Knight sworn in as Wauconda's new mayor
With a standing-room-only crowd packing Wauconda's village boardroom, Lincoln Knight was sworn in as the town's new mayor Tuesday night.
Knight now has four years to make good on campaign promises that included the timely and on-budget completion of a plan to bring Lake Michigan drinking water to town and continued economic growth.
Four other victorious members of Knight's Wauconda Forward campaign slate also took office Tuesday: Trustees Tim Howe, Adam Schlick and Richard Morino and Clerk Cheryl Falk-Novak.
Knight is no stranger to the boardroom, having served 12 years as a village trustee before his election as mayor.
Howe has served on the board for the past two years.
Schlick and Morino are newcomers to the village board, although Schlick has been a Wauconda Park District trustee since 2013.
Falk-Novak is a political novice as well, although she's been a fixture in the audience at board meetings for years.
Tuesday's board meeting wasn't just about welcoming new leadership at village hall. Knight and the board also bid farewell to Mayor Frank Bart, Clerk Gina Strelecki and Trustee John Barbini, none of whom sought re-election in April.
Bart spoke to the crowd a bit before the mayoral transition. It was a politically tumultuous term for Bart, but as he exited he said he was proud of what he and the village team accomplished.
Afterward, Knight presented Bart a commemorative gavel and gave Bart's wife, Christine, a bouquet of roses.
"Thank you very much for your four years of service," Knight told his predecessor. "We greatly appreciate it."
Knight also gave a commemorative plaque and roses to Strelecki and a plaque to Barbini.
Barbini's village service isn't done. Later in the night he was appointed to the village fire and police commission.