2014 Visions - News & Interviews

Morris Daily Herald Special Section

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

NEWS &

INTERVIEWS

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newsmakers

2 • Tuesday, February 18, 2014

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Focusing on community health needs

Grundy County health administrator wants healthcare for everyone

B

efore he was even offered the position as administrator of the Grundy County Public Health Department, Phil Jass was talking to residents.

He drove through the county to find out what the perception of the department was. He was shocked to learn some residents didn’t know what the department offered, or even where it was located.

Those responses made him realize he would have some work ahead of him – but also made him determined to show residents the benefits the health department can offer to the area.

How did you become the public health administrator in Grundy County?

I was in the process of looking for a new job and had many feelers out there, including my family. ... One day, my sister identified a posting that described an administration position for Grundy County Health Department.

I read through the job description. ... There were about 27 items listed for job responsibilities and education/ experience requirements.

I had them all and felt very confident in going into the interview. I don’t think I ever felt so relaxed and confident about such an important time in my life than I did then. I am a religious man and had said many prayers to find the right job, and it happened.

I have the joy of working with a strong team every day, a team who isn’t given the recognition or respect of what they do. It takes a special person to work in public health or community health and even though some may say, “well, it’s a government job …” many people don’t fully understand the type of various services an individual may need, the manner in which they may need them, as well as when or how to receive these services. Even if we don’t provide those services, it is our responsibility to ensure we refer the individual to the appropriate resources so they can receive the quality services they deserve.

What made you want to work in the health care field?

I began working in the health field in 1998 as I was the director of a Healthy Start program. I worked for an organization that grew not only in size and region, but also in services. Being a part of this organization gave me many opportunities along the way. The Healthy Start Program is an initiative to reduce the rate of infant mortality and improve perinatal outcomes. It was important to me because at the same time, my wife was pregnant and I was about to be a father. I was very involved in her prenatal exams and took that motivation back to the Healthy Start program to start a male involvement component. Ever since then, I had a passion to ensure everyone had access to health care no matter what the barrier.

I have received great advice from family and friends.

My Uncle Andy Campos told me, “Don’t worry about money now. Do what you love and do it well. The rewards will be there.” Another friend, Jim Miner always said he lived

in the Health Department, Nursing, Mental Health, Senior Programs and Environmental Health. We also have two spectacular programs, Emergency Preparedness and our Medical Reserve Corp. I would love to tell you in-depth what they each do, but please visit our website at www. grundyhealth.org or call 815941-3400 or come see us at 1320 Union St. in Morris.

Regarding the misconception about our employees – that couldn’t be any more wrong. Often, I find our staff reaching out to the clients/patients after hours, in evenings and on weekends. The dedication and devotion is obvious.

I am no stranger in enjoying a good burger or having any sort of meal and believe me, within the last few months, I have sampled plenty! It was nice to start in August as I had time to visit Cruise Night and the Three French Hens.

I am a talker, ask anyone at the health department, and meeting new people is just exciting and adventurous. I have met some terrific people everywhere I go and I have been in every community, town, mobile park and neighborhood within Grundy County. I think it’s important to know your work environment and am getting to know it. I have even visited our neighboring county health departments in Livingston and Kendall, who have been great assets for me.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing people happy throughout the Health Department. It is nice to see patients, visitors and employees smiling when they are here and especially when they are leaving. Smiles are contagious and it makes the day that much brighter.

Doesn’t it make you happy when you see a someone smile or l augh? That’s what we get here and that is pretty rewarding …

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Grundy County Public Health Administrator Phil Jass wants everyone to have access to healthcare. his life by three things. 1.

Appreciate beauty, 2. Practice kindness and 3. Always help others. I loved it and never forgot it.

Then, of course, there is the saying, “Don’t ever think that one person can’t change the world, because it’s the only thing that ever has.” ...

This is what I practice in my life.

What about this health department has surprised you in the five months you’ve been working here?

I would have to say the people in the health department have been a surprise.

We are a small health department, which makes us very unique and each person in the department has so many great qualities and skills they bring to the table each and every day. They are sophisticated and sensitive; They are wise and open-minded; They are involved in their community and dedicated to the quality services they provide. It’s probably the best thing about working here, the people.

Take pride and do your best, this is what everyone does here. My focus is to encourage and create an enjoyable work environment that is efficient and productive at the same time. There are so many managers out there that are caught up in production and outcomes, which is very important, but they forget about the employee.

How did your previous experiences prepare for this position?

I worked 19 years at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, Inc. As mentioned earlier, they grew every year and I grew with them. I had a variety of roles, including

direct child-care worker in a group home, managing a home for sexual offenders, Healthy Start and a number of managerial roles.

I was in constant training either internally or externally at several workshops and conferences or formally, as I received my master’s degree in public administration. While at Aunt Martha’s I had some tremendous supervisors that taught me many skills and strength my existing ones. ... I felt like I was groomed to do something great, and although there were barriers along the way as every organization has, I overcame them as many of us did. There have been some great people who came from Aunt Martha’s who are doing great things today.

What improvements or goals do you have in mind for the health department?

What I would like to do is research. I have our IPLAN (Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs) and have seen Morris Hospital’s Needs Assessment. When I pounded the pavement and spoke with community members, I found out residents were leaving the county to receive services.

That was disheartening to say the least. I found some were traveling to Will County for health services, whether at their health department or at a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) such as Aunt Martha’s. I also found out they were traveling to LaSalle County for DHS (Department of Human Services).

My question was, “Why aren’t we providing these service within the county?”

People should not have to

travel out of their way for services that should be provided in their county. More importantly, if these services are offered within the county, why doesn’t everyone know about it?

I am working with Morris Hospital and several other organizations to get a better understanding of what the needs are within the county.

My goal is to bring additional needed services to our county without duplication. If an organization wants our support to do this, you got it! If we need another organization to support us, then I want to know I can count on them too.

Together we should be able to provide the needed services to all residents within our county. ... I would love for us to some day have our own building and offer a wide range of services. I am not sure if or when that will happen, but right now there are more important things to focus on.

We need to improve how we are perceived, we need to educate and continue to provide quality services, all while ensuring our patients/clients are satisfied.

Any favorite places in the area?

Wow, you read my mind. If I want a good burger that will fill me up, I go to Ebbey’s in Morris. If I am craving a good meal with fabulous people I visit Lesa’s on Liberty in Morris. I recently got a dog (yellow lab) from a friend and I get his bones from Blackbird’s Bowls in Morris. I have thrifted in Gardner, Morris, Coal City and Diamond. I have eaten at La Mex and Toby’s, who’s owner actual name is Able. … Toby is the nickname his friends gave him in Mexico, at least that’s what he told me. Both are great places.

I have found out there are plenty of places to eat in the this county and I haven’t hit them all yet, but that would be another goal I have.

Now that you’ve had time to settle in, how do you like working in the Grundy County community?

I get asked that a lot and my response is that I love it.

It’s funny to see how people respond when I tell them that.

Either they don’t believe me or they wish they felt that way about their job. I love going to all the different communities.

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What do you think are some common misconceptions about the health department and its workers?

Some common misconceptions are that only poor people use the health department or the quality of services you receive from the health department are nowhere near as good when compared to a private doctor’s office. Another misconception is that the employees are spoiled as they work for the government and get paid well.

