Ousted Campton Hills official proud of her contributions
Ousted Campton Hill Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen said Thursday she was dismissed “without cause” and that she was proud of her contributions to the village in her 2½-year tenure.
“It was more challenging than I anticipated,” Johnsen said the day after trustees voted 5-1 to fire her effective Aug. 12. “Being a new village, it's an organization in its infancy that has growing pains to work through. Unfortunately, I was part of that growing pain.”
Trustees Laura Andersen, Michael O'Dwyer, Jim McKelvie, Susan George and Mike Tyrrell voted to fire Johnsen. Trustee Mike Millette was the lone “no” vote.
Village President Harry Blecker only votes to break a tie.
“I was supportive of Jennifer's employment,” Blecker said. “I think she's done an excellent job.”
Blecker said he expects an interim administrator to serve for several months while the board looks for a permanent successor.
“I don't think (Johnsen's firing) is going to have an effect on the village's ability to function. The village will go on,” he said.
At Wednesday's meeting, several residents spoke in support of Johnsen, demanding to know why Johnsen got the boot.
Johnsen said her employment agreement states she can be fired “with or without cause.” She said she was officially dismissed “without cause” and received a letter saying trustees wanted to go in a “different direction.”
Johnsen will receive three months' severance; her yearly salary was about $97,000.
The village is hosting its first town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the United Congregational Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd., Campton Hills. Residents attending should not expect to get answers about Johnsen's firing — at least from elected officials.
Blecker said he and other trustees cannot publicly discuss reasons behind Johnsen's dismissal because it is a personnel matter.
“It's closed session discussion about personnel and information is privileged,” he said.
At Wednesday's meeting, George also reiterated that trustees were bound by confidentiality rules. Thursday, she deferred questions about Johnsen's dismissal to Blecker.
Johnsen was hired in January 2014 as the first administrator in the history of the village, which was incorporated in 2007. During her tenure, the village installed its first tornado warning siren, launched a revamped website, developed an emergency operations plan, completed a strategic plan and started business networking events through the village's Economic Development Committee.
“It was not my efforts alone. It was the amazing employees and volunteers at the village,” Johnsen said. “(Without a strategic plan) we didn't have any direction of what we wanted to do or where we wanted to go. I am extremely proud of my work here. I wish the village the best.”