New horizon for Newton, Hawthorn Woods

She has represented the south central area as a Lake County Board member for 19 years, but Pam Newton also has taken a passion for environmental issues to the national levels.

As chairman of the Green Government Advisory Board with the National Association of Counties, Newton has maintained a big picture perspective on matters pertaining to air, water and noise pollution, preservation of water resources, energy, comprehensive planning and other issues.

As of June 15, however, her focus narrows as she becomes chief operating officer of Hawthorn Woods, one of the villages she represented on the county board.

After several sometimes turbulent years, the village has a new administration and direction. Mayor Joe Mancino said he came to know Newton and her abilities as a constituent several years ago.

A mutual interest in having her leave the political arena led to individual meetings with trustees and an eventual consensus on her appointment, made official Monday.

Mancino said Newton, who also is a former Vernon Hills village trustee, brings 25 years of knowledge in community and economic development, and can bring "economic stimulus" to the local economy.

She chairs the county board's planning, building and zoning committee and is a member of the law and judicial committee.

"Pam's experience far surpassed anybody else I was able to speak with," Mancino said. "The fact that she is home grown and has represented the people of Hawthorn Woods, it was just a natural fit."

Newton, 52, earned a master's degree in organizational leadership with the anticipation of switching gears. She said she had decided her run for county board in 2006 would be her last.

"What I'm really doing is switching levels of governance from the legislative to the executive branch," she said Tuesday.

A Long Grove resident, Newton said she will resign her county board seat, which expires in 2010, as well as her position with the National Association of Counties. She'll also resign as director of Messiah preschool in Wauconda, a post she's held for six years.

As chief operating officer, Newton said she will concentrate on developing revenue sources, saving money by "doing the right thing environmentally" and building relationships to snare grants and generate development. Her salary is $92,500.

"The time is right," Newton said. "With this new mayor and fresh perspective from the village board and with an economic recovery on the horizon, Hawthorn Woods needs to be ready."