Mahony appointed to East Dundee village board

For the third time since she moved to the village 15 years ago, Kathleen Mahony has been appointed to serve on the East Dundee village board.

Mahony is filling a trustee position vacated by Allen Skillicorn, who stepped down in January to focus on his new role as state representative for the 66th House District. Mahony was sworn in Monday night and will serve the remainder of Skillicorn's term, which ends in 2019.

"I really appreciate the foresight that this board has shown," she said. "It's really easy to want to try and be involved and make sure that you're a balanced voice."

Mahony was previously appointed to the village board in 2007 to replace Dan O'Leary, who had taken over for Jerald Bartels as village president. She had another short stint on the board in 2015, when Village President Lael Miller chose her to replace Trustee Michael Ruffulo after he passed away.

Miller's decision to appoint Mahony was approved in a 4-1 vote by the village board Monday.

"In looking around for people who are fair and unbiased, Kathleen is a great person," Miller said. "She's really just looking for a way to give back."

Mahony, who has been active in the village for years, has served as an East Dundee planning and zoning commissioner and was involved in the Dundee Township farmers market. Though she's still trying to figure out how to best use her time as trustee over the next two years, she said, she does want to help call attention to some of the village's natural and recreational assets, such as the Fox River and the Fox River Trail.

"I really want to highlight the activities ... and those areas around (the village) that we can connect and create an area that really embraces the recreational opportunities," Mahony said.