Hinsdale Leader Jokingly Apologizes For Meeting Timing

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale Village President Greg Hart issued an apology at the start of Monday's board meeting.

It was about the meeting's timing.

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"I owe our Bears fans, including Trustee (Neale) Byrnes, an apology for scheduling tonight's meeting during the game," Hart said. "I'll promise to do my best to keep things moving forward, so everyone can get home to catch as much of the game as possible."

The meeting was the first since Oct. 20, when the board got into an argument about a donation to Hart's campaign account. It was from Rosemont-based Christopher Burke Engineering, which was up for a no-bid contract.

During the debate, Hart described the discussion as a "spectacle." At one point, Trustee Michelle Fisher asked Hart why he was upset.

At Monday's meeting, Hart called the earlier discussion "spirited."

"I do sincerely want to thank my fellow trustees for the questions and thoughtful suggestions," he said.

Hart said he wanted a couple of trustees to serve as a sounding board for staff and the village's lawyer. They are working on disclosure rules for contributions, Hart said.

Fisher and Matt Posthuma volunteered.

In an interview late last week, Hart told Patch that he had heard about the concerns for the first time at the Oct. 20 meeting. He said it got heated.

"I'm human," Hart said. "I felt my integrity was being questioned."

Hart later thanked Fisher for her involvement with a new playground at Robbins Park. The project was fueled by a $200,000 contribution from the family of Stewart Mather, a resident who died of cancer at 42 in 2020.

"My kids have already played there," Hart said. "I think it's getting a lot of great reception from the community."

At the meeting's end, Byrnes happily reported that the Bears were up 7-0 at that point.

The Bears ended up defeating the Seattle Seahawks, 34-17.