Lisle board seat won’t sit empty

Someone must be appointed to fill a new vacancy on the Lisle village board even though a municipal election is just five months away.

Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda said he’s planning to make a suggestion next month on who should replace former Trustee Joe Schmitt, who resigned from the board late last week.

“According state (law), I cannot leave the position vacant,” Broda said. “If I could, I would leave it vacant because there’s an election right around the corner.”

Broda said he already has a list of about 10 to 15 people who have shown an interest in serving the community. Still, he’s accepting resumes from any other residents interested in completing Schmitt’s term, which ends April 30.

Once Broda announces his selection, the village board will take a vote on the appointment. “I will probably be making a recommendation to the board sometime in December,” he said.

Schmitt, who was appointed by Broda to the village board in June 2003, was elected as trustee in 2005 and re-elected in 2009.

Broda said that Schmitt, who resigned from the village board on Friday, didn’t provide specifics for stepping down. “He said it was due to circumstances beyond his control,” Broda said.

The mayor said Schmitt brought “a wealth of information” to the board, adding that Schmitt would do a great deal of research on issues facing the village.

“He will be missed,” Broda said.