Harry Blecker takes the helm of Campton Hills
A new era began Tuesday night in Campton Hills.
Harry Blecker was sworn in as village president, replacing Patsy Smith, who served two terms as president and was the driving force behind the village's incorporation in 2007.
"The board wars are over," Blecker said earlier in the day. "Let's not look backward. Let's look forward."
Also taking the oath of office for village trustee were Laura Andersen and Susan George, who won re-election along with Michael O'Dwyer. In addition to Nick Girka, who was elected village clerk, Blecker's slate swept the April 7 election over a last-minute write-in team assembled by Smith.
Smith and Jim Kopec, a trustee and Smith ally who did not seek re-election, were honored for their service to the village. William Braithwaite, who served as village attorney until being replaced Tuesday by another law firm, also was thanked by Smith for his hard work during the fight for incorporation and for being a friend.
But it was Smith, who began the long road to incorporation after hearing about a 900-home housing development considered by Elgin in the mid-2000s, who garnered the most praise - including some from Blecker.
"No one has put more blood, sweat and tears into the formation of this village than Patsy Smith," said John Strauss, a former trustee and interim village clerk.
Braithwaite, who has decades of municipal law under his belt, complimented Smith as one of the most thorough, intelligent and dedicated village leaders he has ever worked with.
"Patsy does not just take an answer - she wants to know why," Braithwaite said.
Said Kopec to Smith: "You have taken Campton Hills from a concept to a startup phase to a fully functional village."
An emotional Smith thanked her supporters and everyone who had volunteered for the village. Smith noted the village had amassed more than $1.2 million in reserves and more than $1.1 million in its police pension fund during the Great Recession that crippled other municipal governments.
"It was quite an accomplishment to get to this point today," Smith said. "There were so many reasons why we should not have been successful. I just want to praise God for the help he's given me."
During the campaign, Blecker said he had the finesse to help unify the board and end bickering that pushed meetings into the wee hours of the morning.
Blecker also inherits a budget crunch that is the result of Gov. Rauner's proposal to cut by 50 percent the portion of the state's income tax that it shares with municipalities based on population.