Lentz begins work as Mundelein's mayor
Steve Lentz shifted his seat to the center of the Mundelein village board's dais Monday night as the town's newest mayor.
A trustee since 2009, Lentz was sworn in at the start of the evening's board meeting, along with three winning trustee candidates and the town's new clerk.
Dawn Abernathy and Holly Kim won village trustee posts in the April 9 municipal election. Longtime Trustee Ray Semple won re-election.
Katy Timmerman is the new clerk.
Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes, a Mundelein resident, took care of the honors. He gave the quintet some advice before administering the oath to them simultaneously.
“Public office is a calling of uncommon commitment and requires a fearless commitment to our community,” Shanes said. “Be faithful to the people and be faithful to yourselves.”
Lentz, 51, replaces two-term Mayor Kenneth H. Kessler, who didn't run for re-election.
Lentz won a three-way race last month to earn the post, defeating Trustee Robin Meier and Mundelein Park and Recreation District board member Wally Frasier.
Meier remains on the village board. Her term ends in 2015.
Lentz took the mayor's gavel from former Trustee Jim Nutschnig, who had been the board's longest-serving member until he lost in April. Nutschnig had some kind remarks for the crowd before he departed.
“I feel we're leaving the village in good hands here,” Nutschnig said of the group.
Once in the mayor's chair, Lentz's first order of business was to lead the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. His second act as mayor was less official but just as heartfelt: He gave a bouquet of white roses to his wife, Michelle.