Familiar faces back on East Dundee village board

East Dundee staff didn't need to buy new nameplates for three of the four village officials sworn in Monday night - there already were two in storage and one currently in use.

Former village President Jerald Bartels, incumbent Trustee Rob Gorman, former Trustee Paul Van Ostenbridge and freshman Trustee Lael Miller all were sworn in at the village board meeting.

Bartels resumed the role he relinquished because of work commitments in 2005. At that time, then-Trustee Dan O'Leary - whom Bartels defeated by just two votes in April - was appointed to the top post.

Meanwhile, one-time Trustee Paul Van Ostenbridge returns to the seat he held from 2002 to 2007. Gorman, the only incumbent to run, was re-elected to his second term, leaving Miller the lone newcomer elected in April.

"I am excited about being back and taking on the challenges that are in front of us," Bartels said. "I look forward to working with the board to resolve as many as we can."

Bartels identified economic development and the implementation of committees as primary issues.

Outgoing village President O'Leary thanked staff and board members before swearing in Bartels.

"This group achieved an enormous amount of things," O'Leary said. "The level of professionalism is absolutely astonishing and, going forward, I hope that continues."

Trustees Kathleen Mahony and Jim Carlini did not seek additional terms. Carlini was an early contender for village president, but withdrew his name to pursue the director position at QuadCom, the Carpentersville-based emergency dispatch center.