Village Employees Making a Difference
Here are some recent announcements that highlight the accomplishments of Village Staff, Board of Trustees, and our municipal partners. And remember…together we can make a difference!
Wauconda Employee Nominated to Serve on FVOA Executive Committee
Luke Markko, a Class 1 Wastewater Treatment Works Operator with the Public Works Department, was recently nominated and elected to the Secretary/Treasurer position for the Fox Valley Operators Association (FVOA). For over 50 years, this association has been an environment that allows wastewater operators to share ideas and learn from one another. This is the same organization that recently awarded Wauconda’s Wastewater Treatment Plant the Plant of the Year Award.
Luke will be serving on the FVOA executive committee for the next three years. The executive committee consists of a Secretary/Treasurer, a Vice President, and a President. Each year a new Secretary/Treasurer is elected, and the two senior members of the executive committee advance a position. Luke is looking forward to the invaluable learning opportunity that is presented by this position as well as working closely with the committed members of the FVOA.
Wauconda’s WWTP Named ‘Plant of the Year’ by Local Organization
Wauconda’s wastewater treatment facility has been selected to receive the Jeff Price Award for ‘Plant of the Year’ from the Fox Valley Operators Association (FVOA).
This award, named for its first recipient, is annually awarded to an outstanding facility belonging to the FVOA. The Village of Wauconda hosted a meeting of the organization in June that included a tour of the facility and a presentation about the newly formed Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. The FVOA Board chose the Wauconda plant for this honor due to the facility’s knowledgeable staff and overall cleanliness and organization.
The FVOA is a professional organization for those involved in the water reclamation field that has been in existence for over 50 years. The organization allows operators in and around the Fox River Valley to come together, receive training, and share ideas for improved operations.
Illinois Public Service Institute (IPSI) Training
Left to right: Dave Geary, Tracy Fessler, and IPSI Instructor Dr. Lew Bender
Three Village employees, Tracy Fessler, Jarett Kalal, and Joe Schwarz, attended the Illinois Public Service Institute (IPSI) last week in Effingham, IL. IPSI is a three-year training program which provides instruction expressly designed for public service professionals. The course is divided into three one-week sessions (one week each consecutive year) focusing on training in public service, personal growth and professional development. This year’s focus was on ‘Leadership’. At the conclusion of the event, Manager of Administrative Services, Tracy Fessler, graduated from the program.
Bringing Home the Gold!
Wauconda Police Sergeant John Combs and his partner Maxx have taken first place in both the individual and team competitions in the Illinois Regional Canine Olympics. Sergeant Combs and Maxx competed against 17 other canine teams recently during a grueling two-day long series of events designed to measure their communication processes, detection ability, and assertiveness. The competition’s events included 45-minute ten-item narcotics tracking test (similar to a “treasure hunt), water recovery, running, defensiveness, and canine obedience. This is the third time in a row that the team has placed in the “Gold” category.
Sergeant John Combs and Maxx continue to work hard to provide the Wauconda Police Department with a successful program. Throughout the year the team has completed over 80 hours of maintenance training and were re-certified as an accredited team in early 2011.
Educational Achievements
Jackie Soccorso Linda Krajniak Zaida Torrres
The Village would like to congratulate three of its employees on their latest educational accomplishments. Director of Environmental Quality/Public Works Superintendent of Administration Jacqueline Soccorso graduated with honors on Friday, June 17th with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
On Sunday, June 26th, Economic Development Director Linda Krajniak graduated with her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, Illinois. On the same day, Finance Director Zaida Torres graduated with distinction from DeVry University in Chicago with a Master’s degree in Financial and Accounting Management.
Congratulations to all three!
Someone You Should Know
Officer Ken Wich has served the Village as a police officer since 2001. Ken grew up in the Larkdale neighborhood and returned from college to “give back to my community” as he is fond of saying. Ken attended Robert Crown School, Wauconda Middle School and graduated from Wauconda High School in 1989.
As a police officer he has “adopted” Wauconda Grade School and taken the safety of the students, faculty, and visitors as a personal concern. After examining the traffic flow around the school during the morning, he felt the students and drivers would be better served if a change in the traffic flow was instituted. Ken devised a plan and implemented what is now a safe corridor for children and drivers in front of the school. Ken also reaches into his own pocket each year and offers a “prize” to be drawn during the school’s raffle where he buys and delivers lunch for the winning student.
Officer Wich is assigned to the dayshift and is known to be not only an ardent support of the schools and his community but is also thought of as a “natural problem solver” by the Chief of Police. “Officer Wich is a perfect example of the type of person who makes Wauconda a strong and vibrant community,” says Chief Doug Larsson. “I am always ready to listen to Ken as he explains what the neighborhoods and community stakeholders are dealing with; he is a good, solid person.”
