Liz Brandt takes over as mayor in Lincolnshire
The Liz Brandt era has officially begun in Lincolnshire.
A month after she was elected the town's new mayor, the veteran village trustee recited a mayoral oath of office and took her seat near the center of the village board's dais Monday night.
Brandt replaces veteran Mayor Brett Blomberg, who didn't run for re-election in April.
Brandt had been a Lincolnshire trustee since 2001. She was the only Lincolnshire mayoral candidate on the April ballot.
Before she was sworn in by Village Manager Brad Burke, Brandt said she wasn't nervous about becoming the town's new mayor. But she called the experience bittersweet because Blomberg, a longtime ally, is leaving politics.
“He's been a phenomenal mayor and trustee,” Brandt said.
Blomberg spent 10 years as a trustee and 12 years as mayor.
As he stood by her side Monday night, Brandt read a proclamation recognizing Blomberg's accomplishments Monday. She talked about new parks, economic development and a history of fiscally conservative leadership.
Of course, Blomberg refused to take credit for the town's progress.
“It is a team effort,” he told the crowd. “They make it easy. They make me look good.”
As a parting gift, Brandt gave Blomberg a small clock. It was particularly fitting present, given Blomberg's reputation for punctuality.
Brandt then moved from her seat on the dais into the mayor's chair two spots down, and the board got on with the rest of the evening's business.
Brandt's election as mayor leaves a vacancy on the village board. The panel will appoint someone to fill the seat for the next two years.
Incumbent trustees Tom McDonough and Dan Servi recited their oaths of office Monday, too. Both were re-elected in April. Trustee Mara Grujanac and Clerk Barbara Mastandrea were scheduled to take their oaths as well, but they were absent Monday.