City says goodbye to two Gregs

If you're a regular around St. Charles City Hall, maybe you've already noticed: We're missing a couple of Gregs.

Turns out, veteran City Engineer Greg Chismark and veteran Assistant Public Works Director Greg Rejnert near-simultaneously stepped down from their positions in late September.

St. Charles Public Works Director Mark Koenen, who worked closely with both Gregs, said he was sorry to lose the duo, which collectively had about 30 years of experience working for the city.

"They were both strong contributors to making St. Charles what it is today," he said.

As city engineer, Chismark oversaw design and regulation of most construction projects, including the monumental redevelopment of First Street.

Rejnert, meanwhile, played a key role in all areas of public works and offered support to Chismark's and Koenen's offices.

Both Gregs began working for the city in roughly the early 1990s. According to Koenen, Chismark left for a gig in the private sector, while Rejnert retired.

City officials already have appointed Richard Gallas of the public works office to take Rejnert's old job.

And, for now, the city has handed Chismark's former responsibilities with the First Street project to five-year engineering staffer Chris Tiedt. The city engineering position, however, hasn't officially been filled.

"One thing we know," Koenen said with a laugh, "is we're not going to be hiring anybody named Greg. It was too hard to keep them straight."

Heisman hopeful: Could yet another St. Charles District 303 student nab Wendy's High School Heisman Award? Here's hoping so.

St. Charles East High School announced this week that senior Ellen Bartindale has been named a finalist for the prestigious award, which honors the nation's best and brightest.

Bartindale's place in the finalist category, an accomplishment in itself, comes just a year after St. Charles North High School senior Kaylee Jamison won the award.

And given Bartindale's credentials -- fourth in her class, an AP Scholar, athlete and community servant -- it wouldn't be surprising if District 303 again brings home the honor.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Special guest: Miss Illinois 2007 will return to the town where she was crowned this month for the popular Electric Christmas Parade.

Ashley Hatfield, 24, of downstate Anna, will appear as a special guest as the Nov. 24 parade winds through downtown St. Charles on Main Street, between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue.

In June, Hatfield was crowned Miss Illinois at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, where the statewide pageant was held for the second consecutive year.

Her participation in the St. Charles parade, set for 5:30 p.m., is part of an ongoing tour to drum up awareness for her platform of character building and good decision-making among young people.

jstockinger@dailyherald.com