Clarendon Hills Official Defends Village Actions

CLARENDON HILLS, IL — Clarendon Hills Village Manager Kevin Barr on Tuesday defended the village against a former trustee's criticism. And he explained why the fire chief is unable to speak to the media about a controversial issue.

On Monday, former Trustee Donald "Taps" Gallagher said the village could find money to pay for a ladder truck that would cost $1.4 million, up from its original expected price of $1 million. He suggested eliminating the assistant village manager's position and a $50,000 contract with the local chamber of commerce.

In an interview, Barr said the assistant village manager is the human resources director and handles information technology services, risk management and other assignments.

"To suggest we get rid of the position so that we can buy a onetime piece of equipment is shortsighted," Barr said.

Barr said the Village Board has yet to approve the $50,000 contract with the chamber of commerce. The idea behind the agreement, he said, is to pay the chamber to increase the village's capacity for events and work with downtown businesses.

To date, Barr said, the chamber has done a "decent job" with those tasks. But because the chamber relies on volunteers, it is difficult to sustain the efforts without a paid person, he said.

On Monday, Fire Chief Brian Leahy said he has been ordered by Barr not to speak with the media about the controversy on the ladder truck.

In the interview, Barr said the truck is a significant policy issue for the Village Board.

"This is a matter of village communications," Barr said. "(The chief) is a public employee. In his capacity as chief, he is presumably speaking for the village. That's why there is a concern."

He said the chief's opinion in favor of buying a ladder truck is public. In November, Leahy spoke about the issue at a village meeting. The village's Public Safety Committee is meeting Wednesday about the topic.

Barr said the fire chief can speak to the media about incidents to which the fire department responds.