Now that election results have been certified, Grant Park is moving forward with a new board – and one that outgoing leadership has complete confidence in.
The last Grant Park Board meeting in April was lengthy, and while outgoing Village President Hawkins and trustees were thanked and acknowledged, their work wasn’t quite done.
The board split their May 5 meeting into two, the first tying up some business with outgoing Village President Jamie Hawkins at the helm, and the second, which saw new officials sworn in, had Ben Detloff running the show.
Ben Detloff ran unopposed to secure the village president position and was sworn in at a second meeting on May 5, along with new board members Steve Brower and Dennis Martz. Returning member Gerry Morgan and Clerk Scott Dillman also were sworn in.
“I have full faith Ben and the new board will be able to carry on what we have started with this board,” former Village President Hawkins said, noting she felt it would be a board who listens to residents. Hawkins did not run for re-election.
Detloff’s first action as Grant Park’s newest village president was to appoint Julie Quinn and Morgan Whorrall to the board for two-year terms. No candidates had filed to run for those seats in the last election, which is why individuals needed to be appointed to fill those roles.
Morgan Whorrall had served as a trustee on the recent board but was not on the ballot.
Detloff also proposed several other appointments, which the board approved, including: Spesia and Taylor as the village attorney, Piggush Engineering as the village engineer, Carl Frey as the Police Chief, Village Treasurer Joe Hubbard, Road Commissioner Steve Sullivan, Building Inspector Chris Karstensen, and Brian Hiatt as Administrative Adjudication Hearing Officer.
In the first meeting, outgoing trustee Robin Bruni brought forth the issue of stray cats, which had been brought up at the last meeting, and mentioned that Grant Park may qualify for a grant to help control the stray population. Bruni had spoken with Rachel Keller with Paws for a Cause, formerly Spay and Neuter Illinois. She offered to keep the board updated with information or if anyone on the new board wanted to take it on, they could.
Village attorney Michael Satschi reviewed a resolution to conduct an appraisal by J. Batis and Associates, for the Pepin property at 12393 E. State Route 1-17 so they could get a fair market value in the hopes of selling it. The board tabled it to the May 19 meeting.
Trustee Gerry Morgan presented the bills, which the board approved to be paid.
The second meeting with the new board was brief, with reminders for the board to complete Open Meetings Act training and Cyber Security training.
Detloff advised the next meeting will start at 5:30 p.m., when he will share his four-year plan, his expectations for the board, and what people can expect from him. The standard board meeting business will follow at 6:30 p.m.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.