| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Swinford resigns as Williamsville trustee, will
become Sherman village administrator
Trustee John Swinford told the Williamsville Village Board Monday that he would resign his position on
the board, as he has taken the position of village administrator and economic development coordinator with
the village of Sherman.
Swinford said he would tender his resignation following the board meeting. His first day on the new job
was Monday.
Swinford, who said he was glad to stay in the local area, was with the Springfield Airport Authority until
Aug. 6, when the 183rd Fighter Unit was moved from Springfield. He will not be required to move to
Sherman, which is next door to Williamsville. The two villages collaborate on various projects.
The trustee said he is aware of proprietary information he will be privy to and he wants to handle the
situation in the most ethical way.
“It is necessary and right to step down,” Swinford remarked. “I’m going to get to do something full-time
that I really enjoy.”
Williamsville Mayor Bill McCarty said he and Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter discussed the matter. He
said he has one candidate in mind to take Swinford’s place, a name that he will bring to the next board
meeting for confirmation.
Swinford’s post is up for re-election next year, and “we need to get someone quickly,” McCarty said.
“We are dangerously close to being without a quorum,” he said, referring to unavoidable meeting
absences. “There is no time to do a search.”
McCarty also said he will look for a new president pro tem, to replace Swinford.
He congratulated Swinford and commented that he is sad at his loss.
In another matter, the mayor presented the tax levy for next year. The proposed levy is $74,517, which is
a 3 percent increase over last year’s levy of $72,347. It is less than the $75,057 originally proposed by the
village attorney.
The new figure was the recommendation of the Finance Committee meeting as a whole, McCarty said.
The village always increased the levy 5 percent a year until two years ago, when it undertook action to
become home rule, he said. Then the board kept the same levy for two years.
The 3 percent increase is in line with inflation, McCarty said.
“It makes sense to increase it so we don’t have trouble down the road,” he noted.
McCarty said that the village levy is less than others in the area and the increase will mean a rate of less
than $3 per every $100 of assessed valuation.
The board will vote on the levy ordinance at the next meeting or two.
Trustee Valerie Patterson told board members that David Mayes rescinded a façade improvement
project on a building at 101 Main Street and would like to put another project in its place. The grant to him
was under the Downtown Improvement Program.
Trustee Janice Beyers said Harpole Street is full of leaves and she does not want sewers to get clogged
up. The mayor said if the people who are raking leaves into the street can be identified, a letter would be
sent telling them they are in violation of an ordinance.
Trustee Larry Barregarye received a proposal to wax the floor at the Community Center, he said.
Trustee Mark Ester said a wooden fence was found for $1,760 for an area subject to heavy snow drifting.
It would replace the plastic fences used in past years.
The board set Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. for lighting of the Community Christmas Tree on the boulevard. Families
will be invited to bring ornaments, possibly with their names.
The fire department pancake and sausage breakfast will be 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. the same day, with Santa
Claus arriving in the village at 10 a.m.
The Christmas Appreciation Breakfast is set for Dec. 27 at 8 a.m. at the Community Center.
become Sherman village administrator
Trustee John Swinford told the Williamsville Village Board Monday that he would resign his position on
the board, as he has taken the position of village administrator and economic development coordinator with
the village of Sherman.
Swinford said he would tender his resignation following the board meeting. His first day on the new job
was Monday.
Swinford, who said he was glad to stay in the local area, was with the Springfield Airport Authority until
Aug. 6, when the 183rd Fighter Unit was moved from Springfield. He will not be required to move to
Sherman, which is next door to Williamsville. The two villages collaborate on various projects.
The trustee said he is aware of proprietary information he will be privy to and he wants to handle the
situation in the most ethical way.
“It is necessary and right to step down,” Swinford remarked. “I’m going to get to do something full-time
that I really enjoy.”
Williamsville Mayor Bill McCarty said he and Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter discussed the matter. He
said he has one candidate in mind to take Swinford’s place, a name that he will bring to the next board
meeting for confirmation.
Swinford’s post is up for re-election next year, and “we need to get someone quickly,” McCarty said.
“We are dangerously close to being without a quorum,” he said, referring to unavoidable meeting
absences. “There is no time to do a search.”
McCarty also said he will look for a new president pro tem, to replace Swinford.
He congratulated Swinford and commented that he is sad at his loss.
In another matter, the mayor presented the tax levy for next year. The proposed levy is $74,517, which is
a 3 percent increase over last year’s levy of $72,347. It is less than the $75,057 originally proposed by the
village attorney.
The new figure was the recommendation of the Finance Committee meeting as a whole, McCarty said.
The village always increased the levy 5 percent a year until two years ago, when it undertook action to
become home rule, he said. Then the board kept the same levy for two years.
The 3 percent increase is in line with inflation, McCarty said.
“It makes sense to increase it so we don’t have trouble down the road,” he noted.
McCarty said that the village levy is less than others in the area and the increase will mean a rate of less
than $3 per every $100 of assessed valuation.
The board will vote on the levy ordinance at the next meeting or two.
Trustee Valerie Patterson told board members that David Mayes rescinded a façade improvement
project on a building at 101 Main Street and would like to put another project in its place. The grant to him
was under the Downtown Improvement Program.
Trustee Janice Beyers said Harpole Street is full of leaves and she does not want sewers to get clogged
up. The mayor said if the people who are raking leaves into the street can be identified, a letter would be
sent telling them they are in violation of an ordinance.
Trustee Larry Barregarye received a proposal to wax the floor at the Community Center, he said.
Trustee Mark Ester said a wooden fence was found for $1,760 for an area subject to heavy snow drifting.
It would replace the plastic fences used in past years.
The board set Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. for lighting of the Community Christmas Tree on the boulevard. Families
will be invited to bring ornaments, possibly with their names.
The fire department pancake and sausage breakfast will be 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. the same day, with Santa
Claus arriving in the village at 10 a.m.
The Christmas Appreciation Breakfast is set for Dec. 27 at 8 a.m. at the Community Center.
Issue Date: Nov. 13, 2008