April 23, 2024
Shaw Local
NewsSubscribePrep SportseNewspaperChicago BearsNewsletterThe SceneObituariesEvent Calendar

Prairie Grove appoints new trustee, Planning and Zoning Commission members

New trustee Renae Mendez replaces Robert Saley, who moved out of town

By Cassie Buchman

Renae Mendez was sworn in as a Prairie Grove village trustee at the Nov. 9,2021, meeting of the Village Board. (Scr)

The Prairie Grove Village Board unanimously approved the appointment of resident Renae Mendez as a trustee and three new Planning and Zoning Commission members at its meeting Tuesday.

Former Trustee Robert Saley moved out of town, creating a vacancy on the village board, Village Administrator Mike Freese said.

Village trustees in Prairie Grove are paid $2,500 a year.

Mendez is a relatively new resident to Prairie Grove, Village President David Underwood told trustees. After living in Oahu, Hawaii, for 18 years, she moved to Illinois and bought a house in the village last October, he said.

“As we’re settling down roots in this community and trying to understand what makes this area special, we’re trying to just do our part as members of the community to help move things along to protect the rural nature that is Prairie Grove,” Mendez said when asked about her interest in public office.

After living in Prairie Grove for a little more than a year, Mendez said she’s been learning about native plants and her family has gotten involved with a local Cub Scout pack.

“It’s just a value of my family to give back to the communities we live in,” she said.

Gene Novosad, David Walters and Jim Hicks were the three residents appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Novosad, who said he has a “background in construction” and dealing with the village’s building and permit office, has lived in Prairie Grove for three years and is president of his homeowners association.

Walters moved to Prairie Grove in July of this year and said he thought being on the village’s Planning and Zoning Commission would be a good way to get more involved in the community.

Like Mendez did earlier in the meeting, Hicks said he wants to “help preserve the rural fabric, the quality of life that we see” in Prairie Grove.

“I actually was part of the group that formed the village back in 1973,” Hicks said. “I have attended numerous a Village Board meetings, as well as zoning board meetings.”