Melissa Victor intends to serve on Cary park and Algonquin Township boards

Barring a potential conflict of interest, Algonquin Township Trustee Melissa Victor said she intends to serve both in her current role and the role she was elected to on Tuesday.

Victor received the highest percentage of the vote in a three-way race for two open seats on the Cary Park District Board of Commissioners, according to unofficial election results. She received 1,460 votes, or 38.96% of the votes. Sitting commissioner Phil Stanko came in second with 1,215 votes. Michael Murphy (1,072 votes) did not win a seat.

Victor said she still is awaiting the final word on whether she would be able to hold both offices. If the offices are not compatible, Victor said, she is willing to give up her chair in Algonquin Township.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said his office doesn’t make official determinations on whether two positions are compatible but refers office holders in that position to a compatibility index that outlines these potential conflicts.

Victor said that when she first began her term with the Algonquin Township, the board was divided with a lot of hostility stemming from the election process, which continued for several months. But during her time on the board, Victor said she has made strides in improving the township.

“If my being a commissioner on the Cary Board is a conflict of interest to continue to serve on the Algonquin Township Board and I do have to vacate my position as a trustee, I have the utmost confidence in the other elected officials for the Algonquin Township that they will continue to fight for our taxpayers and township for the next two years until [Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Andrew] Gasser’s term is over and a new, more experienced commissioner can come on board to rebuild it,” Victor said.

Victor has served the past four years on the Cary Park Foundation board and is the current vice president.

“I understand and embrace the evolving needs of the current growth within the community,” Victor said. “I would like to see increased program growth for pre-teens, teens and adult programming and am thrilled I can now be a part of the decision-making process with the Cary Park District master comprehensive plan.”