The Skokie Park District board of commissioners said goodbye to its president, swore in two recently-elected members, and then elected its new officers at Tuesday's May 2017 regular and annual meetings.
At the May monthly meeting, the board read a resolution honoring its outgoing president, Jerry Clarito, as well as personally praising his service and honoring him with a gift. Clarito, who had served on the board since 2005, and as its president for the past year, did not seek re-election in 2017. During his tenure, Clarito helped preside over a large-scale park renovation plan, the renovation of the Skatium Ice Arena and the Weber Leisure Center, and the creation of Skokie's Backlot Bash.
The board then immediately adjourned to its annual meeting, first swearing in elected board members Mike Reid (pictured far right) and Khem Khoeun (second from right). Reid was re-elected after 12 years on the board. Khoeun was elected as a new member.
In their first order of business, members elected Susan Aberman (far left) president of the board, with Mike Reid elected vice-president.
Commissioners also pictured at right include Michael Alter (second from left) and Maureen Yanes (center).
The five-member board is elected by the residents of Skokie and is responsible for setting policies and procedures that benefit the park district and the community. The board adopts a budget, levies property taxes and is responsible for hiring and evaluating the executive director. All commissioners are elected at large and serve without compensation.
The Skokie Park District is a separate government agency from the Village of Skokie and all other county and state taxing entities, created for the purpose of acquiring and maintaining parks, as well as developing and organizing recreational programs and events for its residents.
Regular board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., in the Weber Leisure Center board room at 9300 Weber Park Pl., in Skokie.
For more information about the board of park commissioners or Skokie Park District business, call (847) 929-7100.