Hoffman Estates Park District searches to fill Triphahn’s seat

A month after cancer killed Hoffman Estates Park District Commissioner Scott Triphahn, the park district will begin the process of filling his empty seat on the board.

Those interested in serving out the rest of Triphahn’s term, which expires in April 2013, have until Feb. 4 to submit a letter to the park district. The letter should include why the applicant wants to serve the park board and their qualifications.

“The board is probably looking for some involvement in the park district, whether it’s if the candidate has kids involved in programs, committees they have served on, parks that you go to do,” Park District Executive Director Dean Bostrom said.

The board will review the letters and sort out the applicants worth interviewing on Feb. 8 in closed session. Depending on the number of applicants, the board likely will conduct candidate interviews on Feb. 15 and 16 in closed session. The plan is to name a new board member on Feb. 22, Bostrom said.

The process begins at Tuesday night’s meeting, when the board is set to formally declare the seat open, a procedural action required by state law.

Triphahn, the former board president, died Dec. 21 after a long bout with stomach cancer. He was 53 and served the park district for 13 years.

He was recognized for his hard work and positive impact on the park district. Before his death, the park district honored him by renaming its community center after him.

Those interested in the open seat must send a letter by 9 a.m. Feb. 4 to the Triphahn Center, 1685 W Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. Letters can also be e-mailed to jkaczmarek@heparks.org. Information on the seat will eventually be posted at heparks.org.