
The state could be reducing the municipal share of the state income tax by 3 percent, which would mean that Brookfield could stand to lose $440,000.
“If they take that away, we’re going to be in a world of hurt,” Ginex said. “I’m not too confident in what the state does nowadays. Sometimes the budget is not done by June 30 like it is supposed to be. I think five or six months is a good benchmark.”
At the Village Board meeting April 12, Trustee Michael Towner read a statement saying that he felt the village planner position needed to be filled.
“Brookfield took two steps back by not having this position filled,” Towner said. “Our staff and their abilities are the foundation from which we build on. It is not always visible to the public until a sign goes up or a brick is laid. To say the position is not needed is just shortsighted. We need to be ready as the economy is improving and need this position to help us to lead for a better Brookfield.”
In a resignation letter, Beyers accused certain village staff members of “having no boundaries or respect for privacy.”
Beyers criticized officials and residents for their disrespect.
“In my career, I have never served such a disdainful and disrespectful community as I experienced during my time serving the Village of Brookfield,” Beyers said. “During my last year, it became increasingly clear that current and former elected officials, residents and press are more interested in continuing the counterproductive politics of the past than moving the community forward.”
Beyers also said village residents did not value what was best for the community.
“I now understand that Brookfield residents may never value what is best for the community, as the longevity of long-range planning in their minds ends with the next election or village negotiation.”
Beyers said the only thing making her position “endurable” was the camaraderie of the staff and competency of the Brookfield Plan Commission. Beyers’ salary was $70,571, and her insurance costs were $16,940.
Ginex said Beyers’ resignation would cause more work for the current employees.
“Meena did a significant amount of work on the (TIF district) car wash, so I’m not going to say not having her here is not going to affect any planning issue,” Ginex said. “The planing will fall on (assistant village manager) Keith (Sbiral) and I now. Development still has to go on.”
Read the original article from MySuburbanLife.com.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services