Longtime Arlington Hts. employees retire

Edwina Corso oversaw the paperwork in 1977 when the Arlington Heights village board set up in a fire station to recount ballots in an election that gave Ralph Clarbour a one-vote victory as village trustee.

“I think I was only the deputy and the clerk was on vacation,” she said. “We had 35 precincts.”

The close recount is among Corso's most vivid memories as she prepares to retire from her position of Arlington Heights village clerk after working in the department 35 years—half her lifetime.

Corso and Dennis Bowe, superintendent of utilities and a 38-year village worker, are among the 13 employees who have accepted the village's offer of two years of health insurance payments in exchange for early retirement.

The village is losing a wealth of historical knowledge with just those two employees' retirement, said Mayor Arlene Mulder.

“Edwina continues to be proud to be associated with Arlington Heights, but what she doesn't realize is her high level of professionalism really reflects equally if not more upon us when she represents us at the state level,” Mulder said.

Mulder pointed out that neighboring communities might have trouble finding documents, but that doesn't happen in Arlington Heights.

“All you do is call Edwina. And the same day she produces copies of the documents, whether they were from 15 or 20 years ago,” said the mayor.

Other clerks Corso has met tell her horror stories about the village boards they work with, but she praised the village trustees she's served alongside since joining the village in 1975 as a part-time election employee.

“I love my job. I've had wonderful village boards,” she said. “They're very professional and always dress up.”

Corso's part-time assistant, Barbara Kyros, is also retiring after almost 28 years.

The clerk and utilities superintendent will be replaced in some format, said Village Manager Bill Dixon, perhaps by current employees taking over responsibilities or being promoted.

Corso brought stability to the village with her commitment to following the law in reference to open meetings and public records, he said.

Bowe is considered the “go to guy” at the village, Dixon added.

“He's so knowledgeable and so resourceful,” he said. “The word ‘No' isn't part of his vocabulary. He finds a way to get things done.”

Bowe said he was project manager when the village built Lake Arlington, a park and lake that have flood control as part of their mandate. He also oversaw the building of all four village parking garages.

He appreciated managing the village's water and sewer system, protecting their quality and reliability, and helping to bring Lake Michigan water to Arlington Heights.

And he will never forget helping residents and businesses fight flooding while the rain was still falling in 1972, ‘87 and ‘89,

Bowe supervises about 45 people, and it's his knowledge of the infrastructure in the village, much of it underground, that will be missed, said Scott Shirley, director of Public Works.

“His work ethic is superb,” said Shirley. “He's always here or on the radio. And you can't find a person in this village who does not like Dennis Bowe.”

Employees who accepted the voluntary buyouts must retire by Feb. 28. Five jobs will be eliminated, eight must be replaced in some fashion, and one is paid by the water and sewer fund, so that retirement does not affect the general fund, said Dixon.