By Maureen Vander Sanden
Correspondent
Trustee Teresa Holm was given a warm recognition and send off by the Union Grove Village Board of Trustees at the conclusion of Monday’s board meeting.
“Teresa has always brought passion and commitment to her role,” said Village President Michael Aimone, before presenting her with a plaque recognizing her service to the village.
Holm submitted her resignation from the board effective Aug. 31 due to her family’s upcoming move to Pennsylvania, where her child and grandchild currently reside.
“We are excited to have our family reunited, but very sad to be leaving out home in this great community,” she wrote in an email. “This community has served and embraced our family like no other we have ever lived in.”
Holm began her service to the Village nearly eight years ago, when she was appointed to the Community Development Authority (CDA), which she eventually led as chairwoman.
In April 2011, she was elected to the Village Board.
Her motivation was to assist with downtown development and help strengthen Union Grove’s small businesses.
According to Aimone, Holm has been instrumental in drawing more people to the historic downtown.
Most notable, Holm’s efforts brought a Main Street farmers market to fruition.
Now in it’s fifth season, it has developed into the farm to table idea, she said.
The village president also commended Holm for her work with the Recreation Committee, which she has also chaired.
“I think a community’s greatest strength is in its families, and by enriching children,” she said. “Serving on the Recreation Committee was a good way to fulfill that.”
One parks initiative that Holm said is near and dear to her heart was bringing playground equipment to the village that also accommodates children with disabilities.
“I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and have seen the all-inclusive playground equipment in many different places and wanted to have that for our children here in the village,” she said.
Several years ago, officials were able to make it happen, she said, with the purchase of used equipment that she said was in excellent condition.
Holm said that being a trustee certainly came with challenges, and she has learned a lot from her experience.
Holm’s advice to her successor:
“Remember why you are (on the board).”
“You are there to protect and use the tax dollars wisely that we all contribute. You are there to serve the community, not yourself and your own agenda,” she said.
Board seeks citizen to fill vacancy
On Sept. 1 Holm will have officially vacated her seat on the Village Board.
The Village will seek citizens who are interested in serving the vacated seat. More information about the position will be posted in the Fall Village Voice newsletter.
The full Board will conduct interviews with candidates in mid-September, before making an appointment, according to Aimone.
The person who is appointed will finish out Holm’s two-year term, which expires in April 2017.
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