At the Village Board meeting Monday night, some trustees mentioned they were receiving community input at the rate of 5 to 1 in favor of the liquor sales ordinance, while another mentioned receiving input 10 to 1 against. In light of the obvious discrepancy between which trustee was getting a more accurate picture of what Mortonites actually wanted, Trustee Kaufman motioned for a non-binding resolution to be put on the November ballot asking the people of Morton if they wanted to allow liquor licenses for grocery stores.
Mayor Durflinger cautioned the Board that permitting a non-binding resolution on the ballot would essentially be giving the people a mandate and the Board would then need to vote as the results dictate or risk violating the people’s trust. I can’t understand why he felt the need to remind the Board that they are a representative body. When the vote was taken on whether or not to allow the entire town of Morton let their voice be heard, only trustees Hermann, Kaufman and Yarcho were in favor. Trustees Huette, Newhouse and Vierling and Mayor Durflinger voted against.
Why not put the matter to a public vote? Except for a fleeting comment last year, the sale of alcohol in grocery stores was brought to true public attention on July 10 — last month. What was the rush? The November election is less than three months away. Whether a Mortonite was for or against the measure, I believe many would agree that a public resolution would have provided a far more accurate picture. Instead, I left the meeting with a bad taste in my mouth that three members of my representative board and the mayor did not want to hear all our voices.
Sandy Rassi
Morton
Morton, Ill. —
