Glen Ellyn's new village manager to work with old issues

Boosting economic development and finding funding for long-term road improvements should be top priorities of Glen Ellyn's new village manager, village trustees said this week.

Steve Jones, city administrator for Southwest suburban Oak Forest, will begin as Glen Ellyn's village manager in June, stepping into a number of unresolved pressing issues.

Those include the downtown comprehensive plan that's being conducted by Town Builder Studios and developing a long-term funding plan for street improvements.

"My approach is to generally add value," he said. "I sort of evolve to fit the existing organization and try to find ways that things can be improved from my past experiences and (new) observations."

Jones said he believes another key role will be bringing stability to the role of village manager.

Gary Webster, who was the village manager for 21 years, retired in June 2006. The board hired Robin Weaver, who stepped down last June because of "philosophical differences in management style."

Assistant Village Manager Curt Barrett has been serving as acting village manager. He will take on the duties of deputy village manager in June, when Jones arrives.

"I think Curt has done a good job, but his position hasn't been a village manager and sometimes it's difficult to come to work every day without a chief," Trustee Pete Ladesic said.

Trustee Tim Armstrong said one reason he likes Jones is his strength in economic development. Not only is he known for bringing businesses into his communities, but also knows how to retain them, Armstrong said.

"I was hoping he was the guy since day one," he said. "I just think he's got a lot of energy."

Armstrong said the role of village manager in Glen Ellyn is especially important because trustees and the president only serve for one term, so the village manager becomes the go-to person who knows the history and background.

"The way our system is set up," Armstrong said, "the village manager has been there the longest."

Jones emphasized he's very happy to begin working in Glen Ellyn and is excited to plan strategically and map out a course of action.

"I tend to be more of a big-picture or vision-oriented individual," he said. "I need to find out what people see the village as becoming and try to help find a way to help people achieve those goals."