Elburn board member won’t run for re-election

Elburn’s village board will change at least one of its members this year.

Village Trustee Jeff Metcalf, who has served on the board for the last eight years, has decided not to seek another term in the coming April election.

“I want to leave on a high note,” Metcalf said. “It’s time for new directions.”

Metcalf, who started Kaneville-based Record Information Services 15 years ago, has decided to devote his full attention to the growing company.

“I think the current board has a lot to be proud of. We’ve gotten a lot accomplished,” he said.

Elburn Village President James Willey said Metcalf will be missed.

“He was very passionate about what we were trying to do here,” Willey said.

Metcalf’s open seat leaves a window of opportunity for residents of the growing village.

One of those residents is Mark Wilson, who plans to run for a seat on the board.

Wilson, who lives in the Blackberry Creek subdivision, would like to be a voice for his neighborhood, which currently does not have a trustee on the board.

“The community isn’t just growing in Blackberry Creek, but in all of Elburn,” he said.

“I think it would be great to have someone from Blackberry Creek on the board,” said Willey. “They absolutely deserve a representative on the board.”

Trustee William Grabarek whose term is also up this spring, will seek re-election for another four years.

“I very much enjoy the work and hopefully the public will deem it appropriate to re-elect me,” he said.

A semi-retired attorney, Grabarek would like to continue with the board to see many of its ongoing projects come to fruition, including the expansion of the village’s waste water treatment plant, the completion of the Jewel-Osco, and the proposed Kirk Homes development on Routes 38 just west of Route 47.

Trustee Gordon Dierschow says that although he has not completely made up his mind, he will likely seek another term.

“I think I’m going to go again,” he said.

As for Metcalf, although he will no longer serve Elburn as a village trustee, he will remain active with the Republican party on a state and national level, and has not ruled out the possibility of running for public office in the future.

“Never say never,” he said. “I think everybody should have the opportunity to serve.”

Those who are interested in pursuing a seat on Elburn’s village board may get information at www.kanecountyelections.org.

By Charlotte Norgaard
Daily Herald Correspondent

Posted On: January 2007