Figuerola returns to previous village position

The new village clerk in Pingree Grove is a woman who served in the same position until less than two years ago but left after a dispute with the former village president.

Michelle Figuerola was selected among five applicants and appointed by the village board Tuesday night, Village Administrator Ken Lopez said. Her duties consist of taking minutes for village board and other meetings, plus tasks such as ensuring that ordinances are properly filed and serving as FOIA officer, Lopez said. Her pay is $50 per meeting, regardless of any additional hours she may work for the job, he said.

Lopez and Village President Greg Marston said Figuerola was the most qualified candidate based on credentials and experience. “The residents and the village are lucky to have such a qualified candidate,” Marston said.

Figuerola served as village clerk for four years until she quit in November 2010. Back then, it was a paid position with a salary of $38,625 per year, but then village officials discovered that the position should have been an elected one, and therefore subject to a much lesser pay. Figuerola got a part-time job and initially said she would run for the post, but quit after she couldn’t work out an agreement with former Village President Wyman “Clint” Carey about leaving early to work her second job. During her last few days in Pingree Grove, she called in sick but reportedly showed up for work at the new job.

Figuerola said she didn’t want to comment on past issues, but was looking forward to working for the village again. She also works as a teacher’s assistant for a local school district.

“I saw the opening (in Pingree Grove) and I hadn’t been there in two years. I have the credentials and I kind of wanted to give it a try,” she said. “I’m just really happy to be back.”

Marston, who served as trustee when Figuerola quit two years ago, also wouldn’t comment on past issues. “The past is the past,” he said.

The previous village clerk, Joanna Wester, was elected in April 2011 and resigned in May.

Figuerola said she doesn’t know yet if she will run for election next spring. “It’s too far away for me to even think about it,” she said.