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I

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 •

3

John Severson: From patrolman to chief deputy

n his more than 20 years with the Morris Police Department, John Severson has made his way up the ranks to one of the top spots in the department.

Chief Deputy Severson shares this role with Chief Deputy Harvey Van Cleave, and both are the second-in-command for Chief Brent Dite.

Severson has worked his way up from patrolman and has shown leadership skills in all of his roles in law enforcement.

You have worked your way up through the Morris Police Department since the early 1990s. Tell us about your different positions before reaching deputy chief.

I was hired in 1991 as a part-time patrolman and completed interdepartmental training. In 1992, I was hired as a part-time dispatcher, working both positions and averaging about full-time hours. In 1993, I was hired as a full-time dispatcher and still worked part-time as a patrol officer. In 1995, I was hired as a full-time patrol officer and graduated from the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois. In 1997, I was transferred to detectives and worked as a detective through 2000. I returned to patrol for a few months and then was reassigned to detectives again. In 2001, I was promoted to corporal and stayed in detectives as the ranking officer. In 2002, I returned to patrol as a corporal. In 2004, I was appointed an acting sergeant on the night shift. In 2005, I was promoted to sergeant and worked nights until around 2009.

In 2008, I attended Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command. In 2009, I transitioned to day shift as a sergeant until my appointment to deputy chief in 2013. Throughout my career, I have been a training officer, a DARE officer, a certified child safety seat installer, a breath-analysis operator, a certified lead homicide investigator, a Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force investigator and now the division commander for the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force.

You have been the second in command for about eight months now. How are you liking it? When you entered law enforcement was it always your dream to be in a chief position one day?

I have always enjoyed my job, no matter what position or duty I had. That being said, everyone has good and bad days. My father always told me, “Whatever you work at, do a good job because if you enjoy your job, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This position is an exciting new challenge and I enjoy each day, both the good and the bad. It has always been a goal to progress in the department. I believe we have a desire to always try to better ourselves and seek more responsibility when we mature

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Deputy Chief John Severson of the Morris Police Department. in our careers.

In your time as deputy chief, are there any accomplishments or changes you have made that you can highlight for us?

Chief Dite has imple mented numerous things to improve the police department. With the addition of a second deputy chief, it allows job duties to be divided, leaving time for some proactive policing and the ability to start new projects. My ideas are really nothing new, maybe revisiting some “old school” policing like the tactical car/drug interdiction car. This tactical car allowed officers to focus on drugs and gang activities, and they made numerous felony arrests this summer, including controlled substances and firearms violations. These accomplishments are not mine alone but a team effort under the support of Chief Dite.

In your career you have done numerous roles from detective work to patrolman. Is there a specific role you have liked best so far?

If so, why?

Both positions helped form and mature me. I really enjoyed detective work. Being a detective, you set your own pace, you don’t have to wait for a call to come in and you make your own breaks in cases by being diligent, many times. In detectives, you can see a case through from the onset to trial. Patrol is the backbone of the agency. In patrol, you work as a team and mitigate some very tense situations. Both positions leave you with a sense of accomplishment.

You spent a number of years as a Morris dispatcher. Was being a police officer as well an advantage to doing your dispatch work or vice versa?

Having experience in patrol assisted me in learning to be a dispatcher. I had a better understanding of what information was needed and could envision what the officers were doing. The dispatch prism helped me on patrol, giving me understanding of limitations dispatchers had in obtaining needed information

and also understanding I was not their only responsibility. Being a dispatcher helped me fine tune the ability to multitask. Dispatchers never get the recognition they deserve, they are the real “first responders” and have to juggle many duties simultaneously.

You have received numerous recognitions as a police officer, including Officer of the Year. Is there one you are most proud of?

The individual recogni-

tions are nice and I am proud of them. Whether a thank you letter/note, letter of commendation, Police Hall of Fame award or Officer of the Year, they all reinforce what and why we do this job. The thing I am most proud of is this agency, the Morris Police Department, and the men and women who work diligently to support it.

In addition to being deputy chief, you are also a division commander for the Will/Grundy Major Crimes

Task Force. What does this role entail, and what is the benefit of Morris being a part of this task force?

The Will Grundy Major Crimes Task Force is set up to assist agencies during major incidents. Although the Morris Police Department has not received a call for assistance nor requested assistance through Will Grundy Major Crimes, we benefit by the training the task force provides to its members.

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“

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

I aspire to be a good man through life’s lessons and God’s teaching”

• SEVERSON

Continued from page 3

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Chris Franklin, GM for the Joliet Slammers.

Franklin has his eye on the ball

F

rom his Southwest Prairie Conference days at Morris Community High School to the present in the Frontier League for the Joliet Slammers, Chris Franklin’s life has pretty much been all about baseball.

While his life has been in baseball, his level of responsibility in the sport has risen exponentially over the last decade.

Since wearing an MCHS’ uniform during his high school days, Franklin still can be found wearing his Redskins pride on his sleeve. Only now the uniforms he’s most concerned about are the players who patrol Silver Cross Field.

Now in his second year as general manager of the Slammers, Franklin took a little time out of his day recently to engage the Morris Daily Herald in a question-and-answer session.

You previously worked as the general manager for the the River City Rascals. What made you return to the area?

I’m originally from the area and had a great opportunity to do what I love to do around people I love to be around.

How does it feel to be back, working as the GM for your hometown team?

It’s been fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with old friends and becoming a part of the community again. My family and friends are very important to me so it’s been great to be around them again.

PAINT

You have a degree in public administration but several years of experience in professional baseball.

How did you work your way to becoming a GM, and was this always your career path?

I’ve always been involved with sports but it wasn’t until my junior year of college when I started thinking of working and not playing.

I worked my way up the old-fashioned way, starting with an internship, hard work and dedication. I’ve worked with a lot of great people who have opened doors for me along the way and have been very fortunate to be in the positions I have been.

You used to play college ball yourself. How did you transition from playing in the field to working in the office?

Easy, declining physical skills. You’ve heard of the freshman 15? My college coach might refer to it as the freshman 50. I found my way to the desk pretty quick.

The Slammers team has undergone several changes in the last few years including ownership and management changes. Can we expect anymore changes or new announcements this year?

Professional baseball is full of changes year to year, so yes, I think you’ll find several starting with the hiring of our new field manager, Jeff Isom.

Jeff will bring a great deal of professional experience to our club, and I expect to have positive results on the field this year. Off the field, we will be

taking our food and beverage operation in-house, which is very exciting for us all. he Northern League collapsed a few years back, leading to the end of the Joliet JackHammers. What type of challenges did you face coming to the team on the heels of those major transitions?

I think change is always a challenge. The JackHammers and Northern League were successful for so many years, and, unfortunately, it couldn’t last. The challenge is building back those relationships and reintroducing a product that’s been here for so many years in a new way. I’m always up for a challenge though.

It’s been just over a year since you started at the Slammers. What have you learned this first year and what are looking to improve?

I’ve learned so much this year but I think my biggest lesson has been to just stay focused. We can get pulled in so many directions in this industry, and sometimes it’s easy to lose focus.

Any standout moments or achievements since working with the Joliet team?

