SOUTH HOLLAND | Change was the continuous theme for the Village Board this week.
Two weeks after announcing the retirement of longtime Trustee Art Bennett, the board announced his replacement at Monday's meeting.
Andrew Johnson Jr. was approved by the board after a motion by Village President Don De Graff. Johnson will fill Bennett's unexpired term.
Johnson has been a resident of South Holland for five years. He has a Master of Business Administration degree in business and finance from the Keller School of Management. He is now a reporter with Dow Jones Newswires, which includes coverage of the Chicago Board of Trade.
Johnson has served as a board member for Christ Our Savior Catholic School and was a member of the South Holland Park Advisory Board. He and wife, Donna, are raising two boys, Bryan, 5, and Tyler, 12.
"Andrew has continuously demonstrated his commitment to South Holland over the past few years," De Graff said. "We are blessed to have someone with his drive and talent to offer their leadership abilities to the village."
The board also accepted the retirement of Fire Chief Randy Stegenga, effective at the end of the month. Stegenga served the Fire Department for nearly 30 years.
Prior to becoming chief, Stegenga supervised the department's Fire Prevention Bureau. He also served as the village's safety and public education officer.
De Graff announced his intent to name Deputy Chief Don Bettenhausen as acting chief upon Stegenga's retirement. Bettenhausen was appointed deputy chief in November 2007.
In other action, the board approved a Class 8 tax resolution for vacant property at 530 E. 162nd St.
The board also approved a Class 6 tax resolution and a tax increment financing inducement resolution for property at 16525 VanDam Road and approved a conditional use permit for property at 220 E. 168th St. A new church and senior housing complex has been proposed for the property.
Trustees passed an ordinance Monday for TIF redevelopment for the Ed Miniat Corp.
They also passed a resolution authorizing the acquisition of right of way property at 168th Street and State Street. The acquisition will allow the village to straighten the offset for the right of way.
