Fox Lake in search for new ESDA director

Fox Lake officials said they are fortunate the Chain O' Lakes area hasn't experienced the kind of flooding problems seen in past years.

Mayor Ed Bender said another flood for residents to suffer through would have been bad, but the village also has been operating without an Emergency Services Disaster Agency director since March.

"We need someone in that position, definitely, and we have been searching for someone to take the position, but so far, we haven't had any takers," Bender said. "So, with all the storms we've had, we have been very lucky that nothing major has taken place that would have required an ESDA director to take care of."

During large-scale emergencies, such as floods or tornadoes, where multiple emergency and government agencies are called in to assist the public, an ESDA director is the point person to ensure all departments are working together.

Former Fox Lake ESDA director Ed Lescher stepped down in March after eight years in the job, Bender said. Lescher resigned because he couldn't devote the time required after becoming a first-time father.

Lescher, whose daughter was born in May, also told Bender he would help train anyone the village hired for the post.

"We've interviewed four other people since that time, and so far, no one has taken the position," Bender said. "Right now, if anything does happen where a director is needed, we'd have to rely on the police department, the fire department and street department to coordinate together to ensure every problem was taken care of."

Bender said the main issue seems to be the pay. The Fox Lake ESDA director is paid $2,600 annually, he said.

"We definitely need to look at that amount and increase it to match what other villages pay," he said. "That amount is way too low, considering all the work with flooding the director does."