Campton Hills hopefuls diverge on administrator's future
Candidates seeking one of three 4-year Campton Hills trustee seats in the April election agree that interim Village Administrator Ron Searl is doing a good job but diverge on whether to keep him on as a contract employee, hire him full time or search for a permanent administrator.
Challengers Joe Carpenter, Nick Girka, Robert Santoro and Wendy White Eagle are seeking an opportunity to serve on the board; incumbents Mike Millette and Michael Tyrrell hope for another term.
At least one new person will be elected to the board because Trustee Jim McKelvie, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, will not seek a full term.
Trustees voted last summer to fire the village's first administrator, Jennifer Johnsen. Trustees later worked through a temp agency for municipal administrators to land Searl, a retired administrator for Westmont, to work part time on a contractual basis.
Carpenter, who serves as chairman of the zoning board of appeals, is in favor of keeping Searl in the fold in some capacity. "The dealings I've had with Ron have all been great," he said.
Girka, who was elected village clerk in spring 2015, said he liked Johnsen as a professional and a friend. Girka's in favor of extending Searl's part-time contract for as long as Searl wants to work.
"Ron has come in and done an amazing job," Girka said.
White Eagle, who also serves on the village's plan commission, said Searl is doing a great job but that his future as a potential full-time employee could ultimately depend on Village President Harry Blecker's recommendation.
"(Searl's) doing a fabulous job. He has ratcheted up the professional approach to that role," White Eagle said.
Tyrrell said he would favor bringing Searl on as a full-time employee.
"We're extremely blessed to have gone through a rocky path with who we have currently as our village administrator - a gentleman with a great professional resume," Tyrrell said. "From my perspective, Ron Searl will continue to fill that role for a considerably long period of time."
Millette, who has served as one of the village's original trustees since it incorporated in 2007, agreed that Searl is well-respected. But Millette said the village's governmental structure doesn't mandate the administrator be a full-time employee.
"If there's a way to potentially continue here as a contracted employee, I'd be in favor of that," Millette said.
Santoro could not be reached for comment.