Depending on one’s perspective, the wholesale turnover on the Downers Grove Liquor Commission toward the end of 2003 represents a troubling trend or an encouraging indicator.
Of the seven commission members, six joined the volunteer panel within the last year. A significant factor in the overhaul was the abrupt ouster of three commissioners in the fall.
Mayor Brian Krajewski downplayed the transition, saying that the city is trying to rotate volunteers through the commissions more frequently to allow more residents to serve.
“We have probably 400, 500 resumes of residents, and we’re trying to turn over some of the boards and commissions,” said Krajewski, who added that sometimes when people are asked to resign, it is “not because they’re not doing a good job.”
In October, Diana Brodman Summers resigned under pressure after serving for about 18 months. The same fate befell Marilynn Gerloff, a commissioner for nearly four years who was serving a term set to expire in 2006.
Then in November, Dick Mochel, a 10-year liquor commissioner and its longtime chairman, was told his term would not be renewed. Mochel spends his winters in Arizona, and Krajewski said he missed meetings during that span.
Krajewski said officials considered disbanding the commission entirely and leaving liquor-related matters in his hands. But he and others decided it was important to maintain the advisory panel.
As for the relative inexperience of the commission, which expanded from five to seven members in 2003, Krajewski said he is not worried.
“For a couple of boards, like the Planning Commission and the ZBA [Zoning Board of Appeals], it’s more important not to have wholesale change. There are technical issues there,” said the mayor.
