PALATINE
Councilman campaigns against political signs
A Palatine Village Council member says he is fed up with the proliferation of campaign signs and wants an ordinance to prohibit them on public property along roadways.
“It looks like a sign war,” council member Jack Wagner said at a meeting Monday. “We have tried to control it, but it doesn’t seem to be working. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of signs out there. Many are buried under snow and knocked over. It’s going to be a mess for public works to clean up.”
Wagner said neighboring communities such as Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows and Inverness have barred political signs along their roadways.
The proposal would not bar signs on private property, he said.
“If someone wants to put up a sign on their front lawn, that’s their prerogative,” he said. “But I think we need to control the proliferation of thousands of signs on our public ways.”
Council member Scott Lamerand proposed fining candidates whose signs are too big or violate village codes in other ways. But Wagner said campaign workers could take an opponent’s signs and put them in an illegal spot, hoping for a fine.
— Jeff Borgardt
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BUFFALO GROVE
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New fire chief will take over next month
Terry Vavra, deputy chief of administration for the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District, will take over next month as Buffalo Grove’s new fire chief.
Vavra, who rose through the ranks of the Lisle-Woodridge district since starting there in 1976, will replace Tim Sashko.
Sashko resigned last fall to become Mundelein fire chief.
“Vavra has strong leadership skills, a teamwork approach, an open yet decisive management style, and is highly professional,” said Village Manager William Brimm, who recommended Vavra from a pool of more than 50 candidates.