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8 | May 4, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger NEWS mokenamessenger.com Mokena Village Board Officials express gratitude to retiring Village engineer Pearson responsible for significant changes since 1997 Jon DePaolis Freelance Reporter The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees bid farewell April 24 to longtime Village Engineer Paul Pearson, who retired Friday, April 28, after 20 years with the Village. After Village Clerk Patricia Patt read a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Frank Fleischer listing Pearson’s many contributions and accomplishments with the Village, staff members and trustees shared their appreciation of Pearson. Director of Economic and Community Development Alan Zordan said the village’s population was around 10,000 when Pearson was hired in 1997. Now, the population is closer to 20,000. “The miles of public streets have at least doubled,” Zordan said. “In 1997, we only had two water towers. Now, we have four.” He also said Pearson was instrumental in Mokena moving from well water to Lake Michigan water. Zordan also credited Pearson for the Front Street streetscape project, for which Mokena was awarded Project of the Year from the American Public Works Association, Chicago Metropolitan Chapter, Southwest Branch, in 2002. Some of the other road projects Pearson oversaw included: the widening of 191st Street, from 80th Avenue to Wolf Road; and the additional lanes on Route 30. Pearson also helped Mokena be designated as a quiet zone for the Metra line, and he coordinated the Mokena Mayors Charitable Golf Outing the last three years. Public Works Director Lou Tiberi also shared some personal and professional memories of Pearson. “In Paul’s professional career, he was involved in almost all aspects of the public works programs and projects,” Tiberi said. Village Administrator John Tomasoski thanked Pearson for his contributions to Mokena, and he shared with Pearson a letter from former Village Administrator John Downs, who extended his congratulations to Pearson. The Village Board members also were effusive in their praise of Pearson. Trustee John Mazzorana was part of the Village Board that hired Pearson in 1997, along with Trustee Joseph Siwinski and then-Trustee Frank Fleischer. “I think that decision was a wise one then, and 20 years later, it still is a wise decision,” Mazzorana said. “Paul, you’ve done a good job for the Village. I have always said that part of [the] strength of our Village is our staff. We have had some of the best employees that I’ve ever been associated with — all long-term employees, who have devoted themselves to [Mokena].” Siwinski said Pearson always treated Mokena residents with respect. “Many years ago, we used to sit up here and had people come up with pictures of them floating in their streets in boats,” Siwinski joked. “It was rather uncomfortable to be up here. Magically, since you came on staff, we haven’t had that.” Trustee George Metanias has been trustee since 2005. He said over that time he has gotten to know Pearson both professionally and personally. “I tell you what, you rise above in both,” Metanias said. “You are a good person, and you care about the community. Being here 20 years, you actually helped shape this village. You had a big hand in doing that and shaping it well. For that, thank you very much.” Mayor Frank Fleischer also pointed to some of Pearson’s successes and the impact he had. “I remember dealing with engineers and not having an in-house engineer and sending stuff out and getting it sent back a week later; back and forth and back and forth,” Fleischer said. “No wonder it took two years sometimes to OK a subdivision. “When you came onboard, you took care of that. When I came back four years ago, I couldn’t believe how far we had advanced. You made things easier.” Fleischer also mentioned a conversation he had with Pearson earlier in the day, which told him all he needed to know about the longtime Village employee. “You’re done, basically, but you told me on Friday afternoon you’re still going to meet with IDOT,” Fleischer said. “The commitment you have to this Village, I appreciate that very much.” Pearson was presented with two plaques from Fleischer at the meeting. “I feel so fortunate to have been chosen as Mokena’s first Village engineer,” Pearson said. “I still remember the day. [I was with] Trustee [John] Mazzorana, Mayor [Robert] Chiszar and John Downs, and we were in the mayor’s office. That was my final interview, and I was on edge the whole time … and luckily, I got the job. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished in 20 years. There were a lot of accolades thrown my way, but by no means was that done by me. It’s done by [the staff] seated at this table. This is a team. It’s always been a team, and I’m going to miss that more than anything. “I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve done in the Village of Mokena over the last 20 years.” County officials push for education, collaboration to curb opioid epidemic Megann Horstead Freelance Reporter Officials said education, training and tough enforcement on drug dealers will be key to combatting a drug epidemic that killed nearly 100 people in Will County last year. The Edward Hospital Athletic & Events Center in Romeoville was packed April 21 as people gathered for the sixth annual Hero-Helps Southwest Coalition Community Summit. The event was again hosted by the Village of Romeoville and featured a resource expo on services and programs addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic. There were more than 30 tables set up in the building, including those for United Way of Will County, Trinity Services and Southwest Coalition for Substance Abuse Issues. Among some of the topics addressed during the summit included new legislature in the works, grant opportunities and initiatives aimed at working toward a solution to the heroin and opioid epidemic in the suburbs. Will County Executive Larry Walsh credited the community for its efforts to come together with one mission in mind: to reduce overdose deaths and save lives. To reverse the effects of the heroin and opioid epidemic, Will County has implemented a number of measures to educate, support and bring awareness to the issue. From annual events and partnerships to grants and training, the community is working across municipal and county lines to make a difference. Will County hired Dr. Kathleen Burke a few years ago as its new director of substance abuse initiatives. Under her leadership, efforts have been employed to establish a pilot Safe Passage program with the Mokena, Lockport and Lemont police departments. Through this initiative, a person suffering from any type of opioid addiction is encouraged to come into a participating police department and ask for assistance. They will be connected with and escorted by a volunteer to a treatment facility. “Our goal is to offer this program to other departments in the County,” Walsh said. Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow is currently working with State Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) to pass statewide legislation for a turn-in program that extends protections and treatment to heroin addicts. Glasgow said he encouraged collaboration statewide to move closer to eradicating the problem. He said heroin knows no bounds. “Any of us can turn into a zombie if ... someone injected us with heroin,” Glasgow said. “We’ve got to look at this in a whole different way.” Glasgow said law enforcement officials don’t want to raise penalties for drug offenses and said the community must know that heroin dealers are still being caught. “Heroin dealers have got to be on notice,” he said. “You’re selling poison, and we’re going after drug-induced homicides as aggressively as we possibly can. We want the drug dealers to know in addition to the dealing charge, you’re going to get a consecutive charge for killing the person you’re dealing the drug to.” In 2016, a reported 96 people died of heroin, fentanyl and opioid overdoses in Will County, the highest number of overdose deaths ever. One of the challenges faced in Will County is in educating the public on what services and programs are available. Burke said the County will be working to fill the Please see HEROHELPS, 15
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