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Schaumburg honors Mayor Larson's 40 years of service

Al Larson said his goal when he first got on the Schaumburg village board in 1975 was to make a positive difference in his community.

"I always thought it would be great to bring my grandkids through town and point to things and say, 'You see that? If it wasn't for Grandpa that wouldn't have happened,'" Larson said.

Forty years later, there are many things in Schaumburg that now-Village President Larson can point out to his grandchildren. His colleagues on the board honored Larson and all that he has done to change Schaumburg for the better at their meeting Tuesday night.

Trustee George Dunham, who has been on the board since 1991, started by reading a list of facts about what the country was like in 1975 when Larson became a village trustee, like the Vietnam War ending, a first-class stamp costing 10 cents and "All in the Family" being the top TV show. While all that was happening, Larson was having an impact on the community already, Dunham said.

"Here at home in Schaumburg the community was quickly developing into the place that we enjoy today," Dunham said.

Village Manager Brian Townsend said Larson's experience, wisdom and commitment have been a tremendous benefit to Schaumburg. He said Larson knows so many people in the region from his decades of service that often insight and advice are just a quick phone call away - if Larson can't offer those things himself, that is.

"Schaumburg wouldn't be what it is today without him extending himself out into the region," Townsend said. "He's a great leader and a great man."

In addition to the kind words, Larson received a plaque and several small presents in a large white box prepared by the Prairie Center for the Arts staff.

"There's nothing going to jump out at me is there?" Larson quipped as he unwrapped the box, which contained things that were popular in 1975, such as a copy of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," a collection of "Saturday Night Live" episodes and a few toys, such as a Rubik's Cube and a Magic 8-Ball.

"Am I behind the 8-ball, is that the idea?" Larson said.

Larson, who was first elected mayor in 1987, said he has been blessed with tremendous trustees and an exemplary staff.

"One thing I've learned in all the years I've been involved in the village of Schaumburg is that you can't do things by yourself; it takes a team effort," Larson said. "There are ex-mayors out there who only served one term because they couldn't get along with the board, they couldn't work with their board members. I have to say that they've been very gracious in helping me get things done, and I do my best to help them."

Reflecting on what he has accomplished, Larson said he is glad to have had an impact on so many aspects of the village.

"It's like Schaumburg was this canvas and it was only partially painted, and my involvement allowed me to fill in some of the spots on that canvas," Larson said.

  Trustee George Dunham, left, speaks as Schaumburg officials honor Village President Al Larson, right, for his 40 years of service to the village. Village Manager Brian Townsend is seated at center. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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