I think just the overall acceptance the community has had for me and the Slammers.

We make an effort to support our partners and truly get out there and be a part of the community, and it feels good to do that. I like to say that we have a lot of big moments and achievements ahead of us – always looking forward, not

backward.

9. What are some of your favorite ballparks and why?

Silver Cross Field is an unbelievable ballpark and my personal favorite. I’ve been all over the country and have seen many great ballparks, but we are truly fortunate to have this gem in our backyard. Honestly, I enjoyed playing at Bosse Field when I was younger in Evansville, Ind. Bosse Field hosts the Evansville Otters who are in our league (Frontier League), and it’s where they filmed “A League of Their Own.” Is your family as much of a baseball fanatic as you are?

My dad, Joel Franklin, might have caught a game or two.

You graduated from Morris Community High School. What is your favorite Morris spot and why?

M.A.L.S. (now known as the District 101 Rec Center).

I used to live in that gym and have a lot of great memories there.

We have four members of the task force from the Morris Police Department. The type of training the task force provides is training we normally would not have the opportunity to receive. Being a part of the task force also supports the department’s mission statement in every point: by developing and maintaining partnerships, by providing responsive and personalized police services, by detecting and apprehending criminal offenders, by maintaining the highest degree of integrity and professionalism and by employing proactive policing strategies. Networks are very important to the success of any agency. We want to be a good partner and, in return, want others to help us in times of need.

You have been on the Morris Police Department for more than 20 years. Were you born and raised here in Morris or did it become your hometown later?

I grew up in a farming community just south of Ottawa, LaSalle County. I graduated from Deer Park Grade School and Ottawa Township High School. I graduated from Illinois State University and while there, I took some criminal justice courses, which piqued my interest in this profession. After com-

pleting an internship in this field, it solidified my career choice. I started to test for police departments in 1991, and Morris gave me an opportunity. Subsequently, Morris became my adopted hometown.

Outside of work you are described as a family man. Will you tell us about your family and what you feel makes them so special?

My father was a great man and a huge influence in my life. He set the bar for the person I’m trying to become. He told me to be thankful for your family because they are most important in your life. My wife, Kim, reinforced this belief. The old saying, “behind every good man is a great woman” is very true. I aspire to be a good man through life’s lessons and God’s teaching. Family is a gift, it is a legacy to leave and it is what will take care of you when you are unable to care for yourself.

Kim and I have been married for 19 years and we have two children. Lauren is a senior at Morris Community High School and will be attending Augustana College in the fall, playing softball and studying nursing. Collin is in eighth grade at Saratoga School and will attend Morris Community High School in the fall. Every family is special or should be special, my family is no different. I am very proud of my wife and children.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014 •

5

Every day an adventure for library director

L

Some of my favorite books of all time are “The Book Thief,” by Markus Zusak; “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel; “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck; “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf; “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion; “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes; “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green and anything by Khaled Hosseini.

I also enjoy mystery series – my favorites at the moment are Julia Spencer Fleming’s Clare Fergussen/Russ Van Alstyne series, Linda Castillo’s Kate Buckholder series, and for the very sickest among us, Chelsea Cain’s Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell series.

I am a sucker for a happy ending in any genre and also appreciate the occasional well-written smutty romance.

auren Offerman recently became the director of Three Rivers Public Library in Channahon and Minooka after serving as the assistant director for several years.

Offerman is a Minooka native and sister to well-known television star Nick Offerman.

She talked recently with Morris Daily Herald reporter Heidi Litchfield about her new position, upcoming programs and some of her favorite books.

How long have you been the director at Three Rivers Library and how did you come to work there?

I have been the official director since Jan. 8 of this year. Prior to that, I was the assistant director here for four years. I had been working at the New Lenox Public Library as an adult reference librarian, when the assistant director position at Three Rivers became available – I jumped at the chance to work in my hometown.

You were born and raised in Minooka. Did you always want to return as an adult to work and live there?

No, I was probably like most of the kids who grow up here – I couldn’t wait to leave. Granted, this was a much different town when I was younger, but it seems as if those sentiments might still ring true. Once I had children of my own, it just seemed natural for me to come back here. The majority of my family – parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles – all live here as well, and in addition to being wonderful human beings, are a huge source of support for me and my daughters.

What are some of the most successful and/or popular programs at Three Rivers?

We are doing so many programs that it’s difficult to answer. Our youth services librarian, Lisa, does an amazing job planning and implementing a wide range of programming for ages up to 18. Our longest-running programs, Story hour and Toddler Time, are always a hit, but we also now offer things like laser tag and lock-ins for older kids.

You just never know what Ms. Lisa might have planned next.

Sarah, our adult services librarian, also does a fantastic job planning programs – again, trying to meet the needs and desires of a growing community like ours is not easy, but we have hosted some really great programs in the years since Sarah has joined our team. We had a “Doctor Who” party in the fall, hosted a cookbook author who treated the audience to some samples of her recipes, was graced by Jane Austen and hosted a huge author book signing. Coming up, we’ve got some Pinterest classes, Songs of the Civil War and a Soup Swap.

The library also sponsors a Summer and Winter Reading programs for all ages that grows every year. Our Winter

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Reading is going on right now, and it’s not too late to sign up.

What new programming or events do you have in the works?

We always have new programs coming up – our newsletters will be hitting mailboxes toward the end of February with all of our upcoming programs. A new promotion we are doing this year is our Oscar contest for patrons. We have a great collection of Oscar-winning movies on DVD available for check out, and this year, patrons can fill out a ballot for the 2014 awards – the winner will win a movie theater gift card.

We will also be celebrating National Library Week in April, featuring the ever-popular Food for Fines. We’ll also be asking patrons to fill out cards letting us know what they would like to see at their library, as well as random prizes being given away all week long.

What’s the most challenging aspect of running a library?

Wow, that is a great question. Even though I was the assistant director at Three Rivers, my role in that position was very different than my role as director. Every day is a learning experience, and I don’t anticipate that changing any time soon. I suppose that, for me right now, what is the most challenging is also

what I enjoy the most about my job – that is no matter how well planned-out my day may be, every day is unexpected, different and unpredictable.

Every day is an adventure.

Your brother, Nick, recently authored a popular book and you work in library services. Was there something in your childhood that sparked your love of literature? Does the rest of your family share your passion for books?

My siblings and parents are all readers. My dad is a retired teacher – he taught social studies at Channahon Junior High – and my mom is a retired nurse, so education was always something that was encouraged in our home.

I don’t know that there was anything specific that led us down that path, only that reading was such an anticipated pleasure for me. I couldn’t wait to get my chores or homework done so I could read.

Whatever it was that fostered my love of reading, however, I did not pass on to my children.

Neither of them are much of a reader at this point.

You organized a book signing for your brother in Minooka last fall.

How did that come about and how did it feel to watch your brother sign books for friends and neighbors?

I remember when Nick shared that he was writing a book – I kind of got an evil gleam in my eye and asked if

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he would do a book signing for the library, and he said sure, why not? I think at that point neither one of us were very serious, but then last summer, I received an email from his publicist and his editor wanting to set a date for the event, so I ran with it.

