Fox Lake parks chief resigns to take Grant Twp. position

Fox Lake's loss is Grant Township's gain.

After five years of heading up the park and recreation department for the village of Fox Lake, Nancy Rogers has resigned to take the position of assistant administrator at Grant Township.

"She really is a great employee and we will truly miss her," said Fox Lake Mayor Ed Bender. "She has done a wonderful job for the village. I really do hate to see her leave."

Her last day is Friday.

Rogers first came into public office after winning the Fox Lake clerk election in 2005. However, her stay on the village board was short-lived when, due to a resignation at village hall, she applied for and was named the village's parks and recreation coordinator.

Officials said the parks department flourished under Rogers, who spearheaded senior luncheons, bus trips to the city, youth sports programs and other village functions.

"I'm extremely excited about the new job because it's a new challenge for me," she said. "But, I don't see it as much difference except that I am changing offices and moving across town. We will all work together in the future and I will be serving the same residents."

Supervisor Kay Starostovic said Grant Township has been waiting for the right time to bring in someone who can bring more cohesiveness to all departments.

She said, in the case of an emergency, Rogers will be tagged as the person to help create a seamless transition between departments while working daily to ensure there is better communication between the multiple offices in the township building.

"It was definitely not created with Nancy in mind," Starostovic said. "It was talked about one year ago that we needed someone to support the township in all departments in case something happens."

She said nine people were interviewed for the position that was posted for a month in area newspapers and on the township Website at granttownshipcenter.org.

"Nancy was a hometown girl, with a well-rounded background who I think will be good for this position," she said. "She'll be assisting our new accountant here, as well as backing up the transportation coordinator, working on the Web page and newsletters, then also backing me up on personnel and other township issues. She will do wonderful."