Clarendon Hills Official Defends Himself

CLARENDON HILLS, IL — Clarendon Hills Village Manager Kevin Barr last week defended himself against criticism involving his dealings with the fire department.

At a meeting earlier this month, some residents urged the Village Board to fire Manager Kevin Barr for making comments about Fire Chief Brian Leahy's age and revealing a firefighter's health status. Barr's comments in question were made at a Village Board committee meeting.

At last Monday's board meeting, Barr said he wanted to make a statement in response to the criticism.

"There were some very severe, negative comments made about me at that meeting," Barr said. "I didn't say anything during that meeting, but I do want to say that the people that made those comments do not know me. And I don't know them."

He continued, "They don't know me at all, and that's a very difficult position to be in — to have people make the kinds of statements, very personal, very damaging, asking me to lose my job, things like that."

At the same time, he said people who do know him — co-workers, family, friends, former and current village trustees, and colleagues around the region — gave him their support.

"I did receive a lot of extremely positive feedback," Barr said.

In response, Village President Len Austin said Barr's comments were "excellent."

"You have my complete support," Austin said. "I agree with you 100 percent."

Austin referred to the critical comments made about Barr by "people who don't know you."

"I do know you," Austin said. "I support you 100 percent. So I want you to know that. You know that already."

Austin then told Barr, "Welcome back."

Austin was referring to the two weeks that Barr was gone during late January and early February amid the controversies.

The relationship between Barr and the fire department has become tense. Firefighters have urged the board to buy a new ladder truck, which is expected to cost $1.4 million. But Barr said he wants to first examine whether the village could share the use of such a truck with a neighboring town.

Perhaps because of the tensions, Assistant Village Manager Zach Creer lately has been taking the lead on dealing with fire department issues.

In January, Patch reported Barr prohibited Leahy from speaking with the media about policy issues. Leahy was still permitted to talk with reporters about incidents to which firefighters respond.