It was really a wonderful evening for my whole family – it gave Nick a chance to see a lot of people he hasn’t seen in years yet welcome lots of new fans as well. At one point, one of the gals from Anderson’s Bookshop who partnered with the library expressed concern at how slowly the book signing line was moving. I mentioned it to Nick, and he assured me he was perfectly comfortable with the pace so that he could give everyone waiting some individual attention. He ended up staying until almost midnight to sign books.

What is your favorite book(s) and why? Do you prefer one genre over others?

Wow. This is the hardest question yet. My tastes are pretty eclectic, but I probably read more popular and contemporary fiction than anything else because I want to try and stay on top of what the community is reading.

Plus, I am involved with two book clubs for the library and one outside the library, which forces me to keep reading.

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newsmakers

6 • Tuesday, February 18, 2014

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

A lifetime of service

“

John Enger enjoying retirement after 37 years with the city of Morris

A

fter 37 years serving the city of Morris, John Enger has retired.

Enger most recently was city clerk and budget officer, but previously served in numerous roles for the city.

Enger first started with the city in 1977 as the city treasurer, which he held until the spring of 1981 when he was elected as 3rd Ward alderman.

His first term as alderman ended in 1985 at which time he was re-elected. But after about two years, he resigned to become city clerk in 1987 after Marge Warren retired.

The Morris native takes pride in winning 10-straight elections and serving under five mayors.

In your career with the city, you have been an alderman, treasurer, city clerk and budget officer. Was being such a large part of the city government always your goal?

In the late ’60s, Bud Washburn, SJ Holderman, Flo Wren, Phyllis Cohnouer and many others got me involved in politics. I have always had a keen interest in our city government, having been born and raised in Morris.

As Morris city clerk, you have helped the city financially plan for many projects. Is there one project you are most proud of?

Working with Bud Washburn and Dick Schweickert on the formation of the Morris TIF (Tax Increment Finance) District while I was chairman of the Finance & Administration

“My family goes back six generations in Morris.

My mother worked for the Morris Public Works Department. Growing up, I was fortunate to have four sets of grandparents and my best friend, Harry Sklut.”

John Enger

Retired Morris City Clerk, budget officer

Photo by Heidi Litchfield – For Shaw Media

Recently retired Morris City Clerk and budget officer John Enger Committee.

Although you won’t be a part of the city’s day-to-day operations anymore, is there a project or goal you hope the city will eventually move forward with?

I plan on being around City Hall a few days a week and look forward to the formation of TIF District 2, which will hopefully allow for the development of the Riverplace Marina.

What is you advice for future city clerks?

To always keep the public first.

Under your guidance, the

city’s budget has continued to be healthy. What efforts by yourself and the previous councils are done to ensure this every year?

Working closely with the mayor, finance committee and department heads, we have been fortunate to keep the city in a strong financial position. A healthy budget is made possible by a group effort.

You plan to stay in Morris for your retirement. What will you do with your free time?

I’m appreciative that the mayor and finance committee are planning to retain me to assist with the bud-

getary process. I also plan to do some type of volunteer work.

What will you miss most about being the Morris city clerk?

Working day to day with the public and employees in my office.

We heard you were a volunteer firefighter for many years in Morris. What years were you a firefighter, and is there a particular fire or incident that you will

always remember from your time with the department?

I was a volunteer firefighter from 1973 to 1988. I will always remember the tragic death of my friend, firefighter Jim Allen, on March 18, 1985.

You were born and raised in Morris. How far back does your family history go in Morris?

My family goes back six generations in Morris.

My mother worked for

the Morris Public Works Department. Growing up, I was fortunate to have four sets of grandparents and my best friend, Harry Sklut. I was raised in the 3rd Ward along with neighbors such as the Augie Black family.

I eventually worked with Frank Black, who was the city attorney for 19 years.

The community is familiar with your career experience; tell us something fun that many people may not know about you.

I have always had fun and was proud to attend the Republican National Convention, whether as a delegate or invited guest.

And, on occasion, I like to sing.

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newsmakers

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 •

7

Pryor hopes to grow local economy

“

Focus will be increasing investment and employment in Grundy County

A

fter years of working with the Grundy Economic Development Council on a contractual basis, Doug Pryor is joining the organization on a full-time basis.

Pryor is the new vice president for the council and will spend time alongside local organizations and businesses to attract new jobs and investments to the area.

There has been some conversation lately about how Grundy County has two distinctly different identities – one rural and one suburban – and that perhaps the two are not compatible. For me, it’s the best part of living here.”

What are you looking forward to most about the new position?

This position gives me the opportunity to work with some great people from both the public and private sector on a variety of different projects. I’m looking forward to developing those partnerships and playing an active role in the community.

Are you doing anything to prepare for the new role?

One of the interesting aspects of economic development is that many projects and objectives are ongoing for an extended period of time. I have been focused on making sure I’m up to speed on what has been in process while also developing a set of goals for the rest of the year.

You’ve worked contractually for the GEDC in the past. How does it feel to be hired on full time?

I started working with the GEDC with the expectation that I would spend about three months working on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Two years and several projects later, I left with a strong appreciation for community service and what the GEDC does. It’s

Doug Pryor

Grundy Economic Development Council vice president

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Doug Pryor, new vice president of the Grundy Economic Development Council. great to be able to join the organization in a permanent role.

What work did you do at the GEDC before this and how does it differ (if at all) from the work you’re doing as vice president?

My time with the GEDC in the past was focused on special projects, including the County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, Transportation Priorities and economic and demographic research and analysis. I will retain

the ability to work on these types of projects in my current role but also spend more time working with local businesses and working to attract new jobs and investment to the area.

What’s your education and work history?

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Dominican University in River Forest, where I still teach undergraduate economics

courses part time.

Prior to joining the GEDC, I worked with a local energy company doing forecasting and economic modeling. Most of my professional career has been centered on finance and economics.

What do you like about working for the GEDC? What keeps you coming back?

The primary goal of the GEDC is to increase investment and employment in Grundy County. That’s

what I really enjoy about working with the GEDC – at the end of the day, my focus is on helping bring more business and opportunity to my backyard, and it’s exciting to have a positive impact on your community.

What do you think are some of Grundy County’s strengths?

First, the workforce is excellent. We have a strong contingent of highly skilled workers in a variety of different fields. Our location is also a strength and strong

competitive advantage in that we have easy access to the large Chicago market and lie in an area rich with road, rail, river and air transportation resources.

We also have a group of elected officials that are focused on promoting a healthy business community and strong public-private partnerships.

You live in Morris with your wife and two kids. What do you like best about this community?

There has been some conversation lately about how Grundy County has two distinctly different identities – one rural and one suburban – and that perhaps the two are not compatible. For me, it’s the best part of living here. We have all the convenience of living in town, and are still only a few miles away from my wife’s mother’s farm.

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newsmakers

8 • Tuesday, February 18, 2014

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Educational experience ‘second to none’

Coal City Unit 1 superintendent Bugg’s parents were both teachers

S

ervice as superintendent for Coal City Unit 1 School District has been, Kent Bugg said, the greatest honor of his life.

Bugg has been with the district for 14 years, and has spent the past nine as superintendent. He said there is “no other place I would rather be,” and noted the district is the “perfect place” for his family.