Ken is a graduate of Western Illinois University, a former volunteer high school football coach and an avid collector of 1960’s and 70’s baseball memorabilia.
Village of Wauconda Announces New Administrator
The Village of Wauconda has appointed David Geary to the position of Village Administrator. Mr. Geary has recently been acting in that capacity since the announced departure of Daniel Quick, who held the position for nine years. Mr. Geary has been appointed for a two-year term with the Village.
David has over thirty years of senior management experience in the fields of public works, emergency services, safety, and disaster preparedness. Since 2006, he has served as the Village of Wauconda’s Director of Public Works, which is comprised of street, water and water reclamation divisions. He also oversees the Building, Zoning and Planning Department for the Village. Mr. Geary will continue to serve as Director of both Departments in addition to his new duties as Village Administrator.
Mayor Mark F. Knigge stated, “Dave was a logical choice because of his current and past involvement with Village operations and major projects such as Lake Michigan water. I look forward to working with Dave on all aspects of village operations, including economic development initiatives that are important to our Board and community.”
Before starting his tenure with the Village of Wauconda, he served as the Assistant Administrator for the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). His responsibilities included organizing and directing the preparedness efforts for 88 cities and over 90,000 employees. He was responsible for maintaining the County’s Emergency Operations Center in a state of operational readiness and was additionally responsible for public education and Homeland Security Grant administration.
David worked for 15 years at Universal Studios in Universal City, California as the Director of Emergency Services. His responsibilities included occupational health services, emergency and disaster response planning and training, business recovery, employee safety programs, and coordination with LA County emergency services.
He began his career as a paramedic/firefighter at the Wauconda Fire Department in 1977 where David served as a Lieutenant and the Department’s Paramedic Coordinator.
David has an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering, and earned his credential as a Certified Emergency Manager from the International Association of Emergency Managers in 2005. He is also certified by the Disaster Recovery Institute as a Certified Business Continuity Planner.
He currently serves as the President of the American Public Works Association Chicago Metro Chapter, Lake Branch and is actively involved in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network organization.
In 2007, David was awarded the Outstanding Public Servant Award from the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving as a Director for the Wauconda Lions Club.
“I’m fortunate to be associated with the dedicated employees of the Village of Wauconda who have been, and will continue to be, extremely valuable as I take on these additional responsibilities,” stated Geary. “I am confident that I have the full support of our elected officials and, together, we will strive to be effective and efficient to meet the economic challenges that all communities are faced with today.”
Two Named Wauconda Police Employees of the Year
By LEE FILAS
DAILY HERALD
Tom Robertson has been named Wauconda Police Officer of the Year and telecommunicator Johnna Garrett is the Wauconda Police Civilian Employee of the Year, police officials announced.
Police Chief Douglas Larsson said Robertson was selected by his peers for routinely presenting a professional demeanor and excellent leadership skills, his willingness to help others, work on the Wauconda Fire Department referendum, his commitment to residents during community food drives, and extensive volunteer work.
Garrett took home the civilian award, named for outstanding achievement by a non-sworn employee of the department who brings credit to the department, Larsson said.
She was selected for routinely presenting a professional demeanor, her effort during the Wauconda Fire Department Referendum, fundraising efforts on numerous community causes, and volunteer work, officials said.
Larsson said a plaque will be displayed with the names of the winners at the Wauconda Police Station. Police personnel nominate and vote on two people for the annual awards.
Tree City USA Reflects Efforts of Staff
In 2011, The Village of Wauconda received Tree City USA status for the fifth consecutive year, driven by the efforts of Village Arborist Chris Esvang. Chris is a specialist in the care of individual trees and is trained and equipped to provide expert advice and help maintain the beauty of our community.
To qualify for the status of Tree City USA, a town must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. These are having: a tree board or department, tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Wauconda’s Forestry Division is operated under the direction of the Village’s Public Works Department – Streets and Collections Division. Overseeing the Division, Village, Chris coordinates the ongoing maintenance of over 3,500 trees on Village property or along the Village right of way.
Village Treasurer Receives Certificate of Achievement
The Village Board and Mayor would like to congratulate Village Treasurer/Director of Finance Zaida Torres for her outstanding efforts in compiling the Village’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Village’s Finance Department by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. It was established to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that support the spirit of transparency and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.
Wauconda Fire Chief Wins Top Honor from State Association
Wauconda Fire Chief David Dato was named one of three fire chiefs of the year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association this year. Dato was recognized for his leadership of the department, which has a combination of full- and part-time staff, officials said. Dato has been Wauconda fire district chief since 1992 and has served the district for 32 years, “This isn’t my award,” he said. “In any good organization, it’s really the people who support the leader of the organization and get the job done.”
