Letter from the Village President
Spring Has Sprung In The Beautiful Olympia Fields
Spring and "springtime" refer to ideas and moments of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, regrowth and transition. Springtime is always one of the most beautiful seasons and is one of the reasons we all love Olympia Fields and call it home. Look around – Springtime in Olympia Fields is why we are the most preeminent community in the southern suburbs.
This spring’s transition is special because we can see the end of the pandemic. In Olympia Fields, approximately 60 percent of our community has been vaccinated. As we approach the CDC’s suggested 70 percent mark, we are now able to get outside and enjoy all of the splendor of our beautiful village. This spring will enable us to renew in-person relationships with family, friends and neighbors. This spring is a transition to resuming some sense of normalcy, including traveling, going back to work and pursuing new opportunities.
Transitions
We have a couple of residents leaving our Village Board. I would like to thank outgoing Trustee Janice Thomas and Trustee Cassandra J. Matz as they transition to a new time in their lives.
I want to publicly thank them both for their service to the Village. Olympia Fields is full of very talented people; Those who volunteer to participate on committees and commissions are special individuals. Those who hold leadership positions are key to the success of our community.
Trustees Thomas and Matz both received a thank you letter, a proclamation and plaque thanking them for their four years of service to the Village of Olympia Fields.
I want to congratulate and welcome Trustee Victor Blackwell of Hawthorne Hills (pictured top left) and Trustee Howard White of Original Village (pictured top right). I would also like to offer a special congratulations to Trustee Kelvin Oliver of Olympia Fields East (pictured bottom right) for beginning his fourth term as Trustee.
For information on the Board of Trustees, please visit the Village website.
This spring has also been a special time of transition for members of our community.
Judge Drella Savage, Village Clerk (pictured below) has transitioned to a new position working for Governor J.B. Pritzker as a member of the State of Illinois Parole Board. We will truly miss her wisdom and professionalism.
Long time Planning and Zoning Commissioner Larry Green has retired and moved to Memphis. I will be looking to replace both positions in the next thirty days.
I would like to congratulate Calvin Jordan of Maynegaite for being elected Rich Township Supervisor. Supervisor Jordan is a long-time resident and friend of many in Olympia Fields. Trinette Britt-Johnson, another resident of Maynegaite, has accepted a new position as the Rich Township Assistant to Supervisor Jordan.
I would like to announce and congratulate several well-deserved promotions.
At the beginning of the shut-down, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, I reorganized the Police Department to ensure the Village would always have a senior officer and supervisor on duty for each shift to help ensure public safety.
Acting Chief Scott Morgan and Administrative Sergeant Derrick Blassingame stepped up and led that effort. Collectively, they have more than 52 years serving our Village.
At the last Village Board Meeting, Acting Chief Morgan was promoted to Chief and Sergeant Blassingame was promoted to Deputy Chief.
The Board also voted to appoint positions of Sergeants for Corporal Esteban Lopez and Corporal Michael Mayden.
Corporal Don Dean has been promoted to Detective.
Last but not least, Cynthia Smith has been promoted to Accounting Supervisor.