POLO — Tommy Bardell was sworn in Monday evening as a Ward 1 alderperson for the city of Polo.

Bardell, 23, is a lifelong Polo resident and works as an account specialist for G&M Distributors in Dixon.

He replaces Justin Grobe on the city council and will fill out a two-year term that expires May 1, 2023. At that point, an election will be held to fill the position.

“Doug [Knapp, Polo mayor] was happy about having a little bit younger perspective on the council,” Bardell said. “I think that’s a perspective the council’s been lacking.”

For the last several years, Bardell has been involved with the Polo Youth Baseball League, which he said, “tied into the parks quite a bit.”

Grobe’s seat on the council headed the Parks and Recreation Department.

“With my connection with parks, I thought that would be something I could transition into well,” Bardell said. “One thing Polo has going for it is a really nice public parks system. We want to keep improving and keep up the high standards there.”

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct a reporter’s error. Bardell’s term will end on May 1, 2023. — Aug. 9, 2021