Garling headed out, Verciglio could return to Island Lake board

Island Lake Trustee Rich Garling is expected to resign at the village board's Thursday meeting and could be replaced by a former trustee who recently lost a re-election bid.

Garling, who's halfway through a four-year term, is quitting because he's moving out of the village, Mayor Debbie Herrmann said. Rumors about his residency - a requirement to be a village trustee - have circulated through town.

On Tuesday, Herrmann said village officials have been aware "for a long time" that Garling planned to move.

Garling could not be reached for comment. His home phone has been disconnected.

Herrmann plans to nominate former trustee Don Verciglio to replace Garling on the six-member panel. Verciglio ran for re-election as part of Herrmann's slate in April but lost.

Like Garling, Verciglio was elected in 2007, but only to a two-year term. Both were part of the same candidate slate that year.

Verciglio, who had the highest vote totals of the four unsuccessful candidates in April, said he's looking forward to rejoining the board. He chalked up the pending appointment to being in the right place at the right time.

"That's the way life is," he said.

Herrmann said she has spoken with trustees about appointing Verciglio to the panel and believes she has enough support to do so. It's up to the board to ratify Herrmann's selection.

"We need to get the board in place and get on to village business," she said.

Herrmann said she has a backup candidate in mind if the board balks at Verciglio.

Trustee Connie Mascillino ran on the same slate as Verciglio and Herrmann in April and said she's happy Verciglio may be headed back to the board. She called Verciglio a hard worker.

Trustee John Ponio, who ran against Herrmann for the mayor's seat this year, said he doesn't oppose Verciglio's proposed nomination, but isn't happy with the process in which he could return to the board.

"It's very obvious that this has been planned," he said.

Ponio said he would've preferred for the vacancy to be announced so interested residents could submit their names and resumes for the post.

"I would've liked the opportunity to see who else was interested," he said.

Garling gained attention last year by running as a Democrat to unseat veteran Republican state Rep. Mark Beaubien, a move that was unsuccessful.

In February, Garling was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after, according to police, he hit the wife of a political rival during a heated election-related meeting at village hall. That criminal case has not been resolved.

Thursday's board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave.