Pingree Grove, village manager parting ways

James Bassett, the guiding force behind Pingree Grove's explosive growth, has no hard feelings about not returning to his job as village manager, saying it's time to move on.

Officials won't renew Bassett's contract amid concerns that his four hours of daily commuting make it difficult for him to work in town full time, Village President Clint Carey said Monday.

Both men characterized the move as a mutual decision. The plan had been to hire Bassett -- which they did in May -- then revisit where they stood six months into the deal.

Bassett, 54, worked four days a week in Pingree Grove and spent one day a week working from his home 100 miles away in Bourbonnais.

"Jim and I have just come to an understanding that with him living in Bourbonnais and being so far away and those kind of issues, we're both going to start looking for other opportunities," Carey said.

Bassett, hired as Pingree Grove's full-time manager in May, has been affiliated with the town for nearly eight years, beginning as a consultant.

"My heart and soul's there and it always will be," he said.

His main credits include helping the town build a waste water treatment plant, a water treatment, holding a special census to get additional state funds, and establishing the Cambridge Lakes Charter School.

Bassett will work from home to finish existing projects but will no longer attend village board meetings, Carey said.

He'll also use up the rest of his sick and vacation days during his $104,000 contract that expires in May, Carey said.

Carey said it'll likely cost $15,500 to hire a search firm to find a replacement for Bassett.

Bassett has promised to help the village create a profile for his successor and will bring that person up to speed on the job's duties.

"It's not like there's anger or animosity. That isn't the case," Bassett said. "I love those people. "

The job's increased demands are indicative of the town's growth.

The position initially started out as a few hours a week, but it now requires someone there each day.

And since Bassett has done his part to modernize the town, it's time for him to move forward with his own development.

"Now there's enough people there and enough professional people in different areas that the need for me isn't as great as it was two or three years ago," he said.