End of an era, start of a new one for Buffalo Grove board
This story has been updated to correct the names of the incumbent Buffalo Grove village trustees sworn in Monday night. They are Eric Smith and David Weidenfeld.
This week's Buffalo Grove village board meeting began with its usual cast of town leaders, including Trustee Jeffrey Berman at his accustomed spot on a dais he's occupied for 20 years.
But minutes later, the board adjourned and a new panel returned, minus Berman and with newly elected Trustee Gregory Pike in his place.
Along with Pike, incumbent trustees Eric Smith and David Weidenfeld were sworn in for four-year terms at Monday's meeting.
Village President Beverly Sussman, who emerged victorious in the April 2 election after a contentious campaign, and incumbent Clerk Janet Sirabian also took their oaths for another four years in office.
The village board certified the election results Monday, but there remains some uncertainty over the final outcome for one of the trustee seats. Candidate Soojae Lee, finished just two votes behind Weidenfeld, requested a discovery recount in both Lake and Cook counties.
The May 14 recount in Lake County ended with no changes to the tally, as did Monday's recount in Cook County. Now it remains for Lee to determine whether he wants to file a legal challenge.
"In all fairness, he has the right to do it," Weidenfeld said.
Lee said Tuesday he will consider his next move over the next day or two.
"There is always a questionable item. That's why we did the discovery," he said.
Also Monday, a lottery was held to determine which of the two senior trustees would be serve as village president when Sussman is absent. Trustee Lester Ottenheimer III won the lottery over Trustee Andrew Stein.
Berman, who had served in that role since 2011, received a going away present from his former colleagues - a village street sign bearing the words "Berman's Way."
"Since Trustee Berman has such a good sense of humor, I can say it's always been Berman's way," Sussman quipped.