Bartlett's Melchert won't endorse a successor just yet

Bartlett Village President Catherine Melchert first thought of retiring the post in 2005.

That's when she ran uncontested for her fourth term as mayor. But she wanted to see projects finished, like the redevelopment of Bartlett's downtown and the Metra train station.

Four years later, Melchert has decided not to seek another term, and this spring will step away from a village board she joined in 1982 when she was appointed as a trustee.

She said she struggled with the decision, which she said she made last fall.

"I've just come to terms with it. This is what's best for all parties concerned. It's time for me to move on," she said.

Melchert said she'll continue to live in Bartlett, the village she's called home since 1970.

She only faced a contested race once during her four terms as mayor. She bested three challengers in 2001, including Trustee T.L. Arends.

With Melchert out of the race this time, though, three candidates have filed petitions to replace her: Bartlett Trustee Sherry Bormann, Hanover Township Supervisor Michael E. Kelly and Steven R. Vaughn.

The 18-year-old Vaughn, a political newcomer, graduated from South Elgin High School last year.

Melchert said she'd wait and see before endorsing any candidate. She was surprised by Vaughn's candidacy, saying she hadn't heard of him before. As of Friday, he had not responded to numerous requests for comment.

"I would applaud everyone who is that interested in being involved in the community by contributing their time and self," Melchert said, "but my advice would be to first become involved in a commission or committee, be aware of the issues that are being addressed by the village."

Melchert, a Democrat, has been away from Bartlett since mid-January. She attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, D.C., and stuck around for the presidential inauguration.

Issues that were important to Melchert, like whether the village should disconnect from Elgin Area Unit School District 46, should remain in the spotlight for the new village president, she said.

One highlight of her career was the battle to defeat the balefill - a landfill proposed to be built on 142-acres near West Bartlett and Gifford roads in unincorporated Cook County. The battle lasted 15 years before the plan was scrapped in 2001 thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

"It was an example of how things don't happen overnight," Melchert said. "If you really believe what you are doing is right and you keep at it, you can succeed."

Melchert first ran for mayor in 1993 in an uncontested race where the incumbent mayor didn't run. She never realized 16 years ago that she would remain in office this long.

"I'll miss the ability to affect change, the ability to work toward something that improves the qualities of the lives of our residents," Melchert said. "You can do that many ways, but you have a little better handle on it if you're in an elected position."