New president in, administrator out in N. Aurora
North Aurora no longer has a village administrator, as the village board Monday fired the present one.
The board voted 6-0 to terminate its contract with Sue McLaughlin, the village's second administrator, who has been on the job since 2005.
The idea was suggested by new Village President Dale Berman, who said he will become more involved than his predecessor in the day-to-day operations of the village. He also wants the village board to resume using a committee system, where trustees head committees overseeing departments such as public works and police.
"I think we feel we can operate without an administrator," Berman said.
The decision was not a reflection on McLaughlin's performance, Berman added.
Assistant administrator Wes Kornowske still has a job, and will report to Berman, for the time being.
Berman believes by serving on committees, trustees will learn more about how to run the village, and that staff will be more in tune to elected officials' sensibilities.
Earlier in the evening, after being sworn in, Berman appointed a former rival to finish the remainder of the trustee term he gave up to be village president.
Mark Guethle, who defeated Berman in a primary for the presidency in 2005, will serve the next two years.
"I'm glad to be back and do what I can to serve the village," Guethle said.
He was a trustee from 2003 to 2005. Guethle lost the 2005 election to John Hansen, who did not run again. Guethle is chairman of the Kane County Democratic Central Committee, but the village post is nonpartisan.
The board also seated new trustees Chris Faber and Vince Mancini. They ran unopposed, as did returning Trustee Mark Gaffino.
Trustee Linda Mitchell, whose term is expired and who also ran unsuccessfully for president, did not attend the meeting. Mitchell served for four years as trustee.
Trustee Max Herwig also departed the board, after 12 years as a trustee and a two-year stint as interim president. He, too, ran unsuccessfully for president this spring.