Carpentersville says so long to longtime village employees

Carpentersville is losing more than 250 years worth of experience in the next month.

Much of the experience is leaving the village's fire department, which bade farewell to a trio of longtime firemen at the May 4 meeting. In one fell swoop, 99 years of experience retired.

The village board, staff and family members joined Fire Chief John Schuldt in recognizing Assistant Chief Steve Roesslein, Battalion Chief Larry Campbell and Battalion Chief Rick Paul during Tuesday's village board meeting.

Paul, who most recently oversaw the activities of the department's fire prevention bureau, joined the Carpentersville and Countryside Fire Protection District as a part-time firefighter in 1974. He was hired full time in 1984 and worked up to the rank of battalion chief in 2000.

"I don't know how to put into words what he has done for me, the department and the residents of Carpentersville, " said Schuldt, who presented Paul with a plaque thanking him for his service to the community. Paul's battalion chief badge was mounted to the hardware. "His attitude to the public, the residents and businessowners is second only to himself. Rick worked to find a way to make himself better."

One of the first certified paramedics in the area was also honored Tuesday night. Battalion Chief Larry Campbell spent 38 years with the department, starting out as a part time firefighter in 1972. Campbell was hired full time in 1973 and worked his way through the department until he was promoted to his current position in 1987.

Schuldt said Campbell brought him to the fire service when he was 13 and a member of a pewee football team Campbell coached.

"He put his heart and soul into it ... " Schuldt said. He has touched the lives of thousands of people and I don't think those people will ever forget."

The department's Mr. Fix-It was also farewelled Tuesday night. Assistant Chief Steve Roesslein, known around area departments as the go-to-guy for fixing radios, is leaving the department after almost 36 years. Roesslein, who often rebuilt engines and ambulances from the frame up was named battalion chief in 2000.

"He was my right hand man," Schuldt said. "He got a lot of (unpleasant) jobs because I knew they would get done and needed to get done."

Roesslein served as acting chief during 2001-2002 when Schuldt temporarily served as interim village manager before Craig Anderson was hired.

In addition to the fire department retirements, the village's public works department also farewelled two long time employees, Bud Lovell and Donn Valentine. Lovell has spent the past 26 of 29 years as the lead maintenance worker within village hall.

Valentine joined the department in 1988 as the chief wastewater operator. He was promoted to Waste Water Superintendent in 2006.

Congratulations to all and I wish you all a happy and healthy retirement.