Tim Kelpsas appears likely to be replaced as president of the Park District of La Grange board of commissioners when the board holds its annual election of officers at a special meeting Aug. 26.
"My personal observation is I think that Tim is busy
and stressed and that the organization would benefit from having
somebody who is more available," Brad Belcaster, a fellow park commissioner, said at last night's board meeting.
Kelpsas made no comment in response, but appeared to nod his head in agreement, one observer said.
The board's annual election of officers was expected to occur last night, but Vice President Bob Ashby persuaded Kelpsas, Belcaster and fellow commissioner Mary Ellen Penicook to hold off on the vote until a fifth commissioner, Chris Walsh, also could be present.
Walsh was unable to attend last night's meeting.
Commissioners must be present to vote, Kelpsas said. But he added that Walsh had expressed no
interest in delaying the vote.
Walsh, Kelpsas and Penicook all were nominated for president at the board's June meeting.
Ashby and Belcaster were nominated for vice president.
Nominated for treasurer were Belcaster and Steve Paczolt, the current treasurer.
Dean Bissias, the Park District's executive director, is the sole nominee for board secretary, a post he currently holds.
The positions of president and vice president must be held by commissioners, who are elected to the park board by the public. Anyone may be appointed to serve as treasurer or secretary.
Holding a special meeting Aug. 26,
for the sole purpose of electing officers, was agreed to because
Kelpsas said he would be unable to attend the next regular park board
meeting, scheduled for Sept. 16.
The election originally was to
occur at the board's July meeting, but that session was canceled due to
scheduling conflicts. Last night's meeting was itself a special session,
replacing both the July meeting and another regular meeting scheduled
for Aug. 19.
Kelpsas has served as board president since Oct. 2008, when he replaced Tim Metzger.
Metzger resigned from the board earlier this year, citing job and family demands. Belcaster in May was appointed by the board to serve the remainder of Metzger's term, which expires next April.