Changing of the Guard on Village Board

Trustee Jay Kadakia got a fond farewell from his colleagues on the village board Thursday night as he ended his tenure and a new trustee was sworn in to assume his seat.

“I can’t say enough about Jay,” Village President Charles Sass said.

“I think he probably went through the reports we had each week five or 10 times. We always use to kid him about the highlights,” said Sass, of the yellow highlighting Kadakia had in his board packet.

Sass gave the outgoing trustee a few highlighters to commemorate his time on the board. Kadakia also received an engraved clock that read “in recognition of your outstanding contribution and public service, time and commitment."

“We are not letting him get completely away, he will represent the village on a couple of committees,” Sass said.

“Job well done,” Sass said.

Kadakia thanked Huntley residents, adding “four years ago, you entrusted me with the trustee job. I was happy to accept the challenge. I hope I have done a good job,” he said in a short speech. “I appreciate the opportunity that was given to me.”

He said this year’s election had quite a few candidates and he was glad to see so many people run for office.

“I am glad they are willing and volunteering to do public service like I did,” the Sun City Huntley resident said, who was accompanied by his wife, Elaine.

Huntley trustees have put together a blueprint over the last four years and the village will do well if the board follows it, Kadakia said. In the future, he would like to see a college campus or satellite office locate in Huntley, he said.

Following his speech, Nick Hanson was sworn in and took over Kadakia’s seat. Incumbent Trustees Harry Leopold and Niko Kanakaris were also sworn into office.

Kadakia said he’s not sure what he will do next. His wife, too, is wondering what is next.

But he said he enjoyed his work on the village board, adding, “I love my village.”