The leadership in the City of Knox will look largely the same for another year. Mayor Dennis Estok announced his yearly appointments to the city council Tuesday.
Police Chief Harold Smith, Street Superintendent Jeff Borg, Water Superintendent Tim Lindewald, and City Attorney Autumn Ferch are all keeping their positions for another year. Estok also made the appointment of Wastewater Superintendent Jason Clemons official, although he’s effectively been serving in that position for several months. “Kelly [Clemons] retired,” Estok explained. “He’s been doing a great job down there.”
Similarly, Estok nominated Bobby Trusty for the position of park superintendent, after George Byer retired last year. That goes to the Knox Park Board for final approval.
Several board and commission members were reappointed by the mayor or the city council. One of the few changes was the replacement on the redevelopment commission of Jerry Gurrado with Richard June, at the recommendation of Council President Jeff Berg. “Richard, along with his brother Chris, own Vorpal Gaming, selling tabletop games at 8 South Main Street in our own downtown,” Berg read from a prepared statement. “Richard knows budgets and finance and has studied at Purdue University.”
The city council is still looking for someone to serve on the board of zoning appeals. Mayor Estok noted that the vacancy has been an ongoing issue. “Let’s see, this will be the . . . fourth year, you guys,” he told council members. “I mean, you’ve got an appointment. It’s not a political appointment. It’s not D or an R or anything. It doesn’t have to be. But we do need to fill it.”
Berg was officially reelected as council president pro temp for the year.
