Wheaton city clerk retires

Few people know more about Wheaton than Emily Consolazio.

With more than two decades of institutional knowledge under her belt, the longtime city clerk will either know the answer to your question or know exactly where to find it.

It's a fact city officials and residents alike have learned during her 28-year career, including the last 24 as city clerk.

“You can be a complete stranger and she'll be very welcoming,” said first-term City Councilman Todd Scalzo, who said he remembers Consolazio being extremely helpful when he ran for city council.

“She brings out the best in Wheaton and she's an example of how to treat your neighbor and treat your fellow man.”

Consolazio retired from the city, serving her last day Feb. 28. A ceremony in her honor drew politicians and residents from throughout her time with the city.

Nancy Carlson, who taught one of Consolazio's daughters in second grade, said Consolazio often volunteered in the classroom

“She was wonderful with the children,” Carlson said. “She's so outgoing. She's a valuable asset to the community. No one can fill her shoes.”

City Manager Don Rose knows this all too well. Visitors must go through Consolazio's office to reach Rose's. This allows her to serve as a sort of buffer for Rose.

Rose said she has been his “right- and left-hand person” since they first started working together 24 years ago.

Rose can focus on the details of his job because Consolazio usually has the right answers for residents calling for information.

“She will be missed,” he said. “We wouldn't have succeeded to the point Wheaton has succeeded without her.”

Consolazio grew up in New York and raised two daughters before relocating to Wheaton in the 1970s.

“I didn't know how long we would stay,” she said. More than 30 years later, she ends a career that she said was made possible because of Wheaton residents.

Consolazio said her work philosophy was simple: be clear and open.

“Sure, all residents are not going to be happy all of time,” she said. “But if people know the reasons behind things, and you take the time to listen to them and explain it to them, that goes a long way.”

In the middle of election season, Consolazio's importance is enhanced. With her vast knowledge, she often fields phone calls from residents seeking information that ranges from voter registration to candidacy filings.

“Like anything else, a job can be a job,” she said. “But if you care about what you are doing, it can be so much more.”

At a recent meeting, Mark Stern, one of the city's most involved citizens who has become notorious for his challenges to public officials, praised Consolazio for her help.

“She's professional, responsive and helpful and I certainly wish her well in her retirement,” he said.

But her kindness cannot be measured only in her responsiveness to residents.

City Councilman Tom Mouhelis said Consolazio was one of the first to wish him well after a heart attack seven years go.

“They came by and visited to make sure I was OK,” he said. “Things like that, you don't forget.”

But Consolazio stresses that being kind to others does not make her special. In fact, she prefers to be behind the scenes and give praise and well wishes without any exposure.

The two candidates vying for the city's top job said her diligence is laudable.

“She is the go-to person,” said Mayor Mike Gresk, who faces off with Councilman John Prendiville in the April 5 election. “She was unflappable and extremely knowledgeable. She knows things and gets things done.”

“She handles everything with grace,” Prendiville said. “She treats everyone with great fairness. She's nonpolitical even though she's in a political setting. I was very grateful for the chance of working with her.”

As she receives the praise, Consolazio remains humble. She said her engineering background helped her become better equipped to field the range of questions she receives.

When asked for a low point in her career, her concern for Wheaton shines through.

When people were calling city officials animal killers during last year's dispute over coyote culling, she said the majority of those against the city's solution did not even reside in Wheaton.

“It's one thing if you want to come into city council and say you're against it,” she said, referring to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal rights group that criticized the city. “But because you can be anonymous (online) they can say whatever they want with no repercussions.”

But the city has had its problems, she said. Frequent power outages have angered residents and they have brought forth complaints. As she discusses those disputes, however, she manages to point out that residents were just looking for help.

“We have had times of huge electrical issues and a lot of power outages,” she said. “But even with that, there was still civility and they just wanted someone to listen to them.”