“They are able to experience a small-town feel in the community, but receive all of the advantages that a larger school district offers,” he said. “They are receiving an educational experience that I believe is second to none.”

And that’s an education he thinks all District 1 students deserve.

How long have you been with Coal City School District?

This is my 14th year working in Coal City School District 1. In 2000, I was hired as an elementary school principal, but before the school year started, I was transferred to the principalship of the newly constructed Coal City Middle School. I served as the principal of the middle school for five years prior to accepting the superintendency.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm in Assumption, which is about 25 miles south of Decatur. My graduating class had only 27 students. I attended the University of Illinois from 1985 to 1989 and graduated with a degree in secondary education/ social studies. I was anxious to experience other parts of the state, so I focused my interviews on areas outside of central Illinois. I attended a job fair at the University of Illinois where I met the principal of Reed-Custer High School, Bill Freeman. I had no idea where Braidwood was, but we really connected during our brief conversation.

I agreed to an interview and it just seemed like the right fit.

I spent four years as a teacher/coach at Reed-Custer High School, and my final two years there as the athletic director. I met my wife while working there, so it turned out to be the best decision of my life.

Following my tenure at Reed-Custer, I accepted the high school assistant principal position at Wilmington High School. I worked under Dr. Russ White and Joe Hermes, who were both tremendous mentors for me. I accepted the position at Coal City School District following my five years at Wilmington High School.

Once I accepted the principal position in Coal City, my family built a house here. I felt like it was important to not only work in the community, but to become an active member of the community.

What made you want to work in the education profession?

My mother was a high

Keep your child safe.

school English teacher and my dad coached youth sports for years and was a school board member before becoming a middle school science teacher later in his career. ...

I always enjoyed the positive energy that surrounded the school environment, and my parents were a tremendous influence on my career decision.

When I was an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, I coached a middle school basketball team in Champaign. Watching those students grow not only as athletes, but as young men, was the most rewarding experience of my life. To think that I might have played a small role in their maturity was a feeling I will never forget. It was at that point that I knew I had made the right decision in becoming an educator.

Coal City and Diamond were hit hard by the Nov. 17 tornado. How did the disaster effect your district and how did the staff and students respond?

I have never been more proud of our community and our school district. Everyone pulled together for a common cause, which was to make sure that everyone who needed help received it. My faculty and staff set about making sure all of our impacted students were taken care of. Our students and staff raised over $12,000 for the tornado relief fund. We had students and staff volunteering to help with the clean-up effort. It was truly amazing to see the community and school district pull together and support each other.

How, if at all, did the disaster make you a better administrator?

The tornado disaster was vivid reminder to me of how truly vulnerable our students are. Although academic success is important, it is equally important that we address the social and emotional needs of our students, as well. If students’ social and emotional needs are not met, then learning math and science will be the last thing on their minds while at school. We need to make sure our students come to school ready to learn.

What are some of the biggest challenges for today’s teachers and administrators in Illinois and how is Coal City confronting those challenges?

When I look back on my nearly nine years as the superintendent of this amazing school district, I am proud of the many things we have accomplished. Our standardized test scores have improved dramatically. We have a standardized curriculum and local assessment system that is the envy of school districts throughout the state.

We provide our students and staff with cutting-edge technology and training resulting in authentic 21st century learning opportunities for

changes we were able to put in place in previous years. I can state with confidence that our school district would be even further ahead right now if we were not burdened by the many unnecessary state mandates; many of which are meant to solve problems we do not have.

We will continue to abide by these mandates as required, but our challenge is to find an avenue for our faculty and staff to still bring forth their creative and innovative ideas that have historically had a quantifiable positive impact on student achievement.

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Kent Bugg, superintendent of Coal City Unit 1 School District. our students. Our K-8 Spanish program is preparing our students for success in the global economy they will face upon entering the workforce.

Thanks to the generosity of our community and the value they place on public education, our facilities are second to none. However, all of these incredible advances were the result of the ideas, creativity and innovation of our own faculty, staff and community.

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What other changes or improvements have you made since becoming superintendent?

I am most proud of our district’s standardized curriculum and local assessment system. When I arrived, I realized we had incredibly talented teachers, but we were not providing them with the framework and structure they needed to be as successful as they could be. Our standardized curriculum provides them with a framework of what our students should know and be able to do in each class. The local assessment system provides them with the necessary data they need to reflect on, and improve instruction for our students. Thanks to Tammy Elledge, our director of curriculum and instruction, and many talented and dedicated teachers, we have a local curriculum and assessment system that I would put up against any in the state.

I am also very proud of how we have raised student achievement over the past nine years. Our student performance on standardized testing has improved dramatically during this time. We always have had great teachers, but now we provide them with the structure, framework and support they need to reach their maximum potential.

I am also proud of the culture of continuous improvement we have created in District 1. Although by all outside measures we have been extremely successful over the past nine years, we have never rested on our accomplishments. We are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the academic opportunities we offer our students.

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Legislature has identified some public schools as being “broken” and in response, they have painted all public schools with a broad brush.

Their resulting school reform legislation has forced our school district to address issues that were not necessarily problems for us. That has been disheartening for our teachers, because now our “reform” efforts are all in response to state mandates as opposed to the dynamic and substantive

The district has put a focus on incorporating technology in the classroom. Why do you think this incorporation is important and how will it help the students?

As educators, we all need to accept that the world is a very different place than it was when the idea of public education was first constituted. We are no longer preparing students to participate in an industrial economy where rote memorization of tasks and the ability to follow directions were the primary outcomes. Instead, we are living in a technological age where innovation, creativity, and problem solving are at a premium. In order to prepare our students for success in this paradigm, we have to be willing to let go of the traditional structure of classrooms and schools.

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newsmakers

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 •

9

“

I’m curious by nature, although my family probably would call it nosy. Writing is enjoyable and has always come easily to me – especially when on deadline. I love talking with people and finding out what makes them unique, and then sharing that story with my readers. I can’t imagine doing anything else and being happy.”

Kate Schott

Editor of Morris Daily Herald Rob Winner - rwinner@shawmedia.com

Kate Schott, recently named editor of the Morris Daily Herald, has been with parent company Shaw Media since 2007.

Curious by nature In your time with the Morris Daily Herald, what have been your initial observations about Grundy County and Morris?

Generous and compassionate. The reaction from this community after the Nov. 17 tornado struck Coal City and Diamond was amazing.

I was updating the paper’s Facebook account and within minutes of posting that we had confirmed a tornado had touched down, people were asking how to help. The number of people who headed out to help with clean-up efforts, or the amount of money donated to help those affected by the tornado, was humbling to observe.

The area has a strong sense of identity and embraces that. And this is a readership that has a lot of self-ownership in its local newspaper, both print and online. They want a local paper, full of news about their communities. Not every town is like that. It’s refreshing.

All editors are writers first. Is there a story you wrote that will always stick with you?

I went to Louisiana in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina with students from Viterbo University, who were helping with clean-up efforts. Despite being there six months after the storm, we were in an area that looked like the hurricane had swept through the week before.

During that week, I had lunch one day with a woman

named Julie at a place that offered free meals for those who were displaced and volunteers helping with cleanup efforts. As we approached the food line, she dropped a $10 bill into a donation box.

