Mainstay of Vernon Hills park board resigns

An unmistakable voice for the Vernon Hills Park District for more than two decades has resigned.

Kelli Garvanian, who was nearing 23 years on the park board and rarely missed a meeting, said her work duties have cut into her available time to serve the public at the level she has maintained.

"I knew Delores Sullivan, let's put it that way," she joked Tuesday about her tenure. Sullivan was the leading force in establishing the district in 1973.

"You make a commitment. It's something important to you; it's important to the residents. At this point, I can't commit to it. That's not me. That's not my style."

Known as a straight shooter who is quick with a quip, Garvanian unknowingly began her connection with the fledgling district in 1982. She called one day to report a broken swing at her local park.

About a month later, she was asked to served on the recreation committee, which later became the Citizens Advisory Committee to the board.

"I said, 'OK.' I didn't even know what it was," said Garvanian, 55.

Three years later, in 1985, she was elected to board and has served since, including stints as president.

She is a vice president at Trustmark Insurance Co. in Lake Forest. The firm specializes in health-care fraud and recently expanded its offerings to other companies, putting her on the road more often.

When she began her tenure, the district's community center was housed in a small building and preschool classes were held in a trailer.

The budget that year was about $1.6 million over nine funds. It's now more than $8 million in 15 funds.

Building a respectable community center -- without asking voters for money -- was one of her first major initiatives. She learned a large parcel was slated for warehouse development, and helped convinced the owner to sell it to the district. The $5.5 million Sullivan Community Center opened in 1993.

Garvanian also was an active supporter of the district's Family Aquatic Center. Twenty-two neighborhood parks have been developed on donated land partially as a result of her lobbying efforts.

She served as the district's liaison with the village in what wasn't always a smooth relationship and fostered several agreements between the agencies.

Fellow Commissioner Cynthia Peterson, who has served on the board since 1985, has been Garvanian's neighbor and friend. Garvanian always was committed to the district's future, she said.

"Fun times. Good times. Growing times," Peterson said. "It's not going to be quite the same without her."

Garvanian's term runs until April 2009. The vacancy will be filled by appointment until then, followed by an election for a 2-year term.

Interested residents should sent a letter of interest to include qualifications and interests to Larry DeGraaf, board secretary, 294 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills, by e-mail to larrryd@vhparkdistrict.org or by calling (847) 996-6930.

Inquiries will be accepted until April 7.