By Karen Haave
Crete’s long-serving village president is not seeking another term. After serving an unprecedented 10 terms, Michael Einhorn will step down from the post and focus on regaining his health.
Einhorn has been absent from village board meetings for months, as he has been undergoing treatment for leukemia. He confirmed last week that this term will be his last.
“Yes, I am not seeking another term,” he said. “I was recently diagnosed with AML, a potentially fatal form of leukemia, if left untreated. I have had a stem cell transplant that, if totally successful, can take a year or more in duration and during that time I have to limit public contact.
“At the end of this term in April, I will have served 10 terms or 40 years as Mayor.”
After all those years, he said, he doesn’t really have a proudest moment in office.
“I just focused my attention on doing things by the book and attempted to show progress all the time,” he commented. “If you take things in small bites you can accomplish a lot. I am most proud of how well I managed our money and capital projects.
Einhorn noted that, while he is stepping away from the helm, he is not stepping down entirely, and will be available to help the next mayor – anticipated to be Trustee Mark Wiater, since no other candidates filed nominating petitions last month.
Wiater has been elected by the village board to serve as President Pro Tem for all of the recent meetings in Einhorn’s absence.
“I intend to stay involved and assist the new mayor complete his agenda and tasks,” Einhorn said. “I absolutely endorse Mark Wiater as the new Mayor. He is smart and capable and will keep Crete headed in the right direction. He has my full support.”
Like the mayor, Village Clerk Deborah Bachert will not seek another term. No candidates filed nominating petitions for that position.
“I have served four terms, 16 years,” she said. “It has been a great learning experience that I have enjoyed. It is time to retire. My husband and I have plans for travel in the future.”