She was living in a FEMA trailer, had lost her job and had maybe three changes of clothing. But she donated because there were people who had less than she did. I had never felt more humbled in my life.

When I returned to Wisconsin, I wrote a column about the week I was there, and I started it with Julie.

One of the things I love about being a journalist is you get to experience moments like that, and if you let them, they can change the way you view the world. I felt honored to be the one to share Julie’s story, and her mindset, with my readers.

Journalists don’t pick this career to become rich. What made you want to become a journalist?

I’m curious by nature, although my family probably would call it nosy. Writing is enjoyable and has always come easily to me – especially when on deadline. I love talking with people and finding out what makes them unique, and then sharing that story with my readers. I can’t imagine doing anything else and being happy.

The Morris Daily Herald and The Herald-News share some subscribers. How are you making sure each paper has its own unique flavor?

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What is your career experience and education before Shaw?

I earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication – Journalism from Winona State University in Minnesota, and I have a master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

My master’s degree required a six-month internship in a bureau of the pressroom at the Illinois Statehouse, and that’s where I learned how important ‘local’ is in reporting. I worked for Lee Enterprises, which at that time had papers in Carbondale, Decatur and the Quad-Cities. My boss always encouraged me to find a way to incorporate in my stories how what was happening in Springfield would affect our readers in those areas.

It wasn’t always easy. But when I managed it, it made a more relevant article for our readers.

In 2003, I moved to Hamilton County, Ind., to help start a daily newspaper there, The Noblesville Daily Times, where I covered education.

In late 2004, I moved to La Crosse, Wis., to cover higher education and then city hall for the La Crosse Tribune.

I was there until I moved to

DeKalb in mid-2007.

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You are new to the Morris Daily Herald and The Herald-News, but have been a part of these papers’ parent company, Shaw Media, for many years. Tell us about your career experience with Shaw.

I became part of the Shaw Media family in December 2007, when the company purchased the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb. I had joined that newspaper in July 2007 as city editor. I stayed at the Daily Chronicle through June 2012, and attained two promotions: First to news editor, then to managing editor.

During my time in DeKalb, I was given the opportunities and support to grow as a manager and reporter while focusing on the part of journalism I love – providing a local news report for our readers. You can get your national news from many places, but reports on the local city council are harder to come by. I love being the source to provide that to residents.

I left for about six months

in 2012 for another opportunity. When that didn’t pan out, I was lucky enough to be welcomed back to Shaw Media as the managing editor for projects/investigative reporting for the company’s suburban papers.

• Gre at

I

n October 2013, Kate Schott was named interim editor of the Morris Daily Herald. When Shaw Media purchased The Herald-News in Joliet in January, she was named editor of both publications.

With a background in community journalism, Schott is looking forward to working with the staffs at both newspapers to produce local publications teaming with local news, sports and feature coverage.

Community journalism drives MDH Editor Kate Schott

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It’s a balancing act. Both publications have readers in Grundy County. There are stories, especially out of local governments, that are relevant to both readerships. Our aim is to have unique feature articles for each publication.

You are a big Blackhawks fan, and the first story you wrote for the Morris Daily Herald was when the Stanley Cup came to Morris.

How was that experience for you?

Pure joy. We have to stay objective when reporting, so I didn’t wear any of my many Blackhawks shirts or hats, or get my picture taken with it. But I got a huge thrill just seeing the Cup and being in the same room with it. I was smiling the whole rest of

the day.

You have worked at newspapers in several states in the Midwest. What brought you back to Illinois?

Two things: The opportunity to become an editor and family. I liked the challenge of taking what I had learned as a reporter and applying that to a leadership role and teach what I had learned to others. And I’m from Illinois – born in Chicago, raised in Oak Park – and most of my family is still in Illinois.

While I enjoyed my time bouncing around the country, I was eager to return home and be closer to my loved ones.

Improving the quality of life in Grundy County through leadership and philanthropy.

Leadership: Our unique niche is that we are the county’s lead independent convener. We provide grants and staff to rally local resources and partners, as well as recruit resources from outside Grundy County to turn action plans into reality.

Philanthropy: By stewarding donor-designed funds, the Foundation puts the power of philanthropy into the hands of Grundy County’s residents and companies who want to be directly involved in how their donation is used. We are the only organization in Grundy County who allows donors to have this level of personal involvement regarding the use of their donations.

cfgrundycounty.com 102 Liberty Street, Morris or 815-941-0852

newsmakers

10 • Tuesday, February 18, 2014

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Business leader committed to local causes

Jim Baum sees Morris as ‘one of the perfect examples of small-town America’

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sk a resident if they know the name Baum, and you’re likely to get a smile and a “yes” from the person you asked.

Jim Baum has been a local business leader, investor and volunteer for the Morris area for decades, having followed in the footsteps of ancestors who started the family’s clothing store in the 1870s.

While he’s planning on heading east, Baum said he intends to remain committed to local causes that have been near and dear to his heart for years.

The Baum name is so known in the Morris area it is as though “Morris” and “Baum” go hand in hand. How far back does your family history go in the Morris area?

My great-grandfather arrived in 1856 and my grandfather started our store on Liberty Street in 1874. My father worked in our store until his death in 1982.

Baum’s women’s apparel store closed in 2007. Almost seven years later, do you still miss having your store in town?

Yes, I still miss the old Baum and the best news is that many of our customers still stop me on the street and say they miss us. I miss seeing the customers and

Local businessman and community volunteer Jim Baum. miss many, many of our employees who became friends, but do not miss the vendors that have made business difficult for small stores.

Shortly after the closing of Baum’s, you and Carol purchased the old Coleman Hardware building to make permanent homes for local nonprofits. Has the project turned into what you imagined it

would be?

The old Coleman Hardware building we remodeled and turned it into a center for nonprofits. My wife and I never dreamed how well this building would turn out and how important it is to the five organizations that have space in the building. Each now has a home they own and the financial saving to

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

the organizations is substantial.

Aside from your businesses, you also sit on numerous local and area boards and organizations. Can you tell us about a few of those roles and which ones mean the most to you?

The five local organizations that are most important to me: president, Morris

Hospital; president, Morris High School Board of Education; founder and organizer of the Morris Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP); founder of the Community Foundation of Grundy County; and my service the First Presbyterian Church of Morris. In each one of these, I have been able to serve as a leader to bring change to the community.

worlds: close enough to the city to take advantage of culture and sports, and yet far enough away to enjoy the small-town culture.

We hear that you are getting ready to move out east soon.

Will this be the end of your local involvement? Will you share with us where you are going?

My move is to a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) in Hanover, New Hampshire. Because we have no close family left in this area is the reason we are moving.

We will return for board meetings of the Grundy Bank and the Community Foundation.

You have been a part of so many projects, plans and investments here. What do you still wish to see happen in or for Grundy County?

First, education ...

Throughout the county, we must demand higher standards from our schools and ... be willing to pay for it.

This is the only solution to under employment of today’s young people. Not just for college-bound students but also for higher level vocational training.

Second, promote the development of small, independent retailing. Many do not realize that Morris continues to be the most interesting downtown in the state of Illinois outside of the Chicago Metro area. My prayer is that leadership in our community will work to lift the veil of hidden potential in Grundy County.

What do you love most about Grundy County as a whole?

