For Mullins, business as usual in Palatine

One never would have known Monday's village council meeting was Rita Mullins' second-to-last as mayor of Palatine.

She didn't acknowledge last week's election or successor Jim Schwantz, who sat quietly in the audience. Nor did she speak with Councilman-elect Aaron Del Mar, who chatted with his future colleagues after the meeting adjourned.

But Mullins, who again declined to speak with the Daily Herald, did leave residents with a couple messages.

She appealed to staff to keep an eye on the intersection of Rand and Hicks roads after the council approved Palatine Auto Mart, in which a new owner will spruce up an existing used car lot.

She criticized the "garish painting, balloons, windmills ... and giant gorillas in pink bikinis" that may have adorned the business - or others like it - in the past.

"It's a matter of taste, but it has been something that has embarrassed me for many years," Mullins said.

She said the "unsightly" corner is an entryway for many Lake County residents coming into Palatine, but was assured there would be aesthetic improvements.

Later in the meeting, Mullins, who received 23 percent of the vote to finish third behind Schwantz and deli owner Vito Manola, applauded Palatine's financial stewardship.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen said that because of last year's improved bond rating to AA+, Palatine will save up to $350,000 in interest over the life span of two recently issued bonds totaling more than $9 million.

"The (bond rating) is significant to the people of Palatine," Mullins said. "So I hope they appreciate it."

Mullins acted jovially for most of the meeting, which she kept business-as-usual. The six councilmen followed suit and didn't mention the election.

Ottesen said he'll have a series of meetings with Schwantz and Del Mar leading up to their swearing-in Monday, May 4. Discussion will include current issues and their ideas to identifying department heads.

He said the first mayoral transition since Mullins was elected in 1989 should be a smooth one, since Palatine is faring better financially than many of its neighbors.

"That's not to say there aren't tough decisions to be made, but they're not walking into a situation where we're having to immediately eliminate programs and drop services," Ottesen said.