Tuminello recognized by New Lenox Village Board for years of political service

Ray Tuminello, a New Lenox resident and former plan commissioner and village trustee for New Lenox, was recognized by the village board at Monday’s meeting for his years of service in politics.

Most recently, Tuminello served on the Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee.

Tuminello is stepping away from politics after a long career.

“Ray has, I think we all would agree has wisely decided to end his political career,” Mayor Tim Baldermann said, drawing laughs from the board and those in attendance. “But before he made that decision, Ray spent a tremendous amount of time and energy and life here in New Lenox making a positive difference for the residents.”

Baldermann also made note that he made a difference for those in the unincorporated areas of New Lenox and even beyond that.

Tuminello being on the Will County committee allowed for positive relationships between New Lenox and the county.

“Ray was always somebody when he left the village, that any one of us could pick up the phone and call,” Baldermann said. “We did quite frequently and he was just as supportive of our Village as a county board member as he was a trustee.”

Tuminello came up from Florida where he has been working recently.

Baldermann said it’s not a goodbye, but a “see you soon,” and wished him well and gave him his distinguished service award.

“As much as I appreciate this appreciation award, it means a lot to me and this building has a tremendous amount of memories in it, it really does,” Tuminello said. “Through the whole thing, I remember in the plan commission, both my children were in diapers. Now my daughter is a couple months away from graduating college.

“One woman, my wife, made that possible, because someone was holding down the fort while I was here. I’m just as appreciative of her and my family as (the board) is of what I’ve done.”

One thing that New Lenox board members say often is that “This board is different.” And Tuminello said that going back years, that was the case.

He said there were a lot of times where there was division, but they always made it work.

“It takes someone at the top to kind of put everyone in place and make us understand we’re here for the common goal, and (mayor Baldermann) you were phenomenal in making that happen,” Tuminello said.

“Some of the best years I spent in politics were right here in this building,” Tuminello. “Thirteen years I think I had in this building and six at the county ... Here, I’ll always be grateful for the residents of New Lenox in trusting me to be here.”