On The Record With ... Kay Starostovic

If there is something going on in the Fox Lake area, it is likely that Grant Township supervisor Kay Starostovic played a part in making it a success.

The long-time Ingleside resident has deep roots in Lake County, growing up in Round Lake and graduating from Round Lake High School.

Even in high school, Starostovic said she was involved in “just about everything.”

She was re-elected earlier this month to serve as Grant Township supervisor, a position she has held for more than six years.

Starostovic recently went on the record with Lake County Journal reporter Colin Selbo and answered questions about the township and the positive memories she has of growing up in Lake County.

Selbo: How did you first get involved with Grant Township?

Starostovic: I was on the school board at Big Hollow for 16 years, and I got off there and was taking a little bit of a break. [Former supervisor] Gordon Kiesgen called me and asked if I would be interested in running for clerk. So I did, and I wasn't sorry ... I never thought about being [supervisor] because I thought Gordon would live forever.

Selbo: What do you think the general role of a township should be in a community?

Starostovic: Just providing services for the people with needs ... The biggest thing in this office, of course, is the general assistance. So, it's direction and guidance of the general assistance.

We also have the food pantry, which is available five days a week. Now we’ve added transportation for people in the community ... We do referrals for people if we can’t help them. RTA passes. Then we get into voter registration and early voting. There’s a million things ... The thing with us is service, service, service. Trying to do the best we can to help at a very nominal fee, if no fee at all.

Selbo: Do you find that people know about services from the township, or is difficult to let people know they can come to the township for these services?

Starostovic: A lot of it is word of mouth. I do believe a lot of people know, but there are a lot of people who maybe never needed to know ...  What we're trying to do is promote people so they can better themselves and they will be able to get back on their feet someday. And a lot of them have done that.

Selbo: With the economy in recession, how have you had to adjust or expand your services because of the greater need?

Starostovic: So far, we're handling it well. We're very conservative here. Everything we spend, we spend with caution. So far, we're doing OK. We're looking down the road, so if money gets tight and people have problems, we'll have to maybe cut back on services a little bit. But at this time, we're doing OK. We're just trying to fill the need for these people. There are other agencies we direct them to if we can't help them ... Sometimes between us and a couple other agencies we can help them.

Selbo: With all the people coming in that you can help, do you find this to be a very fulfilling position?

Starostovic: Oh, definitely. I've met [many] wonderful people ... We're trying to give them the best service we can. I know a lot of people are very appreciative. When some of them come in here, they are under such stress and strain. A lot of it I have to thank the staff for, too ...

It’s a community effort definitely. I really am so proud of this community because it never ceases to amaze me ... I do feel that this next year because so many of the businesses have gone out of business, we’ll probably get a repercussion later this year. Our food baskets did go from maybe 25 a month to between 70 and 75 each month.

Selbo: What makes for an effective township supervisor?

Starostovic: I think being involved in the community is an important factor, of which I do take a big part. Being involved with surrounding villages. To be in the know of what's happening in the area. And having a dependable staff is another plus. We have a board that works well together ... I feel like they really put their time into being trustees.

Selbo: What do you remember about growing up in Lake County? Any memories that stand out?

Starostovic: Everybody knows everybody. There's always that inter-mingling of people ...  I have to go back to when my kids were in Big Hollow school. I always felt like being part of that spot down there on  [Route] 12 and [Route] 134 was like a community in itself. Today, one of the women that drives the bus for us here at the township is the lady that I was with all through scouts with my daughter. My son and her son are still friends to this day. It's like your relationships last a lifetime.

There are so many people here who feel the same way ... It’s a family. The connection you have with people here just seems to be very, very strong. They all have deep roots.

Starostovic lowdown

Who she is: Kay Starostovic, supervisor of Grant Township

Family: Husband, Ron; three children, Rhonda, Stacy and Michael; and four grandsons

Favorite book: "The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham

Favorite musicians: Frank Sinatra and Hootie and the Blowfish

Hobbies:  Walking, camping, boating and spending time with family

Web site: www.granttownshipcenter.org