From Crystal Lake Mayor Haig Haleblian’s Facebook page:
Haig Haleblian
First a six-minute YouTube of the debate over whether to eliminate DEI from the Park District Policy Manual:
Hostile takeover of Crystal Lake Park District – new members grab power and cancel DEI
I was going to sit out on my observations but my core and fingers simply won’t allow me to do so.
All the self restraint and decorum I can muster are at hand right now because I have far more thoughts on this, but I’m really not in the mood to spontaneously combust.
Especially since today is my youngest daughter Kate’s 15th anniversary of be declared cancer free.
That helps with perspective, but in no way minimizes or is an excuse for the poor conduct displayed by four commissioners and their legal representative.
On June 5 a shameful, despicable display of “public servants” in action occurred, and in no way represents the very core, soul, and essence of Crystal Lake.
I strongly suggest the four gentlemen and the attorney read Roberts Rules and do some serious soul searching on how to conduct an open meeting and treating their constituants (48,000) who are by the way are the clients.
Different opinions come with this job.
However, your conduct is painfully reminiscent of blowing up the Park District back to the 1990’s lake wars because that’s where this is all headed.
Maybe that’s what you all want and are interested in.
I lived through that and it pitted neighbor against neighbor and tore at the very fabric of our community.
Ultimately I moved off the lake and would never move back even if I were given the place.
From my perspective, you guys made your bed and are on your own.
In the end, all we have is the respect of others.
Candy Reedy, Bob Blazier, Aaron Shepley, and all the great leaders of Crystal Lake that are now gone are rolling in their graves.
My suggestion?
Rescind your actions of 6/5 and issue a profuse apology to the public, your fellow board members, executive director, staff and former attorney.
That would be a nice start to a reset.
= = = = =
The Crystal Lake Park District was created because the 1870 State Constitution limited borrowing.
To be able to borrow more money, the Illinois General Assembly allowed the creation of special tax districts like park districts.
Park Districts are governed by independently elected commissioners.
In the last Crystal Lake Park Board election, four candidates ran unopposed.
Three, plus a holdover, took control of the Board and apparently are taking actions of which the Crystal Lake Mayor disapproves.
Folks in the audience shouted, “Shame, shame, shame, shame.”
The next meeting is Thursday night at 6:30.
if you plan to attend, go early or you may not get a seat.
Or you can watch on zoom:
Regular Meeting
Watch Meeting Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 865 2702 8779
Passcode:081663
