By Maureen Vander Sanden
Correspondent
A new trustee will swear in Monday at the Union Grove Village Board meeting, filling a seat vacancy that has been open since Sept. 1.
Alan Jelinek was chosen from a pool that had three other candidates to join the Village Board. He will assume the remaining term of former Trustee Teresa Holm, who moved out of state.
Village President Michael Aimone, who selected Jelinek with board consensus, said his background in finance was a deciding factor in the upcoming appointment.
“All candidates interviewed very well,” Aimone said. “But it was Alan’s experience in finance that makes him a very good fit for the community at this point.”
Other citizens who sought the open seat and interviewed with the board Oct. 12 included Ann Kernman, Martha Sheahan and Janice Winget. Each offered strong skill levels, Aimone said last week, making the decision a difficult one.
Jelinek is a payroll manager at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, where he has worked for the past 15 years. He has an associate’s degree in accounting and carries a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee. He also helps with bookkeeping as treasurer at his family church, First Baptist in Winthrop Harbor, Ill.
Jelinek said he has had interest in local government for years, citing the time he ran unsuccessfully for Kenosha County Board nearly 20 years ago, and lost by a mere four votes.
“It was a close one,” he said. “When I saw the opening in the village newspaper, I thought it was an opportune time to apply.”
Jelinek said he looks forward to bringing his accounting skills to the village.
“My interest is in numbers and budgeting, and I think that’s where I will be beneficial,” he added.
He moved to the village about 13 years ago with his wife Michele and kids Tim and Kristina.
He said he enjoys the small-town feel of Union Grove and appreciates, that, with the Racine County Fairgrounds in town, there is always something going on.
“It’s a good mix. Not many towns our size have this much going on,” he said.
Jelinek said he looks forward to jumping in during budget-drafting time to offer his knowledge in the area of finance and human resources, but also understands there is a learning curve he will have to first adapt to.
“I have no agenda. I am excited to learn and grow, and serve, then add some things as I learn the position,” he said.
As part of his appointment, the new trustee will also take a seat on the village’s administration and finance committee, recreation and welfare committee and the fire commission, according to Aimone.
There is still a Village Board vacancy on the Community Development Authority left by Holm, the village president said. Aimone is still working on that appointment.
Aimone said he looks forward to Jelinek’s future contributions to the village.
“We’re very excited about having him aboard and excited about what he has to offer the board and community as a whole,” he said.
Jelinek’s appointment expires in April 2017, when Holm’s two-year term will be complete.
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