A trustee found himself in hot water this week for his comments about the collapse of a real estate contract that could have added a Wal-Mart to the village business mix.
The big-box retailer said last week that its contract negotiations with the owners of the land near the southeast corner of 191st Street and LaGrange Road had collapsed.
Many residents and fellow trustees took issue with Trustee Robert Stillman for blaming opponents of the project for the loss of the proposed development.
Stillman said his reference to “nitpicking apes deciding what color your curtains should be” was lighthearted and taken out of context when it was published in a local newspaper.
Among the residents calling for an apology was Steve Pachmayer, who called Stillman’s comment an example of “pompous, arrogant, dictatorial government.”
Trustee Donald Labriola called Stillman’s statement unprofessional. “Lord knows there’s enough division in this village now, and this doesn’t help it,” Labriola said.
Mayor Robert Chiszar, who said criticisms should be aimed at issues, not individuals, noted that Wal-Mart officials said they are still interested in the Mokena area, and the village is willing to work with the company to come up with a development that meets the town’s standards.