I love the people. They are probably no better or no worse than many other communities, but they respond to community needs.

When you move out of state and someone asks you about Morris, how will you describe your hometown?

I would describe Morris as one of the perfect examples of small-town America.

Morris is where cornfields begin outside of suburban Chicago.

The best of all possible

YMCA’s new operations director hopes to grow programs

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he new face of the Morris branch of the Greater Joliet YMCA is a trusted face in Grundy County.

Missy Durkin took over as the YMCA’s new operations director for the Morris area in January. She has been a constant in the area for years, first as the executive director for the Morris Downtown Development Partnership and then with the Grundy Economic Development Council for five years.

Working to grow Grundy County in one way or another is nothing new to her, but she looks forward to the challenges she will face in this new role.

It has been only a short time since you have started your new position with the YMCA, but tell us about it.

I serve as the operations director for the Morris Branch of the Greater Joliet YMCA. In this role I will collaborate with our existing program director, Ken Iverson, to expand the program offerings in our area and I will continue to work with the local volunteer board toward the ultimate goal of constructing a permanent facility for Grundy County in Morris.

Previously you have worked for the Morris Downtown Development Partnership to the Grundy Econom-

this effort. It also gave me an appreciation of project development that I hope to draw on as we move forward.

What made you want to go from economic development to working with the YMCA? It wasn’t an easy decision to leave because I truly enjoyed the work that I was doing. However, I believe there has been an element of community development in each of my previous roles and I view this opportunity as extension of those same efforts.

Ultimately a new facility will improve the quality of life for our area and add value for the attraction of new developments in the future.

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Missy Durkin is the new Operations Director for the Morris Area YMCA. ic Development Council and now to the YMCA. How are your previous roles helping you in your new role?

I was blessed to have the benefit of working for both organizations and each of them has helped to prepared me for this opportunity. During my time at the MDDP I managed multiple community events

and had the good fortune of working with outstanding volunteers to produce them.

When I joined the GEDC, my role allowed me to expand the network of businesses, organizations and community leaders that I worked with and I look forward to partnering with many of them toward

The YMCA is making a large effort to grow its programs in the Morris area. What can we expect in the near future?

We are in the process of planning the spring and summer program sessions that would include sports camps and youth day camps. I think you will see us broaden our efforts to introduce these popular programs to more communities in our area. As we move forward, we would like to establish programs for adults and seniors.

The long-term goal of the YMCA is to construct a facility here. What steps have to be taken to reach that goal?

Gratefully, many steps have already been taken.

The Morris branch has a program committee and advisory council in place that has been working toward this goal for many years. In late 2012, the final results from an extensive study also were published which provides insight into the type of programs and facilities the residents would support. In the coming months, we hope to share more details and a preliminary timeline for how the project will continue to unfold.

bike program, back-to-school assistance, and of course, our Christmas program. This year I also had the opportunity to work on our veteran’s initiative, known as the 12 Days of Christmas Giving, and also was humbled to help with the combined efforts for the victims of the tornado.

It’s amazing to be part of an organization that receives so much support from the community.

On a more personal note, we hear you are quite the music fan and really enjoy attending concerts. What musician or band has been your favorite to see live?

I like all kinds of music, but I am a huge fan of Keith Urban! In fact, I did just see one of his concerts at the United Center a few weeks ago, and once again he did not disappoint.

In the meantime, a storefront in the area was discussed. Is this still the plan? How long until that happens?

A temporary location is still very much a part of the plan. Several potential sites have been considered and we hope to have the announcement of that location in the very near future.

If you don’t mind sharing, will you tell us a little bit about your family. Every mom likes to brag about her kids, right?

My husband Bob and I do have two wonderful children.

John, our oldest, is a junior at Morris Community High School and has plans to pursue an education in computer engineering. Our daughter, Katie, loves playing basketball and volleyball and will be graduating from eighth grade this year at Immaculate Conception School.

In addition to your job, you are very active with Operation St. Nick.

Tell us about your role with that organization and why it is important to you to be a part of it.

I’ve been on the board of Operation St. Nick since 1995, and in the past served as its treasurer for many years.

It’s by far, one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. St. Nick serves families throughout the year with our

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newsmakers

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 •

11

From water dept. assistant to city clerk

Adair has ‘history of working with public, working with numbers, problem-solving’

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he city of Morris has welcomed a familiar face to fill the roles of Morris city clerk and budget officer.

Carol Adair, formally of the city’s water department, has taken on these jobs to replace John Enger, who has recently retired.

Adair is no stranger to the city, since she has worked for Morris for almost eight years. In addition to her experience with the water department, she has a strong financial background making her well-suited for her new positions.

For many who pay their water bill at City Hall, you are already a familiar face. Tell us how you began with the city’s water department?

What was your role and how long have you worked there?

I began to work for the city in September 2006. I had gone in to City Hall to make a water payment when the girls mentioned they were looking for another person to work in the water department. I went home that night and discussed it with my husband, John, and decided to apply.

I was so pleased when I was hired. My job was to assist the customers, in person and over the phone, enter water payments, process the reports, track past due accounts and help people with payment plans.

What is your employment history prior to working for the city?

When our children were small I spent 14 years working for Cohenour Upholstery (later known as RobKim Upholstery) sewing air ride seats for Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. Mr. Cohenour allowed us to sew at home and that was a wonderful option for a mom. I had learned to sew as a young girl in 4-H and it was a great fit to use my sewing skills to earn income for our family.

Ed Maskel was my boss and I remember fondly how when I would come to unload my finished work and pick up materials for the next day’s quota, he would take my young son and baby daughter and walk them throughout the plant for everyone to see while I took care of my business.

Much of my work career, though, was spent working in mortgage lending. I started in 1989 as a mortgage loan processor for First Midwest Bank, later becoming a mortgage loan officer. It was

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Carol Adair, new Morris city clerk and budget officer. a job that required working long hours, being available to meet with customers day or night. However, finding the right mortgage program and helping my customers to finance their dream home was something I enjoyed very much.

When John Enger announced he would be retiring, what made you want to step forward to fill his shoes as the clerk and budget officer?

I was honored when John asked me to consider being his replacement. He said that he would like to recommend that the mayor appoint me to the position if I would agree and asked me to talk it over with my husband and my family and let him know my answer.

Are there parts of your job with the water department or previous employers that you think will help you as city clerk?

Yes, I think so. I have a history of working with the public, working with num-

bers and problem-solving.

Having worked with the city’s software system for seven years is a definite plus.

While I know the processes for working with the water billing department, I will need to learn the financial side that I haven’t worked with to this point. Knowing the system will make learning these new responsibilities much easier.

Working in the mortgage lending business was to a great extent about working with numbers, which I see as a preparation for becoming budget officer.

Is there a part about being city clerk that you are most excited about?

Yes, the people I work with. As I take on this new role, the support system I have at City Hall is very humbling to me. The continuing help of John Enger as an outside contractor to share his vast knowledge of preparing the budget is invaluable.

We have a great team of ladies in the city clerk’s office

who are very good at what they do, which will make my transition into this new roll a smooth one.

Everyone, from the mayor’s office, building and zoning, public works department, city clerk’s office to the police department, work together for the good of the city. It’s a wonderful place to work and I’m very blessed to be part of such a great team of people.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Are you a lifelong resident of Morris? Did you go to Morris schools? Is your family from here?

