Retired Lake Zurich fire chief takes over as trustee
Former Lake Zurich fire chief Terry Mastandrea has been tapped to take over as trustee on the village board.
Mastandrea, who retired from the Lake Zurich Fire Department a few months ago, was sworn in Tuesday to fill out the term of former Lake Zurich trustee Mark Ernst, who resigned at the end of July after accepting a job out of state.
Mastandrea said the trustee position opened up one week after he retired, and was he approached by community members to step in to the position.
“But, I was only off for a week at the time and I really wanted to take some time off,” he said. “But, it’s been a month and I’ve had time to get settled into retirement. I have the time now.”
Mastandrea said the 21 years he spent as fire chief prepared him for the trustee position.
“By being in that board room for 21 years, the village really trained me for the position,” he said. “I’ve lived in this community for 21 years, raised my family here. I’m up to date on current events and I’ve seen a lot of mayors and trustees come and go. I’ve seen what works and doesn’t work. So, I’m hoping that experience will help me.”
Mastandrea’s term lasts through April 30, 2013.