Assistant named acting Bartlett administrator

With longtime Bartlett Village Administrator Valerie Salmons retiring, Village President Kevin Wallace has appointed her assistant for the last 16 years to serve as acting village administrator, effective Feb. 10.

Assistant Village Administrator Paula Schumacher started as an administrative intern 25 years ago and later was promoted to administrative assistant and then in 2001 to her current post.

"Paula has served the Village of Bartlett for 25 years and for the past 16, she has been a trusted and reliable second in command," Wallace said in a news release. "She has established strong working relationships with our various civic groups and fellow taxing districts. She knows Bartlett and our organization and the community knows her."

Schumacher already works closely with the board and staff to develop and implement policy, and she acts as staff liaison to various community groups including the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce and the Bartlett Veterans Memorial Foundation. She also has experience with capital projects.

Wallace said she has "innovative ideas to lead the village in the wake of an amazing past administrator."

Schumacher said she was honored and hoped to make the transition a smooth one.

Salmons, the village's first full-time administrator, held the job 35 years, during which the village's population more than tripled.

Salmons, one of the longest-serving village administrators in Illinois, came to Bartlett after interning in Deerfield and serving as assistant manager in Decatur.