I was born and raised in Morris and graduated from Morris Community High School in 1970. My parents were Roger and Anna Mae Webster and I have a brother, David (Bonnie) Webster, and a sister, Diane (Terry) Wakeman. Both of my siblings live close by, in Coal City.

My husband, John, was born and raised in Charleston and moved to Morris to work for Caterpillar (lucky for me!). I have a stepson, Tom Adair,

and his wife, Jeanie, who live in Avon, Ind., and John and I have two children, Jim Adair and Debi Schultz, and her husband Todd, who live in Morris.

I hear you are a loving grandmother, and as every grandma likes to talk about their grandchildren, can you tell me about them?

My grandchildren give me such joy! I am blessed to have six: Christopher, 24, and Alex Joseph, 22, are Tom and Jeanie’s sons. Chris has graduated from Purdue and is now on staff there. Alex Joseph is a junior at Purdue. Alex James Adair, 17, is Jim’s son. He is a junior at Coal City High School and is an avid bowler and fisherman. Olivia, 12, Alyssa, 9, and Wyatt, 6, Schultz belong to Todd and Debi and all attend Saratoga school.

Livi is active in many sports – softball, volleyball, basketball and bowling. Alyssa plays the piano and is a gymnast. Wyatt is a bowler and is learning basketball and T-ball. They all love to fish, too.

Most summers we enjoy taking a family vacation to Bena, Minn., where we spend a week at Sunset Beach Resort fishing on Portage Lake.

My job is being the picture taker. It goes without saying that I treasure every moment I have with each of them.

I also hear that you are a loyal volunteer for the Good News Club.

Can you tell me about what the Good News Club is and why it is important to you?

Good News Club is an after-school program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. This is my 19th year working with GNC and I’ve loved every moment.

I also enjoy staying in touch with these kids long after they’ve grown past the age to attend club to see what they’ve made of their lives.

Some of them include a nurse, a paramedic, an author and a U.S. sailor.

My passion is working with children and I’ve been blessed to have so many opportunities.

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newsmakers

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Chief deputy coroner in her ‘dream job’

Christina Hintze-Symoniak strives to give decedents care, respect, dignity

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he second in command at the Grundy County Coroner’s Office, Christina Hintze-Symoniak, is a Mazon native.

Moving from a health care professional who tends to those who are sick, to aiding in laying the deceased to rest, was not only an easy transition for her, but her “dream.”

In her position, Hintze-Symoniak wears many hats, and she says she loves every single one.

You are the chief deputy coroner for Grundy County Coroner John Callahan. How long have you been with the office now and what does your job entail?

I have been with the coroner’s office for two and a half years. I am honored to hold the position of chief deputy coroner of Grundy County. John Callahan and I work very well together. I have numerous responsibilities and will share with you a few.

I manage the “Drug Take Back Program.” This is where we receive no longer needed medication from residents of Grundy County.

I also do weekly pickups of medication and syringes from all participating pharmacies in the county and other designated drop-off locations. I receive notifications of all county deaths.

(The office) investigates all unexplained deaths, whether it be unexplained home deaths, motor vehicle crash, suicide, etc.

Investigation requires thorough documentation, photos of the scene, working one on one with all personnel involved such as police, EMS and fire. I am responsible for caring for the decedent and their loved ones,

middle schools. I recently married the ‘love of my life,’ Tony Symoniak in October 2012. We purchased a home in Mazon and will continue to live there for years to come as our family grows.

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Grundy County Chief Deputy Coroner Christina Hintze-Symoniak transporting the decedent to the morgue, examination of the decedent and work closely with the forensic pathologist.

I also am responsible for the setup of the morgue for examinations, photos of the exam and processing evidence. I assist grieving families through difficult and sometimes hard to accept conditions. I am a member of the following: Law Enforcement Managers Association, Illinois Coroner & Medical Examiner Association, Illinois Child Death Review Team and Medicolegal Death Investigators D-ABMDI. What is your employment and education history prior to joining the coroner’s office?

I am a 1999 graduate of Seneca High School. I attended Joliet Junior College. I have 16 years of health care

experience, from a CNA, EMT, Rehab Tech and ER Tech. I was employed by Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet for 13 years.

For obvious reasons, when many people think of your job, the words “dream job” likely do not come to mind. How did you end up in this field and why is working as a deputy coroner something you wanted to do?

Actually, as hard as it may be to believe, this is my dream job! I reached out to coroner Callahan years ago and had kept in contact with him. I always asked many questions and wanted to know more about his job and what exactly it entailed. I was able to view an examination and, unfortunately, it was someone I had grown up with and at that point, I knew this was the job for me.

As a deputy coroner, I

would be able to help my community. I have spent the last 16 years of my life caring for individuals and their families in many different aspects, but none as rewarding as this position. Having said that, I continue to strive for excellence, compassion and understanding. By furthering my education, I strive to give each decedent the care, respect and dignity they deserve. It is my wish to be the voice for the decedent through their final moments.

Were you born and raised in Seneca? Do you still live there?

Although I graduated from Seneca High School, I am very proud to call Mazon my home. I was born and raised there and have many family members in the area. I also attended Mazon Verona Kinsman grade and

Coroner John Callahan is very active in educating the community about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. You have also taken an active role in this through the Road to Reality program and other community efforts. Why have you chosen to take this role on in addition to your job responsibilities?

I strongly believe in education. The young and old of the community need to be made aware of issues around us, and it is our hope to provide them with the education they need. I agree with John’s vision of getting the word out and open the eyes of the community. Whether it be the Road to Reality programs, heroin and prescription drug abuse education, or Meghan’s Story/Don’t Drink and Drive, this is the reality of Grundy County.

Unfortunately, lessens are learned through experience of others whether it be through misfortune or lack of good judgment. Everyone needs education on personal responsibilities, your actions affect many.

You recently became board certified through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. What does this mean and what did you have to do to become certified?

The American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators is an independent , national, nonprofit certification board that works to encourage and enhance professional standards among medicolegal death investigators. ABMDI certifies

individuals who have the proven knowledge and skills necessary to perform the forensic community, assess, recognize and monitor death investigation.

As a requirement for my position, I attended St. Louis University. I was enrolled in a 40-hour death investigation certification class. After participating in class, I was required for the following 18 months to receive “onthe-job” training, a required 300 task checklist to fill and many hours of self discipline book study. Once completed, I then tested and am very proud to say, I passed.

I hear you have a lovely son, will you tell us a little about him?

What does he aspire to be when he grows up?

Cole is my everything.

I was a single mother for many years and very fortunate to have such a wonderful little man. He is 11 years old and is in fifth grade at Mazon Middle School. Cole is my driving force to be the best I can be and to teach him that he can do anything, especially through education, and that his future is endless. As any 11 year old boy, he dreams of being a baseball player but with further conversation he also shares that he would like to be a police officer or a coroner.

Cole is not like many children when it comes to his parents occupations, Cole’s father is a funeral director and with my job, Cole has been educated way beyond his years in dealing with death. His stepfather, Tony, helps him with his homework, guidance, sports and just being a kid. Together, we are a family and I am so very proud of him.