Trustee Resigns, Board President To Appoint Replacement

WILMETTE, IL — Trustee Steve Leonard announced his resignation from the Wilmette Village Board this week in order to take a new job in Michigan. At a board meeting Tuesday, he said he had accepted a position in the Detroit area for a "privately held education provider" working on a national facilities expansion. Leonard, a 55-year-old commercial real estate developer, was elected last year.

The vacancy created by his departure will be filled by a trustee appointed by Village President Bob Bielinski, who has 60 days to submit a nomination to the board. Corporation Counsel Jeff Stein explained that Bielinski could submit two names for approval from the full board, and if neither was approved he can go ahead and pick one.

Leonard, is a Wilmette native who has spend the last 23 years living in the village, Pioneer Press reported. He ran for office last year on the issue of stormwater control. He told Wilmette Life he was "distraught" at having to leave the position after less than a year but said he believed the village was on track to come to a fiscally responsible resolution to its drainage issues.

Bielinski said he would prefer to appoint an interim trustee with experience on the board so they can "hit the ground running" on the important issues it confronts.

The appointed trustee will only serve until next year, when candidates can opt to run for the final two years of Leonard's term.

Read the complete letter of resignation from Wilmette Village Trustee Steve Leonard:

It is with a heavy heart and great regret that I announce my resignation as trustee of the Wilmette Village Board. I have accepted an exciting new professional opportunity with a Detroit based company where I will be focussing on national facility expansion for a privately held education provider. The new position will require a relocation to the Detroit area and extensive national and international travel.

It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve the community in this capacity over the past year. The time I have spent working with my fellow board members and Wilmette staff has been enriching and educational. Mr. Frenzer, Mr. Braiman and their entire Village staff never cease to amaze and impress me. Their dedication and professionalism have been apparent since the day I joined the board last year. I have spent my entire career in the retail real estate development business, working closely with Boards and staffs throughout the country. Never have I encountered a more highly qualified and effective group of professionals than the team assembled in our fair Village. This is clearly a testament Mr. Frenzer and Mr. Braiman’s management and leadership. Thank you both for your kind words and well wishes.

I also want to thank Bob Bielinski for his support both during the election campaign and during my brief term on the Board. Bob is the ultimate professional and consummate leader. He devotes seemingly endless time to Board responsibilities, which he completes with great finesse and passion. As Wilmette residents, we are all very lucky to have a leader like Bob Bielinski as our Village President. He inspired me to perform at my highest level while on the Board and will undoubtedly continue to lead and motivate the other Board members during the remainder of his term.

To my fellow Board members, I wish you all good luck and great success in the future. I have enjoyed working with you as we have tackled some really tough challenges confronting the Village. I am very proud of the way we have all been able to address controversial issues, airing our sometimes differing perspectives without letting the conversations become personal or antagonistic. This clearly reflects the respect we all hold for each other, which is often not the case on suburban Village boards. Please feel free to reach out to me in the future if I can be of assistance either professionally or personally. I have greatly enjoyed my time on the Board and appreciate the confidence you have placed in me over the past year. Although I wish circumstances were different, allowing me to complete my current term, I know I leave matters in good hands and that the vital Village business will be handled with the highest level of competency and skill. Thank you once again and good luck.