Crete’s chairman of Planning and Zoning has been named village clerk to fill the vacancy left with the retirement of Deborah Bachert.
Karen Tellef was named to the post and sworn into office during the June 9 board meeting. She was expected to resign from the Planning and Zoning Commission immediately to avoid a conflict of interest.
Bachert opted not to seek re-election as clerk after serving multiple terms in the post. She sent a note to the board, read during the meeting, expressing her appreciation for her time as clerk.
In another matter, the board approved a Resolution Honoring and Thanking Michael S. Einhorn for His Distinguished Service to the Village of Crete.
Einhorn did not seek reelection to another term after 40 years as village president.
Newly elected Village President Mark Wiater composed the Resolution and read it to the board during the May meeting. It was not on the agenda for approval at that time, however.
The Resolution notes he was born to Russell and Martha Einhorn on November 13, 1950, grew up in Crete and graduated from Crete-Monee High School in 1968.
He joined the Crete Fire Department as a paid-on-call firefighter in 1972, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Chief and, in 1977, was appointed to serve as chairman of the planning commission and served in that role for eight years.
In 1985, Einhorn was elected to his first term as village president. He would go on to be elected to nine more terms.
The Resolution praised him, along with his wife, Sheila, for dedicating “countless hours to the village, to various causes, and numerous local civic organizations, all for the betterment of the village and the residents of Crete.”
It concludes that “the village president and board of trustees…do hereby deem it an honor to recognize and thank Michael S. Einhorn for his unwavering commitment and selfless dedication to the Village of Crete.
“The village president and board of trustees extend their well wishes, on behalf of the village, to Michael S. Einhorn and Sheila Einhorn for a happy, healthy, and well-earned retirement.”
Meanwhile, in his report, President Wiater said the Exchange Street Road work has been pushed back until after July 4, he and Fire Chief Neal Haemker are working to finalize the Metro contract, and the budget process has begun for all departments. He said all should be finished in a few weeks.
In other business during the meeting, the board:
•Heard Lauren Struthers from The Pointe at Crete introduce herself and invite all to the grand opening on June 18, starting at 4 p.m. The new facility will offer assisted living and memory care.
•Listened to resident Jim Molek’s questions about Republic Services and the lack of service he and his neighbors are having. Specifically, large items are not being picked up, and there is no way to contact the company as they don’t answer their phone, he noted.
•Heard a request that Crete start a small activity or proclaim support for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, to show inclusion for all citizens.
•Heard Trustee Katrina Seifert thank the volunteers who helped make Memorial Day events a success.
•Heard Police Chief Scott Pieritz congratulate Sargent Garcia on his graduation from Staff and Command Training, along with Deputy Chief Groszek’s completion of the FBI National Academy Training Program. He shared Atta-Boys to Detectives Lucia and Kiser on the apprehension of a person charged with child molestation. Detective Lucia will be starting Forensic Anthropology training in Tennessee. Police Commissioner McPhee has begun the process of creating an Eligibility List for new hires and anticipates early fall completion.