Mundelein downtown group again without a leader

The woman recently tapped to be Mundelein MainStreet's new executive director isn't taking the job, village leaders said - leaving downtown merchants uncertain about the group's future.

MainStreet officials announced earlier this month that local resident Joanne M. Horton, formerly with the GLMV Chamber of Commerce, was to take over the organization, which promotes the downtown business district.

But during MainStreet's monthly meeting on Wednesday, officials announced she's changed her mind because of personal issues, said Assistant Village Administrator Michael Flynn, who serves as an adviser to the group.

Terry Skriba, a part-time MainStreet office employee, will remain with the group and oversee operations until a permanent decision is made, Flynn said.

MainStreet has been without a leader since one-time executive director Marian Rodriguez quit for an undisclosed reason in April.

Horton's sudden departure worried downtown merchants who already were concerned about the abundance of vacant storefronts in the area.

"They need somebody back in that office to get the businesses involved," said Brian Waugh, owner of the Sack Lunch restaurant on Park Street. "I was really hoping (Horton) was going to take the job and start doing something."

Lonnie Summers, owner of Summers Carpet & Tile on Seymour Avenue, was philosophical about Horton's exit and the group's prospects.

"If you don't have a head, won't the body fall?" he asked. "You've got to have somebody in charge."